Northstar using oil

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Chip - 06 Jun 2006 23:56 GMT

Group:
This applies to a Cadillac sedan around '99 to '01 vintage.
Was owners husband's car before he died.
It has shown "Add oil" message several times and several quarts go in.
This is recent, last six months or so.
It does not leak.
It does not have a lot of miles on it, less than 80K
Is there something about the Northstar engine that cause oil use?
I suspect the PCV valve but where is it?
Owner does not want to pay dealer prices for the service, but she has no
other options right now except to have someone put in oil now and then.

Any info available?

Thanks,
Rich, on behalf of the owner.

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Shep - 07 Jun 2006 02:32 GMT

This oil consumption issue has been ongoing with mid year N'stars, there are
several TSB's pertaining to this, check with your dealer.

> Group:
> This applies to a Cadillac sedan around '99 to '01 vintage.
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> Thanks,
> Rich, on behalf of the owner.

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shiden_kai - 09 Jun 2006 02:11 GMT

> Is there something about the Northstar engine that cause oil use?
> I suspect the PCV valve but where is it?
> Owner does not want to pay dealer prices for the service, but she has
> no other options right now except to have someone put in oil now and
> then.

You can either live with it, or have it re-rung with an updated #2 ring
that is much more efficient at scraping the oil off the cylinder wall.
Of course, this will only cost you about 3-4 grand.

I would also: Check the oil level only when hot, allow the engine to
sit for at least 2 minutes before checking the oil, then only adjust/fill
oil to halfway on the hash marks on the dipstick.

If you check the oil level cold, and then top it up cold, you "will" be
overfull when the engine gets warmed up.

Ian

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