What's with the low oil?

mrmonopolis · 07-24-2011, 08:38 AM

I have a 09 370Z and recently it just cutoff while I was driving. I took it to the dealership and they told me quite nonchalantly there was engine motor damage because the car was low on oil and it will cost me 13k to repair. Should this be happening in a car with 33k miles on it? The oil and filter change schedule has not been strictly kept over say the last 5-6months or so but the oil has been changed during that time period. And shouldn't the check oil light or engine light come on before the car just cuts off like that? I received a second opinion and was told that the car needed a MAP sensor. Honestly I'm not sure what the problem is however I have read that the Z does burn oil and Nissan is telling me that they will not repair the car under the manufactures warranty. What are my choices and what are some recommendations.

onzedge · 07-24-2011, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrmonopolis

I have a 09 370Z and recently it just cutoff while I was driving. I took it to the dealership and they told me quite nonchalantly there was engine motor damage because the car was low on oil and it will cost me 13k to repair. Should this be happening in a car with 33k miles on it? The oil and filter change schedule has not been strictly kept over say the last 5-6months or so but the oil has been changed during that time period. And shouldn't the check oil light or engine light come on before the car just cuts off like that? I received a second opinion and was told that the car needed a MAP sensor. Honestly I'm not sure what the problem is however I have read that the Z does burn oil and Nissan is telling me that they will not repair the car under the manufactures warranty. What are my choices and what are some recommendations.

There is a tech bulletin on this. You should be totally covered. Follow the link:

TSB: 2009-2010 Nissan 370Z: Engine Oil Level Is Low

red6spd · 07-24-2011, 09:28 AM

First off if the cars oil got so low that it destroyed the engine its your own fault. The oil level should be checked often on any car to avoid a problem like you are having. Some 370's do have oil consumption issues and if you notice your Z suffering from it (by checking the oil) you bring it to Nissan they run some tests and determine if you need a new engine. As for the oil light it is just an Idiot Light. Sometimes when it goes on its to late. Good Luck with whatever happens.

Mt Tam I am · 07-24-2011, 10:37 AM

I noticed a funny sound in the mornings and wondered what it was. I checked the oil and it was down one quart. About 1,000 miles since oil change. The sound only occurred after morning start up and during the first mile or two. Sort of a slow, soft whoop.

FromG2Z · 07-24-2011, 12:50 PM

^ so what happened after that? Was your engine one of those that consumed oil permanently? Did you end up with a new engine under warranty?

FromG2Z · 07-24-2011, 01:09 PM

After reading the TSB posted above:

"APPLIED VIN / DATE: Vehicles built before: JN1AZ4FH(*)AM303670 / 05-Apr-2010 Vehicles built before: JN1AZ4EH(*)AM503778 / 05-Apr-2010"

I guess mine falls in this category. Are there others that fall in the above category with no issues at all? I'm all paranoid now... lol... I've been checking, all seems fine.

DOOMMONKEY777 · 07-24-2011, 02:29 PM

Mine does, but i took an extra precaution and installed AAM oil pan spacer + oil cooler = No problems so far and oil consumption is very low

batman_4 · 07-24-2011, 03:17 PM

just recently took my car to Nissan and did all the Oil Consumption work....they charged me $9.57 just because my car was too low and they had to manually lift my car up....go figure. Anyways they said it was covered by warranty....just have to go back at 500mi so they can see how much its burning

onzedge · 07-24-2011, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by batman_4

just recently took my car to Nissan and did all the Oil Consumption work....they charged me $9.57 just because my car was too low and they had to manually lift my car up....go figure. Anyways they said it was covered by warranty....just have to go back at 500mi so they can see how much its burning

Good information.

mrmonopolis · 07-25-2011, 06:15 PM

Im in the process right now of trying to get the dealership to honor the warranty. According to Nissan Customer relations I would have to provide all the oil change receipts since the car has been in my possession (aug 09). The car only has about 33k miles on it.

mrmonopolis · 07-25-2011, 06:23 PM

Thanks for the info! I'm not sure however exactly how I'm supposed to interpret this TSP and what is the TSP acronym represent? Again thanks

onzedge · 07-25-2011, 06:33 PM

You take it with you to the dealer. They may not know about it. At any rate, the dealer needs to perform the oil consumption test.

