2015 2.4l... burning oil

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

daneast

New member
Joined
Jun 7, 2023
Messages
4
Reaction score
2
We have a 2015, 2.4l we bought new. It was always serviced by the dealer every 3k miles. It only has 75k miles on it, and it is burning about a quart of oil every 300 miles. We first noticed the problem about a year ago. A few weeks after the dealership changed the oil I noticed the camshaft / rocker arms sounded like they were knocking. I checked the oil and it didn't even show on the dipstick. I was pretty ticked that the dealer shorted us a full quart of oil. I added a quart, then a few weeks later, same thing. That's when I started searching and became aware of the engineering flaw with these engines.

So we religiously watched the oil level, keeping a list of each time we added oil. We're now adding a quart about every 300 miles. I changed the spark plugs, and the #3 was covered in oil. It's now smoking when the RPMs are high (like downshifting to accelerate onto the interstate) it's blowing some smoke.

I know there is no recall on the 2015, and our state doesn't appear to have a class action suite at this time. Checked with the dealer today, and they said nope, it's not under warranty and there aren't any special provisions for this issue.

Is it usually just one piston that goes bad? I kind of assumed they all were burning oil equally due to the poorly designed pistons / rings.

I just finished a complete rebuild of a 1.6l 16v engine for my Samurai (also rebuilt the transmission when I swapped it in), but looking over this engine it may be more than I can do myself. That serpentine timing chain doesn't look fun to mess with.

Anyways, what are our options? Doesn't sound like anyone is getting Chevy to pay up on these design flaws. Any oils or additives that reduce the issue? Is it okay to just burn away the oil and as long as it's kept topped off it'll go indefinitely?
Thanks.
 

SE77

New member
Joined
Jun 7, 2023
Messages
9
Reaction score
2
We have a 2015, 2.4l we bought new. It was always serviced by the dealer every 3k miles. It only has 75k miles on it, and it is burning about a quart of oil every 300 miles. We first noticed the problem about a year ago. A few weeks after the dealership changed the oil I noticed the camshaft / rocker arms sounded like they were knocking. I checked the oil and it didn't even show on the dipstick. I was pretty ticked that the dealer shorted us a full quart of oil. I added a quart, then a few weeks later, same thing. That's when I started searching and became aware of the engineering flaw with these engines.

So we religiously watched the oil level, keeping a list of each time we added oil. We're now adding a quart about every 300 miles. I changed the spark plugs, and the #3 was covered in oil. It's now smoking when the RPMs are high (like downshifting to accelerate onto the interstate) it's blowing some smoke.

I know there is no recall on the 2015, and our state doesn't appear to have a class action suite at this time. Checked with the dealer today, and they said nope, it's not under warranty and there aren't any special provisions for this issue.

Is it usually just one piston that goes bad? I kind of assumed they all were burning oil equally due to the poorly designed pistons / rings.

I just finished a complete rebuild of a 1.6l 16v engine for my Samurai (also rebuilt the transmission when I swapped it in), but looking over this engine it may be more than I can do myself. That serpentine timing chain doesn't look fun to mess with.

Anyways, what are our options? Doesn't sound like anyone is getting Chevy to pay up on these design flaws. Any oils or additives that reduce the issue? Is it okay to just burn away the oil and as long as it's kept topped off it'll go indefinitely?
Thanks.
Interesting.. I can't say I'm surprised about the response you got from the Stealership, they are a bunch of criminals. I know this generation is bad for rear main seals going and cam sensors but, the one leaking piston is new to me. My BEST advice is to land yourself a local, private mechanic that will allow you to be around while he/she works and charge you a decent price. I'm not sure how hard they are to come across in your neck of the woods but mine has been a God-send for over ten years now. We go over stuff together and he's honest with me. Instead of taking it to the Stealership and forking over thousands and thousands for them to "diagnose" it now that theres apparently "no warranty", really try to find a private mechanic. Hope this helps.
 

