Help with oil smell after oil changes
05-20-2013, 05:01 PM
#321
Pro
I contacted Chevrolet Customer Service today with this oil smell problem and gave them the reference to this thread.
Answer was no answer - Take car to dealer and have them check it. I explained that I have already done this and they said no service bulletins for them to refer to for a correction. She indicated she knew nothing about a possible rear engine oil seal issue. Then, she says she will refer this to the tech department of Chevy but no response to be expected to you from them and "have a nice day".
I call BS as I have already done this with no resolution and told the lady this on the phone. I asked her if she reviewed the prior 317 comments as to the burnt oil smell and you would have thought her a politician in her not answering that question.
Another example of why GM went bankrupt!
What is it going to take to get their attention - a class action law suit? If so let me be at the head of the line. DING, DING you lawyers out there listening!
Love the car, really PO'd with GM's refusal to correct a problem affecting many of these expensive cars and apparently waiting for the LS3 engines to eventually go away.
Answer was no answer - Take car to dealer and have them check it. I explained that I have already done this and they said no service bulletins for them to refer to for a correction. She indicated she knew nothing about a possible rear engine oil seal issue. Then, she says she will refer this to the tech department of Chevy but no response to be expected to you from them and "have a nice day".
I call BS as I have already done this with no resolution and told the lady this on the phone. I asked her if she reviewed the prior 317 comments as to the burnt oil smell and you would have thought her a politician in her not answering that question.
Another example of why GM went bankrupt!
What is it going to take to get their attention - a class action law suit? If so let me be at the head of the line. DING, DING you lawyers out there listening!
Love the car, really PO'd with GM's refusal to correct a problem affecting many of these expensive cars and apparently waiting for the LS3 engines to eventually go away.
Last edited by Travelor; 05-20-2013 at 05:05 PM.
05-20-2013, 05:43 PM
#322
Pro
Good point, I was thinking the same thing. Each Corvette I have owned has taken a different amount of oil to fill it up. My 2010 takes 5 q 28 oz.
05-20-2013, 11:48 PM
#323
8th Gear
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i have a zr1 and had the oil changed at the 50 percent reading at least 5 times. every time i had the oil changed the car had a terrible smell for 800 to 1000 miles. after talking to a gm engineer he said if the oil was changed properly there should be no ill effects, he suggested i changed dealers. after changinging dealers the smell immediatly went away, i can only assume the dearships are pushing the oil out with air or pumping it in too fast to save time thus contaminating the pcv system with mass quantities of oil. anything to do it faster...
05-21-2013, 04:09 AM
#324
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I just finished reading every post on this thread and see several common points.
1. Usually oil changes were done by dealers.
2. Overfilling by either a dealer/business or owner.
3. Smell persists for 500-2000 miles, yet fades to nothing eventually.
4. Rather early low mile oil changes, as in well before the DIC notice.
5. Smell is only evident after full warm-up and during temporary stops.
I'll address these in the same order.
1. Dealers use trainees to do oil changes and they intend to make a profit. Since time is money, the trainee is instructed to be quick. Drainage may not be complete and the oil is added quickly and not necessarily accurately.
2. People simply add how much the system is supposed to hold, rather than filling to the correct dipstick mark. This is especially true for cars with an engine oil cooler that doesn't drain well. Those people who do their own changes and don't have the smell issue, have likely added only enough to be to the top of the dipstick with the engine fully warmed and properly checked.
3. This would be consistent with normal oil useage from an overfilled condition.
4. With low mileage oil changes, the system is constantly in an overfill condition.
5. In order to get anything to smell, it first has to be a volatile substance. Oil is, but like many others, becomes more so when heated. So when the engine is at full temperature the odor is greatest. When coming to a stop, the engine at an idle is not under high vacuum. The conditions exist for internal fumes to be purged from the engine rather than sucked through the intake and burned. This would continue until the engine oil is at the correct level. It's the same thing with a pot of water on the stove. If it's too full, it'll boil over until the level stabilizes.
