2011 Chevrolet Traverse: excessive oil consumption

Filed Oct 8, 2024 · Acceleration, Engine · MI

Components related to timing chain failed, and vehicle is currently available with plans to sell to a salvage yard by 10/25/24. My 9 year old and I were at risk of collision when the vehicle failed. I was driving approximately 70-75 mph when we started to lose power. At 65 mph, I managed to cross 2 lanes of highway traffic and stopped on the shoulder. I turned off my vehicle and waited several minutes, hoping it would help reset or cool off a component or something. I had to try a couple of times before it started, and I attempted to drive as safely as I could, made it to 60 mph before it stopped running completely. I had to pull hard on the steering wheel to get to the shoulder again, only this time, the shoulder was pinched off in front of us and around a small blind spot behind us. I had my daughter move to the side closer to the cement barrier while waiting for a tow truck. She became very nervous about how close some of the other vehicles got. Afterwards, the error codes indicated several components pointing to a timing chain problem. I had the timing chain repaired around April or May of 2023 by a certified mechanic. I watched the oil life percentage and oil temperature gauge consistently. Everything indicated as normal, but I had difficulty pulling out the dipstick to check the oil level. Since it was hard to get a good reading, I tried to add some oil and recheck. The oil cap was nearly impossible to open, so I decided to wait for an oil tech to do it. Around 40-50% oil life, I had planned to have the oil changed. In spite of my efforts to maintain proper oil quality, the oil cap had to be opened with a wrench. Smoke rose out and dried out oil residue lined the inner walls. It was about a quart low. I don’t drive hard on it and it had only been around 3,000 miles between oil changes. It had been one year since the timing chain was replaced. Error codes remain and the vehicle runs rough if it stays on long enough after much effort to start it.

Filed Sep 24, 2020 · Engine · 116,000 miles · NE

I bought this car used with 80,000 miles on it. A week after purchasing it I took it back to the dealership due to a burning oil smell and was told it was "normal traverse smell". The smell kept getting worse but everywhere I took it they said it was normal. I have had the car for two years now and after taking it to a local mechanic, not a gm or chevy mechanic, we were told it needs the timing belt replaced so we had that done. The burning oil smell never went away so I took it back and he found that the timing belt needs replaced after two months because a brass ring that was supposed to be replaced wasn't. This brass ring was never on the recall list so the previous owners knew nothing about it. Chevy knows they have a problem with this engine but they won't replace them. I am not stuck with a pile of junk that needs a new engine all because chevy won't own up to their failure. Why not recall the brass ring instead of expecting people to fork out $6,000 for a new engine?

Filed Oct 29, 2018 · Engine · 54,000 miles · NY

I was driving and the car shut off on me took it to the dealer and they said the engine is lock because of no oil and check the oil and I do oil change every 3000 miles the was no oil on the ground and no low oil warning on the dash board

Filed Aug 10, 2017 · Engine · OH

My engine keeps using oil but not leaking anywhere between oil changes

Filed Mar 31, 2016 · Engine · 52,000 miles · OH

My car has 52,000 and took it to the dealer and they tell me the timing chains need to be replaced. Reason is because of your oil change indicator causes you to burn to much oil and your running you car on low oil levels. Even though the car lets you go 5,000 miles before an oil change, you still should check your oil levels once a month because you are burning oil. How are we suppose to know that. Because I follow the oil life indicator I now am stuck with a $3200 repair bill. Chevy even has a special technical bulletin associated with my engine for the problem that extends warranty coverage to 10 years / 120,000 miles but my VIN number doesn't qualify.