SRX Excessive Oil Consumption- Any ideas?

**KF3CD** · 12-30-09 07:15 PM

My 2005 V-6 SRX is using an excessive amount of oil between changes. I bought this car with 20k miles and it now has 40k. I do my own oil changes, easiest car to change the oil in that I ever owned! I use a full synthetic 5w-30 as recommended, either Mobil 1 or Castrol Syntech and I change it when the computer reads anywhere between 30 and 50%. Before the last change, the oil light actually came on so I added two quarts and changed the oil very shortly thereafter (was probably 4 quarts low to make the light come on!), and this change I switched from Mobil 1 to Synytech. I was at 50% on the computer today (about 5 months/only 4 or 5 k miles since last change) and I checked the oil...very low on the dip stick. Instead of adding a few quarts of oil, I just changed it and measured what I got out...wow, only 3 quarts out! How can I have used 3 quarts again since my last oil change!? Has anyone had this problem with this engine? or tried switching to a heavier oil to solve it? It's still under warranty, do you think my Caddy dealer would be able to do anything? THANKS for reading this!

**KF3CD** · 12-30-09 07:42 PM

I just read several other threads about this exact problem...wow, I had no idea it's such a common problem...nice to know I'm not the only one...but to me, a quart of oil every 1000 miles is far from acceptable. I'll see what my Caddy dealer says tomorrow about the TSB and piston and valve seal job.

**carguy2009** · 12-31-09 01:47 AM

I used 3/4 qt with a 3200 mile oil change in my 08 with 31k miles. I use 5W-30 Mobil 1 and changed the oil because it looked and was very dirty. I measure the amount of oil out and assume some oil remains in the filter cartridge.

Let us know what the dealer said.

**louisn** · 12-31-09 08:26 AM

Is the Castrol syntex GM approved for the srx 6 cylinder? My 8 cylinder requires the GM4718 designation. I don't think syntex qualifies???

Castrol SYNTEC exceeds passenger car and light truck manufacturers' warranty requirements for the protection of gasoline and turbocharged engines where API SL, SJ or SH is recommended. Castrol SYNTEC grades exceed the engine protection requirements of ILSAC GF-4 for API Certified Gasoline Engine Oils. SYNTEC grades are formulated to surpass European engine test and Japanese wear test requirements and also exceeds the engine protection requirements of Ford ESE-M2C153-G and F, GM 6094M, GM 6085M, Chrysler Corporation MS-6395.

Only use SAE 5W-20 viscosity grade where recommended by vehicle manufacturer.

**raysirx** · 12-31-09 10:47 AM

The Dealer fixed mine with (6) ring kit 0.643 GM Part #12608615
15000 miles later, no consumption issues
2004 SRX V6 109,000

**Paulie Walnuts** · 12-31-09 11:24 AM

N* w/ AWD - 127,435 miles and running strong - I stand on the gas pedal at ALL times - oil consumption is at times alarming - 1 quart every 2-3K - reminds me it's time to change. I have never owned any vehicle that ate oil like this beast - but it's not that big an issue for me to deal with - and beats driving anything else.

**c5 rv** · 12-31-09 07:01 PM

Though the 3.6 is a 2-cycle engine, please do not put premix in the fuel tank. Just check the oil every fill-up or so and continue to add oil to the engine as needed. I always kept a couple quarts on the shelf in the garage.

**KF3CD** · 01-01-10 09:28 AM

My dealer said they haven't seen this issue with any other SRX's...but they have with DTS's. They want to change the oil and start an oil consumption test so I'll let them do this when I take it in for state inspection next month...and will have to take it back to the dealer every +/-1000 miles

**nascarnation** · 01-01-10 04:20 PM

Originally Posted by c5 rv

Though the 3.6 is a 2-cycle engine, please do not put premix in the fuel tank. Just check the oil every fill-up or so and continue to add oil to the engine as needed. I always kept a couple quarts on the shelf in the garage.

