Oil Consumption.

[Vitamin Z]

I'm going through quiet a few things with my local dealer and NNA regarding my oil consumption. According to the dealer, who references NNA, loosing a quart of oil every 3K miles is normal.
I haven't been able to find out NNA’s official stand as of yet.
I'm loosing more then a quart (about 1.25 quarts), but I wanted to get an assessment of how much oil does everyone consumes between oil changes.

I also understand that not everyone changes their oil at 3K. I wouldn't do it myself but I have no alternative at this point. Please specify the oil change frequency.

[jtree007]

I am going through about 1/2 a quart but it is not consistant. The more time at the track the more was loss. I have not tracked the car for a while and not had really much oil loss. After VIR last year I think I lost a quart after only 2k miles

[GwinnINF]

we have seen a few Gs for the same problem. We have a short block coming in for a customer who is usuing about 1 qt every 3k.

[Vitamin Z]

I finally had my short block swapped.

[WV350Z]

i got a problem the dipstick is the stupidist design and can be tricky..but my oil it almost jet black at 2200 miles into the oil change..using Mobil 1 with K&N oil filter.looks like im burning 1 1/2 court in 3k miles...been alot of highway miles this change...prolly 2400 miles freeway??dealer is argueing me over my popcharger...which is bs...motor has 40k...it shouldnt be jet black and burnig that much in 3k...:zx11shock

[underground350]

MY 03 burns 3 qts every 3k miles, Im going to take this up with the dealer, adding 1 qt every 1k miles is rediculous!

[rixz]

I am the original owner of a new 2004 Touring 350Z, 6 SPD -MT that I purchased off of the new car lot. Right from the get-go I noticed an oil consumption problem so I took it to the Nissan dealer where I purchased it and we began the oil consumption test. After 3 tests they finally admitted that there may be a problem (they denied that they have ever heard of a Nissan engine with oil consumtion problems) so they said that they contacted Nissan North America and rather then doing a leak down test they were told to replace the valve covers, gasket and PCV valve. That work slowed the oil consumption at first but now is back to 1 Quart every 1000 miles. I was just wondering if anyone has heard of this fix before and might know what Nissan my do next. Thanks In Advance! First time posting.

2004 Touring - Silverstone - 6-MT - 11,000 Miles

[rixz]

As you can see from my above posting I am presently losing approximately 1 quart of oil every 1000 miles. The valve covers, gaskets and PCV have all been replaced by Nissan yet the engine still is burning oil. Well, here is Nissan North America's, Inc. Official Answer. DOWN-SHIFTING! NISSAN'S TECH LINE Stated "Oil loss due to customer downshifting to slow vehicle down- compression built up during this is pushing oil past rings which is then being burnt off".

Let me know what you think of this answer.


2004 - 350Z - Touring - Silverstone - 6-MT - 11,000 Miles

[Ninja350Z]

Mine has never used any oil between changes.

[Robertm69]

I'm a new member to this form. I have a 2006 Grand touring with 6000 miles on it. Its been babied through the first 3000 miles. It is currently burning a quart per 1000 miles !
I have taken it to the dealer here in Canada who advised me that I am to return weekly to document the oil consumption. They need 5 consecutive measurements to revert back to Nissan for a replacement block. Will keep update as this evolves.

[alcorrea]

Mine has never used any oil between changes.
I do oil changes every 3,500 miles, it's a 2003 with 53,000 miles.

[Robertm69]

it took some time, (from 6000km - 22,000 km) , and some les than gentle persuation on my part, but I finally had my engine replaced by Nissan Canada. They replaced the entire engine..heads, intake , block .. the works ($14,000 in parts).
I have 800 km on the break in and will not likely get more on in the near future, as winter has finally arrived here in Nova Scotia. I'm keepin my fingers crossed for the spring.

PS. Nissan Canada replaced my engine but indicated that they didn't think that this will solve my issue ! LOL ! At this point I don't really care... if this one burns oil ... they can replace it too.

