Hey folks -- I have a 2012 Chevey 2500HD w/the 6.6 Duramax. I seem to be having trouble with the engine using oil bewteen changes. I've been using Shell Rotella-T 15-40W and just did my 3rd oil change at 18K miles. Seems that when I dumped the used oil back in the containers, I only had enough to equal about 8 Qts. The engine hold 10 Qts so you can see my concern. THere are NO other problems and I don't run the truck hard except to ocassionaly stand on it for a few seconds to "Blow it out" from about 25 up to 65 or so. BTW -- I'm and old Chevy small block racer from the 60's and 70's so I have some experince. Any reports of the Duramax NOT liking Rotella-T??

Not a good way to measure IMO. The oil filter element is going to contain oil and also some engines do not drain every bit of oil they contain. Best to check the oil fill stick every week and see what it is reporting to you. Duramax and Rotella should = :)

Thanks BeerCan --- I gave the filter some concideration , but that still leaves 1-1.5 Qts remaining in the engine or being consummed. I let the oil drain for almost 10 minutes when changing. I'll keep a close eye on it weekely from here on. Thanks again. --

I agree with beercan. What does your dipstick say? Had two D'max since 2008 & none used oil.

Adding the 10 quarts each time means that you are using the oil. If you added only 8 quarts, it could mean that there were 2 quarts that stayed in the engine when you drained it.I think you will find that some of the oil is in fact getting burned, and going out the exhaust. Not so noticeable, that you're seeing the tell-tale smoke, but a little going through the Turbo would get heated and blow out the tailpipe without notice.....figure a few drops per 100 miles, and you're gonna probably have a quart when you do the oil change.I have a Honda Fit....it is driven 90% highway miles (600-700 miles at a clip), and I find that I have to add oil (maybe 1/4 quart) every 1000 miles. I didn't have to do this with my old Civic, but this engine takes a lighter oil, so I figured that was part of the problem....but, it could also be the newer anti-smog parts that are on this engine??If the engine is running well, and you feel that the performance is what you wanted, I don't know if I'd get too upset by this oil use.But, as mentioned, you should be checking the level between oil changes....and I'm curious as to where the oil was on the dipstick prior to the last oil change?Hey, Maybe the engine thinks it's a two-cycle:B

OP-I noticed the same thing on my 2006. My 2013 has 1 oil change, Empty containers never added up. Dip stick ALWAYS showed full during oil checks, before draining and after filling. You ain't burning, just one of life's mysteries.

Oil consumption with 6.6 turbo Duramax?? | Good Sam Community

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Jul 20, 2013
gmcsmoke wrote:
So they don't make 15w-40 in dino and synthetic?

Of course they do. But your statement did not say that.

"15-40 zero and above which is dino oil"
gmcsmoke
Explorer
Jul 20, 2013
So they don't make 15w-40 in dino and synthetic?
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Jul 20, 2013
gmcsmoke wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:

gmcsmoke wrote:
Charlie D. wrote:
My 2013 owners manual says nothing about semi or full synthetic oil. It does state to use 15w40 CJ-4.

Your manual says to use 15w-40 zero and above which is dino oil. It also says to use 5w-40 below zero which is a synthetic oil

So you don't think there are any 15-40 Synthetic oils?

perhaps you should go back and reread. The original statement noted nothing in the manual stating the use of semi or full synthetic oil. I pointed out the manual recommends using either dino and full synthetic based on environmental conditions.

but you can spin it however you'd like.

"Your manual says to use 15w-40 zero and above which is dino oil. It also says to use 5w-40 below zero which is a synthetic oil"

I am just going by what you said. "15-40 zero and above which is dino oil" is what you said.

If that is not what you meant that is fine.
GoPackGo
Explorer
Jul 19, 2013
2 quarts is 20%. That seems like a lot.

Here's my story FWIW.

I bought a new Duramax in 2002 and drove it for approximately 110,000 miles. At about the 105,000 mile mark, it started using a lot of oil. Like several quarts per tank of fuel. So off it went to the dealer. They found that the turbo bearing oil seal had failed. The lubricating oil was collecting in the intercooler (I think) and was not being burned.

So I think this is something you might want to at least be aware of as a possibility. I do remember that over a period of time, the power seemed to be decreasing, like the turbo was not doing it's job real well. My guess is it was partially froze up.
6_7_tow_rig
Explorer
Jul 19, 2013
If you want the same oil to come out go get a 6.4 powerstroke. One time I drained an extra 3 or so quarts out of that pos due to a regen issue.

Sounds like you are fine to me
Tango__AE7UI
Explorer
Jul 19, 2013
Grady23,
We run twin 225 HP, 2 stroke, direct inject Yamahas and they do use oil.
About a gallon per engine per day.
The boat is a 2002 Boston Whaler 25 ft Challenger.
My '06 Duramax, with 123,000 miles, on the other hand, does not use any oil.
gmcsmoke
Explorer
Jul 19, 2013
Cummins12V98 wrote:

gmcsmoke wrote:
Charlie D. wrote:
My 2013 owners manual says nothing about semi or full synthetic oil. It does state to use 15w40 CJ-4.

Your manual says to use 15w-40 zero and above which is dino oil. It also says to use 5w-40 below zero which is a synthetic oil

So you don't think there are any 15-40 Synthetic oils?

perhaps you should go back and reread. The original statement noted nothing in the manual stating the use of semi or full synthetic oil. I pointed out the manual recommends using either dino and full synthetic based on environmental conditions.

but you can spin it however you'd like.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Jul 19, 2013
Charlie D. wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
gmcsmoke wrote:
Charlie D. wrote:
My 2013 owners manual says nothing about semi or full synthetic oil. It does state to use 15w40 CJ-4.

Your manual says to use 15w-40 zero and above which is dino oil. It also says to use 5w-40 below zero which is a synthetic oil

So you don't think there are any 15-40 Synthetic oils?

That is not what we said. A poster said;

2011 and newer require the use of a synthetic blend or full syn. Do not use the old 15/40 You should be using the T6 synthetic. GM will not warrenty the motor with the use of plain old oil i;ve been told."

Our response was that GM does not say that you must use a semi or full synthetic. Exception is 0 Deg or colder but that was not the topic we were referring to.

I am talking aboput what smoke said. re read.
mtofell1
Explorer
Jul 19, 2013
Measuring what comes out isn't accurate - filter, some sticks to the drain pan, spills on the skid plate, etc, etc. There are just too many places for it to end up. Use the dipstick.

My 06 LBZ with 130K burns maybe 1/2 qt between changes (usually about 8K miles). Sometimes I'll put a little in. If I get it good and full or just a hair high I don't have to add any.
Charlie_D_
Explorer
Jul 19, 2013
Cummins12V98 wrote:
gmcsmoke wrote:
Charlie D. wrote:
My 2013 owners manual says nothing about semi or full synthetic oil. It does state to use 15w40 CJ-4.

Your manual says to use 15w-40 zero and above which is dino oil. It also says to use 5w-40 below zero which is a synthetic oil

So you don't think there are any 15-40 Synthetic oils?

That is not what we said. A poster said;

2011 and newer require the use of a synthetic blend or full syn. Do not use the old 15/40 You should be using the T6 synthetic. GM will not warrenty the motor with the use of plain old oil i;ve been told."

Our response was that GM does not say that you must use a semi or full synthetic. Exception is 0 Deg or colder but that was not the topic we were referring to.

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Oil consumption with 6.6 turbo Duramax??

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