Low oil - engine damage?

yakz

Currently between 3000 mile service interval / oil change, and I decided to check my oil level yesterday after reading another thread about some guy's engine seizing up. The oil level was low.. it still registered on the stick, but it was barely at the bottom L hole if even that much.

After adding very nearly 2 quarts of oil, it's now almost exactly halfway between the dots for L and H. So my question is, would being that low on oil have caused engine damage for sure? I've always had my service done at a GT-R certified dealer, and they've never mentioned noticing low oil (not sure if they would, though).

Car seems to run fine. I thought I might have noticed a little more harshness than usual up around 7000RPM, but I rarely get it going that hard and it could just be my imagination.

Should I ask them about the oil consumption TSB at my next service? If they determine that it is burning oil, what will they do?

Has about 19k miles on it, if that makes any difference

Prosport Gauges

most likely replace the entire motor. are you checking it at exactly 3k miles?

Deff shouldnt be 2 Qts low at 3k miles.

yakz

I'm around ~2800/3000. The last time I went I neglected to tell them to use full synthetic and the invoice said they used "BULK OIL", but everything I've read says conventional oil is fine so I thought I would just wait until this service to get it back on synthetic. Any chance that has something to do with it?

Prosport Gauges

no not really even with synthetic motor oil you shouldnt be burning two qts at 2800. Unless your street racing every night till 2 am!

Deadman

I still have yet to do my first oil change car has 3200 miles on it... I just checked oil and it looks relatively clean and is in the middle of the L and H on the dipstick. Needless to say it has not burned any oil that i can see...

I'm doing the first oil change this week and putting in Mobil 1 5w-30 extended life (15k miles) fully synthetic!

yakz

haha well hopefully I will get a brand new engine under warranty and then I'll have the same experience.

Prosport Gauges

I just checked my oil and im at 2600 and im in between high and low, more on the high side

i have 25k miles on my z btw

vividracing

Did you check the oil on level ground, with the engine cold? Also, always pull the dip stick out, wipe it clean, re-insert, and check.

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dad

I believe the engine is suppose to be at operating temperature when checking the oil!

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We can do without any article of luxury we have never had; but once obtained, it is not in human nature to surrender it voluntary.

moto_italia

From the owner's manual:

CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and apply the parking brake.
2. Run the engine until it reaches operating temperature.
3. Turn off the engine. Wait more than 15 minutes for the oil to drain back into the oil pan.
4. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean. Reinsert it all the way.
5. Remove the dipstick again and check the oil level. It should be within the range*1 . If the oil level is below*2 , remove the oil filler cap and pour recommended oil through the opening. Do not overfill*3 .
6. Recheck oil level with the dipstick.
It is normal to add some oil between oil maintenance intervals or during the breakin period, depending on the severity of operating conditions.

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Kevin