Cadillac Tech
Seasoned Member
This is a short history of what caused the oil consumption problems on the Northstar engine.
'93-'95; no problems
'96-'99; the tension of the oil control rings was reduced in an effort to reduce drag on the cylinder walls.
'00-early '03; piston skirts were reduced in an effort to further reduce drag on the cylinder walls.
'04 to current; updated pistons with polymer coated skirts and the top 2 compression ring grooves were moved down. Updated piston rings. Tension was increased on the oil control rings and the second compression ring has a built in step to help removed oil from the cylinder wall.
The updated rings and or pistons (depending on model year) stopped the excessive oil consumption.
'93-'95; no problems
'96-'99; the tension of the oil control rings was reduced in an effort to reduce drag on the cylinder walls.
'00-early '03; piston skirts were reduced in an effort to further reduce drag on the cylinder walls.
'04 to current; updated pistons with polymer coated skirts and the top 2 compression ring grooves were moved down. Updated piston rings. Tension was increased on the oil control rings and the second compression ring has a built in step to help removed oil from the cylinder wall.
The updated rings and or pistons (depending on model year) stopped the excessive oil consumption.