370Z oil consumption

TBSS2008 · 05-23-2010, 10:14 AM

Sorry to hear about your oil issues Zilent_Jay I hope they get it back to you completely fixed in a timely manner.

I posted earlier that my Z also consumes what some would say is a ok amount of oil 1qt 3-4k. So I decided to check my 2008 Trail Blazer SS (LS2 Corvette motor) and guess what seems to have lost a 1qt it has been 4k miles since the last oil change. So got the oil changed yesterday and transmission fluid it just hit 50k miles. I will be watching the TBSS now to ensure it has the proper amount of oil in it at all times. I did some more searching and it’s not uncommon for the LS2 engines to consume 1qt every 3-5k or so. And people have suggested if you really get on your vehicle a lot then you can bet it will consume a bit of oil. I wonder if the high compression of these engines has something to do with it. Or it is possible every car I owned consumed some oil just never checked those vehicles to know if that was the case.

370Zsteve · 05-23-2010, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zilent_jay

Having your engine replaced because it's drinking oil like it's going out of style is NOT a fun thing to have happen on a brand new car.

All I know is if the new engine starts to develop an appetite for oil - I'll let it be the problem for someone else and find a new car. There would be no love lost.

If I got a new engine after 17K, I'd be ecstatic.

BTW, my engine consumes almost no oil at 3500 miles. I was very easy on the engine until 1200 mile break-in was done.

370Zsteve · 05-23-2010, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toner123

My oil is right between the 2 holes in the dipstick. I put on a thousand miles since my last oil change so according to my owners manual it is good, although after i got my oil changed i don't know how high on the dip stick it was. So I guess I'll just watch it but I do't think its anything for me to worry about. Hell I hit my 3 month mark next month around this time so I wont get the full milage out of it. I have 7400 miles on my car i think if it was burning i would have known it by now. If anyone knows where on the dip stick the oils is around after a change let me know please.

If your oil is in-between the holes, you need to add oil.

zilent_jay · 05-23-2010, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 370Zsteve

If I got a new engine after 17K, I'd be ecstatic.

BTW, my engine consumes almost no oil at 3500 miles. I was very easy on the engine until 1200 mile break-in was done.

Why would you be ecstatic? You have to wait forever for the longblock to arrive, then you have to wait another week while they install it... then you have to go through the break-in process all over again... and then you have to leave your broken car at the dealership while they try to get parts to fix things that were jacked up with the swap.

Not my idea of enjoying a brand new sports car... but that's just me.

ChrisSlicks · 05-23-2010, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zilent_jay

Just when I thought I was in the clear after the engine swap... (1200 miles)

Driving home from work... I notice smoke coming from under the car. Since I was a mile from my house I came home to check it out. The underside of the engine is covered in oil, and this is what the engine bay looks like:

How did you get that much oil sprayed around the engine bay? Source?

zilent_jay · 05-23-2010, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisSlicks

How did you get that much oil sprayed around the engine bay? Source?

By the time I got it to the dealer (3 miles) it was even worse... I didn't have my camera with me or I would have taken pictures... the insides of my front tires were coated in oil....

I think the guy called it a intake valve timing solenoid.... it's a little part on the front of the engine that controls the timing and is oil actuated... every time you step on the gas... (wouldn't do it at an idle) oil would spray onto the nearby belt and get flung all over the place.... the part was physically damaged at some point because you could wiggle it around freely... my guess is it happened during shipping/handling of the replacement long block. The guy who did the install did a fantastic job otherwise and I don't think he had anything to do with it... the problem wasn't present/obvious directly after the swap... Coincidentally, it started directly after the point I started revving to 5k instead of 4k during the break-in process. Once I felt the motor start to loosen up my plan was to work it at 5k for a while and then get the oil changed before going all out. Guess I get my oil change now.

Zaggeron · 05-23-2010, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 370Zsteve

If your oil is in-between the holes, you need to add oil.

