I have a 2005 2.2l cobalt with 189k miles. Runs great, shifts well, doesn't smoke, averages 30mpg in the city and doesn't appear to lose or burn oil. All huge positives and makes me want to invest in the suspension and other things I haven't done to it yet. But... somehow it does lose oil. About 1-2 quarts between changes (4-5k miles 5w30 Mobil 1 full synthetic) and that has seemed to have gotten worse over the past few months. I just pulled the plugs out which have about 30k on them and they were very clean, mostly white in color and certainly not fouled by burning oil. But I have been all over the engine trying to find an obvious leak and can find nothing. Engine coolant is still clean and level has stayed consistent so it doesn't appear to be leaking into that. Anyone have any ideas before I invest more money into it?? I pretty much do everything to my 5 family cars but I know my limits. This has got me baffled though. I appreciate the help. John in Manassas VA.

 

i had a 2.2 ecotech in my 05 cav and it burned next to nothing(maybe 0.5 liters) for oil at 6000 kilometer intervals and it was at 240 000 kilometers for meterage.

that being said, 1-2 liters consumption for 5000 miles would not worry me one bit. Its within gm consumption guidelines. It definitely not worth a tear down and rebuild. You will not see any drive-abiltiy problems.

check your oil level periodically, top up when needed and you will be fine. Note that the timing chain tensioner requires oil pressure...so if you run it really low the chain may jump and bend the valves.