MT Oil consumption failure
 

Just got off phone with Nissan engineer regarding questions I had regarding oil consumption and catalytic convertors. I had a short block replacement due to oil consumption.

His responses:
Oil consumption failure is greatest in manuel transmissions due to down shifts above 5,000 rpm creating negative vacuum*. Oil viscosity break down does not necessarily begin between 240*F - 260*F. So no need to worry, you are under warranty.

Catalytic convertors are not necessarily effected by six quarts of oil burnt over them. Maybe effected. Diagnosis: you are under warranty. No need for replacement. I pointed out my first smog check is at four years, one year after warranty. Silence followed by "you are under warranty."

Q. How does the car run now?
A. Just as well and well as when it burned one quart of oil every 500 miles. Only less smoke out the tail pipes.

* My car failed before 500 miles in all likelihood during break in, as I was down 3/4th quarts. Six quarts by 2,900.

I'm not sure what he means by that. He's implying that people with oil consumption issues downshift into high RPMs frequently? Or does doing a few high RPM downshifts then induce a persistent oil consumption thereafter?

Your warranty on the catalytic converters is not necessarily over at 3 years - by Federal law, a manufacturer's warranty is required for all new vehicles covering smog pollution reduction equipment for a minimum of 8 years or 80,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

Well what is the SRM for then? :confused:

i down shift my honda at near redline frequently and yet oil consumption is minimal.

on the z i downshift quite high but around 4-5k. my oil consumption is not measureable... im at 4k miles.

i too dont know wat the nissan engineer said.

did he start making up acronyms by any chance? :D

Who is Manuel? Were our transmissions made in Mexico?

no, only the designer was mexican. ;)

:bowrofl::roflpuke2:

:bowrofl:

Stop that..... This is a good info thread.

:icon18::bowrofl::roflpuke2:

Ok guys. Let's not be ethnic; else you guys get banned. :)

OP,

Does your rebuilt motor still burn oil? How much?

:wtf2:

I don't even know why I bothered clicking on this post.

My engine failed beore 6000 kM. They did the short block replacement. They said there was some problems in the early models, but the new block had a fix for it. Well I checked the oil and after 3000 Km it needed more. So I don't think there was a "fix". Interesting to see the "vacume" theory. In my case I doubt that happens very often.

cant finish Im at work
 

He's implying that people with oil consumption issues downshift into high RPMs frequently?

He said Nissans' observation is that people with MT down shift more than those who drive AT's. Higher revolutions and making the engine work harder wears out faster. (Yeah no kidding). So I asked him about the SRM and should I not use it during break in. Answer: The SRM helps with engine break in and smooth shifting.

I am not 100% sure he was actually a real engineer.

How much more is the question. OP was using 6qt every 2900 miles. That is the very definition of excessive. 1- 1.5qt every 3000 miles would not bother me in the least.

Aren't the Cats considered a Emission part? If so then the warranty is 8 years 80k.

Specified major emission control components
are covered for the first 8 years or 80,000 miles.

http://www.epa.gov/oms/consumer/warr95fs.txt

CARBs states have longer warranty, I don't think Texas is a CARB state

Yeah. Since CARB stands for California Air Resources Board :tiphat:

You are correct, thanks for the correction - used to be 3/50,000, but was increased to 8/80,000.

Here is the verbiage straight from the EPA notice that you posted:

There are three specified major emission control components,
covered for the first 8 years or 80,000 miles of vehicle use on 1995
and newer vehicles:

* Catalytic converters.

* The electronic emissions control unit or computer (ECU).

* The onboard emissions diagnostic device or computer (OBD).

I've fixed my post.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3..._batmanuel.jpg

--------------

OP, I think this is a case of an "engineer" talking out of his butt, making things seem more complicated, just to validate his existence. lol

Here are the gory details:

• Federal Emissions Warranty – Under the Federal Emissions Warranty, all emissions related parts are covered for 2 years or 24,000 miles*, with the catalytic converter, onboard emissions diagnostic device or computer (OBD), and engine control unit (the ECU or computer) covered for 8 years or 80,000 miles*. These Federal Emissions Warranty provisions cover light-duty vehicles up to 8500 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).

• California Emissions Warranty – Under the California Emissions Warranty, vehicles certified for sale in California, and those states (e.g., Vermont) that have adopted California Emissions Standards by law, have additional coverage beyond that required under Federal law. Under the California Emissions Warranty, all emissions related parts are covered for 3 years or 50,000 miles*, and a vehicle-specific list of more expensive emissions related parts is covered for 7 years or 70,000 miles*. In addition, the 8 year or 80,000 mile* coverage for the catalytic converter, onboard emissions diagnostic device, and engine control unit required by Federal law also applies. Also, some 2003 and later models, certified as California Partial Zero Emission Vehicles (PZEV), have 15 year or 150,000 mile* emissions warranties essentially covering any component that causes the Check Engine Light to illuminate. These California Emissions Warranty provisions cover vehicles up to 14,000 pounds GVWR.

*Whichever comes first

However, be aware that some manufacturers have voluntarily extended their emissions control warranties for certain models and certain parts to 14- or 15-years and 150,000 miles (whichever comes first).

OP, how did you break in your last two engines? When did you perform your oil changes and what oil did you use?

Seb

He took "break" too literally during break-in.

The first engine never needed an oil change as it got replaced at 2900 miles, though you could argue that adding six quarts of oil might count as an oil change. Break in was boring by the book with the 4,000 rpm limit that could have gotten to 4500 via SRM, operator mistake, or dealer test drive (higher still?).

New engine is still under break in, with no SRM mistakes only a couple momentary 4200 rpm operator errors. Thus far, no oil added either.

It is so very difficult to not drive the car all out, as I did for weeks. Then go back to break in.

Are you sure you spoke with a Nissan Engineer? If so, are you sure he knew anything about the VQ37 and wasn't an Engineer in the floor mat division?

:bowrofl::bowrofl:

first engine replaced at 2900 i'd call that a failure.

Op,
I feel your pain...:shakes head:
It's sad to hear that you are going through this mess and I hope everything works out with the new motor.

If I may ask, what year is your 370z?
-09?

Any 2010's with similar problems?

I think the Nissan TSB covering new short blocks for oil consumption includes 370Zs made through May of 2010.

Please tell me where I can find the TSB on oil consumption, my 09 is in the shop as we speak. It went into limp mode the other morning and the first thing I checked was the oil and it was 3 quarts low and I only have 2500 miles on it. I did mention this to the tech at Nissan and he also felt that it was excessive. I will find out more tomorrow.

Here you go.

http://www.the370z.com/370z-technica...level-low.html

I never went into limp mode, but 1.5 quarts in 1500 is the test. A little more perhaps during break in. I wish you luck, but it sounds excessive to me too.

Were you keeping your oil "Topped Off" ?