New Car and Driver review of the 370z... oil temp fail!

cossie1600 · 09-09-2011, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red6spd

These people dont realize what normal is. I was running 220-240 all the time, I was happy and did not understand what everyone was crying about??? I did the oil cooler because I knew I would be doing some mods and putting her on a track, not because of oil temp issues.

i understand the car is relatively new, but do you guys read a lot of engine failures related to oil breaking down. there are some guys with oil consumption, but they all seem to have the problem since new.

KaienZ34 · 09-09-2011, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KaienZ34

DIY fix for 370z oil temp problem.

1st: Find some electical tape (preferably black).
2nd: Place a small strip of tape on the oil temp gauge.
3rd: Just drive and injoy, if your not tracking the car you won't have any oil temp problems.

Since early 09 when i got the Z i have not even hit 220 much less the 280+ needed for limp mode.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cossie1600

the lack of oil cooler on the z doesnt help. at the same time, a simple solution would be some electrical tape to cover up the gauge. if you are not hitting limp mode, is it truly a problem or is it mainly in your head?

Red__Zed · 09-09-2011, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cossie1600

i understand the car is relatively new, but do you guys read a lot of engine failures related to oil breaking down. there are some guys with oil consumption, but they all seem to have the problem since new.

A lot of the UOA's show up really crappy from people running ester...it breaks down above 240 or so, which is ironic.

Mine have been fine on gc though.

FromG2Z · 09-09-2011, 12:52 PM

Yeah mine ran 220 commonly, in stop and go traffic, not even spirited. This was on Mobil 1 (crap). I switched to Amsoil last couple of weeks, and not only does it seem smoother (qualitative) but my oil temps have been slightly under 220 at most (quantitative).

Either scenario, though it ran above 220 before, it was never an issue... whoever posted about it "being in someone's head" has a very good point. So what if it runs 225ish? or 230ish? (esp with folks not tracking it)

cossie1600 · 09-09-2011, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red__Zed

A lot of the UOA's show up really crappy from people running ester...it breaks down above 240 or so, which is ironic.

Mine have been fine on gc though.

That's why I run synthetic from the first oil change forward. Breakdown doesnt really occur on synthetic until 280+ anyway. On another hand, I can use more electrical tape to tape up the gauge even more.

onzedge · 09-09-2011, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red__Zed

A lot of the UOA's show up really crappy from people running ester...it breaks down above 240 or so, which is ironic.

Mine have been fine on gc though.

I got by far the WORST UOA results with Nissan Ester junk/crap/garbage. I used it on my first two oil changes (I change my oil every 3,000 miles). Its viscosity dos not hold up over time.

Red__Zed · 09-09-2011, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cossie1600

That's why I run synthetic from the first oil change forward. Breakdown doesnt really occur on synthetic until 280+ anyway. On another hand, I can use more electrical tape to tape up the gauge even more.

I mean, it depends on what you're running. My uoa's have looked awesome even with 280 degree temps. But a lot of g37 guys have had oil breakdown issues on some synths even at 240.

While the oil issue is often overblown, it's worth paying attention to what you put in, and getting UOA's done regularly on a car like this.

cossie1600 · 09-09-2011, 01:46 PM

Agree. Still, for most people I don't think there is anything to worry about. A simple electrical tape would take your mind off of it and you won't think twice about it.

Red__Zed · 09-09-2011, 01:51 PM

Education is better than ignorance. Taping over it is pointless. It's better to understand what your car is doing and why. And it will help you interpret UOA results.

shadoquad · 09-09-2011, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red__Zed

Education is better than ignorance. Taping over it is pointless. It's better to understand what your car is doing and why. And it will help you interpret UOA results.

I once had a UOA on my inner thigh. The doctor drained it, so I've felt a lot better since then.

This exemplar ignorance post brought to you by shadoherps. Still in demand, baby, yeah!

Cmike2780 · 09-09-2011, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red__Zed

Education is better than ignorance. Taping over it is pointless. It's better to understand what your car is doing and why. And it will help you interpret UOA results.

Red__Zed · 09-09-2011, 02:16 PM

I love the the kilo/mile one. I hope it's real.

