Oil Overheat IMPORTANT UPDATE

azn370z · 05-12-2009, 06:32 PM

Correct me if I'm wrong but the z doesn't go into limp mode when driven on a hot day. The z does however go into limp mode when driven on a race track. I don't see nissan doing anything for us if it only over heats on the track.

spearfish25 · 05-12-2009, 06:54 PM

I agree this is very exciting...we have Nissan's ear now.

The only thing that will hold up progress here is waiting for a 75F or hotter day in Chicago so I can do the test drive. IMO, the worst thing that could happen to us is that I get him in the car with his onboard diagnostics setup and I don't get the Z to overheat. So, he knows that I'll call him when the weather warms up a bit more and then he's onboard for the test drive. Just please be a bit patient so we can ensure a good showing of my car turning into a blazing inferno. If the temp is 80F or better, I can certainly make the gauge hit 260 on the streets.

When I spoke to him on the phone, I brought up the extensive overheat issues noted on this forum. He really wasn't interested in the details and wants tangible hard evidence...he asked that we focus on my car and redemonstrating the issue while he has his computer hooked up.

However, I absolutely DO think it's worth while to print some of the threads and articles that demonstrate an oil cooler solves the problem. Also, please continue to post any ideas or suggestions you have as it seems I've become the ambassador of our oil problems. More news to follow as soon as I have it...

Quote:

Originally Posted by shabarivas

we should start a list of all the ppl who have seen this issue in their cars and their ID so the nissan folks can ask us questions if they need more proof...

If you'd like to email me your name, email, telephone...I can bring him a list so he can contact you if he needs more info or proof.

7sudden · 05-12-2009, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

The only thing that will hold up progress here is waiting for a 75F or hotter day in Chicago so I can do the test drive. IMO, the worst thing that could happen to us is that I get him in the car with his onboard diagnostics setup and I don't get the Z to overheat.

I would be happy to provide my contact info if he could hook me up with an engineer here in Phoenix. It would be easy to demonstrate, as we're already seeing 100+ degree days.

I can replicate in a matter of a few minutes.

AARC51 · 05-12-2009, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7sudden

I would be happy to provide my contact info if he could hook me up with an engineer here in Phoenix. It would be easy to demonstrate, as we're already seeing 100+ degree days.

I can replicate in a matter of a few minutes.

Same. We can provide some of the worst heat tests North America can produce.

spearfish25 · 05-13-2009, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7sudden

I would be happy to provide my contact info if he could hook me up with an engineer here in Phoenix. It would be easy to demonstrate, as we're already seeing 100+ degree days.

I can replicate in a matter of a few minutes.

7sudden and AARC51, go ahead and PM me your name, contact telephones and addresses. I'll call Bill and see if he has the info for his counterpart in the Southwest. That will surely expedite the demonstration, and perhaps you could demonstrate the issue during more 'normal' driving. With the 60-70F weather here in Chicago now, I'd have to drive like a maniac to make it happen and he may just wave it off saying I'm being excessive. I think less is more during the demo...take 30 minutes, drive it sporty but sanely and show him 260+. Then it's a done deal.

I'll wait for your info until I call him just in case he asks for it directly.

ricer333 · 05-13-2009, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

I agree this is very exciting...we have Nissan's ear now.

The only thing that will hold up progress here is waiting for a 75F or hotter day in Chicago so I can do the test drive. IMO, the worst thing that could happen to us is that I get him in the car with his onboard diagnostics setup and I don't get the Z to overheat. So, he knows that I'll call him when the weather warms up a bit more and then he's onboard for the test drive. Just please be a bit patient so we can ensure a good showing of my car turning into a blazing inferno. If the temp is 80F or better, I can certainly make the gauge hit 260 on the streets.

When I spoke to him on the phone, I brought up the extensive overheat issues noted on this forum. He really wasn't interested in the details and wants tangible hard evidence...he asked that we focus on my car and redemonstrating the issue while he has his computer hooked up.

However, I absolutely DO think it's worth while to print some of the threads and articles that demonstrate an oil cooler solves the problem. Also, please continue to post any ideas or suggestions you have as it seems I've become the ambassador of our oil problems. More news to follow as soon as I have it...

If you'd like to email me your name, email, telephone...I can bring him a list so he can contact you if he needs more info or proof.

Spearfish,
I am a software engineer and I had the same worry that you did. In this 'I need to replicate the problem before fixing' age that really could throw a wrench into the problem (no pun intended... or maybe it was?).

Anyways, I would suggest taking the car out yourself and documenting (via digital video) the heat of the day, the Date/Time, and the temp of the oil gauge at start up, 10 mins in... 20 mins in.. etc.

I have a digital camera with an 8GB HCSD card (high capacity secure digital). It can take up to an hour and a half of video constantly.