FromG2Z · 07-26-2011, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrmonopolis

Im in the process right now of trying to get the dealership to honor the warranty. According to Nissan Customer relations I would have to provide all the oil change receipts since the car has been in my possession (aug 09). The car only has about 33k miles on it.

Now what happens if you do the oil changes yourself?!?!?!? Nissan won't honor it? That's dumb and BS. Nissan better honor the warranty. I mean I can save my old filter and old oil if that's what they need. Or do they want to see a receipt of the oil / filter purchases from walmart??? lol

V8Killer · 07-26-2011, 01:03 AM

When checking oil what temp do u do it? Do u check oil hot or cold or both?

onzedge · 07-26-2011, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FromG2Z

Now what happens if you do the oil changes yourself?!?!?!? Nissan won't honor it? That's dumb and BS. Nissan better honor the warranty. I mean I can save my old filter and old oil if that's what they need. Or do they want to see a receipt of the oil / filter purchases from walmart??? lol

You should keep your receipts for everything you buy for the car -- maintenance and modification parts/supplies alike. You should also have a log book in which you write everything you do to the vehicle -- what, when, mileage, etc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by V8Killer

When checking oil what temp do u do it? Do u check oil hot or cold or both?

Always check oil level when the engine has been sitting for a while. If you have an oil cooler, wait longer because it can take soem time for all of the oil to drain into the pan. Always check your oil at the same time of day/condition. To make it simple and consistent, I check oil levels in the morning, after the car has been siiting over night and before I start the engine.

07-24-2011, 08:38 AM	#1 (permalink)
mrmonopolis Base Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Washington DC Posts: 13 Drives: 370Z 09 Silver Rep Power: 13	What's with the low oil? I have a 09 370Z and recently it just cutoff while I was driving. I took it to the dealership and they told me quite nonchalantly there was engine motor damage because the car was low on oil and it will cost me 13k to repair. Should this be happening in a car with 33k miles on it? The oil and filter change schedule has not been strictly kept over say the last 5-6months or so but the oil has been changed during that time period. And shouldn't the check oil light or engine light come on before the car just cuts off like that? I received a second opinion and was told that the car needed a MAP sensor. Honestly I'm not sure what the problem is however I have read that the Z does burn oil and Nissan is telling me that they will not repair the car under the manufactures warranty. What are my choices and what are some recommendations.

07-24-2011, 09:28 AM	#3 (permalink)
red6spd A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 3,277 Drives: 2010 Z Coupe M6 SPT Rep Power: 21	First off if the cars oil got so low that it destroyed the engine its your own fault. The oil level should be checked often on any car to avoid a problem like you are having. Some 370's do have oil consumption issues and if you notice your Z suffering from it (by checking the oil) you bring it to Nissan they run some tests and determine if you need a new engine. As for the oil light it is just an Idiot Light. Sometimes when it goes on its to late. Good Luck with whatever happens. __________________ 2010 Base+Sport 6spd: Stillen G3, FI Non-Resonated CBE, FI Non-Resonated Test Pipes, UpRev Tuned, Custom 24R Oil Cooler, JDM Rear Fog-OEM Harness. ???Whp ???WTQ (Will find out come spring time)

07-24-2011, 10:37 AM	#4 (permalink)
Mt Tam I am A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: California Posts: 10,709 Drives: 370Z T/S/N 6MT & XKE Rep Power: 3843	I noticed a funny sound in the mornings and wondered what it was. I checked the oil and it was down one quart. About 1,000 miles since oil change. The sound only occurred after morning start up and during the first mile or two. Sort of a slow, soft whoop. __________________ "Does the carpet match the drapes? NO!!! I don't date bald women." Nissan Motorsports 34R Oil Cooler. Stillen CBE. Hotchkis Sport Sway Bars. KW Variant 3 Coilover System. Stillen Gen3 CAI. Michelin Pilot Super Sport. Stillen Brake Ducts. Carbotech™ XP10/XP8 Pads. Z1 Front Rotors. Z1 Stainless Brake Lines. Two degrees of camber

