Oil Consumption PARANOIA?!?!?!?!?!

ImportConvert · 07-26-2011, 12:52 AM

How did you break the car in and seat the rings? What driving method did you use? This business about the car already being broken in when you get it, I have found to be total BS based on my experience with my Z06.

Tail-pipes were sooty as hell for 2-300 miles, and I didn't check the oil from the factory (should have

) but when I finally did at 585mi, it was 1/2 qt low. By then I had seated the rings properly, changed the oil, and in 2000 miles since it hasn't burned an amount that could be seen on the dip-stick and even after hundreds of miles the tail-pipes are not sooty.

My method:

Gentle around-town stop and go driving until I got to the freeway.

On the freeway: Cruised up to speed limit, put it in 4th gear, let it drop town to 20 under (with noone around) and then accelerate strongly, but without flooring it, to 20 over (I don't advocate this...). Let it coast back down.

Anyway, I did that a good bit over a few hundred miles, passing people, playing with it, etc. and after a while began using 3rd gear, etc.

The main thing is to load the rings through acceleration and deceleration in-gear without going much over about 4-4500rpm or so. This is plenty sufficient to seat the rings.

vivid2012 · 07-26-2011, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImportConvert

How did you break the car in and seat the rings? What driving method did you use? This business about the car already being broken in when you get it, I have found to be total BS based on my experience with my Z06.

Tail-pipes were sooty as hell for 2-300 miles, and I didn't check the oil from the factory (should have

) but when I finally did at 585mi, it was 1/2 qt low. By then I had seated the rings properly, changed the oil, and in 2000 miles since it hasn't burned an amount that could be seen on the dip-stick and even after hundreds of miles the tail-pipes are not sooty.

My method:

Gentle around-town stop and go driving until I got to the freeway.

On the freeway: Cruised up to speed limit, put it in 4th gear, let it drop town to 20 under (with noone around) and then accelerate strongly, but without flooring it, to 20 over (I don't advocate this...). Let it coast back down.

Anyway, I did that a good bit over a few hundred miles, passing people, playing with it, etc. and after a while began using 3rd gear, etc.

The main thing is to load the rings through acceleration and deceleration in-gear without going much over about 4-4500rpm or so. This is plenty sufficient to seat the rings.

Yup, that's might be the way to go.

FromG2Z · 07-26-2011, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImportConvert

Oil cools and contracts, collects in an oil-pan, etc.

I have adopted a method with my 'vette that is more strict than most because of the dry-sump.

I check the oil at EXACTLY the same temp/time after shut-off every time. If I do not, the variance can be huge. As in, a quart, easily.

With the regular cars I have owned, the difference was usually 1/4-1/2 quart or so.

I suggest checking the car 1 hour after shutting it off from running it with the oil at a certain temp.

Record temp and level.

Then next time you check it, make sure that you shut it off at roughly the same temp (+-5*) on a similarly ambient temp. day, and wait the same amount of time and check it.

Make sure you part in the same spot in the same orientation.

This should eliminate any variables attributed to anything but consumption/lack thereof.

*With a dry sump system, you are to wait 5-15 minutes, not an hour, but I presume your Z has an OEM oil system. I would wait 1 hour to let a decent amount of oil drain back into the pan.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImportConvert

How did you break the car in and seat the rings? What driving method did you use? This business about the car already being broken in when you get it, I have found to be total BS based on my experience with my Z06.

Tail-pipes were sooty as hell for 2-300 miles, and I didn't check the oil from the factory (should have

) but when I finally did at 585mi, it was 1/2 qt low. By then I had seated the rings properly, changed the oil, and in 2000 miles since it hasn't burned an amount that could be seen on the dip-stick and even after hundreds of miles the tail-pipes are not sooty.

My method:

Gentle around-town stop and go driving until I got to the freeway.

On the freeway: Cruised up to speed limit, put it in 4th gear, let it drop town to 20 under (with noone around) and then accelerate strongly, but without flooring it, to 20 over (I don't advocate this...). Let it coast back down.

Anyway, I did that a good bit over a few hundred miles, passing people, playing with it, etc. and after a while began using 3rd gear, etc.

The main thing is to load the rings through acceleration and deceleration in-gear without going much over about 4-4500rpm or so. This is plenty sufficient to seat the rings.

Thanks Import.

Yes, I will also record oil temps before I check the dipstick, and check it 30 mins to an hour after I park. And yes, I park the same way all the time, so no issue there.

As for the engine breaking-in period, I followed what the manual said, and tried not to rev about 4k rpm for the first 1200 miles. In fact, I set the rev limiter light at 4k rpm. Occasionally, it would jump to 5k rpm just because it's impossible to keep it under 4k ALL the time. I did that probably a handful. When I drove on the highways, I downshifted a lot, to pass, etc... so I let SRM do its magic. So the revs were varied throughout. Could I have done this MORE? yes... probably.... but I think for the most part, it was sufficient.

