dmemenza

iTrader: (1)

Happy New Year Everyone!!

Well, a couple of weeks ago, I took my G35 to Superior Auto (reputable auto service shop) to have the oil changed and asked them to check the oil level prior to changing out the oil. I use synthetic and its been about 4,000 miles since the last oil change. After checking, the tech told me I was about two quarts low. The tech actually had a ton of Nissan experience, along with Honda's/Acura's. He knew all about the issues with the VQ motor, which he claims from his experience, has almost always been related to crappy rings (which is what I've read too). I've asked them to note it on the service receipt, in case I need to take it to Infiniti. He explained to me, from his experience, that Nissan won't do anything for these motors unless its doing something drastic like 3 quarts per 1000 miles. If you are 1-2 quarts every 3,000 miles, they will tell you that your motor is good. He just recommended keeping an eye on the oil every 1,000 miles and just add as needed. I asked him about just replacing the crappy rings and he said you could, but said you might as well just rebuild the motor because at that point, you're going to be pulling piston rods and other components of the motor. Just replacing the rings itself, really wouldn't be worth it, labor-wise. I'm not sure what to do at this point...I've been thinking about it.
1) I'm just about done paying for the car, so do I really want to start payments over again by getting another car
2) should I take it to Infiniti and even if I can get them to change it for a short block, how can I be certain that the new short block won't have the same issue as the original motor or if not worse.

What to do....what to do!!

e30cabrio

iTrader: (30)

What year is your car & how many miles are on it?

dmemenza

iTrader: (1)

Its a 06 G35 6MT ~67K. I got the extended warranty, good for almost 100K.

e30cabrio

iTrader: (30)

Take it to a dealer, get them to do an oil consumption test and let them know you won't take any crap.

Good luck.

dmemenza

iTrader: (1)

I've done that recently (within the last 7-8 months). They did the whole OC test and said I was good, with no problems. I'm planning on getting the same auto shop to do the next scheduled oil change (at around 4K) and have them check the oil level again. If they say I'm two quarts low again, then I will likely take it to Infiniti. In the meantime, I'm trying to determine what I should do, if there is indeed a problem (#1 & #2 from the previous post). That's my dilemma at the moment.

06CPV35

^ Monitor your own OC with dip stick and compare what Infiniti said with their OC test per same miles. Have you compared your OC or what Infiniti said on the TSB OC chart?

Here's a link I posted recently on G35Drivers TSB OC thread of chart: http://g35driver.com/forums/6267298-post1714.html

And I agree with e30cabrio here, don't take any crap.

There's recent reports of the short-blocks on the thread I gave link to.

G/L

dmemenza

iTrader: (1)

No, unfortunately I haven't monitored it on my own, simply because its so damn hard to read that dipstick Infiniti/Nissan put in there....thanks for the chart, by the way. I was planning on waiting for the next scheduled oil change and see if it comes up two quarts low again. If it does, then go to Infiniti with proof that the engine is burning oil and has a OC problem. The time I got the OC test done at Infiniti, I was suspecting that the motor was burning oil, which is why I took it in in the 1st place to get the test done, as a precaution. If Infiniti's tech's tell me that my engine passed the test, how am I supposed to fight that with nothing to support my argument?? (so, how can I not take any crap?)? Am I gonna tell Infiniti, "no, you are wrong, it does have a OC problem"?? I will try taking my own readings in addition, while I'm waiting for the next scheduled oil change. I'm using synthetic, so I gotta see how that's gonna work with your chart you sent....thanks again for sending that link.

- DM

06CPV35

Next test if you decide to OC test again, confirm the starting level before you leave dealer. Many dealers are famous for over-filling at start of test. On return test trip don't let your G out of your sight. Again dealers famous for topping off then take reading = no OC issue or just lie about the real reading. Be there when they pull the stick. In other words...don't trust them as far as you can throw them...trust me, stories of my own lol.

Another tip: Most dealers say must return in 1000mi for reading. Well, if your revup burns 1qt/1K mi fine. But if not that bad, return when it's a quart low and whatever mileage below 3750. TSB states inform customer to return between 1000-3750 miles. The older the oil (mileage wise) the faster it burns from the continuous fuel ditute from ring blow-by.

