smithmt3

Hey guys I have searched quite a bit trying to find similar situations to mine with a little luck so I figured I'd just post.. I have 03 350 with 187k miles.. Yes very high.. I have been getting a good amount of smoke on start up that lingered for a while I can't tell if it's blue or white but I do know that I am now a quart low on oil after 4 days of a good bit of driving.. So idk if this is a valve seals I have heard rumors of head gasket if it's white.. Idk I don't think it smells to sweet to be coolant and my coolant levels have not changed at all.. I have 5w30 full synthetic oil and was going to bump to 10w30 today. Maybe add some Lucas or something to help this. Do you agree with this to start and see f this makes a difference in how much oil it's burning? I do most work on my cars but haven't tacked a valve seals or anything like that before.
Thanks

travlee

iTrader: (8)

do a leak down test....how many owners before you?

some reading on leak down test

https://mobiloil.com/en/article/car-...-leakdown-test

smithmt3

4 known, possibly more haven't done a carfax. It's been around the horn.. I will try that would you still recommend changing to the thicker oil and maybe a little oil additive like Lucas? That's a good article thanks I was about to search for something like that..

travlee

iTrader: (8)

i think you are trying to band-aid a bigger problem.... you need to figure out what the issue is

smithmt3

Yes true.. I kinda am in a way but would this reduce the problem? Potentially help? Not fix but help? How much could this issue cost to fix and if not fixed what are the potential damages to just asdding oil every week or when needed?

dkmura

iTrader: (64)

Covering up this problem should not be your biggest concern. If you are simply blowing oil past the rings at the rate you describe, it'll help for only a short time. Your VQ is likely not making the compression it is designed for, straining other components. If the rings are that far gone, how bad are your rod or main bearings? The potential damage is catastrophic, so bandaids are not any sort of solution, unless you're desperate.

smithmt3

So what a rebuild is needed or what? It's going through some oil.. No question about it but I don't have the money to do a valve job or pull the rings I can't even imagine what that would cost.. Does that make me desprate? Haha what would you start with? Just feed it oil till I can afford to do the big job or what? Start with the leak down test and go from there?

dkmura

iTrader: (64)

Don't laugh- you are desperate. The best you can do is attempt to get an accurate picture of what is burning all that oil. The VQ has won multiple powertrain awards for its design, but even the best engines won't survive for long with subpar lubrication. just be ready for the day (or night) when your engine shudders and stops running.

Don't throw good money at hokey solutions- there aren't any. At 187K miles, your engine is clearly telling you it needs a rebuild. If you enjoy your Z, do some serious research and save some money to DO THE JOB RIGHT.

smithmt3

The Nissan dealer is the only place in town that works on Zs so that is going to be quite pricey no?

dkmura

iTrader: (64)

Yes, that'll be the pricey option. You might go in and see if any of the techs do work outside of the dealership. If so, you could pay them on the side to check out your Z.