I have a 2003 Saturn Ion 2 with 145,000 miles on it. The oil level has been a little low (1/4 - 1/2 quart) for the last three oil changes. All service has been performed by Saturn. I did confirm the oil level drop on the last oil change. Within a couple of weeks the oil will be sent out for analysis.
This is the first auto that has started burning oil for me personally.
Does anybody have any information which could help? What could be the problem?
well is it that low over a course of 3000miles? if so that is completely normal at that mileage 1 quart lost over 3000miles is considered normal by most people and goes unoticed as most dont check....it is a normal thing as a car ages the rings and valve stem seals just start wearing out over time but yours is well within a normal range if that is all it burns over 3000miles...also if the ecotec is equipped with a pcv valve you can check that
Some cars are different and use less oil. GM sent out a notice to owners of trucks saying that it wouldnt be unusual to burn a quart every 3000 miles IIRC.
My 99 SL2 DOHC burns a lot of oil. If it idles for a few minutes it will generally puff out a cloud of oil smoke as I take off. Sure its embarassing but 30 mpg around town lets me put up with it. Pretty sure the valve guide seals are shot but I havent had time to see how much fun that would be to fix.
another idea is if ur not getting any blue smoke at all out of ur tail pipe u may be losing it ever so slowly out of ur oil pan gasket/drain plug. i know on my 96sl i was losing almost 2qts every 3000 miles. when i tightened up my pan it went to 1qt for 3000 miles. after some research i found out that saturns need a special gasket to seal the drain plug thats suppose to be changed every other oil change. that put me down to only losing a half a qt every 3000 miles. hope this helps.
saturns need a special gasket to seal the drain plug thats suppose to be changed every other oil change.
Oops, I've been driving mine for 6 yrs without any drain plug gasket at all. I've never had a problem with leaking oil. It burns a bit but, like the previous poster, the high gas mileage more than pays for the oil.
mine was eating oil very fast, after changing the grade of oil it help very much.
Quote:
Originally Posted by NA_Ion03
I have a 2003 Saturn Ion 2 with 145,000 miles on it. The oil level has been a little low (1/4 - 1/2 quart) for the last three oil changes. All service has been performed by Saturn. I did confirm the oil level drop on the last oil change. Within a couple of weeks the oil will be sent out for analysis.
This is the first cars that has started burning oil for me tires personally.
Does anybody have any information which could help? What could be the problem?
Burning Oil 
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