This would be great evidence to show him. If you were to take someone out or set up the camera to run continuously then there would be no denying that this is an issue.

TheWeatherman · 05-13-2009, 09:21 AM

My Midwest CS manager called me as well on Monday. I was also told that the Nissan Motorsports cooler is just about out. She said they'd like some of us to try it and monitor it with them to "have it available for future models." Don't worry. Nissan's on it. I've owned Nissans and Infinitis loyally for a lot of years. They will make sure we're happy. With my experiences, I know they are very, very serious about things like this. Cars are cars. Things can go wrong with any brand. Look at Bimmer with all of their TT V-6s. Same thing, and that's "German engineering." Yeah, would we have liked them to resolve this before the car was released? Of course. They're machines, and aren't always perfect. Think about a lot of other products we know that have problems and noone at the companies do a thing about flaws. (eg. bad refrigerators, washer/dryers, furnaces, computers, TV's, home problems... etc.) My CS person couldn't have been nicer, and is going to let owners know when this product is available. She said just a few weeks, and it will be here. The engineering department is now well-aware of the problem. Not all of the CS people know. Think about all the other people calling them b**ching about the door handles on their Sentras and Versas thinking they have serious issues. Be nice, and we all will get a long way. Have some faith in this company. They usually come though... And in my case, they do better than most companies on the market. This all is my perspective on the issue, and you can deal with it the way you'd want, so take it easy.

wstar · 05-13-2009, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheWeatherman

My Midwest CS manager called me as well on Monday. I was also told that the Nissan Motorsports cooler is just about out. She said they'd like some of us to try it and monitor it with them to "have it available for future models." Don't worry. Nissan's on it. I've owned Nissans and Infinitis loyally for a lot of years. They will make sure we're happy. With my experiences, I know they are very, very serious about things like this. Cars are cars. Things can go wrong with any brand. Look at Bimmer with all of their TT V-6s. Same thing, and that's "German engineering." Yeah, would we have liked them to resolve this before the car was released? Of course. They're machines, and aren't always perfect. Think about a lot of other products we know that have problems and noone at the companies do a thing about flaws. (eg. bad refrigerators, washer/dryers, furnaces, computers, TV's, home problems... etc.) My CS person couldn't have been nicer, and is going to let owners know when this product is available. She said just a few weeks, and it will be here. The engineering department is now well-aware of the problem. Not all of the CS people know. Think about all the other people calling them b**ching about the door handles on their Sentras and Versas thinking they have serious issues. Be nice, and we all will get a long way. Have some faith in this company. They usually come though... And in my case, they do better than most companies on the market. This all is my perspective on the issue, and you can deal with it the way you'd want, so take it easy.

Well, I agree that diplomacy is an important tool, especially now that we've got some engineering types looking at our cars in the field.

However: (a) I really wish they hadn't decided to do their test in the northern climates. It's the guys along the southern edge of the country that are going to see this problem the worst, and that's really where they should be looking. Also (b) 'just a few weeks' more? We're already on the verge of proper summer in the southern states. A few more weeks to release, a few more weeks after that for people to actually get them into their cars... they're running late, and people are going to hurt their cars in the hot weather in the meantime. We should have been at this stage back in February.

TheWeatherman · 05-13-2009, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wstar

Well, I agree that diplomacy is an important tool, especially now that we've got some engineering types looking at our cars in the field.

However: (a) I really wish they hadn't decided to do their test in the northern climates. It's the guys along the southern edge of the country that are going to see this problem the worst, and that's really where they should be looking. Also (b) 'just a few weeks' more? We're already on the verge of proper summer in the southern states. A few more weeks to release, a few more weeks after that for people to actually get them into their cars... they're running late, and people are going to hurt their cars in the hot weather in the meantime. We should have been at this stage back in February.

In know, February would've been the best time, but at least the fix will be here in a bit. You'll also have the cooler available for you in a few weeks. We're the actual testers because the engineers are wondering why they're getting so hot this far north. I think when it comes out for us getting logged by engineers, you will also have this product for your car. (IMO, you do have to be just a bit throttle-happy to get this to happen.) For those of you wondering if this is going to be a problem on long highway trips in the heat, don't cancel your plans. It sounds like some people are really getting freaked out by this. Buy this car, and you can get the Nissan Motorsports oil cooler. It's just about here. The company is positive of this, and are confident it will work perfectly.

shadyDR · 05-13-2009, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azn370z

Correct me if I'm wrong but the z doesn't go into limp mode when driven on a hot day. The z does however go into limp mode when driven on a race track. I don't see nissan doing anything for us if it only over heats on the track.

