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Buick LaCrosse

2335 messages,  Last post on Aug 02, 2011 at 5:53 AM

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What is this discussion about? Buick LaCrosse, Sedan

Messages Page 232 of 234

#2306 of 2335 Low oil level 2008 LaCrosse CXL by pat122

Jan 05, 2011 (4:07 pm)

Previously I got a low oil level warning (approx. 31K mi) and oil life was at 9% so I just decided to get the oil changed and did not worry about it. This week (38K mi) the low oil level came on again when oil life is at 42%!! I checked the level and I am down over a quart. No signs of a leak in my garage so I am thinking the engine is burning oil. Anyone else have this problem?

#2307 of 2335 Re: Low oil level 2008 LaCrosse CXL [pat122] by bekins2

Jan 05, 2011 (7:24 pm)

Replying to: pat122 (Jan 05, 2011 4:07 pm)
I did in my 06 turned out to be the original head gasket made by GM was like a cork substance.It was changed to a metal one and never had the problem again.Cant give you price cause it was done under Carmax warranty.Hope this helps the tech at the Chevy (closer then Buick) said he sees this alll the time,cause of the cheap OE gasket.No damage was done to the heads themselves tho.

#2308 of 2335 Re: Low oil level 2008 LaCrosse CXL [bekins2] by e_net_rider

Jan 06, 2011 (8:35 am)

Replying to: bekins2 (Jan 05, 2011 7:24 pm)
I would start with making sure oil was filled at change.
There are some places oil might leak without it puddling in garage. The main crankshaft seals are suspect as they will sling oil while engine is running but not so much when parked.
Internally, it might be getting past rings or valve seals. Bad oil might be suspect, that is excessive wear or sticking rings. Pennzoil has been known for one of the best detergent packages for many decades. You might try switching to it for awhile and see if it makes a difference. Beware if you have a cruddy engine you should probably change early until it is cleaned. Watch the change on the dipstick. I think GM has a special additive for freeing stuck rings and there may be a number of additives available that are also supposed to do that. GM seems to recommend against additives, but at your own risk it is cheaper than a reguild so you might want to try, but I'd do the oil first.
As to cork gaskets, they are pretty much a thing of the past and definitely not ever used as a head gasket. Places that used cork in the past are valve covers, oil pan, and transmission pans.
Head gaskets are metal and usually multi-layer at critical points such as around each cylinder. Not to say you did not have one that was nearly eaten away possibly by bad coolant.
How long is the warranty on the engine?

#2309 of 2335 Re: Low oil level 2008 LaCrosse CXL [pat122] by cooterbfd

Jan 08, 2011 (2:16 pm)

Replying to: pat122 (Jan 05, 2011 4:07 pm)
According to your post, you now have 7,000 miles since your last oil change and are now adding a quart, correct?
 
If so, 2 quarts in that period of time would be considered "normal" oil consumption. If you do any amount of high speed driving (with the engine speed over 3000 rpm) it is perfectly ok for the engine to burn a small amount of oil.
 
IIRC, if you can't see any visible leaks, 1 qt per 1,000 miles is considered normal, so 2 in 7,000 is nothing to worry about.

#2310 of 2335 Re: Low oil level 2008 LaCrosse CXL [cooterbfd] by e_net_rider

Jan 08, 2011 (7:43 pm)

Replying to: cooterbfd (Jan 08, 2011 2:16 pm)
I would personally like to see the full details of GM claim that using that amount of oil is OK. I suspect that is a very old spec dating back to sometime pre-catalytic converter.
That amount of oil was deemed OK during breakin way back then, but you could see blue exhaust often when it pushed that much oil through. Catalytic converters probably burn it. I'm suspicious of how long it might last having to do the extra work.
But far worse is the pollution taking place. All those chemicals and heavy metals in old oil are being sprayed into the air we breathe. I'm not sure who put the stop on asbestos brake pads, but they should be looking at that specification saying it is OK.
BTW something does not sound correct. 2008, I'd guess it has 3.8 or 3.9L. The mileages refer to 7000 mile difference, but has 42% life left?????
I feel certain that with 7000 miles the life would be closer to 0% on that engine and 4 speed tranny meaning more revs per mile.
 
To pat122, how many times have you had oil changed in this vehicle since new?
If you are well documented, you may have some warranty. Please post back.