All the above can explain why some cars smell and some don't. For those that do, try sucking out some oil to about 1/2 qt low as a test to see if the smell stops. You'll never hurt the engine, but you may no longer stink.
The theory about lubricant on the rear seal has three problems. There is no explanation why a chemical reaction only happens for a short period after an oil change and then stops, only to be repeated again. There is no method for the odor to escape unless there was also an overfilled condition. And since the service manual states when replacing the rear main seal "DO NOT allow oil or other lubricants to contact the seal surface", why would the factory use a lubricant. The "DO NOT" emphasis is in the manual, not just me.
1. Usually oil changes were done by dealers.
2. Overfilling by either a dealer/business or owner.
3. Smell persists for 500-2000 miles, yet fades to nothing eventually.
4. Rather early low mile oil changes, as in well before the DIC notice.
5. Smell is only evident after full warm-up and during temporary stops.
I'll address these in the same order.
1. Dealers use trainees to do oil changes and they intend to make a profit. Since time is money, the trainee is instructed to be quick. Drainage may not be complete and the oil is added quickly and not necessarily accurately.
2. People simply add how much the system is supposed to hold, rather than filling to the correct dipstick mark. This is especially true for cars with an engine oil cooler that doesn't drain well. Those people who do their own changes and don't have the smell issue, have likely added only enough to be to the top of the dipstick with the engine fully warmed and properly checked.
3. This would be consistent with normal oil useage from an overfilled condition.
4. With low mileage oil changes, the system is constantly in an overfill condition.
5. In order to get anything to smell, it first has to be a volatile substance. Oil is, but like many others, becomes more so when heated. So when the engine is at full temperature the odor is greatest. When coming to a stop, the engine at an idle is not under high vacuum. The conditions exist for internal fumes to be purged from the engine rather than sucked through the intake and burned. This would continue until the engine oil is at the correct level. It's the same thing with a pot of water on the stove. If it's too full, it'll boil over until the level stabilizes.
All the above can explain why some cars smell and some don't. For those that do, try sucking out some oil to about 1/2 qt low as a test to see if the smell stops. You'll never hurt the engine, but you may no longer stink.
The theory about lubricant on the rear seal has three problems. There is no explanation why a chemical reaction only happens for a short period after an oil change and then stops, only to be repeated again. There is no method for the odor to escape unless there was also an overfilled condition. And since the service manual states when replacing the rear main seal "DO NOT allow oil or other lubricants to contact the seal surface", why would the factory use a lubricant. The "DO NOT" emphasis is in the manual, not just me.
05-21-2013, 11:26 AM
#325
Melting Slicks
all I know is that one of the engineers at the factory is aware of the problem and said it was from the lube used upon assembly, depending how much was used dictates as to perhaps why some have a strong odor while others do not. He said the new oil reacts more and as its used more the efffect are weakened..I cannot help you more than that. Chevrolet has replaced the rear main seals on some cars that the owners have demanded and the odor is gone, as they either use a different lube or none at all...not sure ..but the odor goes away..
05-21-2013, 03:24 PM
#326
Burning Brakes
I just finished reading every post on this thread and see several common points.
1. Usually oil changes were done by dealers.
2. Overfilling by either a dealer/business or owner.
3. Smell persists for 500-2000 miles, yet fades to nothing eventually.
4. Rather early low mile oil changes, as in well before the DIC notice.
5. Smell is only evident after full warm-up and during temporary stops.
I'll address these in the same order.
1. Dealers use trainees to do oil changes and they intend to make a profit. Since time is money, the trainee is instructed to be quick. Drainage may not be complete and the oil is added quickly and not necessarily accurately.
2. People simply add how much the system is supposed to hold, rather than filling to the correct dipstick mark. This is especially true for cars with an engine oil cooler that doesn't drain well. Those people who do their own changes and don't have the smell issue, have likely added only enough to be to the top of the dipstick with the engine fully warmed and properly checked.
