Nissan authorized a short block, from doing my research and talking to people seems like a short block would be fine because the problem seems to be from oil getting past the rings. Should I be fine with this, or should I fight for a long block?

Could further damage occur in the heads because of running low on oil, or running with black (burnt) oil?
update 12/12



If any of you can help me, I would sure appreciate it! The other night I was in the city, and the oil light came on for a brief moment, but to quickly turn off. This morning I checked the oil, and it was very low, I am guessing maybe 1-1 1/2 quarts low. It has been a little over 3,000 miles sense an oil change (one was due, but I took a semi long trip which put it over the 3k mark). I run the car a little hard, but no way should the oil be that low in normal cases, correct? The oil level was right on the swivel part on the dipstick, about 1/2 inch below the low-high range bar. Is this normal? Should I take it to the dealer to check it out? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

Yes, take it to the dealer.

 

Thanks...Can anybody that had an experience with this issue chime in?

 

#1: what type of oil are you using? (If mobile 1, stop using that)

#2: it is well known that some Z's comsume oil. About 1 quart per 3000 is acceptable by nissan standards.

#3: Why aren't you checking your oil levels at every fill up? It only takes a second.

 

1. 10W-30 performed bye a local 76 station (which is trusted, my family and I have been taking previous cars there for years).

3. I checked the oil about 1k miles ago when I installed my plenum, and was at acceptable levels. I did not think this was an issue to check oil during every fill up, but I have changed my tune.

What I will do now is monitor the levels, but I am assuming this is what Nissan will do. Check oil levels, have me drive 1k miles, bring it in and check level. This inspires me to get some red line, and change the oil my self.

Thanks

 

I would check all inside the engine to see if there are any leaks. I have had 2 occasions when my Z was leaking oil. First time they replaced valve cover gaskets, second time they had to take the engine apart and replace all the seals. Oil was leaking from multiple locations, however there were no oil stains under the car.

On a side note, when Nissan does an oil change, do they fill the oil up to the high line on the dipstick? Anyone? If so, I might be losing oil again because its half way between high and low.

 

Read some of the threads in the repairing section. There are several in the last couple weeks about oil consumption.
I have one of the Z's that's consuming oil. 2-3 quarts in the first 2k miles. And now consistently more than a quart every 1k. I'm still hassling with the dealer and Nissan to get it resolved.
Make sure when you take it in to the dealer that they document everything and tell them you want to start an oil consumption test. Don't let them tell you they don't know what that is.

 

Oil light does not mean low oil level. It means low oil pressure.

The dipstick can be used to check oil level, but adding oil is not the correct solution to the oil light coming on. Get a full oil change at the dealer and do what brocken said about documenting an oil consumption test.

 

They should be adding 5.0 quarts. If they are "eye balling" it and not measuring 5.0 quarts I would get on their case about it.

 

Unforuntately you can consider my 2 quarts in 2000 miles "an experience". Going through the consumption test now. Best to take in in and let them look at it, especially if you trust the guys that are doing your oil change. Why wait? The worst that could happen is they tell you that it's not consuming oil and you have documentation in case an issue arises down the road.

 

Consumption test started....


I got an oil change, drove it directly to the dealership. They confirmed the oil level is where it should be; now I have to bring it back in 1,500 miles (less if I see a significant level has burned before then). Will keep you guys posted on the details.

 

Check This Out..i Have An 06 Z They Did An Oil Consumption Test...they Filled It Up And Told Me To Come Back 700 Miles Just At 700 Miles The Oil Was At The L Mark....i Told Nissan That Was Unaceptible...they Agreed...so Far I Havent Had A Prob Yet With Dealership Or Nissan...you Have To Call Nissan Also. Tell Them Your Complaints...anyways My New Motor Is On It Way,,first They Did A Comp Test 3 Cylinders Were Way Off...they Pulled The Heads And Found That The Ring On One Cylinder Didnt Seat And Scared The Wall.....i Dint Notice I Was Losing Oil Until I Put Testpipes On..the Testpipes Let All The Oil Burning Strait Through...the Cats Was Just Hiding The Smoke I Think..i Put My Test Pipes On A Friends Car And His Didnt Smoke What So Ever.....thats What Started It All.

 

dang....

 

I have a new 2006 GTR 6m and it was down 1 quart in the first 2,200 miles. Checked it at 300, 500 and 1,000 and it was not down. Car is driven easy and a "Sunday driver" so I'm a little concerned. My other two cars (diff brands) have had no oil consumption at all between changes at 5,000 miles in a combined 170,000 miles. I do my own oil changes so I know how much oil is going in.

Back to the Z....I was going to switch to synthetic at 3,000 mile change and a poster said not to use Mobil1. I'm wondering what the reason is behind this recommendation as I have used it in motorcycles, cars, tractors and lawn mowers for a long time with great results.

 

If you search the forums extensively, you will see a lot of posts that correlate oil loss / consumption with mobil1. I don't understand why either.

I personally stick with dino oil... at least while the engine has low miles

 

All right, I have been monitoring the oil for some time. At 1,000 miles I am down about 1/2 quart, and will be taking it to the dealership Monday. They said they were going to do a compression test, and something else. I have a Crawford plenum, will this be a problem? Man, I'm nervous about these jokers touching my car. I just dont want them going through my engine only to tell me I'm S.O.L.

 

Took the car to the dealership, they concluded I was down 1/2 quart after 1,000 miles, and stated "Is normal for a Z". From what I get they will not do a G-Dang thing, which really frustrates me. Nissan recommends oil changes every 3,750. Do the math; at that point I would be down almost 2 quarts, that is a joke!! I Can drive my q45 for 5k miles and end up with just as much oil as when I started.

 

Today I noticed my oil pressure gauge seemed to be showing less pressue after 6k miles of driving on Mobile1 than it did initially after the oil change. After the oil change I'm speaking of, I gauged the oil pressure at appx 10psi at 1000RPM and 20psi at 2000RPM. Today the gauge was showing 16psi at 2500RPM. Does this make sense to anyone? I got my oil changed and they could not tell me exactly how low I was on oil. Am I just crazy?

 

Lets put in some decent oil!!!! Not this Union 76 Sh*t!

 

Low pressure is more likely to be a sign of oil thinning out due to viscous breakdown rather than low oil level.

Oil pressure is always a bit higher after an oil change.

This is the biggest reason you want to change out non-synthetic oils sooner than synthetic...