Ester/Dino/Synthetic Oil - Your usage.

travisjb · 05-28-2009, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wstar

Well I can't speak for travis, but I imagine he's going 15W50 because it's not a daily driver, and sees hard track use when it is driven. The 15W50 won't be quite as ideal on cold start as say 5W30 or other lighter weights, but it's going to stand up to high-temp abuse better. The whole cold start protection thing matters more to us daily drivers since we do a lot more starts-per-mile, so to speak.

You nailed it... I'm in Arizona, cold starts are rare... This is 90% track car... Once oil is up to temperature, my understanding is that even 15w50 acts 'thin'... also despite the viscosity, it is rated at 0% shear loss... Finally, I'm relying in part on the recommendation of other racers in AZ

ZforMe · 05-28-2009, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisSlicks

I had to add about 1/2 a quart after 800 miles, oil burning stopped after that.

What oil are you using? (sorry if I missed it)

cab83_750 · 05-28-2009, 10:45 AM

I am not from an oil research company

I started this as I noticed that my car consumed about half a qt of Nissan Ester oil (possibly up to a qt.) about 600 miles. I am wondering if it is the engine, the way I drive, the oil itself, or probably all of the above.

ChrisSlicks · 05-28-2009, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZforMe

What oil are you using? (sorry if I missed it)

I'm still on the Nissan Ester oil, I may change to something else later once I hit 5000 miles. Not sure what oil that might be yet.

Travis is right on about oil viscosity. Here's a couple of typical viscosity numbers for you.

Sorry about the formatting, doesn't want to space correctly.
_________5W-30 ________ 15W-50
100F ____ 57 cSt ________ 143 cSt
220F ____ 10 cSt ________ 20 cSt

So the 15W-50 is nearly 3 times as thick at air temperatures, but twice only twice as thick at high temperatures. As the oil temperatures continue to climb towards 260 the viscosity is going to be close to 5W-30 at normal cruise around town temperatures.

Basically the oil is going to hold up better at the track but you might pay the price of increased start-up wear so it's not a good choice for a daily driver oil.

Modshack · 05-28-2009, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travisjb

You nailed it... I'm in Arizona, cold starts are rare... This is 90% track car... Once oil is up to temperature, my understanding is that even 15w50 acts 'thin'... also despite the viscosity, it is rated at 0% shear loss... Finally, I'm relying in part on the recommendation of other racers in AZ

Yup...

Here's some info to back that up:

CBRich · 05-28-2009, 12:51 PM

That's a nice chart. Just curious where you got that from and if the site had any further info.

travisjb · 05-28-2009, 01:32 PM

+1 rep for data !

thanks modshack

AK370Z · 05-28-2009, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cab83_750

I am not from an oil research company

I started this as I noticed that my car consumed about half a qt of Nissan Ester oil (possibly up to a qt.) about 600 miles. I am wondering if it is the engine, the way I drive, the oil itself, or probably all of the above.

How are you checking your engine oil level? Cold engine dipstick method or start up, bring the oil up to operating temp, turn engine off, wait 15-20 mins and then check it with the dipstick?

Modshack · 05-28-2009, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBRich

That's a nice chart. Just curious where you got that from and if the site had any further info.

Can't recall where I got that as I was doing some general Viscosity/temp research and stumbled on it...

bluzman · 05-28-2009, 02:57 PM

OEM oil 0-2,500 miles, no consumption
Castrol GTX 2,500-6,000 miles, no consumption
Castrol GTX 6,000- 8,900 miles, no consumption

ChrisSlicks · 05-28-2009, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travisjb

+1 rep for data !

thanks modshack

Hey, I had data too ... his was just prettier

travisjb · 05-28-2009, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisSlicks

Hey, I had data too ... his was just prettier

Sorry, didn't scroll up ! +1 for you too

cab83_750 · 05-29-2009, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AK370Z

How are you checking your engine oil level? Cold engine dipstick method or start up, bring the oil up to operating temp, turn engine off, wait 15-20 mins and then check it with the dipstick?

