I have anothing 03 Enthusiast with 151k miles. When I cold start the car, the oil pressure is at about 60 at an idle. Once it's warmed up, it sticks around 30 and then after driving for about 10-15 minutes, idle pressure is under 15. It knocks a little bit with the A/C off and the oil light comes on. Would this be a bad oil pump? I've read that an overrev incident can cause damage to the oil pumps on VQ35DE's, but ive had the car for 2 months and it wasn't me that caused it. I've also noticed a slight rattling at Redline, which seems to tell me it is an oil pump. Can anyone confirm or help me out?

 

I'd drain the oil and look for metal particles. No other way to tell without pulling the motor apart.

 

Drain oil, put in thicker weight (recommend Rotella T6 5W-40), have dealer bump up idle to 800. You will be all set.

 

Sweet dude, I'll look into it

 

I run a 10w30 btw, idk if that helps haha

 

Haha, +1 today. I noticed the same thing on my 07 Nismo. HELP!!!!

At cold startup, i'm at 90psi @ 1800-1900 RPMS
Warms up and drops to a bit below 30psi at idle
Went for a drive and after a couple miles, it drops below 10 PSI.

I called Z1 motorsports to buy a new sending unit, one of the tech guys said it is the gallery gasket. It will start to do this when failing and absolutely recommended to stop driving. After research, I guess it was a paper gasket that will slowly start to leak. These guys have a steel reinforced one:

http://www.nisformance.com/EPS-Tunin...rykitrwdhr.htm

Anyone else have to find out that they needed to replace a "Gallery Gasket"?

Any "How-to's" for replacing this?

 

I believe the correct term is "Oil galley". Check the FSM for proper replacement procedure and other parts tou may need/want to replace at the same time.

 

from the link i posted

"if you are doing a engine build its highly recommended to change the oil gallery gasket and use new hardware that can be torqued to spec much more accurately."

 

I know, and a Google,search shows the 2 terms used interchangeably. But I've always heard galley from the machinists I've known over the last 40+ years and working on my Alfa engines. Either way, looks like a ***** to get to that gasket, so I hope that is really your problem.

 

Ahhh, understood. Excuse my incompetence. That's funny. a couple engineers i work with have some old school Alfas... they drool over the new 4c's every minute of the day. (off topic...I like them too... remind me of the Lotus')

Thanks for the reply!

 

i ordered a new sending unit just to rule it out

 

Take your car to get the oil pressure tested with a mechanical gauge.
If your car is knocking it is a good idea to park it and fix the problem ASAP.

 

Problem solved. It was the gallery gasket for sure. The top gasket was blown. Mechanic took some pictures and I'll post them tomorrow.

I picked everything up at Concept Z

Here is gasket parts list:

Timing Chain Cover Seal O-Ring
Part #: 15066-JA10A $8.36 Qty: 2

Nissan OEM Rear Timing Cover Oil Gallery Gasket, Upper Large
Part #: 13533-JK21A $30.10 Qty: 1

Nissan OEM Rear Timing Cover Oil Gallery Gasket, Lower Small - Nissan 350Z 07-08 VQ35HR Z33
Part #: 13533-JK21B $4.70 Qty: 1

Nissan OEM 13042-3HD0A Intake Camshaft VTC Seal
Part #: 13042-3HD0A $34.92 Qty: 6

Nissan OEM 13510-31U10 Front Crankshaft Oil Seal
Part #: 13510-31U10 $10.74 Qty: 1

Nissan OEM VTC Variable Timing Control Solenoid Gasket RH
Part #: 23797-EY01A $4.20 Qty: 1

Nissan OEM VTC Solenoid Cover Gasket
Part #: 23797-JA10B $3.30 Qty: 1


Subtotal: $96.32
Shipping (Ground): $14.64
Total: $110.96


Extras:
Replaced all tensioners and chain guides (less than $200.00)

Labor was for 8 hours @83.00 an hour

I went a tad above 1,000 with cleanup/dispose fees, new oil + filter. 1/3rd the price from Satin (Nissan).

 

$83/hr??? I'm glad I've never had to use a mechanic.

 

1k for a 14 dollar gasket replacement :-(

Yeah... Tell me about it. I have a lift and all the tools, but just no time. 10 years ago in my early 20's I would have bought a case of beer and bang out the job after beer 22. I work 14 hours a day, wife, and a 3 year old. I'm lucky to just have the Z...lol! I had to sell my 03 track a few years ago when our son was born

 

 

Good know! Is that the only picture? You mentioned couple, as in more than one. Glad you fixed it!

 

roger roger!


another depressing looking gasket blow out:



After the new gaskets were installed (i did tensioners and guides as well... i think i mentioned that already )

 

One thing I did not like from the local Nissan dealership was that they would not just take the front timing cover and replace the gasket, even though I gave them the part numbers. The only route they would take is replacing all the covers (rear, left and right cam covers). I think they quoted me just shy $3,100

My nismo has 47,500 miles... i believe the throw out bearing is making some noises now. Clutch replacement coming soon i think. I did a 5th gear hill pull and it took it like a champ, no slipping.

I wonder if the T.O.B noise is also part of the 1000 problems the Z's have... LOL!

 

technically you dont have a seperate TOB, you have the internal slave and it is part of that, get the zspeed hd one