3. This would be consistent with normal oil useage from an overfilled condition.
4. With low mileage oil changes, the system is constantly in an overfill condition.
5. In order to get anything to smell, it first has to be a volatile substance. Oil is, but like many others, becomes more so when heated. So when the engine is at full temperature the odor is greatest. When coming to a stop, the engine at an idle is not under high vacuum. The conditions exist for internal fumes to be purged from the engine rather than sucked through the intake and burned. This would continue until the engine oil is at the correct level. It's the same thing with a pot of water on the stove. If it's too full, it'll boil over until the level stabilizes.
All the above can explain why some cars smell and some don't. For those that do, try sucking out some oil to about 1/2 qt low as a test to see if the smell stops. You'll never hurt the engine, but you may no longer stink.
The theory about lubricant on the rear seal has three problems. There is no explanation why a chemical reaction only happens for a short period after an oil change and then stops, only to be repeated again. There is no method for the odor to escape unless there was also an overfilled condition. And since the service manual states when replacing the rear main seal "DO NOT allow oil or other lubricants to contact the seal surface", why would the factory use a lubricant. The "DO NOT" emphasis is in the manual, not just me.
1. Usually oil changes were done by dealers.
2. Overfilling by either a dealer/business or owner.
3. Smell persists for 500-2000 miles, yet fades to nothing eventually.
4. Rather early low mile oil changes, as in well before the DIC notice.
5. Smell is only evident after full warm-up and during temporary stops.
I'll address these in the same order.
1. Dealers use trainees to do oil changes and they intend to make a profit. Since time is money, the trainee is instructed to be quick. Drainage may not be complete and the oil is added quickly and not necessarily accurately.
2. People simply add how much the system is supposed to hold, rather than filling to the correct dipstick mark. This is especially true for cars with an engine oil cooler that doesn't drain well. Those people who do their own changes and don't have the smell issue, have likely added only enough to be to the top of the dipstick with the engine fully warmed and properly checked.
3. This would be consistent with normal oil useage from an overfilled condition.
4. With low mileage oil changes, the system is constantly in an overfill condition.
5. In order to get anything to smell, it first has to be a volatile substance. Oil is, but like many others, becomes more so when heated. So when the engine is at full temperature the odor is greatest. When coming to a stop, the engine at an idle is not under high vacuum. The conditions exist for internal fumes to be purged from the engine rather than sucked through the intake and burned. This would continue until the engine oil is at the correct level. It's the same thing with a pot of water on the stove. If it's too full, it'll boil over until the level stabilizes.
All the above can explain why some cars smell and some don't. For those that do, try sucking out some oil to about 1/2 qt low as a test to see if the smell stops. You'll never hurt the engine, but you may no longer stink.
The theory about lubricant on the rear seal has three problems. There is no explanation why a chemical reaction only happens for a short period after an oil change and then stops, only to be repeated again. There is no method for the odor to escape unless there was also an overfilled condition. And since the service manual states when replacing the rear main seal "DO NOT allow oil or other lubricants to contact the seal surface", why would the factory use a lubricant. The "DO NOT" emphasis is in the manual, not just me.
05-21-2013, 03:32 PM
#327
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Here's a 3 year old video of production engine assembly. It's so automated that the repeatability is nearly perfect. There is no reason to believe that a human has control over the amount of lubricant or sealant being applied during any process. At the only point where a human is present is also the point where the rear plate with seal is installed. The tool centers on the crank and spreads/pushes open the seal to fit over the crankshaft. The worker only aligns the plate and removes the tool after the plate is installed. When the tool is removed the seal flexes down onto the crank. No lubricant is used or required.
The GM people are probably still laughing at the inside joke they have perpetrated on the gullible.
The GM people are probably still laughing at the inside joke they have perpetrated on the gullible.
05-23-2013, 03:26 PM
#328
Pro
Next chapter in the GM head in the sand responses
I have written GM Customer service about the oil smell and here is the latest in their responses and my response to them:
" Originally Posted by c4c5specialist View Post
Ok, then what did the dealer do ??
Did you ask to look under the car with the service manager??
