SIDI SV6 SERIES I - excessive engine oil consumption

[curious2010]

Hi guys,

I purchased a new SIDI SV6 MY10 commodore series I from a Holden dealership at the end of last year.

I decided to change the engine oil at around 8000kms(before the recommended 15,000kms), when I took it to my mechanic he couldn't get a reading as the Dip-stick indicated NO oil. After releasing the engine oil, there was only around 4.7L which should be 6.5L when full (max capacity).

After replenishing the engine oil(Recommended oil viscosity) back to 6.5L and less than 5000kms later, the dipstick showed engine oil levels less than half-way. between "ADD-AREA" and "UPPER-AREA"

The car has always been carefully driven, never thrashed and had 98 RON fuel ever since its first refill.

Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated.

[ollie_yzf]

I checked mine the other day, it was showing real low on the dipstick. Its just about done 15,000kms, It was serviced first at 5,000. Oils too thin maybe? (mines a non sidi sv6)

[brad87]

Sounds like it wasn't driven hard enough during the first 500km.

The best way to run in an engine and bed in the rings properly is to give it heaps of load (but not too many revs). So pretty much take it round lots of windy roads and drive as hard as u can till about 5000rpm then change up and repeat and never stay at the same revs, constantly vary it.

Doing the above will give U the BEST oil consumtion over the life of the engine.

[curious2010]

The engine oil I used to refill at around 8000kms was Castrol edge sport 5W-30. Which is the recommended oil viscosity.

Did you change the engine oil at 5000kms?

I checked mine the other day, it was showing real low on the dipstick. Its just about done 15,000kms, It was serviced first at 5,000. Oils too thin maybe? (mines a non sidi sv6)

[curious2010]

Well, I did abit of reading about running in the engine. There is actually a section in the owners manual about engine running-in and despite following the procedure, doesn't seem like it has helped much.

Does this mean the piston rings might need to be replaced?

Sounds like it wasn't driven hard enough during the first 500km.

The best way to run in an engine and bed in the rings properly is to give it heaps of load (but not too many revs). So pretty much take it round lots of windy roads and drive as hard as u can till about 5000rpm then change up and repeat and never stay at the same revs, constantly vary it.

Doing the above will give U the BEST oil consumtion over the life of the engine.

[Cruzer]

Hi My SV6 non SIDI has used half a litre in the last 5000km so i topped it up and if its down again by next service will be going to dealer, as yours has dropped so much twice i would be hitting up th dealer to check it out 2, also maybe have a look a mobil 1 oil its alot more expesive but i heard its the best so i will be giving that ago next service,

[curious2010]

Yeah true, I emailed the dealer last night and booked a service for the end of this week. I saw from another forum/thread that if there is still excessive engine oil consumption, then the dealer may take the car in to replace the piston rings.

Since the service intervals are 15,000kms, 30,000kms, 45,000kms...it should not be necessary to have to replace the engine oil during those service periods and nor should the oil levels drop so low that the dip-stick can't even get a reading!

Hi My SV6 non SIDI has used half a litre in the last 5000km so i topped it up and if its down again by next service will be going to dealer, as yours has dropped so much twice i would be hitting up th dealer to check it out 2, also maybe have a look a mobil 1 oil its alot more expesive but i heard its the best so i will be giving that ago next service,

[Cruzer]

Yea read that to mate when i first found discovered my cars little issue, If it does it again after this service you have booked they should have no reason not to change them or check everything else as its obviously not normal etc, as for the recommended service times every 15000km its to bigger gap, like alot of people and what you are already doing is do an oil and filter change either 5000km after the dealer service or halfway "7500km" ensuring the engine doesnt do over 10000km with the same oil, which will ensure longer engine life etc and also keep ur extended warrenty etc. Prob also after this service you get done now check it every 1000-2000km just to see what the usage rate is. It def isnt leaking?

Yeah true, I emailed the dealer last night and booked a service for the end of this week. I saw from another forum/thread that if there is still excessive engine oil consumption, then the dealer may take the car in to replace the piston rings.

