Issues with my Z HELP!

Brian370

Also, the dealer is charging me 112.00 per hour of labor.

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2009 Pearl White 370Z Touring Sport MT-Stillen G3 CAI's-Stillen CBE-Stillen Oil Cooler-Motordyne M370 Intake Manifold-BC Racing Coilovers-Hotchkiss Swaybars-Duckbill Spoiler-CF vinyl Roof-Custom Painted Headlight Housings-Uprev Tune-CF fangs-CF License Plate area

vividracing

If the oil was completely drained from the car, and the lube "tech" didn't check the level before you left, it is possible that the oil was low. Not knowing that the oil cooler was there means the tech probably put the "standard" amount of oil in. With an oil cooler, you of course need more. Unless you have a big oil cooler though, 3 qts is a lot.

If they can't show proof of an oil leak, then it's their fault for not putting the correct amount of oil in when they changed it last.

With all this tomfoolery, I'd have the car taken to another dealership. They seem intent on blaming you for the issue so who knows what kind of stunts they'll pull to put this on you.

Good luck

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moto_italia

So basically what they're saying is that it's your fault for either:
1) Not telling us (the dealer) that since your car has an oil cooler, an oil change would require more oil than a stock 370Z.
or
2) Not keeping enough oil in the car over the past 3000 miles.

If your receipt from the oil change that the dealer performed 3000 miles ago shows they provided more quarts of oil than a stock 370Z would require due to the existence of your oil cooler, you may have a case to argue that the car is operating in a state of excessive oil consumption. They would need to do an oil consumption test (which I assume is what the tech is suggesting as far as the need to bring it back in 1,000 miles to test oil consumption).

You have nothing to lose to ask them to do the oil consumption test (in accordance with TSB #EM10-005) after the repair. If the test shows excessive oil consumption, they should be able to file the warranty claim at that time so you can be reimbursed for the repair bill.

Otherwise, I'm not sure how you are going to defend their assertion that the lack of oil is your fault.

Sorry for the bad experience - hope it turns out for the best.

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Kevin

ZCarMan

I would take it to another Nissan service department (not Sheehy) and have them look at it for a second opinion on what the cause is.

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Jon

jbenington86

I wouldn't go to Herb Gordon Nissan either.... so what good dealers are in MD that don't try and bend you over and rape you? I haven't found one yet....

ResIpsa

The simple answer to your problem is that your motor is (was) burning oil. This is a very common problem with these VQ engines. In fact, on my last G35 I was on my third motor. All of them burned more than a quart every 1000 miles.

Even my current 370Z burns about a quart every 1,000 miles.

The dealer knows this but is trying to play ignorant.

Check out my post I wrote on August 6, 2006 on G35 Driver Everyone: Check Your Oil! - G35Driver.

It is now has 1,621 replies and 161,179 views!

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The Reed Law Firm; Michael Fasano VA Attorney and Counselor at Law: A Virginia Traffic, Criminal, and Family Lawyer.https://reedlawva.com/

cheshirecat

I agree that most likely the OP is burning oil. However, I wouldn't say it's "very common". I had to replace my VQ in my 350z because of this, but it's still the exception, not the rule.

I don't know if it's break-in method or failing seals or what, but yeah- it does happen.

jbenington86

Well just doing some light scanning and I have seen several engine failures due to lack of oil and many others are burning more oil than any engine ever should. The exception has become more and more common the more I look into it.

ResIpsa

Call me cynical, but I have come to the conclusion that it is very common for these engines to burn oil. I base that on my personal experience with three separate VQ engines. All three of my G35 engines were replaced after dealer sanctioned oil consumption tests. And trust me, Infiniti fought me every step of the way.

However, at this point I consider it just part of owning one of these engines. Many older Porches’ were known to burn a quart every thousand. It was the responsibility of the owner to monitor the oil level.

I suppose I could force Nissan to replace my 370Z motor but I just don’t have the fight in me anymore. I just make sure to monitor my oil levels religiously.

Op, your problem is that you don’t have the ability to conduct the oil consumption tests. You will have quite a fight on your hands to get a free replacement.

