CarComplaints.com Notes: Engines shouldn't need a new quart of oil every 500-1000 miles, but for thousands of Suburban owners that's exactly what's happening. Engine oil consumption on aluminum block engines with Active Fuel Management (AFM) is out of control and owners are left looking for answers.
The most likely culprit is an uncovered AFM valve which, in many cases, can be covered under warranty. The problem is the issues don't stop there and many owners have been told by GM just to buy a new engine. Take one guess who they want to pick up the tab.
2 Fixes To Suburban 5.3 AFM Excess Oil Use - (1) First <1 hr fix is changing the driver's side engine valve cover with the improved-design driver's side valve cover with the square PCV hole moved back (from the original circular PCV hole that is too far forward and siphons AFM-splashed oil). (2) Second fix is disabling or removing AFM which causes the excess oil splashing with either a custom pro-shop engine tune, a Range Technology AFM Disabler Device (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQUAh5pTjIA) or an expensive replacement of AFM engine system hardware.
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2007 Chevrolet Suburban Owner Comments (Page 10 of 10)
It has now become clear that Chevy knows of this problem and has decided to give everyone the run around...obviously because they have no money to replace engines, which appears to be the only cure.
Everyone, start suing..how about a class action? We are now being told the standard response which must have come from headquarters "this oil consumption and rough idle are within normal standards" WHAT??? do they think we are idiots? a quart and a half of oil every 1000 miles..normal? engine idling so rough I throw it in neutral to keep it going. This was a damned expensive car...Tell everyone you know to NOT buy a Chevy...the company is obviously going in the tank.
The problem is still not fixed after they took the engine apart and replaced the valve cover. I am trying to see if anyone else had this problem and what did GM do to fix it.
My 2007 chevrolet suburban uses 1qt of oil every 2,000 miles. The dealer realized the problem and printed out a page from GM stating the oil consumption was within tolerance of specs.
Well, I stated, my old 1970 Cutlass 350 never burnt or used oil like this 2007. Nothing got resolved.
Does any one know who to get a hold of who will listen?
Update from Nov 19, 2009: My VEHICLE NOW HAS 56,000 and still consumes 1qt of oil every 1,500 to 1,800 miles
My Suburban started to consume 1 quart of oil every 2,000 miles. GM said that this was within their specs at first, but after constantly going to the dealership and making THEM add oil, the GM rep approved the dealership to take apart the engine to diagnose the problem. They found that the cylinders were "knicked" and replaced the cylinder heads. I get the car back after two weeks and lo and behold, 2000 miles later the suburban is now consuming only 1/2 quart per 2,000 miles. I was told by the dealership to "start adding oil and it is within GM specs, so deal with it!". I was also told by the dealership that GM has not had any problems with Suburbans consuming oil! Isn't this interesting. I am currently in the process of contacting the GM rep and will call every day until someone decides that consuming oil is not NORMAL!!
this has been lurking for a year, but it is my wife's car so I don't drive it as much. Intend to contact the dealer asap to get this investigated. The dealer has been great to work with in the past so I am hopeful that will be the case again
- John C.,
Eden Prairie, MN, US
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4th suburban and we really like the large ride vehicle, despite $3.50 per gal gas. Engine began using oil following the 20,000 mile service (1 quart) and began slowly using more each service (synthetic oil changed per the service indicator notice averaging 9,000 to 10,000 miles). It used 3 quarts before the last service. Dealer first found a "service notice" stating some engines required valve seals to be defective. Once the heads were removed, dealer found defective rings as well. GM is replacing the engine currently and provided a loaner (2006 Escalade). Not sure we will keep the repaired vehicle as we have little confidence in the mechanical acumen of GM service techs... Has any one else had similar problem?
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
It has now become clear that Chevy knows of this problem and has decided to give everyone the run around...obviously because they have no money to replace engines, which appears to be the only cure.
Everyone, start suing..how about a class action? We are now being told the standard response which must have come from headquarters "this oil consumption and rough idle are within normal standards" WHAT??? do they think we are idiots? a quart and a half of oil every 1000 miles..normal? engine idling so rough I throw it in neutral to keep it going. This was a damned expensive car...Tell everyone you know to NOT buy a Chevy...the company is obviously going in the tank.
- Lisa R., Tigard, OR, US