LMAO

I've had some good luck rehabilitating Saturn 1.9s (a notorious oil guzzler with ring sticking problems) using Castrol Syntec European 0W30 which is a specific oil blend mfg in Germany and NOT the same as all the other Syntecs commonly found in the US. I have only been able to find this oil in Autozone and then not all the time. It appears to have the ability to help get the oil rings working properly again. If I encounter the oil usage problem in my V6 SRX (26,000 miles but out of warranty due to age) I'll certainly try the Castrol there also.

Right now I'm using Pennzoil Platinum because it was basically a buck a quart after the rebate and I stocked up.

**05awdupstater** · 01-02-10 12:42 PM

I have the same Caddy. I have the same problem. Mine also raps so loudly for the first 5 seconds when cold that I can here it the house. Caddy dealer said normal. GM field rep (pre bankruptsy) stated that it was normal.

I just fixed it this week.

2010 Equinox LTZ parked where that P.O.S. use to be.

Absolute last chance for GM with me.

**akdj1055** · 01-02-10 03:42 PM

Hey KF3CD - Don't believe for a second your Caddy dealer hasn't heard of this issue with SRX's. It's been a problem for years - to the point there's a TSB on this, supposedly. They hold those TSB's tight to the vest. They also have no problem lying to you.
Mine started sucking a quart every 1,200 miles at around 25,000 miles. I've gone through numerous consumption tests - all confirming the above rate, yet they wouldn't fix my sled. It now has 60,000 miles - still burning a quart every 1,200 miles.
Since you are not the original owner, you're probably screwed on getting GM to do anything about it. They owe you nothing and you probably don't have any legal recourse. Get rid of your SRX. Soon, all that burned-up oil will screw up your emission control equipment (converters, sensors, etc.) like it did to mine.
Good luck.

**raysirx** · 01-02-10 08:21 PM

I am the second owner
my original dealer said it is normal for a high performance engine to use oil
My Cats went bad last year (wonder why?)
My original dealer was closed by GM.
I went to another dealer in NJ, not only did they keep the car for 3 days
they also changed the timing chain, sprockets, rings and valve seals
all work done at 98000 miles under extended warranty.
The dealer had to have the local GM rep examine the disassembled engine to approve the work needed to be done.

Engine is quiet on startup and no longer burns oil

I was in the one quart every 1200 mile range
2004 v6

**KF3CD** · 01-03-10 11:38 PM

Thanks for all the replies. Although I'm the second owner, I bought my SRX Cadillac Certified from the same dealer that sold it new (Hill Cadillac in Newtown Square, Pa.) and it's under warranty until early 2011. This dealer was great about fixing the rear water leak when I first bought it...after their first unsuccessful attempt to fix the leak, posts on this website were great in detailing exactly what needed to be done and they did everything.

I think my SRX was woman owned, always babied and never given the Wide Open Throttle treatment...until I read about that here the other day...so I red lined it a few times this weekend.

I love everything about this car and hope to keep it a while longer...if the dealer does nothing for me and the oil problem continues, I think I'll be looking for a low mileage '08 or '09 SRX.

Does anyone happen to know the TSB #???

**n7don_srx** · 01-04-10 06:07 PM

Originally Posted by KF3CD

Does anyone happen to know the TSB #???

I found 01-06-01-011F issued 07/13/09 on our public library site. It's not specific to a SRX but states general guidelines on oil consumption for GM vehicles not used commercially. There may be a later TSB. This one states oil consumption of 1 Qt/2000 miles is acceptable for a non-agressive driver.

**jsiddall** · 01-07-10 04:27 PM

Originally Posted by n7don_srx

I found 01-06-01-011F issued 07/13/09 on our public library site. It's not specific to a SRX but states general guidelines on oil consumption for GM vehicles not used commercially. There may be a later TSB. This one states oil consumption of 1 Qt/2000 miles is acceptable for a non-agressive driver.

The service manual for my 2005 SRX says that anything less than _2 qt._ per 2,000 mi. is normal. That applies to both the V6 and the N* engines.

My '97 STS N* has burned about 1 qt. every 1,200 miles for the 5 years or so I have owned it and it hasn't seemed to cause any issues.

My advice: if your vehicle is out of warranty, or if it is burning less than this, just add a bit of oil when needed and stop worrying about it!