I also downshift when coming to a stop light/sign, so again, SRM does its magic. So I would *think* that my rings are seated pretty well, but since I only have 1800 miles, I'm sure there's still some "seating" going on in there. So I will continue to vary accel and decel / engine load as much as I can, and avoid using cruise control.

Any other suggestions?

ImportConvert · 07-26-2011, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FromG2Z

Thanks Import.

Yes, I will also record oil temps before I check the dipstick, and check it 30 mins to an hour after I park. And yes, I park the same way all the time, so no issue there.

As for the engine breaking-in period, I followed what the manual said, and tried not to rev about 4k rpm for the first 1200 miles. In fact, I set the rev limiter light at 4k rpm. Occasionally, it would jump to 5k rpm just because it's impossible to keep it under 4k ALL the time. I did that probably a handful. When I drove on the highways, I downshifted a lot, to pass, etc... so I let SRM do its magic. So the revs were varied throughout. Could I have done this MORE? yes... probably.... but I think for the most part, it was sufficient.

I also downshift when coming to a stop light/sign, so again, SRM does its magic. So I would *think* that my rings are seated pretty well, but since I only have 1800 miles, I'm sure there's still some "seating" going on in there. So I will continue to vary accel and decel / engine load as much as I can, and avoid using cruise control.

Any other suggestions?

Sounds like you did it right.

FWIW, the GM tech that took my car onto the rollers at Bowling Green got it up to 4400rpm, and he wasn't a weenie about getting it there, either. Got it up to 83mph, too, from what I recall (in my manual, some BS about 55mph=max for break-in).

You did all you can do to "do it right" it sounds like.

Don't forget though, perhaps even more than the engine, you are breaking in the axles, wheel-bearings, clutch surfaces, brake surfaces, rotor surfaces, flywheel surface, transmission internals, etc. This is all important, too. Whatever you do, do NOT "shock" the drive-line until it is worn in. My Z06's manual says "No HPDE's until 1500+ miles".

Good advice imo.

___________

If you determine that you are using too much oil for your taste, by all means, begin the process with Nissan.

FromG2Z · 07-26-2011, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImportConvert

Sounds like you did it right.

FWIW, the GM tech that took my car onto the rollers at Bowling Green got it up to 4400rpm, and he wasn't a weenie about getting it there, either. Got it up to 83mph, too, from what I recall (in my manual, some BS about 55mph=max for break-in).

You did all you can do to "do it right" it sounds like.

Don't forget though, perhaps even more than the engine, you are breaking in the axles, wheel-bearings, clutch surfaces, brake surfaces, rotor surfaces, flywheel surface, transmission internals, etc. This is all important, too. Whatever you do, do NOT "shock" the drive-line until it is worn in. My Z06's manual says "No HPDE's until 1500+ miles".

Good advice imo.

___________

If you determine that you are using too much oil for your taste, by all means, begin the process with Nissan.

I agree with all you said. I "hope" I don't have an OC problem... the master techs I spoke said that the OC problem is very very very rare. Most folks will go through some OC, but goes away... just need to monitor it. I hope I am not the statistical outlier....lol.

Mecinoid · 12-19-2011, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImportConvert

How did you break the car in and seat the rings? What driving method did you use? This business about the car already being broken in when you get it, I have found to be total BS based on my experience with my Z06.

Tail-pipes were sooty as hell for 2-300 miles, and I didn't check the oil from the factory (should have

) but when I finally did at 585mi, it was 1/2 qt low. By then I had seated the rings properly, changed the oil, and in 2000 miles since it hasn't burned an amount that could be seen on the dip-stick and even after hundreds of miles the tail-pipes are not sooty.

My method:

Gentle around-town stop and go driving until I got to the freeway.

On the freeway: Cruised up to speed limit, put it in 4th gear, let it drop town to 20 under (with noone around) and then accelerate strongly, but without flooring it, to 20 over (I don't advocate this...). Let it coast back down.

Anyway, I did that a good bit over a few hundred miles, passing people, playing with it, etc. and after a while began using 3rd gear, etc.

The main thing is to load the rings through acceleration and deceleration in-gear without going much over about 4-4500rpm or so. This is plenty sufficient to seat the rings.

In the Z it's recommended that we don't go over about 4K during break in for the first 1200 miles. If you varied your driving during the first 1200 miles your rings / break in should be just fine. You'll probably notice a quart or two of oil to be burned during break in. I noticed about 1/4-1/2 quart when I replaced the Ester Oil at 1800 miles. Waiting to get 5K on her now for some Am / Redline Oil / Mobil 1 stuff. My Maxima with 35VQHR went through the exact same process.. as did my 350Z and Pathfinder. All vehicles burned less than a 1/2 every 3000-4000 miles. I replace the oil at those mileage marks because it's cheap insurance and only takes about 15minutes to do at home. ;-)

With owning turbos and superchargers early on in life I realized that clean oil is the best thing you can do for your car and it's less than a tank of gas every 3000-5000 miles. You really can go 5000 miles on syn changes... even longer... But, I like doing oil changes because it gets me under the car to check out all the other stuff while I'm there waiting the the oil to drain.

