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I have a 2001 GMC cargo van. I drive 20,000 miles per year, and I get 10-12 miles to the gallon. I spend about $6,000 a year on gasoline to feed this beast. I've been considering buying a Dodge Sprinter van to replace it. The Sprinter has a Mercedes diesel engine that gets every bit of 27 miles per gallon, and has proven itself to be very reliable.
My GMC is now eating huge amounts of oil, as well as gas. It's not leaking, so it must be burning it. I lost 4+ quarts of oil in less than 3,000 miles, and have been checking it and refilling it regularly since I noticed this earlier in the summer. I'm adding a quart about every 600 to 800 miles. Is it time to retire the GMC? I'm curious as to what your thoughts are. I imagine I am in for a very, very expensive repair if I keep it.
That sounds like a lot of oil to me. If the thing had a ton of miles on it, I might try to unload it, and buy something easier on gas, heck with the money your spending on fuel and oil, you could make a car payment. I'm sure it would cost close to $3k to rebuild the old engine. Actually I would try to find out where the oil is going first, if it is slipping down the valve guide seals, it may be a cheap fix, if it is going past the rings, then it is gonna cost a bunch. What kind of oil consumption did it have before? 800 miles to a quart wouldn't have raised an eyebrow at the dealership on one of the older big block V8's. They were thirsty beasts.
Don
2004 Ferro R1150R the stealthiest color
When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
Gary, That is a lot of oil. Is there any chance it is leaking past the rear seal and into the bell housing? Normally, with an automatic tranny, the bell housing would drain through a pinhole near the lower front, but it could be clogged.
It sounds to me like your beast is ready to be replaced, but you might have a local mechanic check it out for you. Mr. Goodwrench is not a good choice since they either want to take your cash on the work or a new van, but a local guy might try to get another year or two out of it.
Like Don said, if it is in the heads, you can have them overhauled for a reasonable price. An engine overhaul these days costs a lot unless you yank it yourself.
For what it is worth, the Sprinters are true workhorses and well worth the money. I've got a friend in Tulsa that carries his entire granite countertop business in a Sprinter. He claims the mileage doesn't change with nothing or 1000lbs of rock and tools in the back. He loves it. This coming from a guy who would rebuild and drive only early '70s Chevy vans for work until he finally got tired of the fuel prices.
Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please.
Thanks guys. I think I'm ready to cut my losses... I've put too much money into the GMC already.
Next year, the Sprinter will have an Italian diesel in it, rather than the Mercedes. I think this is the time to buy. I just wish the van wasn't so damn high, even with the "low" roof, which is 10 inches higher than my current van. I need to pull ladders off of the van every hour, so I'll be stretching a bit, and using the step bumper regularly. This may be good for my business, and bad for my back! No rebates or incentives on the Sprinter, so I'll try and beat 'em up on price a bit. I'll let you know, and take pictures soon, if I do buy it.
I'm sure it would cost close to $3k to rebuild the old engine. Actually I would try to find out where the oil is going first, if it is slipping down the valve guide seals, it may be a cheap fix, if it is going past the rings, then it is gonna cost a bunch. What kind of oil consumption did it have before? 800 miles to a quart wouldn't have raised an eyebrow at the dealership on one of the older big block V8's. They were thirsty beasts.