#2311 of 2335 Re: Low oil level 2008 LaCrosse CXL [e_net_rider] by cooterbfd

Jan 10, 2011 (2:37 pm)

Replying to: e_net_rider (Jan 08, 2011 7:43 pm)
Check this out;
 
http://www.pistonslap.com/tsb/010601011A.pdf

#2312 of 2335 Re: Low oil level 2008 LaCrosse CXL [e_net_rider] by crankeee

Jan 19, 2011 (12:29 pm)

Replying to: e_net_rider (Jan 08, 2011 7:43 pm)
Rider & cooter:
We used to note on 3.8L GM engines that oil consumption increased with two factors:1)engine age and 2)oil change interval. Consequently, at 3-5000 miles most of our vehicles "asked" for an oil change by being one quart or so low. The mileage interval changed by model but the overall pattern did not. We adopted an oil change schedule around this pattern - 3-5000 miles and found that we had to add very little new oil to old we just added all new oil with the filter once we got the interval established, Seems like very inexpensive preventive maintenance for a $30,000+ car that we keep for 8-13 years if the car cooperates .

#2313 of 2335 Re: Low oil level 2008 LaCrosse CXL [crankeee] by e_net_rider

Jan 20, 2011 (8:12 am)

Replying to: crankeee (Jan 19, 2011 12:29 pm)
A good question concerning usage would be where was the oil going.
I've had a number of vehicles that had lots of miles, circa 100K +, that used no oil or very little.
I would have thought that today's engines were much tighter until I read the link cooter put up concerning piston slap. Thanks Cooter.
Going back to an 86 Parisienne with Olds 307, about 85K, I was experiencing a little more than 1/2 quart low at change time. I switched to Mobil 1 and ran it according to how the oil looked. Oil still looking very good I extended the drain out to 10K, more than double previous changes with regular oil. It used no oil what-so-ever in that time.
I did run Rislone through it before switching to synthetic and oil got really nasty indicating the engine had junk in it.
Combining that experience with other engines and oil brands I have come to the conclusion that with at least older oils there was a significant variance in volatility. That is the engine did not use it or leak it. It just evaporated slowly at high temps, or in the case of old Quaker it stayed in the upper end mostly. Even with the cooler engines back then, it looked like that stuff you see in the Ford change you oil commercial. And with the high heat at the crossover in V8 intake manifolds it turned into something resembling lava rock.
If not for that commercial, I would have thought such issues no longer existed because of greatly increase API standards. (American Petroleum Institute)

#2314 of 2335 Checking In by ab348

Jan 23, 2011 (11:49 am)

Thought I would check in here with an update on my '09 Allure (Canadian Lacrosse). Just turned 7000 miles and the car is better than ever. Having passed break-in, the engine seems to have loosened up and the car pleases me with it's grunt off the line and peppiness in everyday driving. The heated leather seats remain very comfy and the automatic climate control is great in the cold weather we now have. Ride is still smooth and quiet with no rattles. No issues at all. Just a great car.

#2315 of 2335 rear shocks by hemarr

Feb 24, 2011 (3:51 pm)

Hi i am having problems with my rear shocks loosing its hood. Car has a bad rattle on the right rear that rattles really loud. Car is too stiff to rock it side to side and just about impossible to look under it unless you have a lift. I took it to the dealer 2 times for the rattle and on the second time they replaced the rear shocks. On the way home from dealer the rear end was rattling just as much as ever. I could not contact the dealer because i was just too mad and i would have said things they would not like. After i calmed down 3 days later i called the dealer and told them the loud rattle was still there and that the plastic ( believe it or not ) shock absorber hoods had fallen down again. The Dealer could not believe it and he said the hoods were pressed on. Personally I don't think that they are pressed on . looks to me that they are glued on with some kind of epoxy. Hard to believe they can press metal unto a plastic cover.
 
I was wondering if anyone has had this problem. I have seen 2 2010 lacrosse's on the streets and i looked over the rear tires and you can see the cover had fallen from the holder so i don't think i'm the only one with this problem.
 
I'm a mechanic myself but i work on Machinery's and i do not have a lift to fix the problem myself by drilling holes on bracket and inserting screws to hold hood in place.
 
has anyone else had this problem?
 

Messages Page 232 of 234

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