Curious about oil consumption... - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

Paul Workman · 08-06-2008

Just curious to know what y'all have for oil consumption. I have added one quart in 4000 miles - never goes out w/o at least one 7k run up (usually "more than one"

), and now it is almost a quart low again, as I consider changing it this w/e. I don't have one of those nifty catch cans (PVC recovery(?) like I saw on Pete's car), so I have no idea how much might be "salvaged".

And, if I may ask another Q, how often (miles) do you change oil on your LT5 driven primarily on the street/hwy? Using synthetic and doing very little city driving, I figured 5K was "good" (especially at 9+ quarts at a pop!).

P.

tomtom72 · 08-06-2008

I think mine does about double that in the "consumption/leak" department over 5k miles of about the same usage pattern. I'm fairly sure that the only place that I leak from is the exhaust bolts that go thru oil galleries, as I do the pan bolt check dance every oil change. Although, the front of my motor seems to be getting messier everytime I look at it.

It seems that the more time I spend in gears other than 6th, the more I seem to be missing when I check the oil.

JMHO, but I use M1 full syn and it seems to me 5k mile change interval is wasting syn oil......but as I get to the 5k mark I start to get anxiety attacks about even contemplating any interval that is longer. When I had free use of a work space, I used to have some really wierd change intervals. I had all kinds of "what if" oil change intervals....ya know like two months or four "runs", or every six "runs", or four "cruises" + two "runs".....we all know the stress difference between a "run" and a "cruise", right?

I think my brain needs an oil change, or at least some tune up time on the couch....

I did 277 miles this past sunday, it was a cruise on the outbound leg and a run comming back....I checked before I started & it was 1/2 way between the add & full lines......last night when I looked it was at the add line, so I added. I can't seem to find any oil on the plugs, so I guess it is eating/leaking it.

lbszr · 08-06-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Workman

Just curious to know what y'all have for oil consumption.
P.

Mine uses a quart in 2-3000 miles. Yours sounds like it's doing good.

Read in the factory drivers manual at the track to keep a eye on the oil cause it will use a lot.

Paul Workman · 08-06-2008

Clarification: in a smidge over 4K miles, I've added a quart, but it is now reading a quart low again. So, it is about 2k/quart, is what I meant to say. Now, considering the fact that when I get the chance to drive the Z, it usually involves some spirited stuff - not all out, of course. But, even so, I was wondering how 1 qt/2000 miles sounds to y'all? So far, I gather it isn't too far off the mark - more than granny's Buick, but then it ain't granny's Buick neither!!

Considering cost for a tank of Premium gas cost these days, an oil change is "not so bad", even if it is at 5000 miles.

P.

Plugster · 08-06-2008

Re: oil consumption
Mine used a quart every 1000 miles. I understand the excessive oil consumption is due to the fact the exhaust valves do not have valve seats. I had the heads re-worked at South GA Corvette, but I do not have enough miles on the engine to check for consumption. Give Aaron Scott at S. GA Corvette a call at 229-226-4447. Plugster-1990 ZR-1

Plugster · 08-06-2008

That is Plugster LT-5 not L 98!

Kevin · 08-07-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plugster

That is Plugster LT-5 not L 98!

the l98 under your name changes as you gain posts

karterdon · 08-13-2008

First - Remember - this is not your ordinary every day cast iron block chevy V-8. Tollerances on this Lotus type of engine were designed to be loose and oil consumption was not necessarily a consideration as compared to lubrication of the top end. Depending on wehter or not your specific model year engine had valve stem seal or not will also contribute to a bit more normal oil usage - and will not be visible on the spark plug. I would personally not be overly concerned about oil consumption and if it uses a qt or two between oil changes - So What! Since most of these cars sit more then the ordinary driver - I would still suggest changing our oil every 3k-5k - That is probably, for most of us at the end of our driving season - Just before we put it away for the winter. Even though you are using Synthetic - It is still subject to all of the contaminatin issues that conventional oil is subject to - It just handles it better and longer. Just keep checking your oil - Let the engine sit for approx - 1/2 hour after you shut it down - It takes a while for the oil to drain down to get the proper oil level check - Or check it before you start it up for the first time of the day.

Don Yoakem
91 #267 DArk Red Met.