ImportConvert · 09-09-2011, 05:05 PM

I'm still LOL'ing at you all. We got the Z06's up to about 270* thrashing 'em at Spring Mountain this week and it handled it just fine. 100* ambient temperature, hours on the track, the cars are run 12-14 thousand miles and then sold with a disclosure. They have NEVER had ONE SINGLE engine failure at Spring Mountain. They run 5-30 Mobil 1 just like what comes in the cars.

I HIGHLY doubt Nissan's engines are much more susceptible to breaking down at high temperature than GM's small-block V8 pushrod engines.

You all need to just get over it until you actually break something. I posted a thread a few weeks ago about it and this board was so butthurt about the concept that NOONE HAS EVER broken a 370Z engine because of oil temps that the thread was deleted as I don't see it anymore. Jesus. All most of you want to do is whine and that totally proved it. You are never going to listen to reason, logic, or look at the evidence. You just want to run your cockholsters about what you THINK is a problem. Just sell the car. Your whining even made it into Consumer Reports and now the 370Z has a nice big black circle for power-train reliability or cooling or some such, lol.

UNLESS you are hitting limp mode on the track and it is hampering your ability to enjoy the car, it is not ONE BIT of an issue except for what you are turning it into.

All that aside, does Nissan have an engine-oil life monitor? It won't steer you wrong if you stick with OEM oil and have a good air-filter that is PROPERLY sealed in the air-box (many oil-life monitors don't monitor contaminants, although I believe Mercedes does). If not, I would indeed suggest what others are saying with the UAO's and you might decide to change the oil earlier than otherwise if you do beat on it in the heat. That is just good common sense and PM for your tools.

Sorry for being a bit rough in this post, but this oil-temp thing, I have come to learn, is completely ridiculous unless it is holding you back on the track. Whining about 220* oil temps during daily driving? Really?

shadoquad · 09-09-2011, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImportConvert

I'm still LOL'ing at you all. We got the Z06's up to about 270* thrashing 'em at Spring Mountain this week and it handled it just fine. 100* ambient temperature, hours on the track, the cars are run 12-14 thousand miles and then sold with a disclosure. They have NEVER had ONE SINGLE engine failure at Spring Mountain. They run 5-30 Mobil 1 just like what comes in the cars.

I HIGHLY doubt Nissan's engines are much more susceptible to breaking down at high temperature than GM's small-block V8 pushrod engines.

You all need to just get over it until you actually break something. I posted a thread a few weeks ago about it and this board was so butthurt about the concept that NOONE HAS EVER broken a 370Z engine because of oil temps that the thread was deleted as I don't see it anymore. Jesus. All most of you want to do is whine and that totally proved it. You are never going to listen to reason, logic, or look at the evidence. You just want to run your cockholsters about what you THINK is a problem. Just sell the car. Your whining even made it into Consumer Reports and now the 370Z has a nice big black circle for power-train reliability or cooling or some such, lol.

UNLESS you are hitting limp mode on the track and it is hampering your ability to enjoy the car, it is not ONE BIT of an issue except for what you are turning it into.

All that aside, does Nissan have an engine-oil life monitor? It won't steer you wrong if you stick with OEM oil and have a good air-filter that is PROPERLY sealed in the air-box (many oil-life monitors don't monitor contaminants, although I believe Mercedes does). If not, I would indeed suggest what others are saying with the UAO's and you might decide to change the oil earlier than otherwise if you do beat on it in the heat. That is just good common sense and PM for your tools.

Sorry for being a bit rough in this post, but this oil-temp thing, I have come to learn, is completely ridiculous unless it is holding you back on the track. Whining about 220* oil temps during daily driving? Really?

I was seriously raging at this post until I got to the bottom part, which I've bolded. I agree, 220 ain't gonna hurt your engines, 370z owners. Limp mode doesn't even kick in until, what 260-270? Pro tip: if you're up around 250, as I've been before, shift to higher gears and stop killing it. Obviously, this bit of advice doesn't help you on a track, but if you're serious about tracking, get an oil cooler and brake ducts.

ChrisSlicks · 09-09-2011, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImportConvert

I'm still LOL'ing at you all. We got the Z06's up to about 270* thrashing 'em at Spring Mountain this week and it handled it just fine. 100* ambient temperature, hours on the track, the cars are run 12-14 thousand miles and then sold with a disclosure. They have NEVER had ONE SINGLE engine failure at Spring Mountain. They run 5-30 Mobil 1 just like what comes in the cars.

