Everyone with oil temp issues

ZKindaGuy

This might be someting that we should all keep in the back of our mind to see if a pattern arises when using SYNTHS instead of Ester oil. We might find that if SYNTHS run the engine around the 240 range most of the time then this may have been the motivation behind Nissan recommending in their spec to use Ester oil. And if that is the case then:

1. Nissan definitely knew the oil issue existed.
2. Nissan recognized the issue to be significant enough to make the Ester oil use recommendation.
3. Nissan is covered in having provided a solution (the use of Ester oil) to the issue and thus mitigating any "negligence" issues that an owner might raise if their engine died as a direct root cause to the oil issue and they did not elect to use Ester oil as recommended by Nissan.
4. Nissan avoids a recall since they have provided a workable solution........
5. Nissan saves money by not having to do a recall.....and shifts the onus of paying for the solution to the customer....and Nissan makes money be recommending their own Ester oil as a solution.

Interesting....

wstar

We do have expensive brake options from various third parties I'm sure. They're much better than the stock ones, and most people don't need them unless they're on a track. Kinda like the oil cooling. The oil:water interface in the block is enough for most people on the streets, the cooler is the track upgrade. I agree that this isn't ideal (especially for the enthusiasts), which I've commented on before, but I can definitely see their financial angle on this. What percentage of 370Z owners do you think will ever even have (much less notice) a brief oil temp spike over 260? We're not the norm.

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ConchZ2

nicknick

Couple days ago I got an email from Nissan USA. I was told to share it with our forum members. Here it is:

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nissan USA
The 370Z has an engine protection system that reduces peak engine speeds when the oil temperature exceeds recommended levels in order to protect against possible engine damage. Aggressive driving of the 370Z on a race track at sustained high engine speeds can cause increases in oil temperature and may activate this engine protection system. To avoid activation of this engine protection system and these reduced peak engine speeds, Nissan recommends an oil cooler be fitted to the 370Z before driving it on a race track. A Nissan Motorsports accessory oil cooler kit is available for customer purchase through authorized Nissan dealerships for race track use. The part number is 21300-SS370.

An oil cooler is not necessary for normal operation of the vehicle on public roads. The addition of an oil cooler would have raised the price of the car and potentially moved it out of the reach of some customers. Value has been a core principle of the Z car since the original 240Z and we choose to uphold this core principle by not adding additional costs that are unnecessary for normal use. For those individuals who choose to drive their vehicle on a race track, the oil cooler is available as an aftersales item.

The oil cooler is a Nissan Motorsports item and as such is sold without warranty, express or implied, unless expressly prohibited by law in which case the warranty provided is the minimum required by law. The installation of the Nissan Motorsports oil cooler does not, by itself, “void” the vehicle warranty. However any damage caused by the installation or use of this part is expressly excluded under the terms of the Nissan New Vehicle Limited warranty.

WELL THIS THEN SHOULD PUT TO REST ALL THOSEPEOPLE WHO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH HIGH OIL TEMPS. I THINK NISSAN'S RESPONSE IS FAIR. IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM GO GET THE OIL COOLER, WHAT DO YOU EXPECT, YOU ALREADY HAVE A CAR THAT IS AT LEAST 95% OF THE PERFORMANCE OF A pORSCHE FOR LESS THAN HALF THE PRICE. gO SPEND YOUR BUCKS YOU TIGHT ASSES.

wstar

I'm not too worried about the Nissan Ester thing myself. They didn't start recommending it as a "workaround" for the G37's VQ37VHR until people complained of VVEL noises, and then they later released an ECU fix that supposedly quieted things down without the special oil. Our owners manual recommends Nissan Ester Oil (in the same way that they recommend Nissan's own variant of every fluid in the car: diff oil, coolant, power steering fluid, etc - most of which are obviously not necessary), but they also are clear in the service manual that any API SM-rated oil of the appropriate weight is fine.

