My Yukon XL is an O7, bought new in Aug 06 (8 years old this month), has the 5.3, 4.10 rear, towing package, and is relatively low mileage for the year, currently at 75k.
Started with some oil consumption around 50k (but outside of warranty, so I didn't even bother the dealer with it). I learned more about the issue on this board as the consumption continued to get worse. Late last year, it was running a quart every 1000 - 1250 miles, sometimes more, sometimes less. The worst was about a quart in 750 miles when towing my 30ft, 7000lb travel trailer. I have never seen any smoke from the tailpipe, and there is no soot on the tailpipe. Outside of the oil consumption, truck runs great.
On my last oil change, consumption had been reduced to 1.5 quarts in 4,500 miles, and needless to say I am pretty happy. And I think I just found out where some of the remainder might be going. Here is what I did:
- installed the Range AFM delete to keep the motor in v8 mode. It works great and is pretty inexpensive at about $199. Remove it and it leaves no sign that it was ever used. Surprise benefit is that I now have very good engine braking, which was non-existant before.
- used an oil additive to help break down sludge, hopefully helping out the piston rings. I used Auto-RX, but there are several on the market that probably work just as well.
- use a gas additive, Techron, every month or so.
- low mileage truck is driven by wife, mostly around town. So, I started using it more and drive it like I stole it (kinda). I make sure to give it a few high rpm accelerations every time I am out. We also did 2 extended road trips this summer, totaling 7,500 miles.
- started changing the oil/filter myself as I am now unsure of the quality of those quick change places. I just use a quality, name brand 5w-30 conventional oil.
- and the last item, just 10 days in is an oil/air separator cannister. I used the Moroso setup for this truck (setup was very easy, and I am only a backyard wrench) rather than use the cheap ones on ebay. This billet unit has a built in filter to separate the oil (the vid on their website sold me http://www.moroso.com). Just checked it this morning (300 miles in) and a nice bit came out. I just had a paper towel underneath and it soaked it pretty good. I have a camping trip next week, so I am interested to see what happens there with towing the trailer again. I will be ready with a cup next time to measure it.
So, I think the catch can is helping prevent the motor from ingesting the oil spray/vapor from the PCV (mine still has the original baffle cover). I think this will have lots of benefit to the motor long term, keep crud out of the intake manifold, but also help keep crud out of the valves and cylinders.
I am not expecting to completely solve the oil consumption, but rather looking to manage it so I can get a few more years out of the truck (we love the Yuk!). I will be thrilled if the catch can will continue to collect this oil and keep it from being ingested into the intake manifold.
Just thought I would share my findings as I know now that this is a common issue with the 5.3 AFM, am interested in thoughts and other experiences with this.
Started with some oil consumption around 50k (but outside of warranty, so I didn't even bother the dealer with it). I learned more about the issue on this board as the consumption continued to get worse. Late last year, it was running a quart every 1000 - 1250 miles, sometimes more, sometimes less. The worst was about a quart in 750 miles when towing my 30ft, 7000lb travel trailer. I have never seen any smoke from the tailpipe, and there is no soot on the tailpipe. Outside of the oil consumption, truck runs great.
On my last oil change, consumption had been reduced to 1.5 quarts in 4,500 miles, and needless to say I am pretty happy. And I think I just found out where some of the remainder might be going. Here is what I did:
- installed the Range AFM delete to keep the motor in v8 mode. It works great and is pretty inexpensive at about $199. Remove it and it leaves no sign that it was ever used. Surprise benefit is that I now have very good engine braking, which was non-existant before.
- used an oil additive to help break down sludge, hopefully helping out the piston rings. I used Auto-RX, but there are several on the market that probably work just as well.
- use a gas additive, Techron, every month or so.
- low mileage truck is driven by wife, mostly around town. So, I started using it more and drive it like I stole it (kinda). I make sure to give it a few high rpm accelerations every time I am out. We also did 2 extended road trips this summer, totaling 7,500 miles.
- started changing the oil/filter myself as I am now unsure of the quality of those quick change places. I just use a quality, name brand 5w-30 conventional oil.
- and the last item, just 10 days in is an oil/air separator cannister. I used the Moroso setup for this truck (setup was very easy, and I am only a backyard wrench) rather than use the cheap ones on ebay. This billet unit has a built in filter to separate the oil (the vid on their website sold me http://www.moroso.com). Just checked it this morning (300 miles in) and a nice bit came out. I just had a paper towel underneath and it soaked it pretty good. I have a camping trip next week, so I am interested to see what happens there with towing the trailer again. I will be ready with a cup next time to measure it.
So, I think the catch can is helping prevent the motor from ingesting the oil spray/vapor from the PCV (mine still has the original baffle cover). I think this will have lots of benefit to the motor long term, keep crud out of the intake manifold, but also help keep crud out of the valves and cylinders.
I am not expecting to completely solve the oil consumption, but rather looking to manage it so I can get a few more years out of the truck (we love the Yuk!). I will be thrilled if the catch can will continue to collect this oil and keep it from being ingested into the intake manifold.
Just thought I would share my findings as I know now that this is a common issue with the 5.3 AFM, am interested in thoughts and other experiences with this.
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