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Oil Burning 1500 AV

SteveTimm

Charter Member
SM 2003
Full Member
Joined
Mar 7, 2002
Messages
444
Location
Milwaukie, Oregon
My friend, Tom Hanel, who is the mayor of Big Timber, Montana and an Avalanche owner sent me the following e-mail:
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Steve,
How are you doing? I have some bad news, my son and I went to Denver this weekend for the Bronco game and the Avalanche used almost 3 quarts of oil
(1,200 miles).

I called my dealer from Wyoming (he knowing that it has been using oil) and it sounds like a new engine will be necessary? I had hoped it would stop by now with 6K miles on it however it hasn't.

I am very disappointed. I sometimes think I should have bought the diesel? Just thought I would let you know, I will keep you informed on how it all goes bye for now - take care,
Tom
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Guys, does anyone have a suggestion for Tom? He e-mailed me about a month ago that his AV smoked at startup, but apparently the oil-burning has now gotten totally out of control.

New 5.3 engine?

Anyway, Tom and I would like your input. Thanks

Steve Timm
 
What he said (y)

search for timcosco...I think he was the first and even posted pics of this smokey start problem.....
 
steve tim mine sucked 3 quarts in 760 miles, and the oil light came on the next morning on startup, the dealer said do oil consumption test, and snuck in the pcv valve, that was 12000 miles ago and never added a quart yet!!! dont give up yet!!!!!
 
SteveTimm said:
I have some bad news, my son and I went to Denver this weekend for the Bronco game and the Avalanche used almost 3 quarts of oil
(1,200 miles).

Classic symptoms... tell him not to worry, in my case it was easily fixed. ?See Pics of My Smoking Av. I met a guy at the gas station a week or two ago who has the same problem.

Make sure your friend Tom insists that they not only replace the PCV valve, but also seal the baffle beneath the valve cover with high temp sealant (his dealer should be able to find both TSB's for this procedure).

The only other successful repair I know of is replacing the lifters with a type GM OEM's from Eaton, I believe, that don't throw so much oil up into the valvetrain.
 
steve tell hiim to join the club too!!! :love: :B:
 
My Av used 3 qts. of oil during one trip from Co. to eastern Ne. (about 600 mi.), along with smoking during the first 10 seconds or so at startup. :8: This was in Sept. through Feb. when the oil burnig prob. was just getting known. Dealer tried the PCV valve twice, two sets of valve seals, then finally sealed the baffle in the valve cover. Problem gone! Hasn't burned a drop since! (y) From my discussion with the mgr, mine was one of the first that the PCV valve change didn't fix. He had folks all over the country scratching their heads for a while.
Tell you friend to have the dealer work this issue. (Or find a dealer that has a repair dept with sense) This isn't a new thing!
 
My 2002 Z71 has shown the "check oil level" light twice. Both times were after pulling a trailer. The truck has 22,000 miles and never used oil until after the first pull of the trailer. The dry weight of the unit is 1350 pounds. We put the coolers and camp stuff in the trailer and clothing/sleeping bags/dogs in the truck.

I think my consumption is directly related to the towing, but I think the AV should handle this without using oil.

I will change out the PCV and see what happens.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Murman :cool:
 
The design of the trailer/load may also be a factor. More so than its weight. I used to pull an 18ft 4-Winns runabout, weighing about 3500 lbs. No noticeable oil consumption increase. First time I pulled my new 20ft pontoon, still in shrink wrap 200 miles, I sucked 2 quarts. Took another quart on the return trip without the shrink wrap. The drag was like pulling a billboard sideways down the freeway. Gas consumption was worse, down to only 11 mpg. Boat and trailer weigh less than the 4-Winns did. Pulled my new pop-up camper, weighing 2400 lbs, and did not see any oil use increase after 400 miles and got almost 16 mpg.
 
FireJohn,

The trailer I am pulling is a pop-up camper. I expect the drag to be minimal. I am going to grease the trailer's wheel bearings and check again.

Welcome to the club,
Murman
 
Hi, It sure sounds like the old PVC problem. It was not so much that you needed to be towing something... as it was related to extended non-stop trips, which of course often happen when towing. You hook up a trailer or a boat and you are going to be going somewhere with it...
I drove my truck for well over 6 months with no problems, then I took it on it's first long highway run (3 hours each way) and the oil light came on well before it was due for a change and there was almost nothing showing on the dipstick.
The information that I got here from other club members helped to cut to the bottom line with the dealer and get it fixed. New PCV valve, borrowed off another 2002 sitting on the lot, and I was good to go.

Best of luck
 
Sparky,

Most of my trips were short prior to April 04 because the truck was on Oahu. Not too much road to travel there...

Thanks for the advise and encouragement.

Murman :cool:
 
Update... 2,000 miles have elapsed since changing out the PCV with the new style. Oil consumed... the distance between the top hole on the dip stick and the next hole down. The truck was used for six 225 mile and several 55 mile round trips, however, none were pulling the camper...

Murman :cool:
 
Here's the jargon from GM:

"Higher Than Expected Engine Oil Consumption (Replace PCV Valve) #01-06-01-029B - (Jul 19, 2002)

2002 Chevrolet Avalanche

1999-2002 Chevrolet Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe Models

2002 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade EXT

1999-2002 GMC Denali, Sierra, Suburban, Yukon Models

with 4.8L, 5.3L or 6.0L Engine (VINs V, T, N, U -- RPOs LR4, LM7, LQ9, LQ4)

This bulletin is being revised to clarify the parts information. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 01-06-01-029A (Section 06 -- Engine/Propulsion System).

Condition

Some customers may comment on higher than expected engine oil consumption. They may further comment on consumption in the range of 3,200 km (2,000 mi) or less per quart (0.946 liter) of oil under normal driving conditions.

Cause

The condition may be due to the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve flow rate under certain engine operating conditions.

Correction

1. Verify that the oil consumption is not the result of an oil leak or other engine concern.
2. The dealer should perform an oil consumption test. The vehicle should have accumulated over 6,450 km (4,000 mi) before establishing the oil consumption rate. Reference Corporate Bulletin Number 01-06-01-011, Information on Engine Oil Consumption Guideline, for details.
3. Remove the PCV valve and inspect the hose going to the intake manifold for signs of excessive oil being present.
4. If excessive oil is present in the PCV hose, replace the PCV valve (Type 948C) (2) with a new-style fixed orifice PCV valve, GM P/N 12572717(1). See the illustration below.

FIGURE PCV Valve Identification

827334-PCV_Valve.gif


(1) New style fixed orifice PCV Valve
(2) Spring and plunger style PCV Valve (Type 948-C)

Important

The new style fixed orifice PCV valve contains no moving parts, and does not rattle when shaken.


If the vehicle has an orifice style PCV valve, investigate other causes for high oil consumption.

Parts Information

Part # Description Qty
12572717 Valve, PCV 1 "
 

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MurmanZ71 said:
Update... 2,000 miles have elapsed since changing out the PCV with the new style. Oil consumed... the distance between the top hole on the dip stick and the next hole down. The truck was used for six 225 mile and several 55 mile round trips, however, none were pulling the camper...

Murman :cool:
I know you won't 'relax' until you have some miles while hauling (I would be the same) it sounds like you are on the right path (y)
 
3000 miles and about 1/2 a quart expended. It seemed to keep the oil in the sump longer with the new PCV valve, however... I was not pulling a trailer...

I will be pulling the trailer on Labor day weekend, but only 80 miles. October will see more/longer trailer miles on a trip to Cherokee NC.

Murman :cool:
 
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