a little dramatic considering i bought a new engine from nissan for $9k

So basically, they're saying they're not even gonna try? F-ing losers.

Im inclined to agree...that sounds like a lame excuse and they could have said, "Hey, we grew vaginas...sorry!"

They'll change their tune when the competition succeeds, then they will be scrambling to catch up.

Everyone Ive talked to who works with MegaSquirt says it sounds relatively easy to work with...

I changed my oil this past weekend at 9k miles and sent it off to Blackstone. Here are the results. I'm running Redline 5W-30, btw.

http://www.the370z.com/members/semte...0-uoa-9000.jpg

Semtex,

Did you oil look like mine? I did my RL oil change just over 9K but it looked odd.

Um, no. Not at all. Sorry to say this, but yours looks kinda scary. Mine was like black, no specks of copper or whatever that is. You might want to send a sample off to Blackstone.

Well the problem with sampling my oil is that this past weekend I did my wife's vehicle and mine, so our oils are mixed together. But yeah, it didn't look right. It was kind of thick and gritty, and copperish......you saw.

Do you think if I take it to the dealer, would they try and diagnose it? I have to go there tomorrow anyways to get a new set of lift springs for the rear hatch. So I'll mention it to them.

Maybe do a partial drain and see if it's still like that? Like you don't have to drain it all out. Just let a qt or so run out, which you can easily top back off afterwards.

Semtex,

I noticed in your report that you had slightly high copper levels. I guess in my case I had over the top copper levels. So the next logical question is, what does that mean?

Anyway, I was already scheduled to go to the dealer this afternoon for something else, so I'll bring this up to them.

Well, the remarks on my report lead me to believe that losing some copper is just part of the normal break-in process. Now, we're assuming those flecks in your oil are copper, but we don't know for 100% sure, do we? In any case, if they are indeed chunks of copper, it may indicate that something has gone terribly wrong as far as your break-in goes. How many miles do you have on your engine? Did you follow the break-in process in the manual?

I currently have close to 9.4K. I did follow the break procedure. I did the first change a little before 3,750. Well, if something is terribly wrong, I'm assuming the warranty will cover it because I did no harm to it. The car is still bone stock.

Oh and I'm 90% sure that those 'flecks' were copper...especially after reading your report.

Thanks for your input.

I think you should fish some of those flecks out of your used oil and put them in a ziploc or whatever. Take them with you to show the dealer.

hehe...I won't be able to do that today. I work about 45 mins away from home. But I do plan to send an e-mail containing the pics I posted earlier. I'll see what they say. If they need a sample, then I guess I'll do what you suggested.