I'm in NY and the temps only get high in the summer. But it happens to be that I will be getting a car around august(hopefully the 370z). The car will never be tracked and I will get it in automatic. This would be my daily driver and would be driven aggressively on occasion. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Minicobra1 · 05-17-2009, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azn370z

Correct me if I'm wrong but the z doesn't go into limp mode when driven on a hot day. The z does however go into limp mode when driven on a race track. I don't see nissan doing anything for us if it only over heats on the track.

Drove to the top of MT. BALDY in Ca. yesterday, never once got the car over 5000 rpm. Outside temp was about 90 degrees at the bottom and 80 degrees at the top. It's about a 15 mile climb to the top. about 3 miles into the climb my car get to 265-275. Now, Im pretty sure the car didn't go into Limp Mode, but there is no question there was a lot of power loss due too the heat. More then a few times downshifting to second or first and coming around a corner the car was really hesitant. I would give it throttle and it almost felt like traction control had kicked in. There was a big delay until the power came on, and when it did it felt weak. Keep in mind that I did not rev above 5000 rpm, was just driving up the mountain like if my grandma was in the car. I had the Traction Control turned off as to make sure that wasn't effecting the car. I'm pretty certain that if I had drove more sporty (kind of what you should be able to do in a SPORTS CAR) it would have shut down. I had to pull over to let some girl in a VW Bug pass me, b/c I was afraid to push it LOL :-) Pretty lame for a $40K sports car.

Ok, so on a side note. I took the long way down. GMR (Glendora Mountain Ridge Road) about 24 miles. This time I did a few spirited driving sessions, but still nothing extreme. The car ran in the 230-250 temp range and I didn't notice any power loss :-) Then again I would get on it for a couple a minutes and then back off, etc. There wasn't a time where I would be on it hard for more then a few minutes as to let the car and my temp to go back down :-)

This is totally unrelated but I have to say that was one of the best drives (down the mountain) that I've had in a long time. 24 miles and I only past 1 car, 2 motorcycle and 2 cyclist, otherwise the road was pretty much deserted. This was Sunday afternoon about 4pm, probably the best time to go. The car stuck like glue once the tires heated up, the HOTCHKIS swaybars made a huge difference in control and feel. It was a great ride, I will have to try and get some other 370z drivers up there on a late Sunday afternoon. GMR meet

ct63084 · 05-17-2009, 06:20 PM

This is very unfortunate, I might have to hold up my purchase of a 370z as it gets to around 95-105 here in Fairfield CA. I was already convinced that this is the car i wanted most likely I won't be buying a 370z till nissan fix this issue.

05-12-2009, 06:32 PM	#1 (permalink)
azn370z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,722 Drives: z34 - R1 Rep Power: 490	Correct me if I'm wrong but the z doesn't go into limp mode when driven on a hot day. The z does however go into limp mode when driven on a race track. I don't see nissan doing anything for us if it only over heats on the track. __________________ 2010 k23 H&R sport springs / Spc rear camber arms / SSR SP1 / Berk cbe / Varis cf lip / Nismo S-Tune side skirts

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05-13-2009, 09:21 AM	#7 (permalink)
TheWeatherman Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 265 Drives: 2009 370Z 6MTw/Sport Rep Power: 17	My Midwest CS manager called me as well on Monday. I was also told that the Nissan Motorsports cooler is just about out. She said they'd like some of us to try it and monitor it with them to "have it available for future models." Don't worry. Nissan's on it. I've owned Nissans and Infinitis loyally for a lot of years. They will make sure we're happy. With my experiences, I know they are very, very serious about things like this. Cars are cars. Things can go wrong with any brand. Look at Bimmer with all of their TT V-6s. Same thing, and that's "German engineering." Yeah, would we have liked them to resolve this before the car was released? Of course. They're machines, and aren't always perfect. Think about a lot of other products we know that have problems and noone at the companies do a thing about flaws. (eg. bad refrigerators, washer/dryers, furnaces, computers, TV's, home problems... etc.) My CS person couldn't have been nicer, and is going to let owners know when this product is available. She said just a few weeks, and it will be here. The engineering department is now well-aware of the problem. Not all of the CS people know. Think about all the other people calling them b**ching about the door handles on their Sentras and Versas thinking they have serious issues. Be nice, and we all will get a long way. Have some faith in this company. They usually come though... And in my case, they do better than most companies on the market. This all is my perspective on the issue, and you can deal with it the way you'd want, so take it easy.

05-17-2009, 06:20 PM	#12 (permalink)
ct63084 Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: FAIRFIELD CA Posts: 219 Drives: 2004 MAZDA3 Rep Power: 17	This is very unfortunate, I might have to hold up my purchase of a 370z as it gets to around 95-105 here in Fairfield CA. I was already convinced that this is the car i wanted most likely I won't be buying a 370z till nissan fix this issue.