Lets start with a visual inspection first prior to anything else, tell us what you see and obviously we can move on from there.
Keep us posted, Paul"
My response to him:
Guess you did not read all my and many other Corvette owner's posts. Help with oil smell after oil changes -this forum thread
If you had read the referenced posts, you would have seen that I was standing right next to the technician when the oil was changed and there was NO OIL SPILLAGE. Also I discussed this problem with the service Manager and the service manager was standing next to me and there was NO OIL SPILLAGE. None, nada, no oils spillage.
This time please read the referenced link to this issue described by many of us Corvette owners and the lack fo GM support on this issue.
I certainly will do what I can to help but read the link before requesting me to do the same thing many of us have done numerous times before. Also, there must be some references to this problem as GM has authorized removal and replacement of the rear engine oil seal as a possible solution to this problem under warranty. I cannot in all honesty believe that their is no reference material in your records about this complaint after GM paid to remove the engine and replace this seal on more than one vehicle.
Wonder what their next response will be??????????
" Originally Posted by c4c5specialist View Post
Ok, then what did the dealer do ??
Did you ask to look under the car with the service manager??
Lets start with a visual inspection first prior to anything else, tell us what you see and obviously we can move on from there.
Keep us posted, Paul"
My response to him:
Guess you did not read all my and many other Corvette owner's posts. Help with oil smell after oil changes -this forum thread
If you had read the referenced posts, you would have seen that I was standing right next to the technician when the oil was changed and there was NO OIL SPILLAGE. Also I discussed this problem with the service Manager and the service manager was standing next to me and there was NO OIL SPILLAGE. None, nada, no oils spillage.
This time please read the referenced link to this issue described by many of us Corvette owners and the lack fo GM support on this issue.
I certainly will do what I can to help but read the link before requesting me to do the same thing many of us have done numerous times before. Also, there must be some references to this problem as GM has authorized removal and replacement of the rear engine oil seal as a possible solution to this problem under warranty. I cannot in all honesty believe that their is no reference material in your records about this complaint after GM paid to remove the engine and replace this seal on more than one vehicle.
Wonder what their next response will be??????????
05-30-2013, 11:48 PM
#329
Drifting
Member Since: May 2012
Location: Southport North Carolina
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I've posted about and experienced the oil smell a couple of times over the past 2 years. This past winter I decided to install a catch can.
Well, I just did my oil change 5 days ago and have put on 200 miles. So far, no smell... Even got the oil up to 235 degrees... no smell... This weekend I'm going to put on a few hundred more miles, it will be interesting to see if the catch can cleared the problem.
edit: I overfilled my oil and it was about 1 CM above the hash marks. This evening I drained some oil, it is now very near the top of the hash marks...
Well, I just did my oil change 5 days ago and have put on 200 miles. So far, no smell... Even got the oil up to 235 degrees... no smell... This weekend I'm going to put on a few hundred more miles, it will be interesting to see if the catch can cleared the problem.
edit: I overfilled my oil and it was about 1 CM above the hash marks. This evening I drained some oil, it is now very near the top of the hash marks...
Last edited by berk4422; 05-30-2013 at 11:50 PM.
05-31-2013, 01:36 PM
#331
Melting Slicks
I contacted Chevrolet Customer Service today with this oil smell problem and gave them the reference to this thread. Answer was no answer - Take car to dealer and have them check it. I explained that I have already done this and they said no service bulletins for them to refer to for a correction. She indicated she knew nothing about a possible rear engine oil seal issue. Then, she says she will refer this to the tech department of Chevy but no response to be expected to you from them and "have a nice day".
06-02-2013, 09:54 AM
#332
I have now had my oil changed 3 times by the dealer . They are trying to locate the issue for me. (5K on the car now, they change it to try to find the source)
As I posted before the smell at first was nasty and showed up at stops after being running, the harder the running the worse the smell, as the milage went on the smell diminished. I did some very spirited driving on friday and the smell stayed faint but was detectable at the dealer still (this was after 2K after the last change)
They changed my oil and introduced it at a slower then normal rate when adding the new oil again. I then went and drove very spirited again for about 120 miles , guess what the smell was still only very slight as it was in the morning, that is to say it did not get noticable stonger.