NOX4ME

Member
Joined
Mar 21, 2021
Messages
77
Reaction score
23
Typical of the PCV being clogged. The GM solution is to remove the intake plenum then unclog the PCV orifice -- a temporary fix if any. I devised a repair that reduces the crankcase pressure -- without compromising the closed emissions system. I've attached a video I made that shows the modifications.

 

SE77

New member
Joined
Jun 7, 2023
Messages
9
Reaction score
2
Typical of the PCV being clogged. The GM solution is to remove the intake plenum then unclog the PCV orifice -- a temporary fix if any. I devised a repair that reduces the crankcase pressure -- without compromising the closed emissions system. I've attached a video I made that shows the modifications.

Why not skip all that and just install a catch can?
 

swisscheese

New member
Joined
Oct 4, 2016
Messages
19
Reaction score
3
I have had good success on my 2013 (132k) by switching away from synthetic oil to a 10/40 high mileage syn blend oil. I went from 3+ qts every 5k miles to 1 qt every 3k miles. Haven’t noticed any drop in gas mileage or engine sounds. Not having to check your oil levels. Every few days is a blessing in itself. Good luck. Try to get this under control because the next thing to go it will be your catalytic converter from all the oil plugging it up
 

SE77

New member
Joined
Jun 7, 2023
Messages
9
Reaction score
2
I have had good success on my 2013 (132k) by switching away from synthetic oil to a 10/40 high mileage syn blend oil. I went from 3+ qts every 5k miles to 1 qt every 3k miles. Haven’t noticed any drop in gas mileage or engine sounds. Not having to check your oil levels. Every few days is a blessing in itself. Good luck. Try to get this under control because the next thing to go it will be your catalytic converter from all the oil plugging it up
Changing the type of oil you use has nothing to do with a clogged pcv. You need a catch can to prevent garbage from getting in there and clogging everything up. You also need a piston ring kit as the low tension rings are the main cause of the excessive oil consumption.
 

swisscheese

New member
Joined
Oct 4, 2016
Messages
19
Reaction score
3
Changing the type of oil you use has nothing to do with a clogged pcv. You need a catch can to prevent garbage from getting in there and clogging everything up. You also need a piston ring kit as the low tension rings are the main cause of the excessive oil consumption.
He did say he was using 1 quart of oil every 300 miles so yes changing your oil will make a difference
 

SE77

New member
Joined
Jun 7, 2023
Messages
9
Reaction score
2
He did say he was using 1 quart of oil every 300 miles so yes changing your oil will make a difference
On what jovian moon does changing your oil correct an oil consumption issue? Do you also continuously bail out your sinking boat instead of patching the hole?
 

GirlDriver

New member
Joined
Jul 4, 2023
Messages
12
Reaction score
1
We have a 2015, 2.4l we bought new. It was always serviced by the dealer every 3k miles. It only has 75k miles on it, and it is burning about a quart of oil every 300 miles. We first noticed the problem about a year ago. A few weeks after the dealership changed the oil I noticed the camshaft / rocker arms sounded like they were knocking. I checked the oil and it didn't even show on the dipstick. I was pretty ticked that the dealer shorted us a full quart of oil. I added a quart, then a few weeks later, same thing. That's when I started searching and became aware of the engineering flaw with these engines.

So we religiously watched the oil level, keeping a list of each time we added oil. We're now adding a quart about every 300 miles. I changed the spark plugs, and the #3 was covered in oil. It's now smoking when the RPMs are high (like downshifting to accelerate onto the interstate) it's blowing some smoke.

I know there is no recall on the 2015, and our state doesn't appear to have a class action suite at this time. Checked with the dealer today, and they said nope, it's not under warranty and there aren't any special provisions for this issue.

Is it usually just one piston that goes bad? I kind of assumed they all were burning oil equally due to the poorly designed pistons / rings.

