VE Excessive Oil Consumption

[Herbz]

G'day Fellas.

I have seen threads have been created on this topic before and was wondering if anyone out there is still having problems with their VE SS's using excessive oil?

My low oil alarm came on just before my 15,000Km service..what the? I checked the dip stick an it appeared there was still a safe amount in the sump to last until the service. When the service was getting done at WA Perf a few days later there was NO oil to be seen.

I took it straight to the Holden dealership to find out what the hell was going on and to see if this had been a common problem. They didnt seem the slightest bit fussed or worried and said it was normal...normal, low oil comming on at 15,000Kms on a 6 month old car! I dont think so!:confused:

Anyway they started it on an oil consumption test over the next 10,000Kms so we will see how we go. Has anyone else had anything similar with there VE's?

[jaykay]

Try this thread...

http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=81095

[Herbz]

Doesnt entirely help me, as I said I did check other threads and they are quite old, MY07 VE's, not MY9.5 or 10, and I was curious as to whether it was still an issue with anyone else. Thanks anyway JKGMH:goodjob:

Reason is Holden has told me that this "was" an issue with the earlier VE's, so they increased the sump capacity to 8.5L there for the oil consumption is no longer an issue..I find it hard to believe however since my owners manuel spec sheet claims the sump capacity is 7.6L anyway. :confused:

Holden also stated that the SS's burn 2.5L per 15,000kms, this startled me at first, but since doing some research, it does sound common. Even if I did burn 2.5L between my 5000kms service and the recent 15,000km, I should still have 5.1L in the sump....well it was almost Bone dry accept for what was left at the bottom of the sump which wasnt registering on the dip stick.

WA Performance were fantastic in notifying me that this probably wasnt good, however Brian Gardiner Holden didnt seem the slightest bit worried.

[brmbollie]

Yep same issue here oil warning light came on at 13500 k's dealer has done exactly the same thing as you.

[dawkinsdisciple]

[QUOTE=Herbz;1727133]
Reason is Holden has told me that this "was" an issue with the earlier VE's, so they increased the sump capacity to 8.5L there for the oil consumption is no longer an issue..I find it hard to believe however since my owners manuel spec sheet claims the sump capacity is 7.6L anyway. :confused:

Holden also stated that the SS's burn 2.5L per 15,000kms, this startled me at first, but since doing some research, it does sound common. [QUOTE]

1. i came on here to ask i dropping a notch or so over 10,000km was acceptable and almost fell off my chair when i saw the tolerance was 2.5l/15,000km!!! really? that sounds pretty ridiculous, is it ok for an engine to consume a bit of oil then?

2. mines a nov06 and i'm pretty sure mines got the larger sump - i put over 8l in the last change...

[Herbz]

(Quote dawkinsdisciple)
1. i came on here to ask i dropping a notch or so over 10,000km was acceptable and almost fell off my chair when i saw the tolerance was 2.5l/15,000km!!! really? that sounds pretty ridiculous, is it ok for an engine to consume a bit of oil then?

2. mines a nov06 and i'm pretty sure mines got the larger sump - i put over 8l in the last change...[/QUOTE]


I dont think 2.5L is acceptable, I am guessing it is Holden 'worst case' scenario spec, even WA Perf were concerned at the consumption, hence why I went back to the dealership in the first place.

What concerns me even more was the fact mine used MORE then 2.5L, there was no oil to be seen on the dip stick!

I am note sure about the sump size though, like I said, the spec sheet in the owners manual sais 7.6L, then Holden said 8.5...so im not sure. It is kind of irrelevent anyway, at the end of the day the Oil Warning light should not come on at 15,000Kms.

BRMBOLLIE, what did the dealer tell you? Just put it on the test and thats it?