[OZ_350Z]

Hi,

I have a 2006 350Z roadster track which I purchased new abut june last year. The car has been consuming oil, started at about 4000miles. It is consuming about 2.8q every 3000miles (about 600ml every 1000km). after many months of arguing with nissan australia they have finally agreed to replace the engine with a new one. to this day they still do not know why this is occuring.

[FranksBAG]

I have an 03 G and lose about 1/2 qt. its not burning it its losing it via the drivers side valve cover, oil dipstick. Also i noticed the rubber gasket under the oil cap as well.

[bofa]

What's up guys? I just joined but have been on my350z.com for a while.

Anyway, I've had major consumption issues. In my first 1500 miles I went through about 2 quarts. The 1500 miles following I burnt through 4 qts (almost bone dry). The dealer magically neglected to measure the third time but still changed the oil. I'm at about 900 miles now and my dipstick is on low.

This is on a 2006 350Z 6MT that was purchased in July/06... what a shame.

[Z-Dragon]

I have an 06 350Z Enthusiast with 8,900 miles that I've had for 7 months. I was going to run errands today and heard a rattle coming from the front of the car whenver I changed from 1st to 2nd and as I accelerated the noise was more continuous. I drove to the dealer and the first thing they did was check the oil level and told me there was no oil in the engine. My last oil change was 2,500 miles ago.

To say the least, I was shocked because I had not heard of this problem before. The dealer told me the problem appears to be with 06 Z with manual transmissions. They also told me they have replace engines in 3 of the 4 cars they have seen with this problem. They told be that they may have to replace the engine in mine as well.

How long has this been a problem with the Z car?

[Vitamin Z]

Well, mine is 03 and had the short block swapped because of oil consumption. Not much oil consumption now.

[techspec6]

I have an 06 350Z Enthusiast with 8,900 miles that I've had for 7 months. I was going to run errands today and heard a rattle coming from the front of the car whenver I changed from 1st to 2nd and as I accelerated the noise was more continuous. I drove to the dealer and the first thing they did was check the oil level and told me there was no oil in the engine. My last oil change was 2,500 miles ago.

To say the least, I was shocked because I had not heard of this problem before. The dealer told me the problem appears to be with 06 Z with manual transmissions. They also told me they have replace engines in 3 of the 4 cars they have seen with this problem. They told be that they may have to replace the engine in mine as well.

How long has this been a problem with the Z car?

'06 MT Enthusiast
Z-Dragon, this is the exact same thing that's happened to me, except I had no oil at 3,500 miles and 13.5k on the engine. They had me do a 500 mile consumption test of which I did in 4 days all highway because I had a job that I drove to. Normally, I do all my miles city so it was best case scenario and it still consumed 1/4 a quart in 500 miles highway. The dealer told me that NNA said that it was within tolerance and that they wouldn't swap my engine. Anyone have any advice on how I can get this resolved? If I only drove highway, I wouldn't care but if it burned all the oil in 3,500 miles once, it's going to do it again.

[rixz]

Please visit www.planetfeedback.com and file a Compaint with NISSAN North America, Inc. This is a site where TOP Exectutives go to find out problems with their own companies. I have already posted my complaint and am waiting to hear back from NISSAN. The more people that complain about these engine problems the better it will be for all of us. My 2004 has always used 1 Quart / 1000 Miles and it should not be considered acceptable.

Good Luck!

2004 Touring 6-SP Silverstone 17 Quarts Of Oil

[techspec6]

done! Thanks for the link.

[Sunset350ZR]

I as well have oil consumption that is to great. I am guessting a quart every 1000 miles. I will start the process on my next oil change for the consumption test with Nissan. I wonder if the performance with the new blocks is as good as the 06. I really love how the car runs, but the oil loss I fear will only get worse.

[digital_spatula]

I'm a member of the 1 qt per 1,000 miles club. And yes, my dealer is telling me that Nissan says burning that much oil is OK! I've had 3 Nissans previous to my Z and none burned anywhere near that. I never had dirty, oily tailpipes like I do now. So I guess the dealership is batting for Nissan and not me.

