370Z oil consumption

Lynchmawb

Well I got a call from the dealship today and I get a new motor.... The trick is I don't know when its on backorder....

semtex

Cool! Glad they're taking care of you. This is a positive sign.

__________________
"There are no small accidents on this circuit." -- Ayrton Senna
316.8whp & 248 ft/lbs (Dyno Dynamics) | 319whp & 256 ft/lbs (DynoJet) (04/23/10)
Stillen G3 CAI, CBE, Pulley / F.I. LTH / GTSpec Ladder Brace / Setrab Oil Cooler / UpRev-tuned by Forged Perf.

pushn2pull

Just arrived at 13k after 2 consumption test. New Engine will arrive in 2weeks.

zilent_jay

My engine was replaced at 17k... massive oil consumption. I didn't put the first 100-200 miles on the car originally, which are the most important, so I'm not sure how the initial break-in was done. (could have been test drove and beat to hell on a cold engine, and also could have been kept at steady RPM on a 100mile trip to the dealership by whoever delivered it). The new engine had 12 miles on it after the dealership was done with the swap... so I got to break the new engine in my way.

I've talked to several local people who know of others having the same issues though. This is definitely not isolated... and nobody is blowing anything out of proportion. Having your engine replaced because it's drinking oil like it's going out of style is NOT a fun thing to have happen on a brand new car.

All I know is if the new engine starts to develop an appetite for oil - I'll let it be the problem for someone else and find a new car. There would be no love lost.

antennahead

"and also could have been kept at steady RPM on a 100mile trip to the dealership by whoever delivered it"

I think this was the problem with my 2006 OC 350. The dealer had to find the car I wanted in another state, and they drove it 450 miles to my dealership........ most likely all at one RPM and highway speed. Who knows, there are so many theories about the cause of this. I wish you the best with the new engine, I've been there and it's no fun. My 370 had 28 miles on it when I took delivery, so I too was able to break it in. So far so good, but I only have 12,800 miles on it right now. Time will tell.

__________________
Time is a companion, who goes with us on the journey, and reminds us to cherish every moment............ because it will never come again

6SPD_FTW

The "normal and acceptable" oil useage I keep hearing is just nothing like I've ever experienced after 3 new vehicles.

First new car was a 2003 Corolla 1.8L 5-spd. Car used 1/2 quart every 5000 miles.

2007 Altima 3.5SE 6-spd. Car used 1 quart during the first 1000 miles and 1/2 quart per 5000 miles afterward.

The 2009 370Z 6-spd is exactly the same. With 19,000 miles on it, this car has used 1 quart during the first 1500 miles, and since then has used 1/2 quart every 5000 miles.

I've always used Castrol Syntec 0W-30 and per Blackstone used oil analysis, the Altima and Z have perfect wear trends. The Z and two previous cars are abused on a regular basis. Lots of redlining, etc. I am smart about it, though and the oil is ALWAYS changed at 5000 mile intervals. Never had a problem.

Strange thing is, I broke the Altima and Corolla in EXACTLY by the book. The Z I have driven like an ******* since I drove it off the lot.

Late,
Trav

toner123

My oil is right between the 2 holes in the dipstick. I put on a thousand miles since my last oil change so according to my owners manual it is good, although after i got my oil changed i don't know how high on the dip stick it was. So I guess I'll just watch it but I do't think its anything for me to worry about. Hell I hit my 3 month mark next month around this time so I wont get the full milage out of it. I have 7400 miles on my car i think if it was burning i would have known it by now. If anyone knows where on the dip stick the oils is around after a change let me know please.

TBSS2008

I have a little more then 25k on my Z and it definitely consumes oil. (I did do the proper engine break in suggested by the manual). I drive pretty aggressive, a lot of highway driving with a little city mix, and a few runs at the drag strip. I get my oil changes every 3500 miles with the ester oil at the dealership, on a Cold Engine Oil should be all the way up to the top hole. After 1500 miles of driving when I check my oil is half way between top and bottom hole (Cold Engine Oil Check). I will put in 1/2 quart at this point which for me is like once a month; yeah I drive at least 1500 miles a month.

Cold Engine (Oil Check): Oil should be all the way up to the top hole
Warm Engine (Oil Check): Oil should be at the half way between top and bottom hole.

I think 1qt every 3000 miles is way too much oil to consume but it's not grounds for a new engine. And the fact that it is consistently consuming 1qt every 3k and has not changed since I bought the car is I guess a good thing, not getting any worse but isn't getting any better either.

Oh well I love the car and have 5qts of Nissan Ester at the house to keep the oil levels in check.

__________________
2011 Black Corvette Grand Sport 6spd | NNP Daul Mode Exhaust
2008 Trail Blazer SS Black | SuperChips Tune
2009 370Z Black 7AT Touring Sport (TRADED)

toner123

Well personally I dont think it is the break in then thats causing it because I broke mine in exactly like the book said to. It has been about 1500 miles since I had my last oil change and the oil is at the halfway between the two dots. Also I have 7400 on the OD. I bought my car last march in 09. So to me sounds like this is normal but I am going to call my dealership and ask them if nissan put out a message about this and if he had any cars coming up there saying the same thing. This is going to be a long shot but is it possible that since our cars have such high oil temps that its breaking down the adatives in the oil and burning them. Like I said don't flame me on that was just wondering. I am also using the Ester oil from nissan just fyi.

Frank

TBSS2008

I sheepishly admit this is probably the first car I have ever watched for oil consumption. I have owned several cars in my life and could not tell you if any of those cars consumed oil, I just made sure I got the oil changed every 3-4k.

But after joining this forum I became more aware of oil consumption. Maybe it is the high oil temps I’m not sure. As long as it does not get any worse I can live with 1qt every 3k. I drive a lot and want this car to last 200k which would be about 8-9 yrs of ownership for me.

__________________
2011 Black Corvette Grand Sport 6spd | NNP Daul Mode Exhaust
2008 Trail Blazer SS Black | SuperChips Tune
2009 370Z Black 7AT Touring Sport (TRADED)

zilent_jay

Just when I thought I was in the clear after the engine swap... (1200 miles)

Driving home from work... I notice smoke coming from under the car. Since I was a mile from my house I came home to check it out. The underside of the engine is covered in oil, and this is what the engine bay looks like:












Lucky me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FricFrac

What is Nissan's measuring stick for excessive oil consumption? Is it X mm on the dip stick per 1000 miles,etc?

__________________
'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 //

Modshack

Unlike some manufacturers, it is not documented in writing.... Seems guys who have had a consumption test done and are burning MORE than a quart per Thousand are in line for new engines....

__________________

Steal my car! (SOLD)...Now Porsche Cayman S
Oil Cooler DIY: Here!

Rick_370Z

I just got my car back after having the longblock changed out. It was consuming about 1.5 qts every 1000 or so. It feels so much different now!! Just be patient with the dealerships and everything should work itself out.

zilent_jay

So it looks as if the OIL SPEWING issue was a result of a damaged part, probably in shipping/installation of the replacement longblock. I think he called it a intake valve timing solenoid... it sits right there on the front of the engine... they actually let me in the shop (thought that was an insurance liability, but I'm not complaining).... every time the guy revved the engine oil would shoot out.... directly onto the belt.... which in turn flung oil everywhere... even the inside of my tires are coated in oil along with the entire engine bay...

The guys at the service department have been really great in taking care of me.... not a single complaint there. But... that doesn't change the fact my car ONCE AGAIN.... is sitting at a ******* dealership with no part availability and no ETA while I'm making payments on a $35,000 PAPERWEIGHT.

Irritated.