Study the TSB proceedures and have TSB in your back pocket at every dealer visit to alleviate many BS that comes out of their mouths.

You and your mechanic know it burns, Infiniti says it's acceptable. Look at chart and you'll know if dealer played you.

dmemenza

iTrader: (1)

Man, I just read your 1st paragraph and I can't believe they would f-ing do that!! Do you think Nissan tells them to do that or is that just some common things these dealerships do as normal practice?? If Nissan tells them to do that, that is absolutely unreal!! Fat-rat-bastards!!

Thanks for the additional tip too! I'll take a look at that TSB in depth and have it in the glove box, so I don't forget it. I have reviewed it, but its been a while, so I can't recall in detail whats on it. As I mentioned, the 1st and only time I got them to do the OC test, I was suspect oil was burning, but was more like "nah, its probably ok. Everything is fine" It was more of a just-in-case thing, not thinking these dealerships were not doing their due-diligence. As I kept reading on the forums, I started finding out how some of these dealerships were doing people wrong and just sending people home, telling them all is good, no problems found. Then red-flags started going off again. I'm gonna start taking oil readings myself and may ask the mechanic to just do a confirmation check of what I find. If its low, I will ask him to document it for me and take it to Infiniti. This is so disappointing after spending the money I did on this car to have to go through all this!! I don't think I will ever buy a Nissan again...I hate to say it. Unless its something like the GTR, but I'm starting to have my doubts with it too! Man, whew!!

Thanks for all the help and guidance!!

Oh yeah, its sad reading that Nissan hasn't completely fixed the problems either....there are people that are on their 2nd or 3rd replacement motors as a result of OC. That's something else I was thinking about too and will likely have to consider....should I just keep the bum motor I have now and deal with it or swap in 2 or 3 more motors that may have the same or bigger problem and go through all these headaches each time.

e30cabrio

iTrader: (30)

After several trips to Nissan where they said the consumption was ok I took it to Infinity. They messed up the first test and I had to do it a fourth time at another Nissan dealer. By then it was at 18k/ 18 months.

I'd say it is widespread and set up to push the time beyond the ridiculous 12k/12 month warranty they put on replacement motors.

Am I wrong thinking a 2006 car should not be on it's third motor at 88k?

dmemenza

iTrader: (1)

Wow, that's just insane man! Another thing I was thinking about is, I have the extended warranty, right. If I get my motor replaced, what happens to my extended warranty on the motor? I would think the 12month/12K thing wouldn't apply. I have to make sure Nissan/Infiniti doesn't try to get over on me on that one.

- DM

06CPV35

Yeah, I need to read details on my 7yr/100Kmi extended. I do know back in 2008 when I got my replacement at ~28K miles, my replacement still fell under 6yr/70K factory power-train. I'm almost at 6yrs to date and 70K on odo with 40K on replacement. I'm not sure what this 12mo/12K mile warranty thing is I keep hearing about.

@e30...know in the early days of this issue many were beyond third engine. When their third failed, they lemon lawed it. Nissan had some kinda CYA deal (for them) they pay you $$ (4K rings a bell) and you agree not to lemon it. Sly ones Nissan were b/c they were loosing their shorts on lemon returns and pay-outs. No such deal ever existed with Infiniti owners. 3 Vq's in 88K miles if mine, would not be ok in my book.

e30cabrio

iTrader: (30)

Mine was done in 2010, just under 60k. The second started about 16k and was diagnosed (with them doing what they could to slow it down) at 18k in 2011.

I hopefully solved it by replacing EVERYTHING that rotates with quality aftermarket parts.

Believe me it is not ok and Nissan is/will lose sales from me telling people what happened.

A woman I worked with asked abut my car, said she was leaning towards a 370. I told her what happened, she is no longer leaning that way.

