July 27th, 2015, 2:17 PM

How-Tos on this Topic

Last edit by: IB Advertising

See related guides and technical advice from our community experts:

Chevrolet Silverado 2007-2013: Performance Diagnostic Guide
Guide to diagnose trouble and recommended solutions

Browse all: Powertrain Guides

Need Assistance with Vortec 5.3 on 2007 Sub. Consuming Oil

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

December 14th, 2011, 6:32 AM

#31

skateforlife

CF Beginner

Join Date: Dec 2011

Posts: 1

Likes: 0

Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

hope this helps you guys out

<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w

oNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w

ontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w

ontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w

ontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w

ontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> #PIP4492C: Excessive Oil Consumption and/or Blue Exhaust Smoke - Inspect PCV Baffle Drain Holes and Valve Train Oil Flow - keywords cover high lifter replacement rocker - (Mar 13, 2009)

Subject: Excessive Oil Consumption and/or Blue Exhaust Smoke - Inspect PCV Baffle Drain Holes and Valve Train Oil Flow

Models: 2009 Buick Lacrosse Super, Allure Super (Canada Only)

2004-2007 Buick Rainier

2004-2009 Cadillac CTS-V

2003-2009 Cadillac Escalade

2003-2006 Chevrolet SSR

2003-2009 Chevrolet Avalanche, Corvette, Express, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe, Trail Blazer

2006-2009 Chevrolet Impala

2006-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

2003-2009 GMC Envoy, Savana, Sierra, Yukon

2003-2009 Hummer H2

2008-2009 Hummer H3

2006-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix

2008-2009 Pontiac G8

2005-2009 Saab 97x

The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI (Preliminary Information).

Condition/Concern:
On rare occasions, some customers may complaint of excessive oil consumption and/or blue exhaust smoke.

This may be the result of over-aggressive valve lifters and/or plugged PCV baffle drain holes in the valve cover that has the PCV vacuum pipe attached to it. This may also be the result of the same PCV baffle being improperly sealed to the valve cover if this concern has occurred since the vehicle was new or shortly after this valve cover was replaced.

Recommendation/Instructions:
Important: For 2007 Full Size Trucks and Utilities with the 5.3L Engine (RPO LC9 - VIN 3), please refer to the latest version of PIP4574 for recommendations. For all others, refer to the recommendations below.

If bulletin 01-06-01-011 identifies excessive oil consumption but SI diagnosis does not isolate the cause of it, remove the valve cover that has the PCV vacuum pipe attached to it and perform the following suggestions:

1) Check for an over-aggressive lifter by monitoring oil flow at the top of each push rod with the engine at idle. It should not be necessary to raise the RPM to check for an over-aggressive lifter. Very little flow should be observed at an idle. It will be obvious if an over-aggressive lifter is present because its flow will be greatly excessive when compared with the others and a great deal of cleanup will be required. Replace any over-aggressive lifter(s) and re-evaluate the concern.

2) Inspect the PCV baffle drain holes shown below to see if they are plugged with hardened oil deposits. If they are plugged, replace the valve cover, ensure that the customer is changing their oil according to the maintenance schedule in their owner's manual, and re-evaluate the concern. Generally, this would not be a concern until several thousand miles have accumulated.

3) Inspect the PCV baffle to ensure that it is properly sealed to the valve cover by flipping it over and adding a little oil to the corner of the valve cover as shown below. The oil should stay in place as shown on the 2 outer valve covers below. If the oil drains into the PCV baffle as pointed out on the middle valve cover below, replace the valve cover. Generally, if this is the cause of the concern, it would have been present early in the life of the vehicle or shortly after valve cover replacement.

Important: If Step 2 or 3 leads to valve cover replacement, perform Step 3 on the replacement valve cover before installing it.

http://gsi.xw.gm.com/image_en_us/gif/000/002/195/2195879.gif
PCV Baffle Drain Holes Described in Step 2

http://gsi.xw.gm.com/image_en_us/gif/000/002/245/2245145.gif
PCV Baffle Comparison Described in Step 3

Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.

Reply Like

January 4th, 2012, 11:58 AM

#32

07netahoe

CF Beginner

Join Date: Dec 2010

Location: Omaha, Nebraska

Posts: 7

Likes: 0

Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

We have an 07 5.3 Vortec. We had always used regular oil until the past few changes and went with synthetic for longer changes. Well after the switch we started to see "add oil" inbetween every change. Ill monitor this and try to report back. Also we changed between 4k and 6k with synthetic. I may run a few sample through our oil lab at work to see if the oil is breaking down.

Reply Like

January 4th, 2012, 12:12 PM

#33

Cobound

CF Beginner

Join Date: Sep 2011

Location: WI

Posts: 4

Likes: 0

Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Well, not to jinx what I had done...but since my last post I've had the rings changed and put several thousand miles on it. Had my oil changed last week and they measured it w/ zero loss. My light hasn't come on since either.

My frustration has now moved to the second time in less than two years that I've gotten a code P0499 - Evaporator Vent Solenoid and fuel cap replacement needed.

Seriously, this has been in the shop WAY too much for a newer vehicle!

Good luck w/ your needed repairs.

B

Reply Like

January 4th, 2012, 12:50 PM

#34

SabrToothSqrl

CF Addict

Join Date: Feb 2008

Posts: 2,907

Likes: 0

Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts

lol

mine's been in the shop more times than I could count.

But I did enjoy the $1,600 check from GM, then the $300 one from them.

complain loud enough, you get a check.

and next time, skip GM. I plan to.