07-24-2011, 12:50 PM	#5 (permalink)
FromG2Z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Fields of Opportunities Posts: 1,406 Drives: '12 5.0, kona, 6MT Rep Power: 17	^ so what happened after that? Was your engine one of those that consumed oil permanently? Did you end up with a new engine under warranty? __________________ 2012 5.0 GT Prem, Kona Blue, 6MT, HID, Brembo, 3.73 -- Ordered: 9/20/11, Born on: 10/20/11, Delivered 11/15/11"Marilyn" GT500 mufflers/flaps, MGW shifter, FRPP K springs, BMR panhard bar, Boss coil covers, 3DC spoiler, Llumar Tint (35% and 20%), 3M ClearBra

07-24-2011, 01:09 PM	#6 (permalink)
FromG2Z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Fields of Opportunities Posts: 1,406 Drives: '12 5.0, kona, 6MT Rep Power: 17	After reading the TSB posted above: "APPLIED VIN / DATE: Vehicles built before: JN1AZ4FH()AM303670 / 05-Apr-2010 Vehicles built before: JN1AZ4EH()AM503778 / 05-Apr-2010" I guess mine falls in this category. Are there others that fall in the above category with no issues at all? I'm all paranoid now... lol... I've been checking, all seems fine. __________________ 2012 5.0 GT Prem, Kona Blue, 6MT, HID, Brembo, 3.73 -- Ordered: 9/20/11, Born on: 10/20/11, Delivered 11/15/11"Marilyn" GT500 mufflers/flaps, MGW shifter, FRPP K springs, BMR panhard bar, Boss coil covers, 3DC spoiler, Llumar Tint (35% and 20%), 3M ClearBra

07-24-2011, 02:29 PM	#7 (permalink)
DOOMMONKEY777 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Crooklyn Posts: 1,008 Drives: 370Z 6psd-sport-pkg Rep Power: 20	Mine does, but i took an extra precaution and installed AAM oil pan spacer + oil cooler = No problems so far and oil consumption is very low __________________ Kids don't do Drugs, Drugs are bad, so let the professional druggies do Drugs for you. 537whp/496lb/tq@8-9PSI 93 octane

07-24-2011, 03:17 PM	#8 (permalink)
batman_4 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: McAllen Tx. Posts: 1,038 Drives: '09 PW 370Z Rep Power: 367	just recently took my car to Nissan and did all the Oil Consumption work....they charged me $9.57 just because my car was too low and they had to manually lift my car up....go figure. Anyways they said it was covered by warranty....just have to go back at 500mi so they can see how much its burning __________________ '09 6spd. Touring: Eibach / SPC / Motordyne / Berk / Z1 / Oneighty / Mines / SSR / Stillen / CFE

07-25-2011, 06:15 PM	#10 (permalink)
mrmonopolis Base Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Washington DC Posts: 13 Drives: 370Z 09 Silver Rep Power: 13	Im in the process right now of trying to get the dealership to honor the warranty. According to Nissan Customer relations I would have to provide all the oil change receipts since the car has been in my possession (aug 09). The car only has about 33k miles on it.

07-25-2011, 06:23 PM	#11 (permalink)
mrmonopolis Base Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Washington DC Posts: 13 Drives: 370Z 09 Silver Rep Power: 13	Thanks for the info! I'm not sure however exactly how I'm supposed to interpret this TSP and what is the TSP acronym represent? Again thanks

07-25-2011, 06:33 PM	#12 (permalink)
onzedge A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Battle Lake MN Age: 63 Posts: 183,964 Drives: 370Z 240Z Rep Power: 2684736	You take it with you to the dealer. They may not know about it. At any rate, the dealer needs to perform the oil consumption test. __________________ Koni\|Swift\|Michelin\|Motordyne\|Berk\|RJM Performance\|Gates\|SPL\|Motul\|Technafit\|Ate Super Blue\|Hawk Tommy Kaira\|Momo\|Optima\|Hella\|Hotchkis\|Red Line\|ZSpeed\|Stillen\|B&M\|H&R

07-26-2011, 01:03 AM	#14 (permalink)
V8Killer A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Newport, NC Posts: 1,127 Drives: It Hard Till It Pops Rep Power: 16	When checking oil what temp do u do it? Do u check oil hot or cold or both? __________________ "Punch" Too much to list and a baby shot of nitrous....