2003 Vue Losing Oil/No Visible Leak-No Obvious Burn

[Fencerdebb]

I have a 2003 Vue that has begun losing oil. No visible leak, no change in color or odor of exhaust. Car runs fine - no hesitation, no engine lights on. Any thoughts?

[far2grumpy]

Originally Posted by Fencerdebb

I have a 2003 Vue that has begun losing oil. No visible leak, no change in color or odor of exhaust. Car runs fine - no hesitation, no engine lights on. Any thoughts?

Could you estimate how much you must add - and how often - to keep dipstick happy? The allowable "burn-rate" is astonishingly high but an engine usually does not start burning oil all at once.

There are more sinister reasons for reduced oil quantity ... has to do with possible leaks in the oil cooling system. Have you checked the engine coolant level (and color) recently?

How many miles on the little guy?

[Fencerdebb]

Adding 2 quarts per month (approx.) and driving 100 miles per day. This just started less than a year ago, so definitely different than prior. 144,000 miles on the little guy - I really do love the vehicle. Are you suggesting head gasket? There doesn't appear to be coolant in the oil - it's black if I let it go too far, but not frothy or contaminated. Will check the coolant for signs of oil. Could it be that there is oil splashing up into the PVC?

[far2grumpy]

Originally Posted by Fencerdebb

Adding 2 quarts per month (approx.) and driving 100 miles per day. This just started less than a year ago, so definitely different than prior. 144,000 miles on the little guy - I really do love the vehicle. Are you suggesting head gasket? There doesn't appear to be coolant in the oil - it's black if I let it go too far, but not frothy or contaminated. Will check the coolant for signs of oil. Could it be that there is oil splashing up into the PVC?

I need to say I don't own a 3.0 and my advice is based on service manual information and snippets of recalled posts by others.

GM service docs say an engine with 36,000 miles could be using 1 quart per 2000 miles as a normal condition - see the thumbnail extract.

I was thinking along lines of oil in coolant.

The 3.0 has an oil cooler - under intake manifold - surrounded by engine coolant. The cooler has seals which apparently fail with increased time and miles. You can imagine if oil pressure (see thumbnail) exceeds coolant pressure - it could result in oil mixing with coolant. The likelihood of oil leaking into coolant is higher with cold engine at 2500 RPM since oil pressure could be as high as 80 PSI.

You could also have worn piston rings - there should be a hint of blue smoke - which you've not noticed. You probably realize how painful it is to get at sparkplugs to do a compression check.

A clogged PVC system would tend to push oil past the valve cover gaskets but you'd see the drips (and smell) very soon. You could verify the PVC system is not clogged by operating engine at 1600 RPM with dipstick removed and check for vacuum at dipstick hole. Lack of vacuum indicates PVC system needs to be serviced.

[Fencerdebb]

Thanks so much for the response and we will be check the PVC vacuum and spark plug compression check this weekend. Actually, it's a 2.2 5 speed manual, not a 3.0. Does the 2.2 have the same oil cooler you describe for the 3.0? Also, I checked the coolant today and it is clear pink/red in color, filled to the line in the overflow and not at all frothy. Again, thanks so much for the direction and if you have any other thoughts, please let me know. Debb

[far2grumpy]

Originally Posted by Fencerdebb

Thanks so much for the response and we will be check the PVC vacuum and spark plug compression check this weekend. Actually, it's a 2.2 5 speed manual, not a 3.0. Does the 2.2 have the same oil cooler you describe for the 3.0? Also, I checked the coolant today and it is clear pink/red in color, filled to the line in the overflow and not at all frothy. Again, thanks so much for the direction and if you have any other thoughts, please let me know. Debb

I apologize for getting off on the 3.0 side-track.

The 2.2 does not have embedded oil cooler (to best of my knowledge).

Phew - it will be easier to check compression on that engine.

I'd suspect that at 144K you'll find compression for all cylinders is inching downward.

[emsvitil]

It's burning the oil.

The 2.2s hit a certain mileage, and the oil burn rate goes up.

Most likely the PVC system getting clogged.


Look up oil burning here: (or ask)

http://www.ecotecforum.com/forums/index.php



Just don't forget to add the oil.........


See what my sister did (avatar photo)
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[Fencerdebb]

Thanks again guys. We'll try to hunt this down and get back to you. Debb