Is it common for an Oldsmobile Intrigue 2000 3.5 liter engine to go through over a quart of oil in 4000 miles and why?

Answer 1

GM will say it is normal. Some will say it is "in the build tolerance" I'm not sure about all that, but I had a 94 silverado with a 5.7 and it burned a quart every 1200 miles or so, and several dealers said it was ok. I now have a 95 G20 van with the same 5.7, and it uses about a quart every 3000 miles. Who knows, but you should be changing your oil every 3,000 miles anyway, that is if you want the car to last a long time. P.S. don't forget the tranny fluid either. I do mine at 50,000 to 60,000 mile intervals, which is not as often as GM suggests, but any maintenance is money well spent! Yes, Mine eats about a quart every 3000 miles, even faster in summer. Apparently GM designed for this as the oil pan holds 6 quarts. I still say that a gas engine this loose isn't ideal, but so far my 99 3.5 runs fine and doesn't foul plugs or smoke. I wish mine went that far. At 133K, it uses a quart every 800 miles, and has for years. It is not getting any worse and passes smog, so I will live with it for 2 more years.