I took my 03-z to the dealer because it was makes knocking noise at start-up for about 2 seconds. Dealer called back and said the engine wasn't holding pressure. Do anyone know what could be the problem or what might be the ultimate outcome of the situation before nissan lie to me or rape my pockets ?

 

what does your oil pressure gauge say? at cold start?

 

Gauge reading is fine, just to mention that i just got an oil change from my local nissan dealer. Not just cold starts, this noise happens after the car have been sitting like 30 min after a drive.

 

Gauge reading is fine, just to mention that i just got an oil change from my local nissan dealer. Not just cold starts, this noise happens after the car have been sitting like 30 min after a drive, and when i start it up in the morning.

 

If your engine wasn't holding oil pressure(like the dealer is telling you) then your gauge would not be reading properly. You're right you're going to get raped.

Do a quick video of you starting the car and post it so we can hear this noise you speak of and also what your gauge is reading.

 

Soon as I get it back from nissan, i'll get the video asap. Hopefully it's something minor.

 

when the dealer said it wasn't holding pressure, why do you assume it's oil pressure?

 

How long has it been happening? Can you tie to to an event?

 

So I got my car back. The tech told me that what is happening is when my car sits for a period of about 15 to 30 minutes, my oil is draining completely back down to the bottom of the motor. The rattleing noise i'm hearing is the tensioner chains or pulley chains inside the motor (im not a mechanic clearly) rattleing because they are not lubricated, and after a second or 2 the oil rushes back to the rest of the motor and the noise stops. After all that, he said this was probably caused by the previous owner not using a nissan oil filter which has some type of sensor to hold the oil pressure and keep the motor primed. They also dropped my oil pan and checked to see if any metal or trash was in my oil. (checked out fine)

First he said i should try doing a couple of oil changes to see if that primes the motor back. Second, of course he then said to change out those tension chains or pulley chains inside the motor which will cost a couple of grand, but he couldn't guarentee the noise won't come back, or just change the motor out completely. Let me add that the motor runs strong, and doesn't leak or burn any oil. Oh yeah, the oil guage reading is normal when the car is running. I don't know spit about the break down of the vq motor and never owner a nissan, all i know is that i love my z and i'm open to you guy's opinions and help.

 

For about 2 to 3 weeks. I drive the car once maybe twice a week if that.
2nd owner / 03z with 56k miles / No mods