Oil Consumption

Quicksilvers

Also had a 09 Z with 300K+ miles on the clock before it was traded in and really shows how dependable/reliable the VQ37HR engine is overall. After 100K miles it started using about 1-1 1/2 quarts of oil between oil changes intervals. I talked to a Nissan engineer about this and several master Nissan technicians about this oil consumption issue and apparently this is normal operating for the VQ37HR engine to use motor oil between oil change intervals after the engine break in period and you begin accumulating mileage on your Z. I was told between 09-11 years were mostly effected by the oil consumption issue. Some had the oil consumption issue and some did not. Also our cars are meant to be driven if the oil consumption issue is there driving your Z easy will not change the level of oil consumption changes in your engine will. If you are using 5W30 M1 that synthetic motor oil has adequate high temperature stability. Any quality API certified synthetic motor oil will work just fine. Don’t stress out about it and just check your oil level on your dip stick and change your oil on time 3K mile oil change intervals is fine. Oil temp of 220 is normal running operating temperature and that is not considered to be running hot. Definitely consider installing a oil cooler in your Z if you don’t already have one.

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Mr. Clean

mokhan996

Yeah I always use M1 5w30 Fully Synthetic. I plan to purchase the Z1 34 Row cooler kit. I'll continue to check on the oil every now and then. At first I thought the oil cooler seal was leaking but nope.. have 1500 miles left until another oil change and it'll be sitting for the winter.

nis350

were there any internal changes for the motor that effect the oil consumption after 2011?

Quicksilvers

Negative internally the engine was the same.

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Mr. Clean

vtec to vvel

I think the oil consumption issue is case by case and by car, as not all Z’s share this issue or any issues.

nis350

I think so also. Nissan has used this particular engine in different variations for a very long time and I imagine they have worked out most if not all the bugs.

Perhaps it was due to workmanship during the assembling process or other accessory components such as piston rings, valve seals etc.

MZ DAIZY

I believe the problem was a bad mill on the #3 cylinder.