370Z oil consumption

FricFrac

That's the same as saying that you shouldn't check the volt meter because the voltage isn't suppose to change. In real life we can tell if the charging system is working by periodically checking the voltage. Oil is the life blood of your engine and it needs to be monitored. It shouldn't change but you can prevent catastrophy by monitoring it. That's the whole idea.

If the car isn't suppose to be monitored you wouldn't have a friggin dip stick on the side of the block. It's simple maintainance and taking simple care of your car. My 240Z is almost 40 years old and it doesn't burn a drop of oil either but that doesn't mean you don't check the oil levels periodically.

AND we already know that the cars consume oil (as do MANY other modern engines) so it really is foolish knowing that they may/may not consume oil to not check them.

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'09 370Z - '93 300ZX Vert - '83 280ZX - '83 280ZXT -'81 280ZXT stroker - '72 240Z - Stillen CBE, HFC, G3, Grounding Kit, Sways // Swift Spring // H&R 15mm // 5% Tint // Clear Bra //

Mt Tam I am

Here is my rational why you should not check your oil while it is new. I did and found out at 485 miles I was down 3/4 qt, and again at 1048. Previously I had suspected, now I knew by 1500 miles I had an oil consumption problem. Had I let the engine burn up I would have a brand new built in Japan long block.
Even though dealership requested a long block due to oil starved heads that had been subjected to thermal oil viscosity break down i.e. above 260*F, I instead got a short block with my old heads placed back on top. It only took eleven days and 46.8 hours to do, since the tech had never done such a thing with a 370 before.

Let the car grind to a halt and get a proper replacement engine built by somebody who builds these things all day long for a living. I wished now I had.

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VCuomo

That is completely incorrect.

WarmAndSCSI

How so? I've built full race engines with huge clearances and they've maybe consumed a quart of oil in a 3000 mile interval. We're seeing factory-fresh engines here with tight emissions-and-paper-performance-oriented clearances consuming twice that. How is that acceptable?

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VCuomo

I wasn't commenting on how much oil consumption is acceptable - I was commenting on the statement that cars produced over the last 30 years are not supposed to consume any oil in between oil changes. Here's the poster's statement that I was replying to:

That statement is completely untrue. No manufacturer, nor anyone who knows anything about cars produced in the last 5 years (much less 30), will state as fact that cars are not supposed to consume oil between oil changes. Yes, manufacturing tolerances are much better these days than in yesteryear, but not good enough to completely eliminate oil consumption.

No offense, I don't know people's ages here, but I bet that in general it's the "older" crowd (which includes me) that thinks it's laughable that you don't need to check the oil level between oil changes and that it's the "younger" crowd who thinks otherwise (although I could certainly be wrong).

IDZRVIT

The older crowd accept reality. The younger crowd.................get over it!

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cab83_750

Tam

I understand your anger/frustration. I had the issue; based on my recollection, it was Nissan who said to replace the short block.

I have a good dealer. They were the ones who fought for an immediate whole engine replacement. The Manager's arguement to the Nissan rep: "If you personally bought a brand new $30,000+ car, would you settle for a short block?"

Totus44

I've got a good dealer too. I was the first logged case in SoCal, so they basically did the short block experiment on my Z. Following the manual break-in (<4000 rpm) for 1500 mi and then jumped on it forced the short block failure in a few days. That then triggered a full engine replacement which I understand is now the prescribed treatment since field techs have zero experience on the 37 engine. For my trouble and their learning curve, Nissan reimbursed me for every day of shop time, about 2 months of car payments.

I think it's unnecessary to get into p!ssing matches over check your oil/fluids. For many people, they buy a new car and they service their car with their dealer as per the manual. If you're constantly topping off and you don't keep good notes, when you bring it in for service you may not know there's a problem with your seals unless you are looking for it.

WarmAndSCSI

So your new short block failed? I'm guessing it was a bearing/rod big end failure. From some stupid tech getting grit or dirt in the block, or failing to COMPLETELY clean the cylinder heads before bolting them on a new engine. Your average mechanic is just an imbecile that shouldn't even consider touching the insides of an engine, that's just the cold hard truth. An engine needs to be assembled with surgical cleanliness, be it a pre-assembled short block, or from scratch. They probably built it right their in the garage bays without even putting up plastic sheets around the build area and on the ground.

I'm glad you're getting a whole engine now; I really hope they don't manage to screw that up as well.

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cab83_750

I thought I read somewhere that the 2010 engines aren't burning oil. Does anyone know the engine serial number range for the 2010?

My replacement engine is so far so good with acceptable, little consumption. I just want to check if the new one is a 2010.

katillidie

the bulletin states!!!
APPLIED VEHICLES: 2009-2010 370Z (Z34)

APPLIED ENGINE: VQ37HR ONLY

APPLIED VIN/DATE
vehicles built before: JN1AZ4FH(*)AM303670 / 05-APR-2010
JN1AZ4EH(*)AM503778 / 05-APR-2010

YOUR WELCOME!

cab83_750

OK. I am prety thick here. I read my manual and found where the serial number should be. Well, I do not think you can read the serial number of the engine without binoculars (one would need need to lift the car and use mirrrors).

Lifting the hood, so far my replacement engine (on my 09 car) has a serial number of ???6757A. I could not make the first few characters.

katillidie

here ya go, i will get the bulletin number tomorrow and reply

Z74Z09

Not that this matters much, but Nissan has a history of excessive oil consumption even with the V-8's. I bought a new 2002 Infiniti Q45 and it sucked oil like crazy. Seems it turned out to be a common complaint. They finally replaced the engine at 28,000 miles and there was considerable improvement. But as mentioned by others, that is not a real great experience either...it took several trips to get everything sorted out. Fortunately, my 370Z does not seem to have a major oil issue. I've got the fingers crossed.

FERRARI

You know...tho......as long as there are no other serious problems associated with the excessive oil consumption.........I am not going to worry about it.........Just keep the oil level topped off.......an so what........it dosent really cost that much to buy oil.....