Steinlarger

Found that my 350z 2006 OEM model had 10w 50 full zinc used for oil. Would I need to refurbish/replace components due to corrosion? Or would full oil flush & replacement with 5w 30 Quartz 5 be best?

i8acobra

iTrader: (6)

If it's high mileage, high zinc oil is good. That being said, you can use whatever oil you want.

dkmura

iTrader: (64)

Nissan recommends 5W-40 weight oil for the VQ. Unless the climate you live in is extremely hot and requires a thicker oil like a 10w-40, it's best to stick with that recommendation.

icer5160

iTrader: (4)

Engine's love Zinc, however Catalysts do not. With my 1st Revup VQ35DE, I tried a variety of oils to see if any could slow down the consumption issues I was observing, sadly nothing truly made a difference (not even a 1/2qt change in consumption rate). So I went with mfg recommended 5W-30, but I used Valvoline conventional since there was no point in burning high dollar full synthetic. I was adding 3 qts between filter changes (1qt every 1000 miles), even after draining around 3800-4000mi intervals, I was still only getting on average 3.5-4qts out. Engine ran great though, no blue smoke ever. Tail pipes would blacken quickly after a cleaning and both cats were sooty, never threw a check engine light and power output always felt healthy.

I suspect the previous owner of your Z was trying to slow down oil consumption being that it's an 06 6MT with the Revup DE in it, these engine's are notorious for burning oil. (Note: If Automatic, you have the standard DE, which typically don't burn oil if maintained properly). Nissan even offered Warranty replacement short and long blocks if their technicians determined the oil consumption rate was excessive. But the Warranty period on all 350Zs is long gone now.

TANGENT WARNING
All modern engines burn a little oil, a normal rate of consumption is around 0.25-1.00qt every 5000mi. This is why it's silly to go 15,000mi between changes, as most modern 4 & 6 cylinder engines hold around 5qt of oil. If you failed to check and top off your oil levels, you could end up running dangerously low towards that 15k mi service period. Manufacturer's love to manipulate the maintenance schedule data for marketing purposes as it artificially lowers the total cost of ownership of the vehicle during it's serviceable lifespan. Read the fine print and it becomes clear that most car makers only expect a vehicle to last about 10 years. For example, my 2016 Toyota Corolla that I purchased new from the dealer, did not have an advertised maintenance schedule for the CVT, literally stated lifetime fluid, sealed unit (this could have changed since then). But if I followed that BS, my trans would grenade itself around 100k mi (at 86k now). I service the CVT every 30k mi (simple drain and fill). I'll be doing a trans filter replacement at 120k. CVT fluid ain't cheap btw. I had a shop handle the 1st CVT service, but after doing my homework on the Corolla, it's something I tackle now. The process is way more of a pain in the *** than I would like. More mfg. nonsense IMO, trying to scare off DIY-ers, but also because CVTs are very sensitive transmissions. Their fill level needs to be spot on, and the fluid used really should be OEM (kind of like Honda Automatics).

Anyway, take care of your Z. Switch back to 5W-30 and check the oil level once per week to see if you got a consumption issue. Odds are it's not a big deal if you do end up discovering you got a burner. Just keep her topped off, conventional oil is cheap, long blocks are not!
Cheers!
-Icer

Macanic

Just drain it and stay away from 5W/30 period. My go to oil and I have used it for 50 years in every vehicle I have owned, especially my "Z" is Castrol 10W/40, never a problem, and never had one to use oil or break. I read on here about people complaining about their Z using oil, mine uses none between changes. Every 4000 miles. Worst enemy to oil is heat and 5W/30 can't take the heat. Second choice would be Mobil1 10W/40.


Drive it like you stole it.