I was just checking my oil and it is below the add line. I see no leaks or smoke. What could be the problem.\?
?


2004 Grand Prix GTP (Competition Group)
SOLD-->1999 Z24 5M-#30 to register on JBO
"You can please some of the people some of the time but you can't please all the people'
all the time

The cars that you can see burning oil...all the pretty blueish-gray smoke...those cars are burning a LOT of oil.

Cars that burn small amounts of oil you will typically not notice the smoke. Often it will only a blow a little upon startup, or may be burning small amounts consistently.

Some seals can also "abosrb" small amounts of oil over time.

Small leaks can be present, but not so much that any drips are noticeable. Look for the tell-tale signs of accumulated grease deposits on the block, or on the steering or suspension components under the engine.

"Losing" up to a quart of oil between oil changes is considered within "normal" specifications.

If you're within that range, and don't see any obvious problems (drips, lots of blue smoke), then I wouldn't worry about it.




-Ferrite

In addition to Ferrite's comments, always check the spin-on

oil filter for tightness.

Ok. But the level was below the add line. I change my oild about 2 months ago. i would guess below the addl line is about 2-3 quarts low. If it is below the add line then that is a good bit of oil. Some times i think i may have seen a puff of smoke on my car but not very often. This was extremely low.


2004 Grand Prix GTP (Competition Group)
SOLD-->1999 Z24 5M-#30 to register on JBO
"You can please some of the people some of the time but you can't please all the people'
all the time

On most cars with smaller than 5 qt. oil capacities (like ours), the area between the "Add" and "Fill" marks are less than 1 quart...on many cars, it's only a half quart, but in our case (if memory serves) I believe it's closer to .75 of a quart. So while it's not necessarily a good thing to be that low, particul;arly for extended periods of time, it's still within "normal" range if it's slightly below, but within the 1 quart rule-of-thumb guideline.

Which, of course, is why it is recommended to check oil regularly (like every time you fill up the gas tank, or once a week) and add as needed between oil changes. That way you can actually monitor how much you're "losing" between changes. If you have to open up a second quart to keep it full before it's time to change your oil...that's when you know there's something more serious going on.

Most often if you see a puff of blueish/gray smoke at startup, but not during normal driving, it's due to worn valve seals allowing small amounts of oil to drip into the combustion chamber after the engine is shut down. The small amount of oil accumulates, then is immediately burned and blown out the exhaust upon startup. Again, though, small amount is considered normal wear and tear. It can occur earlier in some engine than others, even of the same make, all depending on how it's been driven over it's life.




-Ferrite

If thos is the case. I filled up with 4.5 quarts. And if below the line is about .75-1 quart left the i have burnt about 3.5 -3.75 quarts of oil. There have been few instances when i am paying attention when i see some light smoke in the back when i am in traffic.


2004 Grand Prix GTP (Competition Group)
SOLD-->1999 Z24 5M-#30 to register on JBO
"You can please some of the people some of the time but you can't please all the people'
all the time

Quote:

If thos is the case. I filled up with 4.5 quarts. And if below the line is about .75-1 quart left the i have burnt about 3.5 -3.75 quarts of oil.

Not quite.... if full is 4.5 quarts, below the add is less than 3.75 quarts.

Allowing it to get that low will perpetuate the problem....less oil = more damage, leading to more burn-off.

If you see smoke during normal driving, even small amounts, then you are definitely burning it. Burning oil while running is most often due to worn cylinder rings allowing oil to seep up into the combustion chamber from below. There are other possible causes, too, but they all involve tearing the engine apart to diagnose correctly.

Once an engine has started to burn oil in this manner, It will only get worse over time, eventually requiring a rebuild.

You may also have a combination of light burning and small leaks. Steam or pressure wash the engine compartment then watch for even the slightest accumulation of grease/grime. Typically around gaskets/seals, like the oil pan, various sensors, etc.. Small spots of wetness that quickly attract road grit and dirt, semi-sealing themselves to the point of not allowing it to drip, but still leaking slowly. If you're engine is already quite dirty, and caked with grease deposits, watch for a big leak to "suddenly" appear after a thorough cleaning. The accumulation of grime may have been temporarily holding back a leak just enough to keep it unnoticeable.

also, the extra .5 quart you add during an oil change is for the filter....the capacity is closer to 4 quarts.






-Ferrite

Oh, and yeah....if you were actually missing 3 or more quarts, the oil wouldn't even register on the dipstick. Going from memory, I believe it's somewhere between 2.5 - 3.5 quarts in the engine before it even shows up on the dipstick.




-Ferrite

I let the car sit for a good while before checking the oil to make sure. My oil pressure guage was low. To tell you the truth i haven't paid attention to my oil guage in a while at one stage it was reading 0 pressure. and recently around 5-15 psi at idle


2004 Grand Prix GTP (Competition Group)
SOLD-->1999 Z24 5M-#30 to register on JBO
"You can please some of the people some of the time but you can't please all the people'
all the time

Man this car needs to go.


2004 Grand Prix GTP (Competition Group)
SOLD-->1999 Z24 5M-#30 to register on JBO
"You can please some of the people some of the time but you can't please all the people'
all the time