We're starting a consumption test, and I couldn't believe they're using the dip stick as a measuring device. I thought they were going to do a complete drain and measure, but apparently I have to suffer through 3 complete oil changes where they take measurements, mark a groove on the dip stick, and take digital photos each time, only then will they present a case to NoA.

Is there any member out there who successfully completed rounds of consumption tests and filed a successful case with Nissan? How long did the entire process take? Interested in hearing your story.

[techspec6]

Same story here Digital Spatula. I've seen where many got a new block after the consumption test, though Nissan is making us work for them. Sometimes, they new block burns oil as well and some have had 2 engines replaced. I've also read where many have lemonized their cars and recieved refunds via their states lemon law.

I don't know why you have to wait 3 whole oil changes. I'm only waiting 1,000 miles each time and taking my car in for the consumption test.

Just a thought... but after a car is lemonized, if the car is moved across state lines, it can be sold as a used vehicle and the company doesn't have to tell the new buyer that it was lemonized in another state. I've checked this and know it to be true. What's cheaper, for them to give us 14.5k for a new engine or to force us to lemonize the car and move it to another state where it can be sold again at full used car value?

It's all about the money. I'm taking the necessary steps to lemonize my car. I'll probably upgrade to the '07. Researching it now to see if it has any sever issues as this.

[zeus2006]

Hey everybody! My 2006 had the same issues, started making a rattle noise and upon oil check was nearly empty at about 2500 miles. I took it to the dealer and they told me this was a common consumption rate. They asked me if I was racing the car and told me to check the oil regularly. After leaving and finding that the engine was still making noise, I took it back to have them check into it further. They claimed some sort of internal damage had occured and replaced the engine. I have now put on another 2500 miles with continued oil consumption ( not quite as bad ) but have been forced to monitor it very closely -- pain in the a..!

[rixz]

Please visit www.planetfeedback.com and file a Compaint with NISSAN North America, Inc. This is a site where TOP Exectutives go to find out problems with their own companies. I have already posted my complaint and am waiting to hear back from NISSAN. The more people that complain about these engine problems the better it will be for all of us. My 2004 has always used 1 Quart / 1000 Miles and it should not be considered acceptable.

Good Luck!

2004 Touring 6-SP Silverstone 17 Quarts Of Oil 17,000 Miles

[crankshaft]

Nissan has known about this oil consumption for a long time. Since July of this year they have come out with a new V-2 engine replacement (big secret)...the original '06 engine is known as the V-1. The V-2 has modified rings, pistons & other stuff.
So far no TSB have been released to the dealerships or re-call notice.
I have a '04.5 Roadster with no oil problems but I had to have my top replaced....another secret to the public...Roadsters having faulty tops!!!!

[Sunset350ZR]

Has anybody with the V2 version had oil comsumption failures?

[Bob]

I had a 2006 that used 1qt in 2700 miles, but after 18000 miles it was getting worst with the last check at 1 qt in less than 2000 miles and my pipes were black. Anyway decided to trade it in for a 2007. I currently have 2500 miles on it and it has used 1/8-1/4 of a qt. Of course it doesn' t have very many miles on it and could improve. My pipes are clean. I don't consider this a problem. I am very pleased with the car and just added the Nismo exhaust and dual cold air intake. Haven't pushed it past 6K RPM yet just to give it some more time before going to red line, but I can tell it's going to run good.

[hubcap]

found this today.
http://nissan350zoilconsumption.com/

[Sunset350ZR]

In the long run you would think Nissan would want to squash any name blemishing problems before they got steam. I would imagine only half the Z's in 06 were manual and had this problem, probably less. If they sent out letters to those with Manual 06s then they could at least say they were at work fixing the problem. Quite a few would not respond anyway. Instead they burn a bridge and people who at first absolutely knew their car car would be a Z, now open up their field of view to other cars or don't consider the Z at all.