I just finished a complete rebuild of a 1.6l 16v engine for my Samurai (also rebuilt the transmission when I swapped it in), but looking over this engine it may be more than I can do myself. That serpentine timing chain doesn't look fun to mess with.

Anyways, what are our options? Doesn't sound like anyone is getting Chevy to pay up on these design flaws. Any oils or additives that reduce the issue? Is it okay to just burn away the oil and as long as it's kept topped off it'll go indefinitely?
Thanks.

I have been all over the place researching this oil burning. It's not just GM, it's lots of makers. It's the jacked piston rings they knew were jacked and kept using.

It's also partly the GDI system - also in other makes.

It's also partly the PCV system.

There's a fella on this forum who took the time to put this pdf I attached together and it is an incredible resource.

If you're not using full synthetic you should be. The best oil via Farm Project on Youtube is AMSoil Signature, you can check out his video competition. Penzoil Platinum is also really good.

CRC GDI Intake Valve cleaner is a must too. You can use it every 1,000 miles til you're satisfied with the tops of the valves being clean. I plan on using it every 3,000 - 5,000 miles from now on.

Lots of owners swear by Barryman's in the oil before oil changes. Others ues YamaLube, which I think can go in the gas tank also.

I think those are the top 2.

Look at the pdf. Such GREAT info in it.

For me, the intake manifold kit with all the extras is only $97 on the wholesale GM dealership sites. If I can get help, I'm doing it and just keeping it clean with the Intake cleaner mentioned above.

In the air intake manifold there are ports or something in the runner that get clogged up with the pin hole PCV orifice. The runners can get build up on them, faster and easier to replace the dumb thing than clean it all and replace the gaskets.

I'm waiting for the author of the pdf to answer me regarding changing out the valve cover - that's only $100 too. Maybe he'll be on the forum and see your post and respond. You'll see in the valve cover there are some kind of baffles and they get dirty too. If I were to take the cover apart and clean those, I don't know how to get them back in per specifications. The baffles are made of a nylon.

So there ya go. And the pressure release oil cap the others here mentions - why not?

Good luck.
 

Attachments

  • GM Gen II ECOTEC PCV System.pdf
    520.2 KB · Views: 63
Last edited:

NOX4ME

Member
Joined
Mar 21, 2021
Messages
77
Reaction score
23
We have a 2015, 2.4l we bought new. It was always serviced by the dealer every 3k miles. It only has 75k miles on it, and it is burning about a quart of oil every 300 miles. We first noticed the problem about a year ago. A few weeks after the dealership changed the oil I noticed the camshaft / rocker arms sounded like they were knocking. I checked the oil and it didn't even show on the dipstick. I was pretty ticked that the dealer shorted us a full quart of oil. I added a quart, then a few weeks later, same thing. That's when I started searching and became aware of the engineering flaw with these engines.

So we religiously watched the oil level, keeping a list of each time we added oil. We're now adding a quart about every 300 miles. I changed the spark plugs, and the #3 was covered in oil. It's now smoking when the RPMs are high (like downshifting to accelerate onto the interstate) it's blowing some smoke.

I know there is no recall on the 2015, and our state doesn't appear to have a class action suite at this time. Checked with the dealer today, and they said nope, it's not under warranty and there aren't any special provisions for this issue.

Is it usually just one piston that goes bad? I kind of assumed they all were burning oil equally due to the poorly designed pistons / rings.

I just finished a complete rebuild of a 1.6l 16v engine for my Samurai (also rebuilt the transmission when I swapped it in), but looking over this engine it may be more than I can do myself. That serpentine timing chain doesn't look fun to mess with.

Anyways, what are our options? Doesn't sound like anyone is getting Chevy to pay up on these design flaws. Any oils or additives that reduce the issue? Is it okay to just burn away the oil and as long as it's kept topped off it'll go indefinitely?
Thanks.
I developed this modification that reduced crankcase pressure, and stopped oil usage.

 

Members online

No members online now.
Top