They suspect as someone posted in here it is getting into the PVC system and being drawn out as we drive . after time the oil is less and smells less.
I will keep you posted at next change ( they are agressivly changing my oil for free to try to figgure it out as they easily smell the oil also)
I was pretty happy this time when I finished my drive as it really was minimul and I hope goes away all together by the next few hundred miles and never returns.
Oh ya M6 GS
As I posted before the smell at first was nasty and showed up at stops after being running, the harder the running the worse the smell, as the milage went on the smell diminished. I did some very spirited driving on friday and the smell stayed faint but was detectable at the dealer still (this was after 2K after the last change)
They changed my oil and introduced it at a slower then normal rate when adding the new oil again. I then went and drove very spirited again for about 120 miles , guess what the smell was still only very slight as it was in the morning, that is to say it did not get noticable stonger.
They suspect as someone posted in here it is getting into the PVC system and being drawn out as we drive . after time the oil is less and smells less.
I will keep you posted at next change ( they are agressivly changing my oil for free to try to figgure it out as they easily smell the oil also)
I was pretty happy this time when I finished my drive as it really was minimul and I hope goes away all together by the next few hundred miles and never returns.
Oh ya M6 GS
Last edited by Old Boot; 06-02-2013 at 10:08 AM.
06-02-2013, 10:04 AM
#333
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Thanks for the update Old Boot. Subscribed, as I will be changing oil on my GS M6, for the first time, soon.
06-03-2013, 08:28 AM
#334
Hi everyone!
I apologize that ya'll continue to have this oil smell. I see that many of you have reached out to Customer Care and Marissa and I have spoken to quite a few of you ourselves. We have exhausted our internal resources on this end and have documented all conversations and interactions as have the phone agents.
I have read each post on this thread. I suggest to continue working with your Certified Service Technicians to get this concern resolved. I will continue to monitor this thread and help where I can. I appreciate everyone who has messaged us.
Thanks MarchAll 2005 for keeping us posted!
Kelly J.
Chevrolet Customer Care
I apologize that ya'll continue to have this oil smell. I see that many of you have reached out to Customer Care and Marissa and I have spoken to quite a few of you ourselves. We have exhausted our internal resources on this end and have documented all conversations and interactions as have the phone agents.
I have read each post on this thread. I suggest to continue working with your Certified Service Technicians to get this concern resolved. I will continue to monitor this thread and help where I can. I appreciate everyone who has messaged us.
Thanks MarchAll 2005 for keeping us posted!
Kelly J.
Chevrolet Customer Care
06-03-2013, 09:29 AM
#335
Safety Car
Hi everyone!
I apologize that ya'll continue to have this oil smell. I see that many of you have reached out to Customer Care and Marissa and I have spoken to quite a few of you ourselves. We have exhausted our internal resources on this end and have documented all conversations and interactions as have the phone agents.
I have read each post on this thread. I suggest to continue working with your Certified Service Technicians to get this concern resolved. I will continue to monitor this thread and help where I can. I appreciate everyone who has messaged us.
Thanks MarchAll 2005 for keeping us posted!
Kelly J.
Chevrolet Customer Care
I apologize that ya'll continue to have this oil smell. I see that many of you have reached out to Customer Care and Marissa and I have spoken to quite a few of you ourselves. We have exhausted our internal resources on this end and have documented all conversations and interactions as have the phone agents.
I have read each post on this thread. I suggest to continue working with your Certified Service Technicians to get this concern resolved. I will continue to monitor this thread and help where I can. I appreciate everyone who has messaged us.
Thanks MarchAll 2005 for keeping us posted!
Kelly J.
Chevrolet Customer Care
I truly believe that oil can be carried into areas that it does not belong, if it is filled too quickly into the engine, and then started up immediately after filling.