[EXCESSV]

did you check the level of the oil dipstick at new? maybe it was low new and then the 2.5L used meant you were near on dry.

i really dont see how they are still burning/using oil. i might use .5L (if that) in 10,000+km and mine has 84000km done with exhaust/tune etc at 4000km and cam since 22,000km.

do you see any oil on your driveway or wherever you park it? i know the early ones had sump gasket/bolts issues where they would leak but being a MY9.5/10 it would have been sorted from factory by now. the sump from what i am aware hasnt changed either on the L98...but i could be wrong.

[Herbz]

did you check the level of the oil dipstick at new? maybe it was low new and then the 2.5L used meant you were near on dry.

i really dont see how they are still burning/using oil. i might use .5L (if that) in 10,000+km and mine has 84000km done with exhaust/tune etc at 4000km and cam since 22,000km.

do you see any oil on your driveway or wherever you park it? i know the early ones had sump gasket/bolts issues where they would leak but being a MY9.5/10 it would have been sorted from factory by now. the sump from what i am aware hasnt changed either on the L98...but i could be wrong.


Yeah I checked after the first run in service (3 or 5000kms, cant remember) and it seemed fine.

Have done the standard look around for oil spills and it doesnt appear to leave any behind nor is there any wet spots or stains in the engine bay. There does appear to be more residue on the left hand side exhaust tips where as the right hand side is nearly clean. So obviously oil is building up in the manifold.

0.5L sounds more like it! Its like pulling teeth to get Holden to do anything further other then the oil consumption test they have already started. And I wouldnt mind betting that after another 10,000kms and excessive consumption still being an issue, they will tell me its normal and acceptable!:vpo:

[brmbollie]

This only happened on Saturday, rang the dealer this morning and he said it was normal. If I was concerned come in and they would check the oil and monitor it. But as you have said they are not worried at all at the consumption of 2lts in 10,000 k's.

[Irish]

What concerns me even more was the fact mine used MORE then 2.5L, there was no oil to be seen on the dip stick!




Mate hate to say it but I believe the holden v8 only shows the top 1 L on the dip stick. Most other cars only show the top 500ml. The best way to find out how much it shows is to fill it to the bottom of the stick and then measure how much oil it takes to reach the full mark. The dip stick never shows the full sump amount!

[OPTIMUS]

another reason to service more regularly, do a inbetween service 7500 yourself.

[Party Pete]

Wow. I thought that oil consumption was a thing of the past since VX series II. That seems a hell of a lot of oil usage to me.

[Herbz]

another reason to service more regularly, do a inbetween service 7500 yourself.

Yeh I have been told that is a good way to go, and will continue to do so i reckon.


Mate hate to say it but I believe the holden v8 only shows the top 1 L on the dip stick. Most other cars only show the top 500ml. The best way to find out how much it shows is to fill it to the bottom of the stick and then measure how much oil it takes to reach the full mark. The dip stick never shows the full sump amount!

Jeepers I knew there would still be oil at the bottom of the sump, but i was thinking along the lines of maybe 2L or something. IMO it doesnt make sense for the dipstick to only measure the top 1L if it burns 2.5L per 15,000Kms....the bloody low oil alarm would be on every 7,000kms...and Holden are the ones whp spec the 2.5L consumption in the first place:confused:

[Irish]

Jeepers I knew there would still be oil at the bottom of the sump, but i was thinking along the lines of maybe 2L or something. IMO it doesnt make sense for the dipstick to only measure the top 1L if it burns 2.5L per 15,000Kms....the bloody low oil alarm would be on every 7,000kms...and Holden are the ones whp spec the 2.5L consumption in the first place:confused:

It shows the top 1L so normal people who check their fluid levels regularly top it up before it reaches an unsafe level. If it is under warrenty however just let it blow up and get a new motor. :goodjob:

[Martin_D]

15,000km service intervals are lunacy and 'cutting service costs to please the accountants' more than anything. Service it every 5000km and monitor useage. It should be fine :)

[Irish]

15,000km service intervals are lunacy and 'cutting service costs to please the accountants' more than anything. Service it every 5000km and monitor useage. It should be fine :)

I understand what you are saying tuna but I believe the change was brought about by public opinion. Some jap and korean manufacturers went to the 15,000km service and people saw this as an advantage as the car had to be serviced less and therefore cost them less. Holdens market research would have shown them this even though they would understand it will increase wear rates in the long run.

