Another victum of oil consumption... what to do?...

Cell · 03-31-2012, 10:40 AM

I basically did my own test and I need to take it in to have Nissan test my car.

I had to put half a quart of oil into my engine after about 500 miles of driving. My car also falls outside of the TSB. Not sure how nissan will treat this but I will be making an appointment with them very soon.

I truly love my car but I am not sure if I want to keep this if nissan decides to do nothing about it.

MyZ4U2C · 03-31-2012, 10:51 AM

best to get it in as soon as possible, so they can perform their own consumption test. If its burning past the industry standard I would assume that with the right dealership and proper diagnosis that they will take it seriously. Nissan gets paid to do the work and the only reason I see they wouldn't is if it shows and signs of neglect or abuse. Im sure that's not the case, but having all maintenance records are a plus. I hope everything works out for you.

kenchan · 03-31-2012, 10:57 AM

cell- not sure in your case but on both my G and Z's VQ's when new, i set oil level to about 3/4 up between the two dots on the dipstick. if i fill all the way to the top dot the oil burns.. i can actually faintly smell burning oil after a drive. i dont know why this is.

anyway, on my G after about 10-12K miles i could fill to the very top without burning oil. my Z is at 8300 miles and still burns oil if i fill to the top dot... not worried though.

Cell · 03-31-2012, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

cell- not sure in your case but on both my G and Z's VQ's when new, i set oil level to about 3/4 up between the two dots on the dipstick. if i fill all the way to the top dot the oil burns.. i can actually faintly smell burning oil after a drive. i dont know why this is.

anyway, on my G after about 10-12K miles i could fill to the very top without burning oil. my Z is at 8300 miles and still burns oil if i fill to the top dot... not worried though.

I had it fill to the top dot. Maybe it could be the same issue as you? I don't know but I will have to get it tested just in case.

theboydiddy · 03-31-2012, 11:40 AM

can anyone teach me how to do this test? i just purchased my Z about 3 weeks ago... the other day i don't know why i just popped the hood and began looking at the engine and for some reason something told me "check your oil" the oil on the stick was low by the "L" i bought the car with 0 miles, i have about 800 miles right now believe the oil should be high or on the middle of the stick no ?
help me here guys !!!!

Cell · 03-31-2012, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theboydiddy

can anyone teach me how to do this test? i just purchased my Z about 3 weeks ago... the other day i don't know why i just popped the hood and began looking at the engine and for some reason something told me "check your oil" the oil on the stick was low by the "L" i bought the car with 0 miles, i have about 800 miles right now believe the oil should be high or on the middle of the stick no ?
help me here guys !!!!

Let your car sit over night without driving it. Check your dip stick and do the same after XXX miles. If it is lower than before than you know you are burning oil.

As for your current problem, having your oil levels close to L is very bad. You should take it in before you have some engine malfunction.

PapoZalsa · 03-31-2012, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cell

My car also falls outside of the TSB. Not sure how nissan will treat this but I will be making an appointment with them very soon.

Why your car falls outside the TSB?

Mikes350z · 03-31-2012, 12:14 PM

I guess this isnt very helpful but why do people buy Z's without researching into them, it is well documented that Z's have oil consumption issues and its very prevalent on all the forums about how to check for it, be mindful of it, and inform yourself on it.

If you think you are having oil consumption issues go to your dealer and let them do the test for it. Or check your oil after the car has cooled down and write down where the oil is, fill it to the appropriate level and check in another week or so.

However if you are truly at the L mark yes bring it to the dealer, if u are "close" to the L but have wiggle room above the L mark fill it with oil and check consistently until you see a change.

Cell · 03-31-2012, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PapoZalsa

Why your car falls outside the TSB?

Because my production number is after what was posted in the TSB. Car was made exactly in April of 2010. TSB was for all cars before April of 2010.

theboydiddy · 03-31-2012, 12:23 PM

before purchasing my Z i read and watched every review videos and articles however i NEVER seen heard or read anything about oil issues. F@#$ man. does that mean I'm have to keep wasting money with oil every month or the dealer will have to provide me with this since is a car problem and wasn't my fault.

ChrisSlicks · 03-31-2012, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theboydiddy

can anyone teach me how to do this test? i just purchased my Z about 3 weeks ago... the other day i don't know why i just popped the hood and began looking at the engine and for some reason something told me "check your oil" the oil on the stick was low by the "L" i bought the car with 0 miles, i have about 800 miles right now believe the oil should be high or on the middle of the stick no ?
help me here guys !!!!

Extra oil consumption during the break-in period is not unusual at all. Just re-fill to the 1/2 to 3/4 mark and keep an oil on it from now on. You should see a sharp decline in oil consumption from here. If it continues after 1200 miles or so then it is time to take it to the dealer.

Urbanracer · 03-31-2012, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisSlicks

Extra oil consumption during the break-in period is not unusual at all. Just re-fill to the 1/2 to 3/4 mark and keep an oil on it from now on. You should see a sharp decline in oil consumption from here. If it continues after 1200 miles or so then it is time to take it to the dealer.

I've heard that some 350's consumed oil until around 10K before they stopped.

ChrisSlicks · 03-31-2012, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urbanracer

I've heard that some 350's consumed oil until around 10K before they stopped.