Last edited by Seadawg; 06-03-2013 at 09:31 AM.
06-03-2013, 02:34 PM
#336
Drifting
Hi everyone!
I apologize that ya'll continue to have this oil smell. I see that many of you have reached out to Customer Care and Marissa and I have spoken to quite a few of you ourselves. We have exhausted our internal resources on this end and have documented all conversations and interactions as have the phone agents.
I have read each post on this thread. I suggest to continue working with your Certified Service Technicians to get this concern resolved. I will continue to monitor this thread and help where I can. I appreciate everyone who has messaged us.
Thanks MarchAll 2005 for keeping us posted!
Kelly J.
Chevrolet Customer Care
I apologize that ya'll continue to have this oil smell. I see that many of you have reached out to Customer Care and Marissa and I have spoken to quite a few of you ourselves. We have exhausted our internal resources on this end and have documented all conversations and interactions as have the phone agents.
I have read each post on this thread. I suggest to continue working with your Certified Service Technicians to get this concern resolved. I will continue to monitor this thread and help where I can. I appreciate everyone who has messaged us.
Thanks MarchAll 2005 for keeping us posted!
Kelly J.
Chevrolet Customer Care
This implies that you don't know what the problem is even though it has been suggested (by Chevrolet ) that it has something to do with the transmission seal.
"continue working with your Certified Service Technicians " implies that the causes may be multiple or that you're hoping some service technician will stumble upon a solution because Chevrolet is not themselves actively looking for a solution.
This is like: I'm sorry your car stinks but we really don't care enough to put our good people on the problem we'll just pacify you with these words and push the problem of dealing with you off to the dealers until you finally go away.
ya, I know probably unfair opinion but we sure see this alot and we're not really into words alone. How about some action from the company that built the cars.
06-04-2013, 11:50 AM
#338
Pro
06-28-2013, 11:43 AM
#339
Pro Mechanic
Pro Mechanic
I'm not sure if my post to this thread relates directly to this oil smell problem, but it might. Also, I've not read all 300+ posts in this thread, so if the statements below have already been posted previously, I apologize for the redundancy.
About six months ago, over on the Corvette Action Center site, I took a question on the oil capacity of Grand Sports with the LS3 wet-sump engine. The people asking were concerned that the oil level in their wet-sump LS3s was overfull even though they'd been filled with the 6-quarts of oil specified in GM service data.
To get an accurate answer I had to research a while, both in email exchanges with sources at GM and with my set of Factory Service Manuals.
In 2008, LS3's oil capacity, if the oil and filter were changed, according to factory service data, was 6-quarts, however, the actual capacity was 6-quarts for LS3s in cars ordered with Z51 and 5.5-qts for LS3s in cars without Z51. The extra half-quart was held in the Z51's oil-to-air engine oil cooler. Sources at GM told me that inspite of the half-quart difference, service data did not differentiate between the two oil capacities.
In 2009, the error in Service Manuals was corrected listing LS3s w. Z51 at 6-qt and LS3s w/o Z51 at 5.5 qts.
In 2010, the Z51 option and its EOC were discontinued. For MY10 the LS3 in Grand Sports ordered with Z52 had a dry sump oiling system with a capacity of 10.5-qt. The LS3 wet sump engine, in Grand Sports w/o Z52 and all base cars, when the oil and filter were changed, had 5.5-qt oil capacity, but factory service information incorrectly listed an oil capacity of 6-qts.
This error is consistent in MY10,11 and 12 Corvette Service Manuals and, while I haven't yet ordered a 2013 Service Manual, nor do I have access to GM's ESI, I suspect this error persisted to the end MY13 production.
This means that the oil capacity of all 2010-2013 LS3s with wet sump oiling is overstated by half a quart and any technician using factory service data will overfill the engine by half a quart–that goes for not only dealers but just about any service facility doing oil changes because publishers of aftermarket service data get their oil capacity numbers from GM.
