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SRX V6 Burning Oil


jschunke

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Been changing the oil on my father's 2005 SRX (V6)

every 3,500 miles or so (Mobile 1 Synthetic). It's consistently

1 to 2 quarts low every time I drain the oil. Put 6 quarts in,

3500 miles later drain 4.5 quarts.

This can't be normal!!! Does anyone else experience such oil

consumption?

The vehicle is still under an extended warranty I'm sure

the Stealership is going to blow us off and say that it's

normal. Any comments? Thanks.

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Document ID# 1135449

2005 Cadillac SRX

Oil Consumption Diagnosis

Checks

Causes

DEFINITION: Excessive oil consumption (not due to leaks) is the use of 1.9 L (2 qts) or more of engine oil within 3 200 km (2,000 mi).

The causes of excessive oil consumption may include the following conditions:

Preliminary

• External oil leaks -- Refer to Oil Leak Diagnosis .

• Incorrect oil level or improper reading of the oil level indicator With the vehicle on a level surface, run the engine for a few minutes, allow adequate drain down time (2-3 minutes) and check for the correct engine oil level.

• Improper oil viscosity Refer to the vehicle owners manual and use the recommended SAE grade and viscosity for the prevailing temperatures.

• Continuous high speed driving and/or severe usage

• Crankcase ventilation system restrictions or malfunctioning components

• Worn valve guides and/or valve stems

• Worn, missing or improperly installed valve stem oil seals

• Piston rings broken, worn, not seated properly Allow adequate time for the rings to seat. Replace worn piston rings as necessary.

• Piston and rings improperly installed or miss-fitted to the cylinder bore

Bruce

2023 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing

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Not sure if your vehicle calls for synthetic, but keep in mind that synthetic tends to get "consumed" more than conventional engine oil. I used synthetic in my engine for 12 years, and understood this condition. I had no quarms about adding a quart of fresh oil in the case every 1500 miles or so. that's what that "CHECK OIL LEVEL" message is for.

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OK, the sky isn't falling. So 2 quarts, or so, per 5000 mi is not categorized as "Excessive oil consumption"

(which by definition is 1 quart per 1000 miles). And I have no problem adding a quart or two between

oil changes.

But the vehicle has only 43,000 miles on it. My main concern is that this condition can become worse.

The car is supposed to use synthetic. In fact it says "Mobile 1 Synthetic" right on the cap of the oil fill tube.

You'd think after all these years, GM could build a v6 engine that doesn't consume oil.

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Ok, so lets look at your example above, and maybe we can calm your nerves:

You said:

Every 3,500 miles or so (Mobile 1 Synthetic). It's consistently

1 to 2 quarts low every time I drain the oil. Put 6 quarts in,

3500 miles later drain 4.5 quarts

Agreed?

Six quarts you put in, less 4.5 quarts you take out is, 1.5 quarts or 1 1/2 quarts for those in Reolinda

If you divide 3,500 miles by 1.5 quarts you get 2,333 miles PER QUART

That is pretty good oil consumption if you ask me, even if you used 2 quarts you still would be getting 1,750 per quart. If the guru were here I am sure he would be able to explain why these engines consume more oil than their cast iron counterparts when we were kids. However, those engines were garbage at 80K when many of these engines are going 200K plus.. which was unheard of years ago.

What visconsity of Mobil 1 are you using?, maybe you can move up a level

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

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Besides the complaints how happy are you with this engines fuel efficiency, power, etc?, does it have ANY redeeming qualities or is it all GLOOM AND DOOM

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

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But the vehicle has only 43,000 miles on it. My main concern is that this condition can become worse.

In my research I have found that most high revving performance oriented engines use some oil. It depends mostly on the cylinder bore surface hone and the type of piston rings selected. If you go with lower friction and higher power output you are going to also get some oil usage. It is not something that will tend to get steadily worse. The owner's manual in your Cadillac and most other brands recommends you check the oil level at each gas stop. I don't do that but I do generally try to keep up with where my oil level is, and add oil if needed.

I change the oil on the oil life indicator, not at a fixed mileage interval. This helps the environment, since less oil is used, and my CTS always has good oil in it, since the predicted oil life measures the oil quality based on actual usage of the vehicle.

Bruce

2023 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing

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Your looking at a very high output little v-6 engine it is going to use that much especially if you do a lot of interstate driving. Its not a 90 horsepower v-6 it is almost 300 horsepower. The problem should not get worse just for kicks if it were my car and it was under warranty as you said I would take it to dealer and have them check it just to be sure you may get a new engine for free if indeed this is considered to much oil use.

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Besides the complaints how happy are you with this engines fuel efficiency, power, etc?, does it have ANY redeeming qualities or is it all GLOOM AND DOOM

Thanks for the replies folks. Most of the mileage is highway so that explains

some of the oil comsumption.

It's a great handling vehicle, and has a very sure feel on the highway.

This vehicle also has a relatively low magnetic field impinged on the driver.

That's something that an electrosensitive person such as myself really likes.

It's not all doom in gloom. In fact I give the car high credit here:

http://www.ahappyhabitat.com/cars.html

It gets just over 20 MPG on the highway and has adequate power.

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  • 7 years later...

My SRX started using oil also. I own 29 vehicles not a single one has ever used 5 Quarts of oil between changes, it does not smoke which tells me that it is probably being burned in the exhaust system. Is this a design issue that should have been a recall.  

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6 hours ago, A350350 said:

My SRX started using oil also. I own 29 vehicles not a single one has ever used 5 Quarts of oil between changes, it does not smoke which tells me that it is probably being burned in the exhaust system. Is this a design issue that should have been a recall.  

Please supply more details like, year, engine, mileage, who changes oil, oil type and viscosity, type of driving, any leaks, any engine work, when did this start?   How many miles between oil changes? 

Your statement that its being burned in the exhaust is unfounded, if that were true it would smoke.  Does it smoke on full throttle?  Do a full throttle acceleration safely on the highway at night with the cars headlights behind you on your can and see if you see smoke.  The headlights will highlight any exhaust smoke whereas during the day it might not be evident.  At night, in my 96, I could emit a smoke screen on full throttle when I needed to clean out the combustion chambers and do the WOT procedure.  The Northstar, thrived on beating or flogging it, it seated the rings and cleaned out the combustion chambers. 

We have another thread where an owner solved oil consumption.  But provide details.

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

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