Since the service intervals are 15,000kms, 30,000kms, 45,000kms...it should not be necessary to have to replace the engine oil during those service periods and nor should the oil levels drop so low that the dip-stick can't even get a reading!

[azzss]

Different engine i know, but my l98 was using oil when i first got it (ex gmh 20000k's) it was half way on the stick when i picked it up and it was on add by the time i got to 22500km's. I changed it at this point (every 7500km's) but used mobil 1 5w30 and it dropped to half on the stick in the first 1500km's. I thought here we go an oil burner! so i topped it up again and for some reason it never moved off full and was still on full when i dropped it at 30000km's. Used it again and have done 3000km's since and hasn't moved!. We have two alloytec's in the family (one vz and a ve) and they have been on mobil syn 5w30 with no issues with the vz having done 90000km's. So i don't know whether the oil sorted mine out or not but i'd like to think so!
Cheers.

[curious2010]

Misread my odometer....It's currently at 10387kms and I last topped up at 8293kms

So that's alittle over 2000kms and the engine oil dipstick is already indicating less than half full...

Different engine i know, but my l98 was using oil when i first got it (ex gmh 20000k's) it was half way on the stick when i picked it up and it was on add by the time i got to 22500km's. I changed it at this point (every 7500km's) but used mobil 1 5w30 and it dropped to half on the stick in the first 1500km's. I thought here we go an oil burner! so i topped it up again and for some reason it never moved off full and was still on full when i dropped it at 30000km's. Used it again and have done 3000km's since and hasn't moved!. We have two alloytec's in the family (one vz and a ve) and they have been on mobil syn 5w30 with no issues with the vz having done 90000km's. So i don't know whether the oil sorted mine out or not but i'd like to think so!
Cheers.

[Sean880]

Yeah true, I emailed the dealer last night and booked a service for the end of this week. I saw from another forum/thread that if there is still excessive engine oil consumption, then the dealer may take the car in to replace the piston rings.

Since the service intervals are 15,000kms, 30,000kms, 45,000kms...it should not be necessary to have to replace the engine oil during those service periods and nor should the oil levels drop so low that the dip-stick can't even get a reading!

If that is what people think then they will end up destroying their engines. You need to check oil (and other fluid) levels WEEKLY - especially if you are running 100s of kms weekly as most people are. If the oil level is down from full you top it back up. Simple. That way you don't end up with the oil level dropping to dangerously low levels.

You clearly never checked your oil levels in 8000 km of driving and allowed the oil level to drop too low thus causing possible engine damage from lack of lubrication. If the oil consumption was excessive you would have been alerted to this very early with just weekly checks on oil levels from new and had the car into the dealer to check out.

No engine can run 15000 kms without burning some oil. Manufacturer service intervals have nothing to do with engine oil consumption. You will need to top up a vehicle's engine oil between service intervals if you leave 15000 km between oil changes - even 10000 km and less.

People should read their owner's handbooks on weekly checks. GM does not write that for fun.

If your vehicle was using excessive oil from new then I sympathize with you but it is negligent not to frequently check engine oil levels, coolant levels etc in your vehicle.

Had you followed GMs instructions you would have picked up the oil consumption issue very early, never allowed the oil level to drop too low and had the car checked out before any possible damage to the engine was done.

Anyhow I hope the problem is fixed for you.

[curious2010]

The engine oil level, other fluids and electronics of the car were checked at 3000kms. There was no indication of excessive engine oil consumption or other faults.

Ideally people may check their engine oil and all other fluids every week. If the engine oil level is low, the 'Check oil' indicator would light up on the dashboard which is in the owners handbook. But that never showed.

I believe in my situation, there is excessive engine oil consumption probably because the piston rings which were fitted might not seal the cylinders properly.

Your info is quite helpful and will heed your advice in the future.

Cheers.

If that is what people think then they will end up destroying their engines. You need to check oil (and other fluid) levels WEEKLY - especially if you are running 100s of kms weekly as most people are. If the oil level is down from full you top it back up. Simple. That way you don't end up with the oil level dropping to dangerously low levels.

