10w-40 in GM 5.3L

[RoGuE]

My dads 2002 truck with the 5.3L burns and leaks about 1 quart per 1200 miles. I typically give it 5w-30 PYB. Seeing as how nothing is on the driveway even though the rear main seal is going bad, I assume it burns off more than leaks (never any blue smoke out the back though). I've tried Pennzoil High Mileage oil before and it never makes a difference.

Would moving to a thicker oil like 5w-40 or 10w-40 help it or is it not worth the risk of the thicker oil? It's coming up for it's next oil change and I can get some regular Castrol 10w-40 for pretty cheap on clearance at a local store.

 

[AVB]

I ran rotella t6 5w40 for a while in my 03 Avalanche with out any problems.

 

[chainblu]

While you didn't say what the mileage was on the engine, I'll say this:
It shouldn't hurt anything to try and you really won't know if a 10W40 will help unless you do try. This is certainly the right time of year to find out..

 

[RoGuE]

It has about 130k miles on it. And yeah, it is certainly warm enough about now.

 

[bodeh6]

Try it. Its summer so now would be the best time to try it.

 

[4ever4d]

A high mileage oil may be of some benefit. No guarantees but probably worth a try. My old F350 leaks around the oil pan gasket but not to the extent your dads Chevy does. I assume it is a Chevy with the 5.3L designation. I am thinking of trying a high mileage 5 or 10-30 next oc. Then again i may just fix it and be done. I think it's worth the trouble and time involved.

 

[jstutz]

no problem running a xw40 in the 5.3. Try it and see if it lowers your consumption. If i were you, i would put it on a steady diet of a high mileage 10w40 year round and call it a day. Those engine are not picky about oil. In the south, it will do fine on 10w40 year round.

 

[JR]

my father-in-law uses hm 10w-40 in his 2004 suburban 5.3l 2x4.
has since 80k, had 178k last month. 38%olm at 6.3k

kc

 

[SteveSRT8]

we run a fleet of 5.3's and 6.0's.

As they approach very high mileage they sometimes begin to consume oil. If they do we simply go up a grade. These engines are not fussy about oil and will last a LONG time for you.

I have run 40w and even 50w oil without any problems and in every kind of weather in the toughest duty cycle imaginable.

 

[fireman32]

my 5.3 doesnt consume any oil but it seems to run smoother and quieter on a 40 weight than a 30 so thats what i run it it, plus it gets run hard a lot so im sure the thicker film might help a bit. mine has 115000 miles on it.

 

[Truckedup]

Some engines just use oil even when new.My friend has owned several GM trucks with the LS V8 engines.None used oil except for one which has used a quart every 1500 miles since new.Doesn't seem to matter except for the hassle of checking the oil if you drive a lot.

 

[dave1251]

Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
we run a fleet of 5.3's and 6.0's.

As they approach very high mileage they sometimes begin to consume oil. If they do we simply go up a grade. These engines are not fussy about oil and will last a LONG time for you.

I have run 40w and even 50w oil without any problems and in every kind of weather in the toughest duty cycle imaginable.


THIS!