[GSXRJohn]

I've been reading about this on my350z.com. Apparently it's most common in the 06 6spd models. I read in one post that Nissan thought it might have something to do with the way the motors are broken in in the first few thousand miles. I've only put about 700 miles on my 06 since I bought it about 2 months ago. I haven't checked the oil level yet, but will be keeping a eye on it checking every thousand miles or so until I'm convinced I'm not burning oil. No matter what your dealers are telling you, NO amount of oil consumption is ok on a stock motor unless it's just been abused or has high mileage were wear is a factor. I plan on having my motor forged for a TT set up in the next year and realize that if my motor is burning oil that getting it rebuilt might fix it, but I'll be ****** if I start a 10k+ build with a problem motor.

[L33TZOR]

there is a nissan tsb on the subject.
i have hear of about 10 or so in my locality requiring new engines due to the oil consumption including a G35 owner.
I watch my 2006 closely. it turned 2 years old TODAY and I will be chacking it tomorrow. The car has just over 11k on her and I modded an exhaust at 500 miles, CAI at 900 miles, and used synthetic the first 2k miles and ever since change at 2k intervals. (I am sponsored by Valvoline so I can;t complain of the free oil products because I am learning most people use something else doesnt mean their products aren't as good or better).

Heres another reference,
http://www.nissan350zoilconsumption.com/

and if you take it into the dealership even if its a 2003 model they will cover it from what i hear. I even know of a Nissan Dealership employee that went into the service for something and was told he needed a new engine. The price tag is somewhere about $8300.00 from what I read on another board.

I want to hold off modding to turbos for now because I have this feeling my Z may be an affected one.

[Chad]

These were my consumption test results before they switched the shortblock. The car still goes through a good 3/4 quart every 1,000 miles on average though. It all goes out the exhaust. Since they seem to ding or scratch the car every other time I bring it in, I'm just going to leave it alone, especially since i don't drive it enough for it to be an annoying thing anymore. These test results (below) were taken and short block replaced about a year and a half ago. Since they swapped short blocks, I think the most I have ever seen was one a little over one quart low in 1,000 miles which is better than the 1.5 drop I had one time before. If I hadn't already started to mod the car at the time of consumption testing, I would have contacted a laywer and make them take the car back on the grounds that replacing the shortblock will kill the resale value of the car.... Well since i already had started modding that option was out, so I'm stuck with it.

(copied and pasted from another post of mine)


Had my 3rd (1,000 mile) oil consumption test/reading done today.

1st 1,000 mile results it was down .6 of a quart.

2nd 1,000 mile results it went down 1.5 quarts

3rd 1,000 mile reading results taken today was down 3/4 of a quart.

So it's averaging about 9/10's of a quart every 1k miles.

[milrz350]

I've had my Z for almost 2 years. I immediately noticed that it was using oil. I read many posts on several sites which led me to believe there was not a lot I could do about it. After going through 4 qts of oil in less than 3K miles I decided that enough was enough. I checked again on several Z sites and discoverd that a factory TSB had finally been issued for this very problem. On 7/14 I went to my local dealer in Ontario, Ca and they began an oil consumption test. Gave me a free oil change to begin. After approximately 1300 miles (8/7/08) I returned to the dealer and they checked my oil. I was down 13 mm. The fail point on the TSB was 8 mm. They immediately ordered me a new long block which arrived on 8/9/08. On 8/12/08, the Service Manager called me and informed me that my vehicle was ready to pick up. When I arrived, my Z was sitting out in front of the service department. They had completely detailed it inside and outside... it looked great. The Service Manager could not have been nicer. The car looks and runs great! It was vertually a no hassle experience. They told me that they had already replaced several other motors with new long blocks and that so far, Nissan has not given them any hassle. I wish that I did not have to get a new motor, but after 13K miles, I have one and I could not be more satisfied. I have only put approximately 100 miles on the vehicle, so I will need to monitor and report back. I got the new V2 motor and the Service Manager told me that so far, all replacements have been good.... we'll see. If any of you are having the same oil consumption problem with your 06 models, I suggest you go back to your dealer. They seem to have a new attitude. GOOD LUCK!

[AuburnZ]

Glad you had a good experience!