370Z - Oil Consumption TSB

cab83_750 · 10-16-2010, 12:21 AM

2009-2010 370Z; ENGINE OIL LEVEL IS LOW!

Well, it looks like prior posts here at the370Z.com are correct about the Z's TSB. I, personally, have seen the Nissan Document. (BTW, I like how Nissan titled the document: "Engine Oil Level is Low." In my opinion, it should have the title "Excessive Oil Consumption.")

Please see:

TSB for oil consumption on the VQ37VHR.

At least, for now, it looks like the myth about "Nissan not blinking unless you use 1qt/1K miles" is a bust. Correct me if I am wrong, but between L-H marks is equal to one (1) quart (24mm).

Change your oil and fill to the H mark. Drive and log some miles. Measure oil level from the H mark and see chart below. Note that Oil Consumption test is done by the dealer. Obviously, you can do this yourself as a guideline.

Miles
1001-1500 >=10mm drop from H is a "no good engine"
1501-2000 >=13mm drop from H is a "no good engine"
2001-2500 >=16
2501-3000 >=19
3001-3500 >=22

Hopefully, this is not a re-post, and good news for some members waiting for the info.
cheers!

Mt Tam I am · 10-16-2010, 04:03 AM

This applied to me sadly.

tru_Asiatik · 10-17-2010, 11:05 AM

without reading much to it does any1 know if the oil light comes on at all when the oil is running low???
reason i ask is im not sure if my car falls under this tsb
i check the oil stick and sometimes i cant tell if its ok or not
i have not got a oil light yet tho
just wondering

cosmicdust73 · 08-27-2012, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tru_Asiatik

without reading much to it does any1 know if the oil light comes on at all when the oil is running low???
reason i ask is im not sure if my car falls under this tsb
i check the oil stick and sometimes i cant tell if its ok or not
i have not got a oil light yet tho
just wondering

In the case of my 2009 370z Touring, the low oil light did not come on. I found out the hard way with a damaged sprocket and engine misfires. Fast forward 1 and a half months and the car is still in the shop undergoing multiple engine rebuilds (i.e. new short block) and the service department has been unable to get the engine running like new. After the first rebuild the engine ate itself and set off 2 additional sprocket codes... meaning more damage. Luckily I'm trading it in and Nissan can fix the car on their own time.

m4a1mustang · 10-17-2010, 11:17 AM

Oil light has been hit or miss but usually if it comes on it's too late.

You should let the car cool for ~10 mins or so on a level surface before checking your oil level.

PapoZalsa · 10-17-2010, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mt Tam I am

This applied to me sadly.

I guess it applies to me too, however I'm always checking my car oil level.

Plus I told the dealer the last time about it and they recorded on the car records (Oil Consumption Problem).

ZEDHEAD · 03-13-2012, 10:51 AM

I want to revive this thread to help all the unsuspecting '09-June'10 used 370z owners out there cruising the forum while waiting to buy their car. Apparently, there was a modification to the engine in June '10 to help prevent the oil consumption issue. Please, as many of us have learned...the easy way or the hard way(long block replacement=no car for possibly 3months) check your oil every time you fill your tank. This will allow you to enjoy your car for years to come.

cosmicdust73 · 08-27-2012, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZEDHEAD

I want to revive this thread to help all the unsuspecting '09-June'10 used 370z owners out there cruising the forum while waiting to buy their car. Apparently, there was a modification to the engine in June '10 to help prevent the oil consumption issue. Please, as many of us have learned...the easy way or the hard way(long block replacement=no car for possibly 3months) check your oil every time you fill your tank. This will allow you to enjoy your car for years to come.

I'll be getting a 2013 soon as I got fed up with my 2009 oil consumption issues and I was thinking of trading mine in anyways. My question is... how exactly does checking your oil every time you fill your tank necessarily protect you from this problem? You either get the problem or you don't, correct? Meaning... if you have it, you are going to face major engine work and weeks if not months without your Z. I'm only asking because I want to do the right thing with my new car.

Montez · 08-28-2012, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosmicdust73

My question is... how exactly does checking your oil every time you fill your tank necessarily protect you from this problem? You either get the problem or you don't, correct? Meaning... if you have it, you are going to face major engine work and weeks if not months without your Z. I'm only asking because I want to do the right thing with my new car.

Well in this case if its low you could add oil instead of driving around and totally destroy your motor from oil starvation.......but I see what you are saying. The VQ since the inception of the 3.5 has had hit and miss oil consumption problems......Z's, Maxi's, the 3.0 VQ's were a gem. etc.

TypeOne · 08-28-2012, 10:25 AM

I have an 09... and haven't had any issues with it except the hatch springs.

ZEDHEAD · 08-29-2012, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosmicdust73

I'll be getting a 2013 soon as I got fed up with my 2009 oil consumption issues and I was thinking of trading mine in anyways. My question is... how exactly does checking your oil every time you fill your tank necessarily protect you from this problem? You either get the problem or you don't, correct? Meaning... if you have it, you are going to face major engine work and weeks if not months without your Z. I'm only asking because I want to do the right thing with my new car.

This was meant to be a heads up to any unsuspecting person who buys a 2009, nothing more. Checking your oil doesn't necessarily protect you from the problem but it may prevent many future headaches. As you wrote...it could be MONTHS without your Z if it requires a long block replacement.

kenchan · 03-13-2012, 10:54 AM

i still recommend checking oil level when the engine is cold.