Are you sure about this? In the manual it says between the holes is normal level and no top off required

dad · 05-23-2010, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zaggeron

Are you sure about this? In the manual it says between the holes is normal level and no top off required

Make sure you engine is warmed up, not cold, when you check the oil!

Zaggeron · 05-23-2010, 02:39 PM

Warm engine and wait 15 minutes according to the manual. The manual says add some oil if it is below the lowest hole. I'm assuming this means leave it be if between the holes.

DuNw/4BanGerZ · 06-03-2010, 04:51 PM

My Z is at the shop right now for oil comsumption. The dealer asked for reciepts from my last oil change. Told him I dont have any. They want to replace my engine also. So just waiting to find out if it will be under warranty. I havent done any major mods or whatever, so no worries there. Just over 18k on mine. Guess its a lesson learned though to check my oil regularly from now on.

Totus44 · 06-03-2010, 07:01 PM

My Z is at the dealer (8th day and counting) getting the replacement short block + a laundry list of other parts replaced after failing the oil consumption test. fortunately my '09 Z will essentially have a '10 engine. Mine was the first fail at my dealership. the problem started at 7500 miles. Break in was normal except the original 211 miles (those I have no idea) and by the book. During the oil consumption process, the engine scrammed once (electronic protection w/o power above 2500 rpm). No mods yet, waiting for this issue to be resolved. The tell-tale was 220-240 on the guage...before getting on the freeway. Dealer is taking their time since one more visit within 30 days of this issue and it triggers lemon law.

Totus44 · 06-09-2010, 09:38 AM

Just got my car back from the dealer. New short block and everything that goes in it was replaced. The tech spent a few extra days doing some shake out and retuning. I was definitely losing hp with the leaky seals and the car sounds (and smells) better. If you run with the ester oil, a tell tale sign of the ester oil consumption issue is that faint hint of 'french fries' smell in the garage, lol! Now for the painful 1500mi break in period...again. Looking forward to upgrading the exhaust and intakes after that.

Mt Tam I am · 06-13-2010, 01:47 PM

Three weeks after buying my 01/09 Z in 05/10, I decided to check my oil for the first time at 485 miles (after oil temp hit 245 degrees, while outside was 59 degrees). Sure enough the dip stick was where hand book recommends adding oil. So I added 3/4 quarts. Today at 1048 miles I just added another 3/4's. Car normally runs at 220+ during break in, under 4000 revs.

bronk37 · 06-13-2010, 11:03 PM

I have the oil problem too. I bought mine last june and at about 3k mi it was in the shop as it went into limp mode, they replaced cam shaft actuators had the car for a week. I garaged the car with 6k on it for winter had the oil changed when i took it out of storage, have been back to dealer twice and both times I have had 1.25 qts of oil added the car has 7051 miles on it. Im getting a new motor but for the money I spent Im pretty upset.

Mt Tam I am · 07-14-2010, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bronk37

I have the oil problem too. I bought mine last june and at about 3k mi it was in the shop as it went into limp mode, they replaced cam shaft actuators had the car for a week. I garaged the car with 6k on it for winter had the oil changed when i took it out of storage, have been back to dealer twice and both times I have had 1.25 qts of oil added the car has 7051 miles on it. Im getting a new motor but for the money I spent Im pretty upset.

They are checking my oil every 500 miles. at 200 I am down 1/2 qt. Do you think I am a candidate for new engine too?