To top it all off, most of the reports here from people going to dealerships for oil changes indicate that the dealerships have no clue about the Ester oil, and are all too happy to put in whatever their favorite random synthetic is.

If Nissan Ester were really necessary for this engine to function properly, they would've made a stronger case for it in the Service Manual, and made a note to all the dealerships about only using their special oil for oil changes on this car. Already thousands and thousands of random 370Z owners have had their first (and perhaps 2nd, 3rd) oil changes done by dealers without the special oil.

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mannyz

I completly agree, and now we are the one that have to pay the price of an accessory that should be installed from day one and if not they ripp you off with their new redesigned oil.

mannyz

Well I dont mind using any other cheaper oil, but now after my first Oil Change, the Temp stays at 240, while before it was always 220, and unless I have fun with the car thats when it jump to 240. The hotter the oil the worst for the engine cause it will lose the viscocity faster. Now Im worried, but I wont pay another 20 per qt. I need to find a way to get that oil cheaper.

I guess Ill save the money for my next oil change and try the Nissan Oil and if I see the difference I will call Nissan directly again.

ZKindaGuy

At 240 you ar still at the low-end of safe. See the second-half (SYNTHS) of my chart at:

limp mode temp.

mannyz

Yes but now it means that my minimum temp is 240 instead of 220. I took it to the track the same day and after 3 straight passes I was now reaching 260, which I know is still safe, but I dont like that needle crossing to the other side of the tach =D

I guess Ill get use to it for now

ZKindaGuy

260 as you are pointing out is really on that line you have to be careful about. If I were yo since you seem to have an interst in the track, I would go for the oil cooler. It will add at least 25% of an extended life to the engine. That's a pretty return on the dollars spent for it when you consider the fact you race.

mannyz

I guess Im gona save money for that, cause the last thing I want is a new melted engine lol. But at the same time Im gona call Nissan again, and maybe talk to the dealer. I understand Nissan want us to protect our investment by buying their Oil but then, bring down the price dammit

Wally

Careful complaining to Nissan I have done enough for all of us and they just don't really care. After you talk to them your vin will be flagged in there database. I am sure my name has a big red flag and will be screwed when a warranty claim comes about. But if you decide to continue keep us informed with your success.

By the way for those concerned I have not heard from consumer reports or the states attorney generals office with the complaints that I have filed against Nissan. I filed the claim for misrepresentation of product sold not for the oil temp issue as many have pointed out limp mode is not a huge issue when granny shifting which is Nissan's definition of normal driving conditions.

ZKindaGuy

I read some post on another Z board where a guy was only charged $59.95 for the Nissan Ester oil change. The next lowest price I read was $79.95 and then another for $99.99. After that the majority of folks were reporting
$120+ for teh oil change.

I haven't yet had to pay for mine as my first oil change was free. They put SYNTH in first despite my asking for their Ester oil. The service manager came into the waiting area and said his technician made a mistake. He had the technician drain the new SYNTH out and refill with teh Ester oil I asked for when I came in for service.

I thought it was interesting that the service manageer didn't try at all to persuade me that the SYNTH the tech wrongly put in was alright and sufficient. He actually was adamant about ordering the drain and refill with the Ester oil. I am interpreting this as a possible indication that the Ester oil is not as expensive as they make it out to be since he didn't seem to care about wasting the SYNTH.

It will be interesting to see what I get charged when I go in for my next oil change. May be awhile however before I find out since my car is a garage queen.

ZKindaGuy

What exactly is your "misrepresentation" point as the basis of the complaint?

alan93rsa

Having recently traded my 370Z for a Cayman S with PASM/Sport Chrono and PDK I wouldn't go as high as 95%. However, the Z is still a great value. I recently spent 3 days at Putnam Park with 4 runs/day and had zero issues. My 370 wouldn't make it past 6 laps at Mid-Ohio in cooler weather without oil issues.

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