Excessive oil consumption?

Hi-Step'n370Z · 03-08-2010, 03:24 PM

This doesn't seem to be a common problem to most, but when it hit's, it appears to hit's big.

What do you think is the "cause" of the excessive oil consumption that some of the Z owners are experiencing? Something originating from the factory in manufacturing or assembly, or a part that slipped by quality control, or an improper break-in, or maybe someone red lining the car on at test drive?

All I can think of is rings or valve guides, but those kind of things take lots of miles to cause a problem, and that sort of thing shouldn't effect a brand new engine. What do you think is the cause or causes?

zilent_jay · 03-08-2010, 04:44 PM

Since I'm one of those unfortunate soles to have this issue, I'm curious as well. Also curious to hear from anyone who has had to have a long/short block replacement as a result (or whatever else).

antman22 · 03-08-2010, 04:56 PM

do search, there are plenty of topics about oil consumption already.

Mag350Z · 03-08-2010, 05:01 PM

I don't know if this will be of any comfort to you, but I have a 2006 Rev Up 350Z which consumed crazy amounts of oil initially. My tail pipes and lower portion of the rear bumper were black from all the oil. I decided to just check and add oil frequently as I did not want to go through an engine replacement.
Anyway after about 20000 miles the issue resolved on its own, and I now have 85000 miles on the car without any issues.
As a matter of fact I still have the original brake pads and clutch, although 90% of my driving is on the highway.

6MT · 03-08-2010, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hi-Step'n370Z

What do you think is the "cause" of the excessive oil consumption that some of the Z owners are experiencing? All I can think of is rings or valve guides, but those kind of things take lots of miles to cause a problem, and that sort of thing shouldn't effect a brand new engine. What do you think is the cause or causes?

You're thinking along the correct lines. All of these "problems" are not really problems. They are perfectly normal with a new engine. Piston rings need to "seat" (or break-in), machined surfaces need to "burnish" (or glaze), and other factors lead to excessive oil consumption. BUT, this is normal to new engines. After the normal break-in period, and well beyond that in most cases, this oil consumption issue will not continue.

Again, this is not a problem. Unless there are some other mitigating circumstances causing oil consumption. (Usually covered under warranty.)

mspeasl · 03-08-2010, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by antman22

do search, there are plenty of topics about oil consumption already.

Just enjoy the car and Don't open the hood or check the oil. Just change it at every 3K mark and don't worry about it. If it runs out of oil between the oil changes or seizes up, its Nissan's problem not yours. If you have the extended warranty you still don't have to worry about it after 36K, so have fun and as I said "Just enjoy the car".

Hi-Step'n370Z · 03-08-2010, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6MT

You're thinking along the correct lines. All of these "problems" are not really problems. They are perfectly normal with a new engine. Piston rings need to "seat" (or break-in), machined surfaces need to "burnish" (or glaze), and other factors lead to excessive oil consumption. BUT, this is normal to new engines. After the normal break-in period, and well beyond that in most cases, this oil consumption issue will not continue.

Again, this is not a problem. Unless there are some other mitigating circumstances causing oil consumption. (Usually covered under warranty.)

Makes sense 6MT, good input.

This may suggest that if someone is having an unusual oil problem, after the break in period, when they do the first oil change, they should stay with the Ester oil, and really drive the Z to help what 6MT described happen in the engine, then go with the better lubricating synthetic.

370Zsteve · 03-08-2010, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mspeasl

Just enjoy the car and Don't open the hood or check the oil. Just change it at every 3K mark and don't worry about it. If it runs out of oil between the oil changes or seizes up, its Nissan's problem not yours. If you have the extended warranty you still don't have to worry about it after 36K, so have fun and as I said "Just enjoy the car".

Modshack · 03-08-2010, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hi-Step'n370Z

This may suggest that if someone is having an unusual oil problem, after the break in period, when they do the first oil change, they should stay with the Ester oil, and really drive the Z to help what 6MT described happen in the engine, then go with the better lubricating synthetic.

Remember also, that the 1200 mile break-in is just a recommended number to get everything working well together. Gears, differential etc. Many motors take well more than that to truly beak-in and stop using oil. 5, 10, even 15K is not unusual in some cases..

PapoZalsa · 03-08-2010, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by antman22

do search, there are plenty of topics about oil consumption already.

He is just asking a question?

It could be that Nissan didn't learned it lesson with the 2006 MT model, Quality Control or Just in Time (JIT) when they grow so fast that the company losses focus of their Quality Assurance.

Or just simple mismanagement and someone needs to be fired in Nissan is that is going to be an issue also on the 370Z. For now enjoy the car!

zilent_jay · 04-04-2010, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6MT

You're thinking along the correct lines. All of these "problems" are not really problems. They are perfectly normal with a new engine. Piston rings need to "seat" (or break-in), machined surfaces need to "burnish" (or glaze), and other factors lead to excessive oil consumption. BUT, this is normal to new engines. After the normal break-in period, and well beyond that in most cases, this oil consumption issue will not continue.

