I've spoken with a good friend of mine who's a Datzun / Z nut and searched around the forums. I hardly post but I thought it prudent for this concern.

I'm confident I have an oil consumption issue as I feel I'm constantly worried about topping of the levels. I will be doing an oil change and calculating how much shortly but I would like to gather a few opinions in order to be prepared.

A few choices:

Engine rebuild: Will this solve the issue?

New engine: Solves the problem and although FI sounds great I don't feel it's ultimately for me (but some additional power would be nice).

So I'm thinking a new engine is in order but looking for what may be the most prudent. I've got a mortgage to worry about so I'm thinking 3-5k is workable and FI is no where close to that if done correctly.

I've seen several threads about a RB26 swap but I'm thinking this is also not for me.


Thanks guys and I hope I won't be flamed too harshly. I'm a novice but I do take pride in doing what I can myself on this awesome car.

 

https://my350z.com/forum/engine-and-...iscussion.html

 

Thank you Toneloc I did review several pages from that thread and as I understand nissan would replace the motor in situations such as this. So the subsequent questions still have me at a stand still since I am competely out of warranty. I appreciate you directing me to the existing info.

 

Why not just drive it till it fails?

So many things that could go wrong when building one of our engines.....

If it fails maybe have it rebuilt with higher compression pistons and bolt on mods to give it a bit more 'Pep' and make you feel better bout spending the money.

 

As long as the car is running good, I wouldn't get too concerned about a small amount of oil burning. Adding a quart of oil every thousand or two thousand miles will only cost you about $8-10 and it is certainly easy to do. Just check the oil weekly and add oil as needed.

 

^ agree, esp if compression #s are good. just top it off. No worries...

 

Thanks for all the replys. My concern is that its more than a quart every thousand. I drive only 15 miles to work and thats it. Seems like a quart a month. Would a rebuild solve the issue?

I love this car and if I can get it taken care of sooner rather than later since I have the cash I would.

 

It's your money so get the engine rebuilt. However, I think you are stressing over something that is really a very minor problem. Years ago it was considered normal for cars to burn a quart of oil every thousand miles or so. I had an Austin Healey Sprite in 1963 that was brand new and it burned (or leaked) a quart about every 800 miles. That was considered perfectly normal. I would invest the money and drive the car until it fails. I suspect that you will be able to drive several thousands of miles before anything really happens as long as you check the oil and add oil as needed.

 

Thanks KornerCarver. I got the compression tested and everything is good so thank you. I do have two oil leaks so for the cash im going to have it fixed. Thanks to everyone for the help.

 

Maybe I didn't look hard enough, but why is nobody recommending a pan spacer?

I just picked one up specifically for this reason. That one extra quart goes a long way, especially if you forget to check for a few weeks.

 

I'm in the process of rebuild motor on my MY2005 roadster. It used to burn 1 liter or more (depending of driving style) of oil on 1k km.

So pulled motor out and take it apart. Everything looks surprisingly good, cylinder walls looks like a new, no scratches or signs of any kind of wear, crankshaft journals good as new, cams.. all in great shape except pistons oil control rings. Those are toasted.

 

Never thought of the pan spacer but thank you as well. I get the car back this evening and hopefully everything will be tip top. I typically do all the maintenance myself but I have zero time and tendinitis so I figured I might as well have the shop fix it

Never realized how much I really love this car, I miss driving it. My gf Honda just doesn't measure up.

 

Hate to say this to you.......but you would love it that much more with a Vortech on it.

I'm looking at Lotus Evora's and even 911's and don't see much reason to "Upgrade"