HighCrimes

ok, i got a 2006, and im going through about 4-6 qrts a week of ****ing oil, and its just burning straight through my exhaust.... bad rings im thinking but then i hear that the 2006 is ****ing faulty made and this problem is very commen, the dealer ship says ooh u have a leak in ur valve cover its going into your spark plug housing so im like ok replace it.. and i changed my plugs, then i get my car back after a few 100 miles it started to smoke... like wtf.. now its been constantly blue tint smoke out the back i called the nissan dealership and talked to them they put in a thing to have them call me back by a specialist and ect... and the dealer told me "you need a new motor" " and keep an eye on your oil level because u showed up 2qts low so make sure ur checking it" so yeah.. anyways theres clearly a damn oil presure gauge in the damn cab.. ull notice big time if your **** is reading less then 15psi/ at 4rpms...

Padosinc

I've scanned through about 230 pages of people's personal hell and still have a new question to this

I've got an 03z with an 06 rev up swap (old engine blew up racing an ex girlfriend ((STi)) and it was the only engine i could find ). My 03 ECU is used so i'm lacking the EVT and the higher rev, and whatever else that comes with it. The 06 engine was a direct replacement from nissan for a guy that had OC issues. The engine has est. 44,xxx miles on it and NO CONSUMPTION issue. Could it be because the old ECU was used, the engine is too new, or am I just a lucky one? Just some food for thought

dmroberson

iTrader: (26)

How do you know you have "NO CONSUMPTION"? Have you done an oil consumption test to confirm this? Just curious.

No, the ECU has nothing to do with oil consumption. Oil consumption was caused by a machining issue, when the block was cast. Has to do with the taper at the bottom of the cylinders.

You're probably one of the lucky few that have a block with no issues.

Padosinc

when i do an oil change every <4,000 miles, i refill my old oil canister with the used oil and it's fairly close to the 5q marker, i've never had a professional oil consumption test at a dealership.

I said something about the ECU because i read people talking about the EVT having something to do with burning oil so i figured not having it might have been a positive for me and i wouldn't get the newer ECU for the higher rev and EVT, but I probably read it wrong. I was just curious about it and figured I'd bring it up for some response.

06CPV35

Never heard that before as being the cause...very interesting.

mcamesa

I use to own an 05 350z Anniv model. I bought mine off the showroom in 12-05. I traded in my 01 Honda s2000. Biggest mistake of my life. So I pick up my new 350z from the dealership and the first 3000 mi of driving the car, I noticed that the oil pressure was a tad low. So I stopped at a service station to check the oil. I pulled the dipstick out and to my surprise the the dipstick was dry. I stick in a few more times and it was dry as the sahara desert. So I bought 2 quarts of oil and check the oil again so the oil registered on the 1st line. It was still low so I bought 3 more quarts of oil to I top of the oil. I was thinking maybe the dealer forgot to top of the oil. So next day I take the car to the dealer to have it serviced. I mentioned to the service advisor of what happened. He goes we'll check it out. Picked up the car and the dealer told me that everything was good. So I took his word for it. After driving the car for another 1000 mi I looked at my oil pressure gauge the pressure was a tad low at 3000 rpm. So I pulled over and check my oil again. The oil registered halfway on the dipstick. I said WTF! So back to the dealer I go. They told me that it was normal for that car to use up 1 quart per 1000 mi. I said that was BS. My Honda s2000 never used oil even If I drove that car hard. So to make things short. Nissan's engineer's kept my car for 3 days to analyze the problem. I got the car back and drove another 1500 mi. same problem. I had to keep going back for a whole year for the same problem. They did an oil consumption study. Until they replaced my engine with a new one. But to no avail the new engine that came from Japan was defective as the first one. So I decided to hire me a lemon law lawyer. So after a few more months Nissan of America bought my car back. Thought I'd share my experience with you guys.

Wu-Watt

iTrader: (24)

Hmm ya Nissan has veered away from being a quality maker that makes the best tuner cars... Now they just put out crap to make a buck.. Look at all the early 90's cars.. 240sx, 300zx, skyline... Great cars and kicked a$$ on the track/street.
They have had probs with other models too not just the Z... It's all around sad...