Oil Consumption Acceptable Level

nis350 · 12-28-2014, 04:31 PM

It is known that our motors burn some oil. What is considered to be normal or acceptable? Is losing about 1/4 of an inch on the dip stick for about 4k miles under normal driving condition considered to be acceptable? Guess that is about 1/2 quart? Thanks.

Chuck33079 · 12-28-2014, 04:36 PM

Well within spec. Nissan doesn't bat an eye at 1 qt/ 1K miles.

Zoren 370 · 12-28-2014, 04:43 PM

Its normal just tap it off problem solved.
Most or all high compression engines burn oil to certain degree. VQ engines is no exception.

nis350 · 12-28-2014, 08:13 PM

Isn't that a bit excessive, 1q/1k miles? Do we lose the oil through the piston rings or the valve guides or both?

Any idea what is the oil capacity between the upper and lower dot on the dip stick? Would that be about 1 quart?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

Well within spec. Nissan doesn't bat an eye at 1 qt/ 1K miles.

Chuck33079 · 12-28-2014, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nis350

Isn't that a bit excessive, 1q/1k miles? Do we lose the oil through the piston rings or the valve guides or both?

Any idea what is the oil capacity between the upper and lower dot on the dip stick? Would that be about 1 quart?

A lot of manufacturers use 1qt/1k mi as the limit. It's one quart between the dots.

If I had to guess where it goes, I'd wager it burns some and blows the rest through the PCV system. I used to lose 1qt / 3k miles when I ran the factory spec oil. I run a slightly thicker oil now and it doesn't lose a drop. But I'm not about to turn this into a "what kind of oil should I run" thread.

Zoren 370 · 12-28-2014, 08:24 PM

Chuck is meaning to say even a loss of 1qt is nothing to worry about.
BmW M5 does that for every 1k miles.

As long your oil level is between the upper and lower dots your still good.
Not sure about the amount of oil in between the dots.
The manual says the oil capacity.

nis350 · 12-28-2014, 10:40 PM

I am surprise to hear that it makes such a big difference in oil consumption with thicker oil.

I've also read that a well broken-in engine burns less oil.

Thanks for the info.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

A lot of manufacturers use 1qt/1k mi as the limit. It's one quart between the dots.

If I had to guess where it goes, I'd wager it burns some and blows the rest through the PCV system. I used to lose 1qt / 3k miles when I ran the factory spec oil. I run a slightly thicker oil now and it doesn't lose a drop. But I'm not about to turn this into a "what kind of oil should I run" thread.

Merv · 01-03-2015, 12:57 AM

@ chuck
What weight of oil do you use? I'm thinking of bumping it up so I burn less. I actually was worried my engine wasn't broken in properly and that was the reason for my oil consumption. Would probably be a good idea to buy a oil catch can as well.

MJB · 01-03-2015, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merv

@ chuck
What weight of oil do you use? I'm thinking of bumping it up so I burn less. I actually was worried my engine wasn't broken in properly and that was the reason for my oil consumption. Would probably be a good idea to buy a oil catch can as well.

My Z was burning about 1qt every 3k miles on 5w-30. I switched to 0w-40 and went down to maybe a little less than 1/2 qt every 3k miles. I also started using an oil cooler. It seemed like that higher my oil temps were, the more oil I would burn. Once I had the oil cooler installed with 0w-40, I would rarely go past 200F, and then I wasn't burning as much.

Merv · 01-03-2015, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJB

My Z was burning about 1qt every 3k miles on 5w-30. I switched to 0w-40 and went down to maybe a little less than 1/2 qt every 3k miles. I also started using an oil cooler. It seemed like that higher my oil temps were, the more oil I would burn. Once I had the oil cooler installed with 0w-40, I would rarely go past 200F, and then I wasn't burning as much.

Right on,thanks for the reply. Yup,next oil change I'm switching to a bit heavier. I've been using royal purple. I'll have to research and see what all they offer in weight.

nis350 · 01-03-2015, 06:40 PM

I guess it made sense since cooler oil is thicker.... so it doesn't slip through the rings and valves as easily....

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJB

My Z was burning about 1qt every 3k miles on 5w-30. I switched to 0w-40 and went down to maybe a little less than 1/2 qt every 3k miles. I also started using an oil cooler. It seemed like that higher my oil temps were, the more oil I would burn. Once I had the oil cooler installed with 0w-40, I would rarely go past 200F, and then I wasn't burning as much.

Spooler · 01-03-2015, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJB

My Z was burning about 1qt every 3k miles on 5w-30. I switched to 0w-40 and went down to maybe a little less than 1/2 qt every 3k miles. I also started using an oil cooler. It seemed like that higher my oil temps were, the more oil I would burn. Once I had the oil cooler installed with 0w-40, I would rarely go past 200F, and then I wasn't burning as much.

This is very common with Mobil 1. It tends to break down at higher temps over time. Look at some NOAK Volatility test of it.

90 ST · 01-04-2015, 12:08 AM

I go through about a quart every 7500kms, i run Redline 5/30 and have over 200000 miles...oh and its a 09.

Spooler · 01-04-2015, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 90 ST

I go through about a quart every 7500kms, i run Redline 5/30 and have over 200000 miles...oh and its a 09.

Redline seems to do the best with NOAK Volatility. Guess it shows with this statement.

12-28-2014, 04:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
nis350 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: socal Posts: 1,119 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 13435	Oil Consumption Acceptable Level It is known that our motors burn some oil. What is considered to be normal or acceptable? Is losing about 1/4 of an inch on the dip stick for about 4k miles under normal driving condition considered to be acceptable? Guess that is about 1/2 quart? Thanks.

12-28-2014, 04:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
Chuck33079 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 12,265 Drives: 2011 370ztt Rep Power: 29539	Well within spec. Nissan doesn't bat an eye at 1 qt/ 1K miles. __________________ 2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

12-28-2014, 08:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
Zoren 370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: FL Posts: 11,018 Drives: 11 Nissan 370 M6 Rep Power: 1913654	Chuck is meaning to say even a loss of 1qt is nothing to worry about. BmW M5 does that for every 1k miles. As long your oil level is between the upper and lower dots your still good. Not sure about the amount of oil in between the dots. The manual says the oil capacity. nis350 likes this.

01-03-2015, 12:57 AM	#8 (permalink)
Merv Track Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Vancouver B.C Posts: 518 Drives: 11 GM grey sport tou Rep Power: 15	@ chuck What weight of oil do you use? I'm thinking of bumping it up so I burn less. I actually was worried my engine wasn't broken in properly and that was the reason for my oil consumption. Would probably be a good idea to buy a oil catch can as well. __________________ Swift springs \| upgraded headlights \| stillen gen3 cai \| FI HFC's and FI CBE \| ecutek tune in the mail!

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12-28-2014, 04:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
Zoren 370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: FL Posts: 11,018 Drives: 11 Nissan 370 M6 Rep Power: 1913654	Its normal just tap it off problem solved. Most or all high compression engines burn oil to certain degree. VQ engines is no exception.

01-04-2015, 12:08 AM	#13 (permalink)
90 ST A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: Calgary Posts: 1,861 Drives: 90 and 15 GMC Sierra Rep Power: 422	I go through about a quart every 7500kms, i run Redline 5/30 and have over 200000 miles...oh and its a 09.