This was discussed in the "engine failure" thread but I don't recall if it was ever established that 3 1/2 quarts of oil were really consumed in under 1000 miles or if the tech under filled the motor during the oil change. I don't want to restart the debate about checking oil again but after driving a 1987 Maxima nearly 200,000 miles and NEVER having to add oil between 5000 mile oil changes, I never dreamed I would need to check the oil so often in the G35. But the last time I changed the oil after about 4000 miles only about 3 quarts drained out meaning I was 2 qts low! I thought this odd but did not think about it again until reading the "engine failure" thread and the link to the (I think it was) a 350Z site. The G is due another oil change (about 4000 miles again since the last). So I checked the oil again and it was only about 1/2 quart down which we all consider normal! So why the big difference? 2 quarts last 4000 miles and 1/2 a quart over the last 4000? Driving has been consistant. Now have a 29,000 miles on the car. Been using Mobile 1 since first oil change? I don't recall if I used 5W 30 or 10W 30 as I sit here. Could that be a factor. Those of you consuming oil vs not consuming oil, what kind of oil and which viscosity are you using. Any more updates from Nissan about this issue? Thanks



2003.5 G35 6MT Black/Graphite Prem/Aero/Winter
1987 GN Intercooled SFI Turbo (22K original miles)
1970 GS 455 Stage 1 4-Speed (#'s matching)

 

I've been using whatever the dealership been putting in my car. I've been checking my oil on a semi regular basis and its never been low yet.

2003.5 G35 Sedan White/6MT
Nismo Type S Suspension / Nismo Sway Bars
19" OZ Rims / Stillen Front/Rear Camber Kit / Z Tube
Stillen Big-Airflow Intake / Stillen Catback Exhaust

 

Extreme low tension rings and floating cylinder bore liners take a while to wear in and set, some never do thus the few with excessive oil consumption.

Sometimes high sulfur fuel [bad refining] reacts and tarnishes the ring and bore surfaces............one of the many variables.

The new G35 is a very different design from the old 3 liter engines used for the past 12 years.

 

I suggested to the Service Mgr that it was possible they didn't completely fill the oil on the last oil change but he dismissed this quickly saying "I trust my techs 100%". That doesn't mean it didn't happen. I also asked him if he had heard of any G's having oil consumption problems and he said no. Once again, I consider the source of the denial. Unfortunately, I doubt I will ever know what caused my engine failure. I tried to find other G owners that experienced the same problem and found one owner on Fresh Alloy, but he never answered my PM. I had heard that some Z owners were having oil consumption problems but I did not research this. If you find out more let us know.

 

Same problem here only worse, service manager is trying to say theres been a "modification" to the ecu to make the car run rich, I'm telling him I haven't done a thing to the ecu.. at this point I am just going to contact consumer affairs, I'm tired of the run around.

 

skeleton,

I've been following your story with interest. BTW I think it sucks because you've obviously put your trust in professionals for the service of your car and you've been let down. Either the manufacturer let you down by failing to produce a quality product or the dealership, by failing to service your car responsibly. I just can't see how your engine failure can be the result of any thing other than shoddy manufacturing or service.

I'm a little mystified about what happened to all that oil. If it leaked out of the engine, I would have expected a leaky trail of oil that would have coated the engine, exhaust, and transmission. 4-5 quarts of oil would be noticeable. If it burned in the engine, I would expect to find significant residue in the exhaust. Wouldn't there be an oily/sooty residue clearly evident in the tail pipe?

It's entirely possible I don't grasp this problem at all but I just can’t get around the fact that no one seems to have a clue where the oil went. Does it mean that oil was left out of the oil change? This possibility seems more likely in the absence of other rational explanations.

Cale


04 G35X