If the oil smell after oil changes with no obvious leaks is occurring with 2008s w/o Z51 or 2010-2013s w/o Z52, it is possible that the smell is coming from the engine oil being half a quart over full. Typically, if the oil level is too high, oil consumption is high until the oil level normalizes. That may explain why the smell eventually goes away during a period of time after the oil change.
About six months ago, over on the Corvette Action Center site, I took a question on the oil capacity of Grand Sports with the LS3 wet-sump engine. The people asking were concerned that the oil level in their wet-sump LS3s was overfull even though they'd been filled with the 6-quarts of oil specified in GM service data.
To get an accurate answer I had to research a while, both in email exchanges with sources at GM and with my set of Factory Service Manuals.
In 2008, LS3's oil capacity, if the oil and filter were changed, according to factory service data, was 6-quarts, however, the actual capacity was 6-quarts for LS3s in cars ordered with Z51 and 5.5-qts for LS3s in cars without Z51. The extra half-quart was held in the Z51's oil-to-air engine oil cooler. Sources at GM told me that inspite of the half-quart difference, service data did not differentiate between the two oil capacities.
In 2009, the error in Service Manuals was corrected listing LS3s w. Z51 at 6-qt and LS3s w/o Z51 at 5.5 qts.
In 2010, the Z51 option and its EOC were discontinued. For MY10 the LS3 in Grand Sports ordered with Z52 had a dry sump oiling system with a capacity of 10.5-qt. The LS3 wet sump engine, in Grand Sports w/o Z52 and all base cars, when the oil and filter were changed, had 5.5-qt oil capacity, but factory service information incorrectly listed an oil capacity of 6-qts.
This error is consistent in MY10,11 and 12 Corvette Service Manuals and, while I haven't yet ordered a 2013 Service Manual, nor do I have access to GM's ESI, I suspect this error persisted to the end MY13 production.
This means that the oil capacity of all 2010-2013 LS3s with wet sump oiling is overstated by half a quart and any technician using factory service data will overfill the engine by half a quart–that goes for not only dealers but just about any service facility doing oil changes because publishers of aftermarket service data get their oil capacity numbers from GM.
If the oil smell after oil changes with no obvious leaks is occurring with 2008s w/o Z51 or 2010-2013s w/o Z52, it is possible that the smell is coming from the engine oil being half a quart over full. Typically, if the oil level is too high, oil consumption is high until the oil level normalizes. That may explain why the smell eventually goes away during a period of time after the oil change.
06-28-2013, 12:20 PM
#340
I'm not sure if my post to this thread relates directly to this oil smell problem, but it might. Also, I've not read all 300+ posts in this thread, so if the statements below have already been posted previously, I apologize for the redundancy.
About six months ago, over on the Corvette Action Center site, I took a question on the oil capacity of Grand Sports with the LS3 wet-sump engine. The people asking were concerned that the oil level in their wet-sump LS3s was overfull even though they'd been filled with the 6-quarts of oil specified in GM service data.
To get an accurate answer I had to research a while, both in email exchanges with sources at GM and with my set of Factory Service Manuals.
In 2008, LS3's oil capacity, if the oil and filter were changed, according to factory service data, was 6-quarts, however, the actual capacity was 6-quarts for LS3s in cars ordered with Z51 and 5.5-qts for LS3s in cars without Z51. The extra half-quart was held in the Z51's oil-to-air engine oil cooler. Sources at GM told me that inspite of the half-quart difference, service data did not differentiate between the two oil capacities.
In 2009, the error in Service Manuals was corrected listing LS3s w. Z51 at 6-qt and LS3s w/o Z51 at 5.5 qts.
In 2010, the Z51 option and its EOC were discontinued. For MY10 the LS3 in Grand Sports ordered with Z52 had a dry sump oiling system with a capacity of 10.5-qt. The LS3 wet sump engine, in Grand Sports w/o Z52 and all base cars, when the oil and filter were changed, had 5.5-qt oil capacity, but factory service information incorrectly listed an oil capacity of 6-qts.