15,000km intervals could also increase consumption as by the time the oil is that old the friction modifiers will have been sheared and therefore produce a lower viscosity oil. A kilometer figure is never a good indicator of service times anyway, stop start traffic or hard driving will shorten the oils life span considerably. 5000km is a good number for most cars though.

[cookie_ssv]

it is very excessive, i check most of the 8's when they come in for services before i drop the oil and never seen nothing on the stick, sometimes get ss's in at 18-20k for the first oil change and they still have a reading on the stick..

keep on them with the oil consumption tests and make sure theres a good record of it for future issues as it may get worse.

[Herbz]

it is very excessive, i check most of the 8's when they come in for services before i drop the oil and never seen nothing on the stick, sometimes get ss's in at 18-20k for the first oil change and they still have a reading on the stick..

keep on them with the oil consumption tests and make sure theres a good record of it for future issues as it may get worse.

Yeah I have been told by other workshops that even though it will burn a certain amount by 15,000, There still should be a reading on the stick. Never the less I will cut my oil changes down to 7,000 and see how we go.

Cheers

[HSVGTS215i]

15k servicing is to attract the fleet companies ie lower servicing costs. We recommend to all private customers a 7.5k interval. I believe the high sump capacity is to compensate for the lengthy service intervals. They do take around 8.5 litres when the oil and filter is changed as opposed to around 6 litres for the VZs with a 10k service interval.

[planetdavo]

MY10 with L76 AFM have a known issue with the PCV system causing excess oil usage in low km cars. It can usually be fixed by replacing the left hand rocker cover and PCV hose with revised components.
TL1924 - 1003

[SSVWagon]

FTG Holden have placed my 09.5 SSV Sportwagon (with dealer programmed AFM) on an oil consumption test at the 15k first service in Feb.

I'm up to 20k now and the dipstick is at half mast.... they told me to bring it back when it reached the 'add' mark. Trouble is I struggle to get a clear reading as the curly wirly dipstick smudges the reading as I pull it out of the tube each time.:confused:

[pah]

15,000km service intervals are lunacy and 'cutting service costs to please the accountants' more than anything. Service it every 5000km and monitor useage. It should be fine :)

I agree with Tuna. The 15k oil change interval is designed to please fleet accountants. Fleet buyers know they will dump the cars well before their penny pinching services cause engine failure. The next poor sap that buys the car ends up with an engine that needs to be rebuilt well before its time.

That's the case with cheap engine oils. I've spoken to Oil Co techs who get their Group 4 full synthetic oil for free - and they change their oil at 15k or more believing in their oil's ability to last that long. I guess that theory goes down the drain if the engine is burning oil.

Even if you're using Group 4 synthetic, changing at 10k instead of 15k is good insurance.

But why are these engines using oil? Is it an issue associated with assembly tolerances? Is it because the block is aluminium? Or is it both? Is there an iron block equivalent and if so, do they burn oil? What about a carefully rebuilt (blueprinted) L98??




PAH

[SUPERH2377]

what brands are group 4 oils . I use nulon fully synthenic in my cars , and my 1st service 3000k is coming up , and was gonna use that oil in it. Mine is a manual so i have the L98 engine.

[steves87]

15,000km service intervals are lunacy and 'cutting service costs to please the accountants' more than anything. Service it every 5000km and monitor useage. It should be fine :)

i agree, lunacy....

the amount you burn over 5000k's has to be a third of what you burn over 15000k's..... right? and all that on 8.5 litres of oil at a time.... 5 vs 15 thou is a big difference.

so i think that solves the problem to a degree.....
:)

[Martin_D]

Oil never repairs itself, and with todays modern emissions tuning often ends us fuel diluted and pushed way past its vis index. Change engine oil often, its cheap insurance :)