Again, this is not a problem. Unless there are some other mitigating circumstances causing oil consumption. (Usually covered under warranty.)

If it's so normal, how come my '04 350z didn't burn any oil in the 5 years I owned it? I guess it was a factory freak? How come Nissan is replacing my short block? I guess they enjoy replacing engines unnecessarily?

Sorry about the sarcasm, but a brand new engine (under 20k miles within the first year) should not be consuming 4-5 quarts of oil between oil changes. That, to me, is a serious issue.

Lynchmawb · 04-05-2010, 05:58 PM

Victim here too was losing a quart of oil every 1k miles.... First trip to Nissan was a new timing belt and gear... Second trip was new motor... Just got back last week. Only 10k miles on car and fresh motor...

zilent_jay · 04-06-2010, 05:37 PM

Lynch - I'm curious... did you get a short or long block? Luckily I just got a call informing me they canceled the order for the short block and are ordering a long block instead. Nissan wants to capture the entire engine for analysis. It's completely normal operation, though.

Montez · 04-06-2010, 06:22 PM

Amazes me that Nissan still produces alot of oil burners, this problem started with the 3.5. Lots of 350Z, 02+ Maxima and G35/37 guys have this issue, this comes up alot in those forums as well. The old VQ 3.0 and VG series did not have this issue nearly as much.

Lynchmawb · 04-07-2010, 10:34 AM

Mine was replaced with a long block looking at the parts list....

03-08-2010, 03:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
Hi-Step'n370Z Enthusiast Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: new york Posts: 425 Drives: '10ZR S/B AT Tour NV Rep Power: 277	Excessive oil consumption? This doesn't seem to be a common problem to most, but when it hit's, it appears to hit's big. What do you think is the "cause" of the excessive oil consumption that some of the Z owners are experiencing? Something originating from the factory in manufacturing or assembly, or a part that slipped by quality control, or an improper break-in, or maybe someone red lining the car on at test drive? All I can think of is rings or valve guides, but those kind of things take lots of miles to cause a problem, and that sort of thing shouldn't effect a brand new engine. What do you think is the cause or causes?

03-08-2010, 05:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
Mag350Z Base Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: South Florida Posts: 95 Drives: 2011 GS Corvette Rep Power: 15	RevUp 350Z I don't know if this will be of any comfort to you, but I have a 2006 Rev Up 350Z which consumed crazy amounts of oil initially. My tail pipes and lower portion of the rear bumper were black from all the oil. I decided to just check and add oil frequently as I did not want to go through an engine replacement. Anyway after about 20000 miles the issue resolved on its own, and I now have 85000 miles on the car without any issues. As a matter of fact I still have the original brake pads and clutch, although 90% of my driving is on the highway.

04-06-2010, 05:37 PM	#13 (permalink)
zilent_jay Base Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: OKC Posts: 96 Drives: 2009 MB Base Sport Rep Power: 15	Lynch - I'm curious... did you get a short or long block? Luckily I just got a call informing me they canceled the order for the short block and are ordering a long block instead. Nissan wants to capture the entire engine for analysis. It's completely normal operation, though. Last edited by zilent_jay; 04-06-2010 at 05:40 PM.

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03-08-2010, 04:44 PM	#2 (permalink)
zilent_jay Base Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: OKC Posts: 96 Drives: 2009 MB Base Sport Rep Power: 15	Since I'm one of those unfortunate soles to have this issue, I'm curious as well. Also curious to hear from anyone who has had to have a long/short block replacement as a result (or whatever else).

03-08-2010, 04:56 PM	#3 (permalink)
antman22 Track Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 597 Drives: 09 PG 370z 7AT Rep Power: 16	do search, there are plenty of topics about oil consumption already.

04-05-2010, 05:58 PM	#12 (permalink)
Lynchmawb Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 6 Drives: 09 370z TS Blue M6 Rep Power: 15	Victim here too was losing a quart of oil every 1k miles.... First trip to Nissan was a new timing belt and gear... Second trip was new motor... Just got back last week. Only 10k miles on car and fresh motor...

04-06-2010, 06:22 PM	#14 (permalink)
Montez Track Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Manhattan Beach, Ca Posts: 604 Drives: 16 LEX GS,09 Z,03Max Rep Power: 16	Amazes me that Nissan still produces alot of oil burners, this problem started with the 3.5. Lots of 350Z, 02+ Maxima and G35/37 guys have this issue, this comes up alot in those forums as well. The old VQ 3.0 and VG series did not have this issue nearly as much.

04-07-2010, 10:34 AM	#15 (permalink)
Lynchmawb Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 6 Drives: 09 370z TS Blue M6 Rep Power: 15	Mine was replaced with a long block looking at the parts list....