Increased oil consumption at ~65K miles?

Misnomer

(I hope this same question hasn't come up recently; I did a search and found nothing, but it could be hidden in a thread with an unrelated topic)

I just spent $$$ having the oil gaskets replaced on my 2010 (my DD, but with only 66,000 miles). I am very, very lucky that I was able to get her fixed up before any engine damage occurred.

The guy at the shop (not dealership) told me that low oil levels are what led to the gaskets basically disintegrating, and that Zs start using more oil at around 65,000 miles. That last bit was news to me. I bought my car used in 2013, and for the past six years I haven't needed to check the oil between changes...or, at least, I thought I didn't. Now I will start checking it every 2,500 miles or so. The guy also recommended adding a cleaner called MOA at subsequent oil changes.

I'm probably a dumbass for never checking my dipstick between oil changes, but it is really a thing that our cars suddenly start using more oil at ~65K miles??

And what about MOA: worth the $25 each time?


(I had an RX-8 two cars ago, and am not thrilled about the idea/discovery of having another oil-eater...but, I ♥ my Z and will do what I can to keep her healthy for as long as possible.)

BettyZ

How long in between changes? I change every 3k miles. It wouldn't surprise me if the VQ consumes more with increased mileage; these b*tches are oil hungry to begin with.

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bunk

How low was your oil? All cars burn oil to an extent, some more than others, but if your oil was low enough to dry out your gaskets, then youve got some problems!
Whats your oil change intervals, what type of oil do you normally use? Do you have an aftermarket oil cooler? Are you sure you dont have a leak?

My intervals are every 2500 miles using Mobile1. I can probably extend it to 3k or 5k, but to me, an oil change is the cheapest thing to keep your car running fine. I also use K&N filter. Ive never used any oil additives on any of the cars I have ever owned. I think as long as you stick to regular maintenance, you should be fine. Check your oil level everytime you fill up at the pump, it takes just a minute or two.

Oh, to me, your mechanic sounds like hes upselling you.

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BettyZ

That mechanic sucks at upselling. The time to upsell is when the timing chain cover is off - "since we're in here, you could really use an upgraded oil pump, maybe some aftermarket cams..."

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bunk

Well, a 50 dollar oil change DID turn into whatever it costs to change the oil pan gasket... and planted the Additive in his ear for future revenue! lol

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BettyZ

Lol truth... but is OP talking ab the galley gaskets or the permatex sealing the pan?

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SouthArk370Z

First off, you need to check you oil more often than every 2500 miles. I recommend that you check at every fill-up or two. Engage the latch on the pump handle and pop the hood. That's with any vehicle, not just a Z.

If you are talking about the oil pan gasket, you probably got screwed. Gaskets that are under almost no pressure seldom fail. When the engine is running, oil gets sprayed around so that the gasket won't dry out (not that modern gaskets can dry out). And oil gets sloshed around when you accelerate and make turns.

If you are talking about the oil galley gasket, that another story. If you ran very low on oil, you may have damaged the engine.

If you use high-quality oil and filter (MANY threads on this site about which to use), no additives are needed.

Edit: You may want to run a Used Oil Analysis (UOA). That should tell you if you did any damage. Search is your friend.

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FPenvy

do i have the only Z that doesnt really eat oil?

just cracked 76k miles and i cant remember the last time if ever i had to add oil between changes. i think i put a dash in before zdayz for the higher/longer temps/run times and whatnot to be safe.

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Misnomer

Same here.

At the time I brought her in, the oil level was fine; I'd just had it changed less than 1,000 miles prior. I have no idea what the levels were like before then. I'd never had a mechanic express surprise at the oil level or anything.

5W30 synthetic.

Not installed. I've had the part sitting on a shelf for a few years, from back when I thought I might want to track her.

The oil galley. The shop even sent me a pic of some gasket remnants that were in the galley.

I'll ask my shop about running one at the next oil change; thanks!

FPenvy

i dont track mine and i run a 34 row oil cooler. i'll hit the drag strip and hit some runs in mexico typically. mostly its my daily in the summer to work.

hits 90s here in summer and if you sit in traffic it keeps the temps down.

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JARblue

I've got over 100K DD miles on my 2011. I used Mobil 1 5w30 almost exclusively with a 5K mile OCI (couple times let it go over 6K). Never noticed the dipstick level drop much and certainly never had to add oil. No oil system modifications.

Those oil galley gaskets have me worried and are definitely a priority to replace before I get her out on the track. I purchased an oil pressure gauge also. If you plan to keep the car, that is definitely a good thing to have done. But the answer to your question is no, you should not expect oil consumption issues based on mileage.

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DrBacon

I just went through a quart of oil in the last 1,000 miles

Quicksilvers

If you are using a good quality synthetic motor oil you will not need to use an additive in your motor oil and I would advise against using any motor oil additives. You should lessen your mileage on your oil change intervals and begin using a thicker weight motor oil. Although a bandaid and not fixing the oil consumption issue it will help the motor oil consumption issue slightly. Unless you are using the wrong weight motor oil you will never really know the root of your oil consumption issue unless you began a engine tear down. Having known several people how owned Mazda RX8’s they have a much worse motor oil burning/motor oil consumption issue than the Nissan 370Z ever did. You are fortunate that you replaced your oil galley gaskets when you did it more than likely would have costed you an engine. I don’t ever remember any of the Z’s I have ever owned to start consuming motor oil. You can start using Mobil 1 5W40 Euro I have seen that it will help slightly try it next oil change.

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Mr. Clean

vtec to vvel

I went from an ‘07 Z (traded at 81k miles) to an ‘09 Z (traded at 76k miles) and now a ‘13 Z (currently at 33k miles). Oil change intervals at 5k. Any oil consumption, if any, was very minimal and had to add oil here and there, even with the higher mileage previous models. I check my oil level once a week (my Z sits in the garage 6 days/week). Not normal for any car to burn so much oil suddenly.

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nis350

no oil consumption issue with 370z and g37s with M-1 5w-30 full synthetic.