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Sedans Chevrolet Impala 2007 Impala SS OIL LEAK
21 messages, Last post on Feb 28, 2009 at 7:41 AM
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I have a 2007 Impala SS (V-8 engine) and have had an oil leak since I got the new car home. I've had it to my local Chevrolet shop eight (8) times for the leak and I still have it. I keep getting conflicting answers from them about where the leak is coming from. Is there such a thing as a "lemon-law" and if so, how does it work?
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Replying to: jerrya1 (Dec 03, 2007 3:44 pm) I think things vary state-to-state, but generally there's some rule about going back to the dealer X number of times to rectify the same problem, and there are also rules about the number of days the vehicle is out of service while being repaired. Can you provide any more details here regarding the leak? Are you seeing drops/puddles/oil slicks on your garage floor, or is the vehicle losing oil but you're not seeing it anywhere (either burning the oil, or perhaps spraying it out when you're in motion). I guess I'd just like to have a better feel for the symptoms you're having with your car. For instance, my current project car is a 1980 El Camino that had been in storage in a barn for several years. I thought I had a major oil leak at one point, but upon closer investigation discovered my problem was actually the fuel pump that was spraying gasoline out on the lower portion of the engine when at speeds above idle, and the gasoline was basically washing off years of grease/oil buildup on the engine and leaving puddles that looked like oil, but smelled of gasoline. My mechanic and I thought the worst, and assumed gasoline was getting into the oil in the engine, and then I noticed an area on the underside that was grease-free, and traced it back to the fuel pump and an external problem/easy fix. |
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Replying to: jerrya1 (Dec 03, 2007 3:44 pm) |
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Good morning...I am addressing anyone who has a current Impala SS (2006-present) and is experiencing an oil leak. The oil leak that I am experiencing is one that doesn't exist. The oil simply disappears within the engine itself as it is consuming it as a "normal" internal combustion engine should. However, there is NO engine that has yet been built (and if so, it was done incorrectly) that consumes oil at a rate of at least a quart and a half every 2000 miles or less. This is a phenomenon that I have experienced since I bought the car...and since the low oil light doesn't come on untill you are nearly in danger of seizing, the consumer is none the wiser unless you are told by a machanic. I have brought this to the attention of the dealer I bought it from, and they looked for a leak and there wasn't one to find. There is no telltale sign of trouble, except for the disappearing oil. On my third visit, I was handed a letter/communique of some kind explaining that there was a feature in the V8 SS that I bought, unbeknownst to me. Namely that the engine NORMALLY comsumes that much oil in a 2000 mile period, and it even listed the VIN numbers of the ones that they knew/suspected had this feature. In my experience with vehicles that I have owned/driven in my driving years, I have NEVER owned any car or truck that did this. I DO understand that an engine consumes oil, I have never experienced one that consumed it at this rate EVER. Perhaps I have been extremely lucky or fortunate. But I have a funny feeling that this letter I possess is a 'get out of a recall free' card for GM. If they are ahead of the curve on it, they can circumvent the recall by telling the mechanics ahead of time. I still am paying for this car, but I feel like I have been had. Someone please tell me I am not wrong about this, so I may do something about it. |
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Replying to: whtchpl88 (Jun 01, 2008 1:46 am) My '06 Impala, while not the SS, consumes oil. The 3.5L V6 takes 4qts. for a full oil and filter change, but 4qts NEVER come out when I change the oil. I have also had occasions where I need to add oil in between changes to keep the oil in the acceptable range on the dipstick. I am in the habit now of checking the oil at least once a month to make sure it is OK. My V8 Dodge Durango that I had prior to my Impala consumed oil to the tune of about a quart every 3,000 miles. The worst car I ever had for oil consumption was a '99 VW New Beetle. That little car drank oil. Never had a leak, it simply disappeared. One to two quarts was not uncommon during a 3,000 mile interval. It was considered normal, and VW even recommended in the owner's manual that the oil level be checked every time gas was put in the car. I would say what you are experiencing is normal.
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Replying to: whtchpl88 (Jun 01, 2008 1:46 am) I check the dipstick at least every 3 weeks since I am leary of a sudden drop, I really have no answer as to why this happens, I've always had small block Chevy V-8s for the last 35 years, this one uses the most oil of them all.