You clearly never checked your oil levels in 8000 km of driving and allowed the oil level to drop too low thus causing possible engine damage from lack of lubrication. If the oil consumption was excessive you would have been alerted to this very early with just weekly checks on oil levels from new and had the car into the dealer to check out.

No engine can run 15000 kms without burning some oil. Manufacturer service intervals have nothing to do with engine oil consumption. You will need to top up a vehicle's engine oil between service intervals if you leave 15000 km between oil changes - even 10000 km and less.

People should read their owner's handbooks on weekly checks. GM does not write that for fun.

If your vehicle was using excessive oil from new then I sympathize with you but it is negligent not to frequently check engine oil levels, coolant levels etc in your vehicle.

Had you followed GMs instructions you would have picked up the oil consumption issue very early, never allowed the oil level to drop too low and had the car checked out before any possible damage to the engine was done.

Anyhow I hope the problem is fixed for you.

[TinSnips]

Off topic a little, but mobil 1 has a significantly weaker skin than a lot of other brands - but it all comes down to your budget. In a 5w30, Royal Purple will protect better than just about anything - but you'll pay for it.

Castrol 5w30 is good for the money, but there are a bunch of other oils out there for Mobil money that will do a better job than mobil 1. A lot of the mobil caper is hype. Not saying it's bad, just not worth the cash, to me.

There is no reason to vary from the recommended oil grade in a new or near new car - and I'd always recommend a full synthetic.

[WogBoyz]

Off topic a little, but mobil 1 has a significantly weaker skin than a lot of other brands - but it all comes down to your budget. In a 5w30, Royal Purple will protect better than just about anything - but you'll pay for it.

Castrol 5w30 is good for the money, but there are a bunch of other oils out there for Mobil money that will do a better job than mobil 1. A lot of the mobil caper is hype. Not saying it's bad, just not worth the cash, to me.

There is no reason to vary from the recommended oil grade in a new or near new car - and I'd always recommend a full synthetic.

Yeah agreed, a little more off topic about all engines using oil, since ive had my ute since it had 100,000kms its now got 127,000kms every oil change ive done it hasnt used any oil, thats with a 10w40 and driven pretty hard

[andyman]

is the cars that are using a bit of oil manual by anychance?

manual cars tend to use oil moreso than autos as manual equiped motors do heaps of engine breaking as the revs are always held higher, whereas most autos will drop back down to converter stall speed or idle when cruising nowadays,

best thing would be todo is log an oil burning case with holden, they should start a case on there computers and give you a card to write down your km's amount of oil added etc, they may allow you todo it or you may have to take it to holden to let them top it up and write on the chart to keep consistancy,

to keep consitancy you need to have the car on a level surface and check with the engine hot after letting it rest for 5 minutes


if you check the oil after youve run it for 5 minutes when motor is cold, it will never be accurate as the cold 'thick' oil will hold around the motor rather than drain straight back to the sump

[Jarp]

I used a litre in the first 12000kms. I didn't realise the dealer didn't change the oil at the 7500km check. 15000ks between changes seems excessive?!

[curious2010]

My SV6 is semi-auto, I drove around for 20 minutes and let the engine rest for 10 minutes, when I checked the oil level it showed abit more than when it was checked cold, but one side of the dip stick always shows more than the other half.

I've written down the times which I checked and refilled the oil, will be heading over to the dealer tomorrow. Will keep this updated.

Thanks for the advice

is the cars that are using a bit of oil manual by anychance?

manual cars tend to use oil moreso than autos as manual equiped motors do heaps of engine breaking as the revs are always held higher, whereas most autos will drop back down to converter stall speed or idle when cruising nowadays,

best thing would be todo is log an oil burning case with holden, they should start a case on there computers and give you a card to write down your km's amount of oil added etc, they may allow you todo it or you may have to take it to holden to let them top it up and write on the chart to keep consistancy,

to keep consitancy you need to have the car on a level surface and check with the engine hot after letting it rest for 5 minutes


if you check the oil after youve run it for 5 minutes when motor is cold, it will never be accurate as the cold 'thick' oil will hold around the motor rather than drain straight back to the sump

[RiCeY]

150,000 kms on my LS1 and never requires a topup over 5,000kms. It gets plently of WOT during that time as well.