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The Reed Law Firm; Michael Fasano VA Attorney and Counselor at Law: A Virginia Traffic, Criminal, and Family Lawyer.https://reedlawva.com/

Dustin@Z1

Agreed...there are several documented cases where engines that have been replaced due to oil consumption. If anything else, the oil cooler saved you engine just a few second LONGER since it increased the total oil volume.

I am attempting to get the NSB Code from my guy at Nissan now so you guys can reference it from now on. I tried looking for it myself and failed.

I have spoken with Nissan in the past regarding warranty claims and aftermarket parts. The easiest way I can summarize it is the following:

As long as you do not go into the engine's internals (pistons, valvetrain, cylinder head) or the internals of the drivetrain you will be covered. As mentioned above, they may also deny the claim if the aftermarket part is linked to the failure.

Just food for thought...I wonder what they would claim had it you installed a Nissan Motorsports Oil Cooler kit as opposed to the Stillen??

6MT

Hmm... not my experience. But there are a lot of nay-sayers on these forums who swear that the VQ is one of the worse burning oil engines ever made.

I've had my oil analyzed 3 times now. Everyone shows exceptional results as far as metals go (read: not burning oil). My engine is well past the break-in period (which again, a lot of people say is not required and silly). No oil burning issues with mine.

Now, I'm not sure the history on all these supposed oil burners. Maybe it's from some sort of issue with the engine (?) Maybe it's from people red-lining the engine right out of the box (?) Maybe it's poor maintenance (?)

I just don't get it. Oh well, maybe I'm just lucky....

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Andrew

2009 370Z Sport/Touring 6MT sold
2013 Honda Civic Si coupe D/D

Cmike2780

They are both basically Setrab units correct? Hard to believe having a different logo would make a difference, but then again it is a dealership we're talking about here.

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[09][MB][6-Spd MT][Touring][Stillen Gen III][K&N][Borla CBE][Evo-R]

11Thumper

May I ask why you didn't take it to this dealer? Perhaps not a Nissan dealer...just asking.

This is why I don't mod cars like I used to. Back in the day I had a supercharged Civic Si and needed a part (not related to the supercharger) replaced under warranty. It was crazy how I had to fight it because they blamed the supercharger for it. Sure, I won without too much of a fight but it was a PITA to deal with. I became friends with the Service Manager later on and he told me tons of "kids" were modding those cars and blowing crap up, then expecting the dealer to fix for free. I mod my motorcycles now and buy cars I'm content with off the dealer lot, then throw an extended warranty on there so I don't have to deal with it. I run high oil temps in the Z if I'm in the mountains and I don't have an oil cooler. If my junk blows I'll let Nissan deal with it...I even use OEM oil filters. Nothing (component related) for them to argue against.

Well, I got off topic...

It doesn't sound like you are trying to take advantage of Nissan here. It's unfortunate that they're denying the warranty repair and I suggest you fight it. Was there any other damage to the internals of the engine? Were they able to determine that the car had adequate oil pressure?

Best of luck to you...

Brian370

Hey guys, great news. Nissan HQ just called me and said that they have talked to the dealer in question. They are going to fix the car under warranty, then after it is fixed, they are going to run an oil consumption test, if it burns 1qt in 1000 miles, they are going to replace the entire engine.

Right after i called 1800NISSAN1, i got a prompt and good response the next day.

Needless to say, after all this is over, I will not be going back to this dealer.

Thanks for all your help everyone.

I really appreciate it.


Brian

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2009 Pearl White 370Z Touring Sport MT-Stillen G3 CAI's-Stillen CBE-Stillen Oil Cooler-Motordyne M370 Intake Manifold-BC Racing Coilovers-Hotchkiss Swaybars-Duckbill Spoiler-CF vinyl Roof-Custom Painted Headlight Housings-Uprev Tune-CF fangs-CF License Plate area

Cmike2780

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[09][MB][6-Spd MT][Touring][Stillen Gen III][K&N][Borla CBE][Evo-R]