270 is not bad, but the Z06 has a dry sump with a ton of oil and an oil cooler. The stock C6 does not have an oil cooler, and will regularly see temps well beyond 300F on track. Push it really hard for 25 minutes and you can hit overheat limp mode (from water temp not oil), but at least it gets that far. I've seen several LS engines come apart from track abuse, most typical failure is spun rod bearings but I've seen catastrophic failures as well. Bottom line is if you track, make sure you have adequate cooling, that is if your car wasn't already track ready like the Z06 *cough* Nismo.

09-09-2011, 12:52 PM	#199 (permalink)
FromG2Z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Fields of Opportunities Posts: 1,406 Drives: '12 5.0, kona, 6MT Rep Power: 17	Yeah mine ran 220 commonly, in stop and go traffic, not even spirited. This was on Mobil 1 (crap). I switched to Amsoil last couple of weeks, and not only does it seem smoother (qualitative) but my oil temps have been slightly under 220 at most (quantitative). Either scenario, though it ran above 220 before, it was never an issue... whoever posted about it "being in someone's head" has a very good point. So what if it runs 225ish? or 230ish? (esp with folks not tracking it) __________________ 2012 5.0 GT Prem, Kona Blue, 6MT, HID, Brembo, 3.73 -- Ordered: 9/20/11, Born on: 10/20/11, Delivered 11/15/11"Marilyn" GT500 mufflers/flaps, MGW shifter, FRPP K springs, BMR panhard bar, Boss coil covers, 3DC spoiler, Llumar Tint (35% and 20%), 3M ClearBra

09-09-2011, 05:05 PM	#208 (permalink)
ImportConvert A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: SWMO Posts: 4,454 Drives: 2019 CX5 GT Reserve Rep Power: 7626	I'm still LOL'ing at you all. We got the Z06's up to about 270* thrashing 'em at Spring Mountain this week and it handled it just fine. 100* ambient temperature, hours on the track, the cars are run 12-14 thousand miles and then sold with a disclosure. They have NEVER had ONE SINGLE engine failure at Spring Mountain. They run 5-30 Mobil 1 just like what comes in the cars. I HIGHLY doubt Nissan's engines are much more susceptible to breaking down at high temperature than GM's small-block V8 pushrod engines. You all need to just get over it until you actually break something. I posted a thread a few weeks ago about it and this board was so butthurt about the concept that NOONE HAS EVER broken a 370Z engine because of oil temps that the thread was deleted as I don't see it anymore. Jesus. All most of you want to do is whine and that totally proved it. You are never going to listen to reason, logic, or look at the evidence. You just want to run your cockholsters about what you THINK is a problem. Just sell the car. Your whining even made it into Consumer Reports and now the 370Z has a nice big black circle for power-train reliability or cooling or some such, lol. UNLESS you are hitting limp mode on the track and it is hampering your ability to enjoy the car, it is not ONE BIT of an issue except for what you are turning it into. All that aside, does Nissan have an engine-oil life monitor? It won't steer you wrong if you stick with OEM oil and have a good air-filter that is PROPERLY sealed in the air-box (many oil-life monitors don't monitor contaminants, although I believe Mercedes does). If not, I would indeed suggest what others are saying with the UAO's and you might decide to change the oil earlier than otherwise if you do beat on it in the heat. That is just good common sense and PM for your tools. Sorry for being a bit rough in this post, but this oil-temp thing, I have come to learn, is completely ridiculous unless it is holding you back on the track. Whining about 220* oil temps during daily driving? Really? Last edited by ImportConvert; 09-09-2011 at 05:13 PM.

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09-09-2011, 01:46 PM	#203 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 29	Agree. Still, for most people I don't think there is anything to worry about. A simple electrical tape would take your mind off of it and you won't think twice about it.

09-09-2011, 01:51 PM	#204 (permalink)
Red__Zed A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: window seat Posts: 28,940 Drives: Mostly on two wheels Rep Power: 119	Education is better than ignorance. Taping over it is pointless. It's better to understand what your car is doing and why. And it will help you interpret UOA results.

09-09-2011, 02:16 PM	#207 (permalink)
Red__Zed A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: window seat Posts: 28,940 Drives: Mostly on two wheels Rep Power: 119	I love the the kilo/mile one. I hope it's real.