New motors shouldnt use any oil, complain and complain loudly.

[curious2010]

Just went to the dealer this morning, they topped up half a litre of engine oil (5W-30) grade, will come back in 3000kms and re-test how much oil is left.

They didn't find any leakages so it should be an internal problem.

150,000 kms on my LS1 and never requires a topup over 5,000kms. It gets plently of WOT during that time as well.

New motors shouldnt use any oil, complain and complain loudly.

[blasto]

Mate, regardless of what people may tell you, it's obvious your own conscience is correct - ie "NO car should be half down the dipstick in 5,000km" Just to repeat "NO car (built this century that is)". Or said in another way, "What RiCeY said"...

If your MY10 is doing this, it's broken.

It does not matter whether you check your oil weekly, or any other interval.

This engine shouldn't use more than a litre (more like 500mL) in 10,000km of HARD driving, and that's not anywhere near half way down the stick as far as I can calculate...

You have a serious problem here, I assume you have done the check with someone driving behind while you are under power, and under compression braking.

[davescaprice]

Hi guys,

I purchased a new SIDI SV6 MY10 commodore series I from a Holden dealership at the end of last year.

I decided to change the engine oil at around 8000kms(before the recommended 15,000kms), when I took it to my mechanic he couldn't get a reading as the Dip-stick indicated NO oil. After releasing the engine oil, there was only around 4.7L which should be 6.5L when full (max capacity).

After replenishing the engine oil(Recommended oil viscosity) back to 6.5L and less than 5000kms later, the dipstick showed engine oil levels less than half-way. between "ADD-AREA" and "UPPER-AREA"

The car has always been carefully driven, never thrashed and had 98 RON fuel ever since its first refill.

Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated.

Hi I have a 2010 sidi v6 caprice with an identical problem.Holden dealer tells me its normal. How can a new car burn so much oil.any help apreciated

[bigjim92]

I've got a 2010 SV6 Ute, SIDI.
Right from the word go I was giving it a hard time.
I change the oil and filter every 7500km, but I haven't noticed ANY change in oil level, stays exactly where I left it when changing the oil

[davescaprice]

Hi guys,

I purchased a new SIDI SV6 MY10 commodore series I from a Holden dealership at the end of last year.

I decided to change the engine oil at around 8000kms(before the recommended 15,000kms), when I took it to my mechanic he couldn't get a reading as the Dip-stick indicated NO oil. After releasing the engine oil, there was only around 4.7L which should be 6.5L when full (max capacity).

After replenishing the engine oil(Recommended oil viscosity) back to 6.5L and less than 5000kms later, the dipstick showed engine oil levels less than half-way. between "ADD-AREA" and "UPPER-AREA"

The car has always been carefully driven, never thrashed and had 98 RON fuel ever since its first refill.

Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated.

Hi, can you tell me if you got GMH to fix your car .My car has exactly the same motor and problem. They keep telling me 3 litres of burnt oil every 15000 km is normal and I know its not.Can you help

[Voodoo_SV6]

...If the engine oil level is low, the 'Check oil' indicator would light up on the dashboard

If it was a Subaru you were talking about, this "Check oil" light should be renamed "Your engine just sh1t itself" light. If you see that light, it's too late, your engine just seized

[curious2010]

Hi Mate

I would go back to the dealership, tell them you have noticed excessive engine oil consumption, what they will do is conduct an oil consumption test, they will fill up your engine oil levels to full, then tell you to drive 3000kms and bring the car back to them, they will then measure the amount of oil burnt and tell you whether its within the tolerance range (They have a curved line graph for their engine oil burning tolerance levels). If the amount burnt is over the specified range, then they will offer to fix the engine for you.

Make sure when you go to the dealer and they fill up your engine oil that the correct engine oil viscosity is used, eg, SIDI 3.6L should be 5W/30.