Using oil, tap that doesn't go away

[yardsaledave]

Sorry for the dissertation but I'm looking for a possible prognosis related to excessive oil consumption, a new tick possibly coming from the valve area, and a weird traction control thing that happened the other day. Hopefully they are unrelated but...

About me and my car:
I have a 05, LS-2, 6-speed, with the Z-51 package. I bought it with 14k and the only mods appear to be a Callaway honker intake, Borla cat-backs, and Z6 style wheels. Its got about 26k now. I drive it regularly and it's fair to say that I occasionally drive very aggressively in the twisties (I live near the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park). Very rarely above 6000 rpm and never above 6500 (at least from the factory tach reading) and always with the traction control on. Oh, and I always use premium.

This C6 uses considerably more oil than my C5 but I drive more aggressively now and the threads say 1 quart per 2000 miles isn't out of spec. I change the oil every 3000-4000 miles whether its complaining or not. Never any blue smoke that I can tell. I'm down about a half quart every 2000 miles but that still seems like a lot to me. Lately, there's been a slight ticking sound that appears to be coming from the valves but I can't tell for sure. Unfortunately, the tick doesn't go away after warming up. It's only been doing this for about the last 200-300 miles.

Finally, last weekend, I had the cruise control set on 70 in 5th gear, temps were fine, oil pressure fine, reasonable rpms for rolling plains, and the traction control kicked in while ascending a very minor incline??? I turned the traction control off and it would accelerate up the roller with no problem.

My question is: If I'm using what seems like an alarming amount of oil, I have a new tapping sound, and now the traction control incident - is my computer trying to tell me something? Is the tick something to get checked immediately? The computer's not complaining. Help!

Gravely concerned in Colorado

[killain]

First off, you drive it very aggessively, so you may need a "Catch Can" installed in the PCV vacume line, a lot of LSX engines use oil if they are run hard regularly. But first off, I'd get a good mechanic to do a compression test and see what the numbers from cylinder to cylinder are. This will give you a clear look at what is happening in the cylinders. Next, I don't think using 1/2 quart of oil in 2000 miles is too much if it's being run hard, but a 'catch can' would clarify this problem if it is such. A number of CAC vendors sell them here. The tapping sound I don't know about, unless it's an indication of a bad lifter and or/ valve seals that are getting tired ? When does the tapping sound happen, and what does it sound like, ie: is it in the valve train or deeper in the engine? This is just my initial guess as per your post, if you could give anymore info it might help someone here as to your perticular problem. I'd check to see if any codes have been set in the PCM and they might point out any problems with the traction contol system.

[Patrick]

Dave,
I think Killain's advice is pretty sound, particularly the compression test. I know early on, the LS6 in the C6 Z06, had big oil consumption problems. You might also see if C4C5Specialist has some input on the tapping sound.

In the meantime, I just wanted to deliver a wave to a fellow Coloradoan.


-Patrick

[yardsaledave]

Thanks for the advice. I wasn't sure what to ask for first when I take it to the shop. My experience is that if you don't limit the scope of the diagnosis, the majority of shops will take you for a very long, expensive, and usually, unnecessary ride.

I can't tell you too much more about the tick. Its not very loud but you can definitely hear it from inside the car. It sounds like it is coming from the right side valves. If its coming from somewhere deeper, I can't tell. It's there when you first start the car and doesn't go away. I had to drive 300 miles to fix my daughters car at school last week (a $60 part the dealer wanted $750 to fix) anyway, the tick drove me crazy the whole trip. Your suggestion on the compression check will be valuable information, regardless of the outcome. The advice is greatly appreciated!
Dave

[DDLS3]

Have you by any chance missed a downshift and over revved? If this is a possibility then ya may have a bent push rod.

[gmjunkie]

This C6 uses considerably more oil than my C5 but I drive more aggressively now and the threads say 1 quart per 2000 miles isn't out of spec. I change the oil every 3000-4000 miles whether its complaining or not. Never any blue smoke that I can tell. I'm down about a half quart every 2000 miles but that still seems like a lot to me.

A quart every 4000 miles isn't any oil on a engine that gets driven aggressively once a while!!
My LS1 in my 03 Z-51 used a little the first 40,000 miles,since then it's never down a drop when the oil monitor tells me it's time to change it!!
Sometimes depending on road trips thats as much as 7,500 to 8,000 miles!!

Have you by any chance missed a downshift and over revved? If this is a possibility then ya may have a bent push rod.

My guess too!! It's easy to do,I'm guilty of it once when I was getting ready to Roast a Rustang!!

[yardsaledave]

Well, I'm not sure I understand it but the problem seems to have gone away after changing the oil.

I still want to do the compression check but apparently the I beat the crap out of the oil (Mobil 1 with less than 2k on it). Perhaps I drove a little longer and harder than I thought on my little assult on the twisties up by Red Feathers. Guilty as charged.

Is there such a thing as a crappy batch of oil? I really don't think I hit it that hard on that that beautiful, sunny, dry, spring day, everything is green (which is rare in CO). Well maybe I did.

Anyway, the tick went away. Catch can and programmable shift indicator LED is on order. Thanks again for the advice. Dave