Reply Like

January 4th, 2012, 1:00 PM

#35

Cobound

CF Beginner

Join Date: Sep 2011

Location: WI

Posts: 4

Likes: 0

Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

I've contemplated going to a different vehicle, but I keep coming back to the Suburban...I just really enjoy the ride, look...vehicle in general. I might get too jacked up to buy another one tho, we'll see.

Fortunately I've not purchased new, so I'm not into it the full new price as some. If THAT were the case, no way in hell I'd buy another. But, what else out there compares to the size and comfort of it?

B

Reply Like

January 4th, 2012, 9:55 PM

#36

73shark

Administrator

Join Date: Apr 2006

Location: KC, MO area

Posts: 10,900

Likes: 41

Received 155 Likes on 153 Posts

Quote:

Originally Posted by 07netahoe

We have an 07 5.3 Vortec. We had always used regular oil until the past few changes and went with synthetic for longer changes. Well after the switch we started to see "add oil" in between every change. Ill monitor this and try to report back. Also we changed between 4k and 6k with synthetic. I may run a few sample through our oil lab at work to see if the oil is breaking down.

So before you switched to synthetic, how long between changes and was there any usage evident?

Reply Like

January 13th, 2012, 6:25 PM

#37

coldmilkdmr

CF Beginner

Join Date: Jan 2012

Posts: 1

Likes: 0

Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Hello everyone,
New user - registered to chime into this forum after reading this posting...
I bought my 07 LT AV last year, had 78,000 miles on it and was really a nice truck - perfect condition etc. I drive the truck only 15 miles per day and the occasional trip to the airport (30 mi). No towing at all, no offroading, no hot rodding etc. I've put only 5,000 miles in a year so I've only got 83K on it now. Check engine light came on and I got it into the dealership, haven't noticed oil loss or blue smoke.

The technician came to me with a spark plug from one of the cylinders - he said it was misfiring and from the look of the plug, I should think so - it was fowled to say the least.
The tech explained to me that there is an issue that GM is aware of, as is they're dealership with these engines. He said that oil accumulates in the piston cylinder above the piston, in particular one of the cylinders that drops out when the engine switches to 4CYL mode - this oil accumulates and causes fouling of the spark plug. He said that they've had some success with adding some sort of "plate" that redirects the oil flow, but it's a 50/50 scenario. I asked what the alternative was and he said removing the cylinders and replacing the piston rings...after a few four letter words he noticed that the mileage on my service ticket was wrong at 138K so he looked into the powertrain warranty - he told me that the powertrain warranty was expired already, how could this be if it's a 100K war? Used car mabye?
Never-the-less, the light at the end of this tunnel, I hope, is some cooperation between GM, the Authorized dealership and myself. I understand how things happen in manufacturing and am expecting a call from the service manager in the next week or so to determine the game plan.
What a bummer though...I'll keep you all informed as to what the resolution is - I hope we find one.

Reply Like

January 13th, 2012, 8:28 PM

#38

73shark

Administrator

Join Date: Apr 2006

Location: KC, MO area

Posts: 10,900

Likes: 41

Received 155 Likes on 153 Posts

Welcome to the forum.

The powertrain warranty is good for 5 years or 100K mi, whichever comes first. I don't think it just applies to the first owner.

Reply Like

January 15th, 2012, 6:38 PM

#39

Dexter Baker

CF Beginner

Join Date: Jan 2012

Location: Reno nevada

Posts: 3

Likes: 0

Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Stevetro1: Have you found the bullion and how did or what was the fix on your suburban. This information will help me with my continuing 2007 burb problems.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
My first Suburban was a 2000, 2<SUP>nd</SUP> was a 2004 Z71, and the 3<SUP>rd</SUP> is a 2007 LTZ. My 2004 has 86,000 miles, and I have not had any problems. We still have it. The 2007 was bought in May 2006, and I’m afraid it’s the worst ever. It has used oil, a lot more than the 2000 and 2004. Oil light comes on, I change the oil! 88,000 miles and now out of warranty! The five years got me. I am affiliated with a very large automobile repair facility in Reno, Nevada, and I’ve had the car serviced regularly. That’s what you do when you work in a garage. <o

></o

>
The last few mornings I noticed a puff of smoke out the tail pipe which is not good, I am told. So I asked my mechanic what is the worst case. He tell me “rings” or valve guides, about 6-8 hours shop time plus parts. But if it’s rings, he tells me to shop for a short block crate motor from GM. The engine rebuild will be expensive. My mechanic has not mentioned (as I read in certain forum responses) that there is an oil consumption test. Does anyone have any information on the notices or bulletins that may be circulating?<o></o>
So I ask Chevrolet Suburban owners the question, “Is 88,000 miles all we can get from the 2007 and newer Suburbans?”<o></o>

Reply Like

January 15th, 2012, 7:13 PM

#40

Dexter Baker

CF Beginner

Join Date: Jan 2012

Location: Reno nevada

Posts: 3

Likes: 0

Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

2007 suburban with blue smoke at start ups Out of warranty 88,K miles only

coldmilkdmr: I would like to follow your progress. Please see my short story attached<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
My first Suburban was a 2000, 2<SUP>nd</SUP> was a 2004 Z71, and the 3<SUP>rd</SUP> is a 2007 LTZ. My 2004 has 86,000 miles, and I have not had any problems. We still have it. The 2007 was bought in May 2006, and I’m afraid it’s the worst ever. It has used oil, a lot more than the 2000 and 2004. Oil light comes on, I change the oil! 88,000 miles and now out of warranty! The five years got me. I am affiliated with a very large automobile repair facility in Reno, Nevada, and I’ve had the car serviced regularly. That’s what you do when you work in a garage. <o

></o

Quote:

Originally Posted by coldmilkdmr

Reply Like

Reply Share

First
Prev
4 / 9
Next
Last