BUMP.....

So I found out today what that rattling noise is (the hard way). So I'm coming up on needing an oil change again (i had them change it when I took it in last time, because it was due then too).... and the "rattling" noise started happening again, but it was cold and it went away so no big deal. The next day... same thing.... now at 3000 RPM it's running rough. This is not good.... so before I could make it to work the car goes into limp mode. GREAT. Still rattling. Now I'm concerned because this rattling noise is starting to sound more like VALVES knocking. So I pull off the interstate... pop the hood..... check the oil. BONE ******* DRY. I had a friend come pick me up and take me to get some oil. When I removed the oil cap, smoke came out. Yay! Anyway... I made it to the dealership, but I know right now my engine is DONE.

This leads me to the question, why did the dealership not catch this the first time I brought it in? Surely they noticed the oil level was critically low? Did they really think filling it up with oil would make the massive oil consumption problem just go away??

I'm expecting a call from the dealership tomorrow morning, probably telling me that they are replacing the engine under warranty.

Time to go car shopping!!!!!!

so you're saying you didn't check your own oil for 3 months?

I don't understand. Isn't there a light that would warn you that the engine has no oil?! I mean doesn't the engine warn you about low oil levels?!

I would assume that the oil temp would raise to very high levels quickly if the level was low...

Well checking or not, a car shouldn't burn off 5 quarts of oil in 3 months. Even if there is a leak, even from the oil drain plug, the onus is on the dealership if they did the oil changes (and there is documentation proving they did it). On a stock car, serviced by Nissan, this is warranty covered 100%.

Yikes, do a lot of people have these issues? I am about to go get a 370z and now my enthusiasm is diminishing....

ok there are about 40,000 of these on the roads... seriously .... every car will come with its headaches especially when you buy a new one thats a new generation / new platform... so... give it time and like all other things, **** will get worked out... if you get too worked up over the little things (that your gonna encounter in every car anyway)... you will find that it gets in the way of enjoying your sports car...

Valid points! :). I guess I am paranoid of getting a lemon.

Soooo

you ****** up on your oil and now you are RAAAAAGING on the 370

I check my oil weekly for some reason.

occasionally my 370 makes some rattling sounds but it sounds more like the fan. but so far no problems. thing runs beautifully

Sometimes it's issues with people and not the Z. Go out and get your Z and enjoy the ride. Be sure to check your oil regularly between oil changes. The owner also has a responsibility for doing routine checks and not fluffing it off on the dealer when things go wrong.

I check my oil every time I wash my car (around once a week). It's only a dumb machine; it needs monitoring.

i **** up on my oil? How so? The car drinking 5 quarts of oil in 2000 daily driven miles is somehow my fault, especially after I took it to a nissan dealership and they failed to identify the problem? Seriously? Whether or not I caught it in time is a moot point. At that level of oil consumption the engine would likely be getting replaced anyway.

So what if I regret making the move to the 370? I had my 350z for over 5 years with no real issues and plenty of track time. I regret "upgrading" more than I ever could have imagined.

By the way, the dealer called me and said they are replacing a sprocket in the valvetrain. I asked if that's what caused the issue to begin with (knowing full well it's not), and he said "I don't know". I then asked if he honestly thought a sprocket was all that was damaged (there was smoke coming out of the oil filler).... to which he replied "we will inspect the engine for further damage upon replacing the sprocket. The engine threw a slew of codes and it has been traced back to this sprocket". I sighed. I told him I would work with him, but that I knew full well this miracle sprocket is a last ditch cost saving effort and a pipe dream.

He then goes on to say that assuming this magic sprocket cures a blown engine, they are going to do an oil consumption test to confirm what is already painfully obvious. I have a feeling I'm going to be sporting this rental for quite some time.

Damn man this sucks

Hmmm..Oil change interval is 3700 miles. How do you come up with 5 quarts in 2K?

Just a little update...

I got the car back with the sprocket replaced... everything seemed OK. They set me up for an oil consumption test and I brought the car back 1000 miles later. They didn't say how low it was, but that it was very low and that they would be ordering a new short block. They topped the oil off and will be calling me as soon as they get the engine.