08-06-2008	#1
Paul Workman Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Squires (near Ava MO in the Mark Twain N'tl Forest) - Missouri Posts: 6,466	Curious about oil consumption... Just curious to know what y'all have for oil consumption. I have added one quart in 4000 miles - never goes out w/o at least one 7k run up (usually "more than one" ), and now it is almost a quart low again, as I consider changing it this w/e. I don't have one of those nifty catch cans (PVC recovery(?) like I saw on Pete's car), so I have no idea how much might be "salvaged". And, if I may ask another Q, how often (miles) do you change oil on your LT5 driven primarily on the street/hwy? Using synthetic and doing very little city driving, I figured 5K was "good" (especially at 9+ quarts at a pop!). P.

08-06-2008	#4
Paul Workman Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Squires (near Ava MO in the Mark Twain N'tl Forest) - Missouri Posts: 6,466	Re: consumption clarification Clarification: in a smidge over 4K miles, I've added a quart, but it is now reading a quart low again. So, it is about 2k/quart, is what I meant to say. Now, considering the fact that when I get the chance to drive the Z, it usually involves some spirited stuff - not all out, of course. But, even so, I was wondering how 1 qt/2000 miles sounds to y'all? So far, I gather it isn't too far off the mark - more than granny's Buick, but then it ain't granny's Buick neither!! Considering cost for a tank of Premium gas cost these days, an oil change is "not so bad", even if it is at 5000 miles. P.

08-06-2008	#5
Plugster Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Monroe, GA Posts: 2	Re: Curious about oil consumption... Re: oil consumption Mine used a quart every 1000 miles. I understand the excessive oil consumption is due to the fact the exhaust valves do not have valve seats. I had the heads re-worked at South GA Corvette, but I do not have enough miles on the engine to check for consumption. Give Aaron Scott at S. GA Corvette a call at 229-226-4447. Plugster-1990 ZR-1

08-06-2008	#6
Plugster Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Monroe, GA Posts: 2	Re: Curious about oil consumption... That is Plugster LT-5 not L 98!

08-13-2008	#8
karterdon Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Antioch, Illinois Posts: 129	Re: Curious about oil consumption... First - Remember - this is not your ordinary every day cast iron block chevy V-8. Tollerances on this Lotus type of engine were designed to be loose and oil consumption was not necessarily a consideration as compared to lubrication of the top end. Depending on wehter or not your specific model year engine had valve stem seal or not will also contribute to a bit more normal oil usage - and will not be visible on the spark plug. I would personally not be overly concerned about oil consumption and if it uses a qt or two between oil changes - So What! Since most of these cars sit more then the ordinary driver - I would still suggest changing our oil every 3k-5k - That is probably, for most of us at the end of our driving season - Just before we put it away for the winter. Even though you are using Synthetic - It is still subject to all of the contaminatin issues that conventional oil is subject to - It just handles it better and longer. Just keep checking your oil - Let the engine sit for approx - 1/2 hour after you shut it down - It takes a while for the oil to drain down to get the proper oil level check - Or check it before you start it up for the first time of the day. Don Yoakem 91 #267 DArk Red Met.

08-06-2008	#2
tomtom72 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Jacksonville, FL USA Posts: 4,609	Re: Curious about oil consumption... I think mine does about double that in the "consumption/leak" department over 5k miles of about the same usage pattern. I'm fairly sure that the only place that I leak from is the exhaust bolts that go thru oil galleries, as I do the pan bolt check dance every oil change. Although, the front of my motor seems to be getting messier everytime I look at it. It seems that the more time I spend in gears other than 6th, the more I seem to be missing when I check the oil. JMHO, but I use M1 full syn and it seems to me 5k mile change interval is wasting syn oil......but as I get to the 5k mark I start to get anxiety attacks about even contemplating any interval that is longer. When I had free use of a work space, I used to have some really wierd change intervals. I had all kinds of "what if" oil change intervals....ya know like two months or four "runs", or every six "runs", or four "cruises" + two "runs".....we all know the stress difference between a "run" and a "cruise", right? I think my brain needs an oil change, or at least some tune up time on the couch.... I did 277 miles this past sunday, it was a cruise on the outbound leg and a run comming back....I checked before I started & it was 1/2 way between the add & full lines......last night when I looked it was at the add line, so I added. I can't seem to find any oil on the plugs, so I guess it is eating/leaking it. __________________ 1990 ZR-1, Black/grey, #2233, stock. ZR-1 Net Reg Founding Member #316 & NCM member