KillerBee370 · 12-20-2011, 12:29 PM

Just dumped another quart of Mobil 1 into the bee...

Dwight Frye · 12-20-2011, 06:14 PM

I bought my '09 new. It consumed about 1.75 qts. between 5k OCI's for the first 10,000 miles. It seems to be settling down. I now have about 21,000 miles on it, last oil change was 5K miles on Redline 05W30 and used about 1.25 qts between changes. I keep a close eye on it and never let it drop more than 1/4 qt. below full. In fact I check the oil and the air pressure in the tires and inspect them for nails about every other weekend. Just an old habit that has served me well. I would hazard a guess that the VQ37 that burns less than a quart every 5,000 miles is the exception rather than the rule.

FromG2Z · 12-20-2011, 10:17 PM

Wow I didn't know my thread still has traction.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mt Tam I am

OP: As someone who has had his short block replaced, just drive it for awhile and if it needs a replacement Nissan will. I may have a second OC problem, as I am still using oil. It slows with time and mileage. I still have months to go on my warranty.

Thanks Mt Tam... yeah, good thing I don't have to worry about this potential issue anymore. I haven't had my Z now for a couple months. My 5 oh has 350 miles now, and so far, no consumption issues. Sorry to hear of others that have this issue... keep watching it and have it replaced if need be.

Quote:

Originally Posted by onzedge

Do not forget that the engine warranty is 60,000 miles (I think).

Hey onzedge!!! What's up??? Hey what happened to your HDR thread???

onzedge · 12-20-2011, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FromG2Z

Wow I didn't know my thread still has traction.

Thanks Mt Tam... yeah, good thing I don't have to worry about this potential issue anymore. I haven't had my Z now for a couple months. My 5 oh has 350 miles now, and so far, no consumption issues. Sorry to hear of others that have this issue... keep watching it and have it replaced if need be.

Hey onzedge!!! What's up??? Hey what happened to your HDR thread???

Hey, Mustang-boy!!!

How you been? My thread is alive -- here:

DSLR Shots and Discussions

FromG2Z · 12-21-2011, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onzedge

Hey, Mustang-boy!!!

How you been? My thread is alive -- here:

DSLR Shots and Discussions

thanks Onz... I updated it with some pics.

onzedge · 12-21-2011, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FromG2Z

thanks Onz... I updated it with some pics.

07-26-2011, 12:52 AM	#1 (permalink)
ImportConvert A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: SWMO Posts: 4,454 Drives: 2019 CX5 GT Reserve Rep Power: 7629	How did you break the car in and seat the rings? What driving method did you use? This business about the car already being broken in when you get it, I have found to be total BS based on my experience with my Z06. Tail-pipes were sooty as hell for 2-300 miles, and I didn't check the oil from the factory (should have ) but when I finally did at 585mi, it was 1/2 qt low. By then I had seated the rings properly, changed the oil, and in 2000 miles since it hasn't burned an amount that could be seen on the dip-stick and even after hundreds of miles the tail-pipes are not sooty. My method: Gentle around-town stop and go driving until I got to the freeway. On the freeway: Cruised up to speed limit, put it in 4th gear, let it drop town to 20 under (with noone around) and then accelerate strongly, but without flooring it, to 20 over (I don't advocate this...). Let it coast back down. Anyway, I did that a good bit over a few hundred miles, passing people, playing with it, etc. and after a while began using 3rd gear, etc. The main thing is to load the rings through acceleration and deceleration in-gear without going much over about 4-4500rpm or so. This is plenty sufficient to seat the rings. Last edited by ImportConvert; 07-26-2011 at 12:54 AM.

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KillerBee370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: So Cal baby! Age: 53 Posts: 5,964 Drives: with passion Rep Power: 323	Just dumped another quart of Mobil 1 into the bee...

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Dwight Frye Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Occupied California Posts: 423 Drives: '09 Tour/Sport/6MT Rep Power: 18	I bought my '09 new. It consumed about 1.75 qts. between 5k OCI's for the first 10,000 miles. It seems to be settling down. I now have about 21,000 miles on it, last oil change was 5K miles on Redline 05W30 and used about 1.25 qts between changes. I keep a close eye on it and never let it drop more than 1/4 qt. below full. In fact I check the oil and the air pressure in the tires and inspect them for nails about every other weekend. Just an old habit that has served me well. I would hazard a guess that the VQ37 that burns less than a quart every 5,000 miles is the exception rather than the rule.