The first 1000 miles is the worst, from there to 5-10K there can still be some minor consumption but it is normally less than 1 quart per 3000 miles. Also some oils seem to burn more readily in this engine than others (too thin perhaps but not really sure the reason).

theboydiddy · 03-31-2012, 03:14 PM

I'll keep my eyes open. I stopped driving since yesterday (Friday) around 6pm until today (Saturday) 2pm. I checked the oil stick and my oil was close to the "H" mark. I have 800miles only should reach 1000miles this week coming up and I'll be checking my oil once a week. ::cross finger:: hopefully I don't have that problem.
Thank you everyone for helping me out.

cheshirecat · 03-31-2012, 03:27 PM

It's not unusual for a high compression engine to eat a quart between oil changes. Obviously, though, a quart every thousand miles is extremely excessive.

Mine is eating about the same- one quart per thousand miles.

Regardless of the TSB, engine oil consumption falls within the 5yr/60k mile warranty. They will do a consumption test (seal the dipstick, mark the oil fill cap, drain plug and filter) and replace the short block if it fails.

I had to deal with the same thing on my '06 350. Good times.

I'll be taking my car in this month sometime to get the test started.

03-31-2012, 10:40 AM	#1 (permalink)
Cell A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,449 Drives: A Garbage Truck Rep Power: 22	Another victum of oil consumption... what to do?... I basically did my own test and I need to take it in to have Nissan test my car. I had to put half a quart of oil into my engine after about 500 miles of driving. My car also falls outside of the TSB. Not sure how nissan will treat this but I will be making an appointment with them very soon. I truly love my car but I am not sure if I want to keep this if nissan decides to do nothing about it.

03-31-2012, 12:14 PM	#8 (permalink)
Mikes350z Base Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Bergen County, NJ Posts: 248 Drives: 09 370Z MagBlack M6 Rep Power: 14	I guess this isnt very helpful but why do people buy Z's without researching into them, it is well documented that Z's have oil consumption issues and its very prevalent on all the forums about how to check for it, be mindful of it, and inform yourself on it. If you think you are having oil consumption issues go to your dealer and let them do the test for it. Or check your oil after the car has cooled down and write down where the oil is, fill it to the appropriate level and check in another week or so. However if you are truly at the L mark yes bring it to the dealer, if u are "close" to the L but have wiggle room above the L mark fill it with oil and check consistently until you see a change. __________________ '09 370Z Touring w/Sport & Nav 6-Speed Magnetic Black Persimmon HKS NAV Tool Backup Camera 35% Tint SOLD 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Altitude Dark Gray

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03-31-2012, 10:51 AM	#2 (permalink)
MyZ4U2C Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 448 Drives: 40th Z #51, 15 FozXT Rep Power: 555	best to get it in as soon as possible, so they can perform their own consumption test. If its burning past the industry standard I would assume that with the right dealership and proper diagnosis that they will take it seriously. Nissan gets paid to do the work and the only reason I see they wouldn't is if it shows and signs of neglect or abuse. Im sure that's not the case, but having all maintenance records are a plus. I hope everything works out for you.

03-31-2012, 10:57 AM	#3 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141522	cell- not sure in your case but on both my G and Z's VQ's when new, i set oil level to about 3/4 up between the two dots on the dipstick. if i fill all the way to the top dot the oil burns.. i can actually faintly smell burning oil after a drive. i dont know why this is. anyway, on my G after about 10-12K miles i could fill to the very top without burning oil. my Z is at 8300 miles and still burns oil if i fill to the top dot... not worried though.

03-31-2012, 11:40 AM	#5 (permalink)
theboydiddy Track Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: New York City Posts: 938 Drives: 370z Pearl White Rep Power: 15	can anyone teach me how to do this test? i just purchased my Z about 3 weeks ago... the other day i don't know why i just popped the hood and began looking at the engine and for some reason something told me "check your oil" the oil on the stick was low by the "L" i bought the car with 0 miles, i have about 800 miles right now believe the oil should be high or on the middle of the stick no ? help me here guys !!!!

03-31-2012, 12:23 PM	#10 (permalink)
theboydiddy Track Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: New York City Posts: 938 Drives: 370z Pearl White Rep Power: 15	before purchasing my Z i read and watched every review videos and articles however i NEVER seen heard or read anything about oil issues. F@#$ man. does that mean I'm have to keep wasting money with oil every month or the dealer will have to provide me with this since is a car problem and wasn't my fault.

03-31-2012, 03:14 PM	#14 (permalink)
theboydiddy Track Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: New York City Posts: 938 Drives: 370z Pearl White Rep Power: 15	I'll keep my eyes open. I stopped driving since yesterday (Friday) around 6pm until today (Saturday) 2pm. I checked the oil stick and my oil was close to the "H" mark. I have 800miles only should reach 1000miles this week coming up and I'll be checking my oil once a week. ::cross finger:: hopefully I don't have that problem. Thank you everyone for helping me out.

03-31-2012, 03:27 PM	#15 (permalink)
cheshirecat A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 1,428 Drives: N54 135i Rep Power: 293	It's not unusual for a high compression engine to eat a quart between oil changes. Obviously, though, a quart every thousand miles is extremely excessive. Mine is eating about the same- one quart per thousand miles. Regardless of the TSB, engine oil consumption falls within the 5yr/60k mile warranty. They will do a consumption test (seal the dipstick, mark the oil fill cap, drain plug and filter) and replace the short block if it fails. I had to deal with the same thing on my '06 350. Good times. I'll be taking my car in this month sometime to get the test started.