Nick911sc · 03-13-2012, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cab83_750

2009-2010 370Z; ENGINE OIL LEVEL IS LOW!

Well, it looks like prior posts here at the370Z.com are correct about the Z's TSB. I, personally, have seen the Nissan Document. (BTW, I like how Nissan titled the document: "Engine Oil Level is Low." In my opinion, it should have the title "Excessive Oil Consumption.")

Please see:

TSB for oil consumption on the VQ37VHR.

At least, for now, it looks like the myth about "Nissan not blinking unless you use 1qt/1K miles" is a bust. Correct me if I am wrong, but between L-H marks is equal to one (1) quart (24mm).

Change your oil and fill to the H mark. Drive and log some miles. Measure oil level from the H mark and see chart below. Note that Oil Consumption test is done by the dealer. Obviously, you can do this yourself as a guideline.

Miles
1001-1500 >=10mm drop from H is a "no good engine"
1501-2000 >=13mm drop from H is a "no good engine"
2001-2500 >=16
2501-3000 >=19
3001-3500 >=22

Hopefully, this is not a re-post, and good news for some members waiting for the info.
cheers!

Edited because I accidentally went full retard

onzedge · 03-13-2012, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick911sc

I'm sorry, I just want to bold this because isn't filling to the H mark TOO MUCH OIL? I believe on our dipstick being in the middle of the L and H is the proper amount of oil. Filling to the H would cause SERIOUS problems?!

Nick,

How do you figure?

kenchan · 03-13-2012, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onzedge

Nick,

How do you figure?

he likes things in the middle.

10-16-2010, 12:21 AM	#1 (permalink)
cab83_750 Track Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: CA Posts: 887 Drives: 09 NISSAN 370Z Rep Power: 418	370Z - Oil Consumption TSB 2009-2010 370Z; ENGINE OIL LEVEL IS LOW! Well, it looks like prior posts here at the370Z.com are correct about the Z's TSB. I, personally, have seen the Nissan Document. (BTW, I like how Nissan titled the document: "Engine Oil Level is Low." In my opinion, it should have the title "Excessive Oil Consumption.") Please see: TSB for oil consumption on the VQ37VHR. At least, for now, it looks like *the myth about "Nissan not blinking unless you use 1qt/1K miles" is a bust.* Correct me if I am wrong, but between L-H marks is equal to one (1) quart (24mm). Change your oil and fill to the H mark. Drive and log some miles. Measure oil level from the H mark and see chart below. Note that Oil Consumption test is done by the dealer. Obviously, you can do this yourself as a guideline. Miles 1001-1500 >=10mm drop from H is a "no good engine" 1501-2000 >=13mm drop from H is a "no good engine" 2001-2500 >=16 2501-3000 >=19 3001-3500 >=22 Hopefully, this is not a re-post, and good news for some members waiting for the info. cheers! Last edited by cab83_750; 10-18-2010 at 09:22 AM.

10-16-2010, 04:03 AM	#2 (permalink)
Mt Tam I am A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: California Posts: 10,709 Drives: 370Z T/S/N 6MT & XKE Rep Power: 3843	This applied to me sadly. __________________ "Does the carpet match the drapes? NO!!! I don't date bald women." Nissan Motorsports 34R Oil Cooler. Stillen CBE. Hotchkis Sport Sway Bars. KW Variant 3 Coilover System. Stillen Gen3 CAI. Michelin Pilot Super Sport. Stillen Brake Ducts. Carbotech™ XP10/XP8 Pads. Z1 Front Rotors. Z1 Stainless Brake Lines. Two degrees of camber

10-17-2010, 11:05 AM	#3 (permalink)
tru_Asiatik Track Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: so cal Posts: 793 Drives: 2009 370Z 6MT Rep Power: 271	without reading much to it does any1 know if the oil light comes on at all when the oil is running low??? reason i ask is im not sure if my car falls under this tsb i check the oil stick and sometimes i cant tell if its ok or not i have not got a oil light yet tho just wondering __________________ Stillen G3 CAIStillen CBEBerk's HFCEibach ProkitHotchkis Swaysichiba 15/20mm spacers? Oil coolerStillen PulleyStillen Headers

10-17-2010, 11:17 AM	#5 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6963	Oil light has been hit or miss but usually if it comes on it's too late. You should let the car cool for ~10 mins or so on a level surface before checking your oil level. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

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03-13-2012, 10:51 AM	#7 (permalink)
ZEDHEAD Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 56 Drives: 09 370Z M6 Rep Power: 17	I want to revive this thread to help all the unsuspecting '09-June'10 used 370z owners out there cruising the forum while waiting to buy their car. Apparently, there was a modification to the engine in June '10 to help prevent the oil consumption issue. Please, as many of us have learned...the easy way or the hard way(long block replacement=no car for possibly 3months) check your oil every time you fill your tank. This will allow you to enjoy your car for years to come.

08-28-2012, 10:25 AM	#10 (permalink)
TypeOne A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 2,682 Drives: BSM 370 Rep Power: 1851	I have an 09... and haven't had any issues with it except the hatch springs.

03-13-2012, 10:54 AM	#12 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	i still recommend checking oil level when the engine is cold.