Left the office for home (30 miles), parked the car in the garage, waited when the car was warm, then I checked.

I'll do your method....which is waiting for 20 minutes tomorrow.

If I continue to consume oil, I'll probably switch brand (Amsoil or Motul). If I continue to use oil, I may have the dealer perform a compression and leakdown.

I know that on Porsches, it is normal to use 1 qt every 1K miles (to my recollection). But on the Z, I do not know the norm. I will also check the manual to see if there is a norm.

cab83_750 · 06-10-2009, 07:45 PM

Well, I think I am taking my car in. I have used 2.5 qts/2000 miles.

On my other car, it is normal to use up to 1 qt every 800 miles. On the Z, I called the dealer and they said they do not know the norm. The service department did say that over 2 qts is a lot more than what they wanted to hear.

Worst case scenario, If (and "if") they need to replace the engine (due to rings, or what-have-yah), what do you guys think? I just don't trust the dealer putting a new engine and some mechanic ends up doing short cuts (e.g., a washer, nut, bolt, or so being not re-installed). I guess getting a brand new replacement is out of the question?

travisjb · 06-10-2009, 11:02 PM

Do you have any visible signs of leaks ? have you seriously checked over your car ? any deposits on your garage floor or parking spot ?

As for new engines, Coulter Nissan in Phoenix AZ is the first dealer in the US to replace an engine in this car. Call them and ask for Nick the service manager if you want to know about how that went. It was my car. As far as I'm concerned, good as new. In fact, I got 4 more hp on the dyno !

05-28-2009, 01:32 PM	#22 (permalink)
travisjb A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: GSO Posts: 2,803 Drives: VIR Rep Power: 188	+1 rep for data ! thanks modshack __________________ 2009 370Z #104 For Sale

05-28-2009, 02:57 PM	#25 (permalink)
bluzman Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: CA Posts: 349 Drives: Red Touring 7AT Rep Power: 16	OEM oil 0-2,500 miles, no consumption Castrol GTX 2,500-6,000 miles, no consumption Castrol GTX 6,000- 8,900 miles, no consumption __________________ My Gallery

06-10-2009, 11:02 PM	#30 (permalink)
travisjb A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: GSO Posts: 2,803 Drives: VIR Rep Power: 188	Do you have any visible signs of leaks ? have you seriously checked over your car ? any deposits on your garage floor or parking spot ? As for new engines, Coulter Nissan in Phoenix AZ is the first dealer in the US to replace an engine in this car. Call them and ask for Nick the service manager if you want to know about how that went. It was my car. As far as I'm concerned, good as new. In fact, I got 4 more hp on the dyno ! __________________ 2009 370Z #104 For Sale

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05-28-2009, 10:45 AM	#18 (permalink)
cab83_750 Track Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: CA Posts: 887 Drives: 09 NISSAN 370Z Rep Power: 417	I am not from an oil research company I started this as I noticed that my car consumed about half a qt of Nissan Ester oil (possibly up to a qt.) about 600 miles. I am wondering if it is the engine, the way I drive, the oil itself, or probably all of the above.

05-28-2009, 12:51 PM	#21 (permalink)
CBRich A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SC Posts: 2,464 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 544	That's a nice chart. Just curious where you got that from and if the site had any further info.

06-10-2009, 07:45 PM	#29 (permalink)
cab83_750 Track Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: CA Posts: 887 Drives: 09 NISSAN 370Z Rep Power: 417	Well, I think I am taking my car in. I have used 2.5 qts/2000 miles. On my other car, it is normal to use up to 1 qt every 800 miles. On the Z, I called the dealer and they said they do not know the norm. The service department did say that over 2 qts is a lot more than what they wanted to hear. Worst case scenario, If (and "if") they need to replace the engine (due to rings, or what-have-yah), what do you guys think? I just don't trust the dealer putting a new engine and some mechanic ends up doing short cuts (e.g., a washer, nut, bolt, or so being not re-installed). I guess getting a brand new replacement is out of the question?