This error is consistent in MY10,11 and 12 Corvette Service Manuals and, while I haven't yet ordered a 2013 Service Manual, nor do I have access to GM's ESI, I suspect this error persisted to the end MY13 production.
This means that the oil capacity of all 2010-2013 LS3s with wet sump oiling is overstated by half a quart and any technician using factory service data will overfill the engine by half a quart–that goes for not only dealers but just about any service facility doing oil changes because publishers of aftermarket service data get their oil capacity numbers from GM.
If the oil smell after oil changes with no obvious leaks is occurring with 2008s w/o Z51 or 2010-2013s w/o Z52, it is possible that the smell is coming from the engine oil being half a quart over full. Typically, if the oil level is too high, oil consumption is high until the oil level normalizes. That may explain why the smell eventually goes away during a period of time after the oil change.
About six months ago, over on the Corvette Action Center site, I took a question on the oil capacity of Grand Sports with the LS3 wet-sump engine. The people asking were concerned that the oil level in their wet-sump LS3s was overfull even though they'd been filled with the 6-quarts of oil specified in GM service data.
To get an accurate answer I had to research a while, both in email exchanges with sources at GM and with my set of Factory Service Manuals.
In 2008, LS3's oil capacity, if the oil and filter were changed, according to factory service data, was 6-quarts, however, the actual capacity was 6-quarts for LS3s in cars ordered with Z51 and 5.5-qts for LS3s in cars without Z51. The extra half-quart was held in the Z51's oil-to-air engine oil cooler. Sources at GM told me that inspite of the half-quart difference, service data did not differentiate between the two oil capacities.
In 2009, the error in Service Manuals was corrected listing LS3s w. Z51 at 6-qt and LS3s w/o Z51 at 5.5 qts.
In 2010, the Z51 option and its EOC were discontinued. For MY10 the LS3 in Grand Sports ordered with Z52 had a dry sump oiling system with a capacity of 10.5-qt. The LS3 wet sump engine, in Grand Sports w/o Z52 and all base cars, when the oil and filter were changed, had 5.5-qt oil capacity, but factory service information incorrectly listed an oil capacity of 6-qts.
This error is consistent in MY10,11 and 12 Corvette Service Manuals and, while I haven't yet ordered a 2013 Service Manual, nor do I have access to GM's ESI, I suspect this error persisted to the end MY13 production.
This means that the oil capacity of all 2010-2013 LS3s with wet sump oiling is overstated by half a quart and any technician using factory service data will overfill the engine by half a quart–that goes for not only dealers but just about any service facility doing oil changes because publishers of aftermarket service data get their oil capacity numbers from GM.
If the oil smell after oil changes with no obvious leaks is occurring with 2008s w/o Z51 or 2010-2013s w/o Z52, it is possible that the smell is coming from the engine oil being half a quart over full. Typically, if the oil level is too high, oil consumption is high until the oil level normalizes. That may explain why the smell eventually goes away during a period of time after the oil change.
So what you say about the 6 versus 5.5 quarts makes a lot of sense. Maybe I will ask them next to time to only put in 5.5 quarts and to give me the other half quart in the bottle. My guess is that would nail it to be just at full. The reason the overfill after these two oil changes didn't bother me much is because it set the oil level precisely at the same place as it was as a new car from the factory and wouldn't we guess that the factory knows what it's doing???? hmmm.. Maybe not??? gosh, that would be bad...
Can anyone say whether an LS3 wet sump engine with the oil level constantly at 3-4 mm OVER full is an issue??? Might that be enough overfill to cause a crankshaft frothing issue which is what I've heard is the reason you never want to excessively overfill the oil on any car??? Comments???
And regarding the oil smell, again I never smelled oil on the factory fill even though it was ALSO OVER FULL, just like it is now... So my guess is the smell itself is NOT related to the over fill but who knows cause maybe all the other new car smells masked the oil smell when the car was new???
again, thanks for the info on 5.5. versus 6... That certainly makes sense in my car cause 6 clearly over fills the car by about 3-4 mm's... But why would the factory have it wrong as well???
thanks... bob...