This is really pis*ing me off. The last two oil changes I've done I've seen a noticible drop in oil level. About 1/2 quart for 3000 miles. My Z has only 11,000 miles on it and from what I understand new engines should not burn any oil. I've read stuff on the internet that dealers will not do a thing until the car burns more than 1 quart/1000 miles; to me at that point it's a screwed engine. Is it just my car or anyone else see the same thing? Or maybe no one checks their oil?

 

no, it happens to a lot of us. I think I may be burning as much as 1qt/500 miles, because every time I check it, I'm a quart low. (I don't drive the car a lot, and just started tracking the mileage and usage) I've got FI, so I'm just going to live with it as long as I can, oil is cheap. The dealership told me as long as there is no oil coming out the exhaust and on the rear bumper, its not going to hurt anything.

 

How much did you pay for your SC? How much boost and HP are you getting?

 

bought it used for 4000, including cf hoodscoop. 7lbs 340 at the wheels, with a torque curve as flat as kansas

 

This is common amongst 350Z's. My sister's Z and mine started around 10K or so. She uses Mobil 1 oil while I use dino Castrol. It does not matter which brand of oil or filter you use.

 

I think someone saw in the manual that it can burn as much as a quart of oil per 1000 miles or something like that. I don't remember for sure so don't quote me on that. I assume it probably depends on the driving habits. I've heard some people say that their Z doesn't burn any oil but then they probably don't take it to the red line very often if at all.

 

what is the viscosity of your oil? maybe you should switch from 5W-30 to 10W-30 (based on your ambient temp)

 

It's normal for an engine to consume some oil. Half a quart per 3000 miles is F'n awesome. Be worried if you're killing off a quart way before 1000 miles.

 

I never check the oil level. I do watch the pressure gauge - it it gets too low the pressure will drop (or worse yet the temp starts climbing - in which case - STOP IMMEDIATELY -wherever you are!! I have never had a Nissan that has burned oil - and I've had several - including the 300ZX , a Maxima and a Sentra. Perhaps I shall ask them to check the oil level before they change it next time! ( good thought?? )

 

Yes it is normal for a high compression sports car driven agressively to burn oil.

 

Sure is. The oil is in the heads. Just keeping changing the oil around 3000 and you will be fine, or just drive your car like a grandma.

 

I change my oil every 3,000 miles but I don't know if it burns any because I never check the dip stick. That damn thing is such a pain to put back in, lol.

 

Its a 3.5 thing I know my 350 and 03 Max both burn more oil than our previous Z's or Maxima's. When I got the oil changed on the Max recently they noted 1 quart low on the paper work.

 

Before anyone gets upset about oil consumption, at the very least try a different brand or weight. Mobil 1 5W30 is one product that is not standing up well to the VVT engines. The Mobil1 0W-40 and the 5W-40 do much better. Very little to no "loss".

As to other brands, in my experience Redline, Amsoil, Mobil 1 DelVac, and Motul are much better choices.

If you really want to find out if you have oil consumption issues, go to a truck stop and purchase 5 quarts of Mobil 1 DelVac 5w40 for your next oil change. If you burn a quart of this stuff in 3000 mi. you got problems.

 

it is normal to burn some oil.

the 96 maxima with 118,000 miles that i drive 70 miles a day doesn't really burn anything. no leaks, nothing. no major problems with it either (knock on wood)

the 2001 maxima is about 1/2 quart every 3000 miles.

now the mr2's on the other hand......... especially the black one when it had a blown ring....

every higher performance car i have owned has burned more oil than normal. That is partly to the higher compression, but also to the slightly larger tolerances engine manufacturers give to these engines. Once the engine has been machine by an shop, either to redeck the head, or change to differen't pistons, you will find them burning more oil.

unless you are getting alot of oil on the intake side of a turbo, or SC, or on the throttle body. or if you have a catch can, and it is building up in there. you should be fine.

 

its very hard for me to get accurate readings on the dipstick. Its also hard to pull out with my injen CAI in the way....

 

Nissans are notorious for this

 

Dude, if your oil pressure guage drops to zero or your temp guage goes high you might as well replace the engine. Check your oil.

 

I live in Canada so 90 F is as high as it gets in the summer.

 

I know it licks ***.