05-23-2010, 10:14 AM	#61 (permalink)
TBSS2008 Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 195 Drives: 11 Corvette GS 6spd Rep Power: 16	Sorry to hear about your oil issues Zilent_Jay I hope they get it back to you completely fixed in a timely manner. I posted earlier that my Z also consumes what some would say is a ok amount of oil 1qt 3-4k. So I decided to check my 2008 Trail Blazer SS (LS2 Corvette motor) and guess what seems to have lost a 1qt it has been 4k miles since the last oil change. So got the oil changed yesterday and transmission fluid it just hit 50k miles. I will be watching the TBSS now to ensure it has the proper amount of oil in it at all times. I did some more searching and it’s not uncommon for the LS2 engines to consume 1qt every 3-5k or so. And people have suggested if you really get on your vehicle a lot then you can bet it will consume a bit of oil. I wonder if the high compression of these engines has something to do with it. Or it is possible every car I owned consumed some oil just never checked those vehicles to know if that was the case. __________________ 2011 Black Corvette Grand Sport 6spd \| NNP Daul Mode Exhaust 2008 Trail Blazer SS Black \| SuperChips Tune 2009 370Z Black 7AT Touring Sport (TRADED) Last edited by TBSS2008; 05-23-2010 at 10:17 AM.

05-23-2010, 02:39 PM	#69 (permalink)
Zaggeron A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,951 Drives: '10 370ZR '13 BRZ Rep Power: 18	Warm engine and wait 15 minutes according to the manual. The manual says add some oil if it is below the lowest hole. I'm assuming this means leave it be if between the holes. __________________ 2010 Platinum Graphite 370z Roadster:Touring/Sport 2013 Subaru BRZ Limited

06-03-2010, 07:01 PM	#71 (permalink)
Totus44 Base Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 9 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z Bk M6 Rep Power: 15	My Z is at the dealer (8th day and counting) getting the replacement short block + a laundry list of other parts replaced after failing the oil consumption test. fortunately my '09 Z will essentially have a '10 engine. Mine was the first fail at my dealership. the problem started at 7500 miles. Break in was normal except the original 211 miles (those I have no idea) and by the book. During the oil consumption process, the engine scrammed once (electronic protection w/o power above 2500 rpm). No mods yet, waiting for this issue to be resolved. The tell-tale was 220-240 on the guage...before getting on the freeway. Dealer is taking their time since one more visit within 30 days of this issue and it triggers lemon law. Last edited by Totus44; 06-09-2010 at 09:30 AM.

06-13-2010, 11:03 PM	#74 (permalink)
bronk37 Base Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Milford,NH Posts: 2 Drives: 09 370z Blk M6 Rep Power: 15	oil problem I have the oil problem too. I bought mine last june and at about 3k mi it was in the shop as it went into limp mode, they replaced cam shaft actuators had the car for a week. I garaged the car with 6k on it for winter had the oil changed when i took it out of storage, have been back to dealer twice and both times I have had 1.25 qts of oil added the car has 7051 miles on it. Im getting a new motor but for the money I spent Im pretty upset.

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06-03-2010, 04:51 PM	#70 (permalink)
DuNw/4BanGerZ Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Age: 40 Posts: 92 Drives: 2009 370Z MB M6 w/sp Rep Power: 16	My Z is at the shop right now for oil comsumption. The dealer asked for reciepts from my last oil change. Told him I dont have any. They want to replace my engine also. So just waiting to find out if it will be under warranty. I havent done any major mods or whatever, so no worries there. Just over 18k on mine. Guess its a lesson learned though to check my oil regularly from now on.

06-09-2010, 09:38 AM	#72 (permalink)
Totus44 Base Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 9 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z Bk M6 Rep Power: 15	Just got my car back from the dealer. New short block and everything that goes in it was replaced. The tech spent a few extra days doing some shake out and retuning. I was definitely losing hp with the leaky seals and the car sounds (and smells) better. If you run with the ester oil, a tell tale sign of the ester oil consumption issue is that faint hint of 'french fries' smell in the garage, lol! Now for the painful 1500mi break in period...again. Looking forward to upgrading the exhaust and intakes after that.

06-13-2010, 01:47 PM	#73 (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	Three weeks after buying my 01/09 Z in 05/10, I decided to check my oil for the first time at 485 miles (after oil temp hit 245 degrees, while outside was 59 degrees). Sure enough the dip stick was where hand book recommends adding oil. So I added 3/4 quarts. Today at 1048 miles I just added another 3/4's. Car normally runs at 220+ during break in, under 4000 revs.