Came back from a trip to cali and noticed a puddle under the car. Oil.

I had noticed it was pretty oily when I did the oil change prior to leaving for cali, cleaned it up around the pan, filter, front cross-member, etc...

drove to cali. drove back from cali. parked it, bam... puddle.

I'm having a hard time trying to figure out where the oil is leaking from though. I think it might be the rear part of the pan... or even the oil filter assembly itself.

It's just irritating knowing I have this "luxury sport sedan" that leaks fning oil at only 58K miles. I bought this so i didn't have to work on cars... my damn $1500 honda had +100K miles, it was raced, never leaked oil (everything else broke on it though)

and on top of that, I'm hearing a RPM-based ticking on the driver side of the engine just slightly under the intake tube.

the agony.

 

Welcome to Nissan. Oil leaks begin around 60k the usual point at which people trade. Basic bottom of the pile entry level cars are known for it.....remember the G is just that, an entry level Infiniti.

You will really have fun after 120k.
These engines have solid bucket lifters and need reshimming to correct wear at intervals.

 

I have that ticking too at 54k.

 

...the VQ35 engine in the G35 is the same engine that the Nissan 350Z uses...NOT entry level by any means. This is the first I've heard of leaking in a G35. Oil consumption, thats a different story.

I would ensure that the leak isn't coming from the oil filter (did you change it prior to your trip?) or the oil pan gasket area.

 

friend of mine had that exact problem, but his started after an oil change when morons over tightened the bolt causing it to brake.

 

Well... I used to have a bit or respect for most of your posts, though you often show biases!

This one certainly makes one take pause.

This is the engine that has been praised as one of the best for years running now by Wards. Though that's no guarantee from engine to engine, it shows some consistency in terms of design and reliability.

It's also the same as used in the M35, FX35, etc. which would certainly not qualify as "Entry Level"! As mentioned, it's also in the 350z which is widely praised as a very good sports car!

And many engines of superior design have "solid bucket lifters" requiring adjustment shims.

 

welp, found the culprit...

the oil cooler.

Apparently, when I removed the oil filter... the 2 and half foot pounds it took to remove it, loosened up the bolt that holds the oil cooler to the block. thus, causing the cooler to leak a little when sitting still.
thus, causing the oil to spray everything behind the filter.

And of course, looking at my belts, noticed they needed some servicing... so those came off and now the belts squeal occasionally.

Arg. I've built a race car and the G35 gives me more headaches... I think it's cause I EXPECT the G35 to be flawless... and it's not.

 

80K and no leaks here. My baby doesn't use any oil either. I change the oil myself every 3.5K and always use synthetic. I drive it hard at least every weekend.

 

well of course not, you are not running oil at all!
j/k

G35 has an oil cooler? That's cool, I did not know this. Anyone upgrade it?

 

my tranny oil cooler lines were leaking too, causing puddles. Don't jump to conclusion that the engine is going out. These are really good engines

 

I've never known anyone with a VQ30 or VQ35 that's had to change out bucket lifters unless they were swapping in new cams. My old VQ30 had 115K miles, stock clutch, 250 1/4 mile passes, and that engine just got more powerful with age. The only place it ever leak a little oil was from the valve covers, but that's a VQ trait and hardly something to worry about. I don't of anyone with a VQ that's had oil leaks other than from the valve covers or a weeping intake manifold gasket.

Infiniti is ranked in the top 5 for long term dependability (3 year old car) and a majority of Infiniti sold between 03 and 07 have VQ35s. Consumer Reports also ranks the G35 a best buy and above average reliability.

HondaCRX - what other serious problems have you had with your G? This oil leak is pretty insignificant if you ask me.

And that RPM based ticking....ummmm...those are the injectors. VQs have loud injectors. Take a long screwdriver and place the metal end on the injector housing and the handle up against your ear. You'll hear the ticking you're describing. I'm certain of it.

 

I will have to agree with DAveB here. The VQ30/35 is a bullet proof engine. I have never had any Nissan use oil. I even had one of the REV-UP engines that were known for this, and it didn't use oil.

The VQ can easily go to 300-400k without a major service of any type. I belive someone here had a 03-04 G35 that had over 250k on the clock and still going.

Q45Tech, you have no clue what you are talking about.

 

Tell me that in 5 years. I've owned and worked on Infiniti engines since 1989, when I purchased my first Q.............still have it with 317k but others have filled in segments.

We see thousands per year, so good that they redesigned them 4 times now since 2002. Now the G37 is [appears to be] an engine worthy of it's name.

 

Q45, some of us here have been around Nissans longer than you. And I can promise you I know many that are way past 60k that do not leak any oil.

 

Check the oil cooler. Probably looks like the oil filter but a closer look should reveal the oil is coming from around the back side or engine block side of the oil cooler. You need P/N 21304-JA11A for about $10.00. Just remove the hollow bolt that the filter screws onto to get at it. Easy fix