Okay, I'm posting this in a new thread because the previous thread devolved into a debate about what oil to use and how often to change it. The bottom line is that I'm burning about a quart every 1500-2000 miles. (06 6MT coupe, 89k miles, no previous history of oil consumption, checked and confirmed by dealership records at about 50k miles).

I can stay on top of this with frequent checks, adding oil as needed.

My question is this: where is it going? Yes, I could use the search function but the signal to noise ratio on this info is huge.

There are no oil leaks so I'm assuming this is a piston ring problem. If so what does this mean to the longevity and reliability of this engine even if I keep the oil topped off? And if I'm burning this much oil, why no blue smoke from the exhaust? I never see any smoke at all.

And if this is a ring problem is it better to just keep adding oil until something catastrophic happens or should I bite for a rebuild before the engine blows?

Also, wasn't there some issue about oil in or around the spark plug tubes or something?

I would add that this car is used primarily as a daily driver, some short road trips but also I am taking this car to the track and intend to do so about 4-5 times a year.

 

No one? Guess I'll just keep adding oil.

 

I would just keep adding oil until it destroys itself. No point in building the motor if it still works and your not going to be making 400+whp

 

My 03 at 98,000 miles is burning about 1 qt every 1200 miles or so. I will be getting the plugs changed in a few weeks and will see if the old plugs are wet and therefore replacing the valve covers as well.

 

So the oil loss with the plugs is a valve cover issue? Is it a gasket problem or a problem with the valve cover itself. I'd be glad to replace them if it would help. And if the problem is related to the valve cover, where is the oil going? If it is losing a quart every 1000 miles or so, shouldn't we be seeing it all over the engine and on the ground?

 

same issue with me.. im putting about a quart every 1500 miles and its annoying as ****... plus just the general paranoia of low oil in my car while driving is not fun..considering i drive 75+ miles a day.

im takin it to the shop next week resolve another issue in the motor so hopefully theyll be able to give me some input.

 

N80 if you had valve cover issues you'd notice the evidence on the garage floor. Yes your issue is piston rings so my best advice would be to drive her and keep adding oil until she comes apart, or trade her in.
Gary

 

That's what I figured. I'll be replacing the plugs soon so I'll take a look but there is no oil underneath and the engine looks new from the outside.

I will probably just keep running the car. It will probably become a dedicated track car in the future so if the engine blows it might just be time to go all the way with a built engine for the track.

The problem with a trade in is that to get anything comparable for track and DD use is going to cost more than what this car is worth and I really don't want to put a more expensive car on the track.

I wonder how much a ring/piston job costs. Are the cylinders in this engine sleeved? And is the problem typically just with the rings or is there a flaw in the piston design as well. I know that the solution to the OC issue in cars still under warranty is engine replacement, not a ring job.

 

After doing some research it is clear that Infiniti is not going to do anything for me with an 06 with 89K miles on it.

I'm researching 07-08 350Zs.

I'm also talking with Nik at SOHO Motorsports about replacing the engine, possibly with a built engine with a little more HP. Would still likely keep it NA.

 

I've decided to get rid of my G35. I hate to do it because I really like the car and I'm quite attached to it even after only 18 months of owning it.

It still runs great but it is the feeling that it is going to slowly but steadily die is just too annoying.

I went to purchase an 07 350Z 6MT yesterday with money in hand but it had been sold. No decent prospects locally right now but I'll wait and watch. I was pretty impressed with the 07 Z. It had a higher quality interior feel than my G even though the Z interior is a bit boy-racer cheesy.

There are two loaded G37 6MT coupes locally and they are priced good ($23k) and at a great high end used dealership but I just don't need to spend that much on a luxury coupe that is going to spend increasing amounts of time on the track.