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Replying to: ryster (Jun 01, 2008 7:15 am)
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Replying to: wesleyg (Jun 02, 2008 6:39 am) |
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Replying to: jerrya1 (Dec 03, 2007 3:44 pm) |
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Replying to: whtchpl88 (Jun 03, 2008 3:06 am) I have owned 10 different vehicles in the past 20 years, so I am not as trusting as you seem to think I am (I traded the VW, by the way, at only 11,000 miles due to many VW and dealer related issues). I have seen, and been through, everything with vehicles from many manufacturers. I agree that a new engine should not use oil...at 50,000 miles maybe starting to use a little...but otherwise it should use none. Do I like GM's position on the issue? No. However, I have little choice but to accept it and live with it while I own my Impala. If GM/Chevrolet tells the dealer that the consumption you are experiencing is normal, the dealer has no other recourse but to pass that information along to the consumer. The dealer will not start pursuing a fix for something that is not considered to be broken. GM evens issues TSB's that address this very concern which state it is normal. They have considered this to be normal since about 1997. You are not alone in your concern of the issue. A Google search for "GM oil consumption" returns hundreds of similar posts from other GM owners. Having been through everything with vehicles, there reaches a point where you simply appreciate a vehicle that is comfortable, affordable, and gets you where you need to go with minimal problems. Any time I have the hood up, I check the oil, coolant (which also "disappears" in Impalas by the way), and washer fluid. If any of them are low, I take care of it. It takes 5 minutes. Whenever I have an issue with a vehicle, I research it online prior to visiting the dealer. I then go to the dealer with my information in my back pocket, and a great deal of skepticism that they will know what to do. Believe it or not, GM dealers have been right-on 99% of the time. I still do my research, but there reaches a point where one simply has to trust that what they are being told is true regardless of whether you like the answer. Total lack of trust leads to stress, frustration, anxiety, and is ultimately counter-productive (which is why I will no longer buy a Ford or VW product). In case you haven't seen it, here is the TSB: Engine - Oil Consumption Guideline Info. Bulletin No.: 01-06-01-011D Date: April 03, 2007 INFORMATION Subject: Information on Engine Oil Consumption Guidelines Models: 1998-2007 GM Passenger Cars and Gasoline Powered Light Duty Trucks Under 8500 LB GVW (Including Saturn) 2003-2007 HUMMER H2 2006-2007 HUMMER H3 2005-2007 Saab 9-7X Supercede: This bulletin is being revised to include information on manual transmission vehicles and additional warranty statements. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 01-06-01-011C (Section 06 - Engine/Propulsion System). All engines require oil to lubricate and protect the load bearing and internal moving parts from wear including cylinder walls, pistons and piston rings. When a piston moves down its cylinder, a thin film of oil is left on the cylinder wall. During the power stroke, part of this oil layer is consumed in the combustion process. As a result, varying rates of oil consumption are accepted as normal in all engines. Oil Consumption The accepted rate of oil consumption for engines used in the vehicles referenced is 0.946 liter (1 qt) in 3200 km (2000 mi). Certain 2006 and 2007 models have a new GM Extended Warranty. Please refer to the appropriate Owner's Manual for warranty information. This rate only applies to personal use vehicles, under warranty, that are driven in a non-aggressive manner and maintained in accordance with the appropriate maintenance schedule, with less than 58,000 km (36,000 mi), or 80,450 km (50,000 mi) for Cadillac, driven at legal speeds in an unloaded (for trucks) condition. This rate does not apply to vehicles that are driven in an aggressive manner, at high RPM, high speeds, or in a loaded condition (for trucks). Oil consumption for vehicles driven under these conditions will be more. Many factors can affect a customer's concern with oil consumption. Driving habits and vehicle maintenance vary from owner to owner. Thoroughly evaluate each case before deciding whether the vehicle in question has abnormal engine oil consumption. Gasket and External Leaks Inspect the oil pan and engine covers for leakage due to over-tightened, damaged, or out of place gaskets. Inspect oil lines and fittings for signs of leakage. Improper Reading of the Oil Level Indicator (Dipstick) Verify that the dipstick tube is fully seated in the block. When checking the oil level, make sure the dipstick is wiped clean before taking an oil level reading and fully depress the dipstick until the shoulder bottoms out on the dipstick tube. The dipstick should be the proper part number for the engine/vehicle that is being checked. Operating your vehicle with an oil level that is below the minimum level indicated on the engine oil dipstick can result in severe engine damage. Repairs resulting from operating an engine with insufficient oil are not covered under the terms of the New Vehicle Warranty. Refer to Owner Manual in SI for checking and adding engine oil. Not Waiting Long Enough After Running Engine to Check Oil Level Some engines require more time than others for the oil to drain back into the crankcase. To assure a sufficient amount of oil has drained back to the crankcase, and an accurate reading can be obtained, the vehicle should be allowed to sit for at least 15 minutes, after the engine has been shut off, before taking an oil level reading. In order to ensure accurate results, the temperature of the oil should be close to the same temperature as the last time the oil level was checked. This does not apply to 2006 and 2007 Corvette ZO6 equipped with the 7.0L LS7 engine (dry sump). Follow the instructions in the Owner's Manual for checking the oil in this application. Improper Oil Fill After an Oil Change Following an oil change, verify that the proper amount and type of oil was put in the engine and that the oil level on the dipstick is not above the full mark or below the add marks. Refer to the Owner's Manual or Service Manual for information on recommended oil quantity, viscosity, and quality. Aggressive Driving High Speed or High RPM Driving Aggressive driving and/or continuous driving at high speeds/high RPMs will increase oil consumption. Because this may not always be an everyday occurrence, it is hard to determine exactly how much the oil economy will be affected. A higher rate of oil consumption is normal for vehicles equipped with manual transmissions that are driven aggressively. By "aggressive," we mean operation at high RPM (3,000 RPM to redline), with frequent use of engine braking (using the engine to slow the vehicle). Vehicles that are driven aggressively may consume engine oil at a rate of up to 0.946 L (1 quart) every 805 km ( |
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