When I do a lot of interstate driving, my 1997 SE burns a good amount of oil. Probably only 2 100 mile trips, and it won't even register on the dip stick. The first sign that it is burning oil is the oil light. After a good amount of interstate driving, I will notice the oil light kinda flicker on and off every so often when I am at lower RPMs. This will happen if I only drive in the city, but not nearly as quickly. The first time I notice the oil light, I usually just top off the oil. The car has used synthetic it's entire life. When it comes back on, I usually do an oil change.

Now, I have done a good amount of traveling lately, and it has gotten bad. At low RPMs the oil light pretty much stays on, and I can audibly hear what sounds like either the valves need adjusting, or the timing chain is loose. Both of which would explain the oil loss, and the noise, correct? It is like a fast clicking, or a playing card in bicycle spokes. The speed of the noise is proportional to the RPMs. Sometimes the sound disappears.

Step one is obviously to do an oil change. Often I hear this sound before I do one, I've just never heard it this bad. The sound will more than likely vanish along with the oil light, but they will certainly return. My goal is to make them not return.

Any feedback is helpful.

 

how many miles u have now?

 

How many miles are on your Maxima? I replaced he timing chain tensioner on my I30 at approximately 220,000 miles to cure a ticking noise that would happen when the engine was cold. Have you run an oil pressure test?

 

I believe you wrote that the first time the oil light comes on that you will add oil. How many quarts do you add then? When the oil light comes on a second time is when you change the oil?

 

Just curious. ... how many miles do you drive between the time you change your oil until the oil light comes on or stays on?

How much oil do you add then?

When you change the oil after the oil light comes on a second time, how much oil drains out?

How often do you check your oil?

How often do you drive more than a quart low?

 

Somewhere around 192k.
And no, I have not done an oil pressure test.

It depends on how much it needs. And yes, the second time I typically change the oil. Very rarely, maybe twice ever, I let it go three times.

I don't really know the miles, I've honestly never checked it. When I half assed check, I realized it was very few miles, but I don't remember the number.

I mentioned how much I add in the previous response.

Hmm, probably between less than a quart and 3ish quarts. It's never full, but I can't be certain. The last time I changed my oil, I barely filled a butter bowl.
After I change the oil, I will either, 1: get a few weeks of excellent performance around town, or 2: Get about 3-4 100 mile trips on the interstate with excellent performance. After that, if I check the oil, it won't even register on the dip stick. (I have never noticed oil on the ground, and I have looked for that.)

If I'm honest I don't ever really check it. I can sort of tell by the way it performs because I have checked in the past. I am certain I end up changing my oil every 2500-3000 miles. The oil light happens sooner than 3000 miles.

And unfortunately, yes. I have driven quite often *probably* on less than a quart. I know how terrible it is, I just want to fix it.

 

When the oil is low it will tick because the oil isn't protecting the engine parts good enough. Any engine will do this.
First thing- try not to let your oil get that low. Check it every time you get gas, if it is below the add line on the dipstick then check it more often but try to never let it get below the add line on the dipstick. If you run the engine until the light comes on you probably waited too long. Eventually this will cause major engine damage (i.e. bearings, pistons, etc).
Second - find where the oil is going. Are you definately burning it? Then you probably need a rebuild or replacement engine. Often it isn't worth it to fix parts in the engine once it is worn, you are better off replacing it or rebuilding the whole thing. Hopefully it is just an oil leak. If it is leaking, find the leak (front main, oil pan, valve covers, etc.) then get the gaskets and fix it. Most common oil leaks are pretty simple to repair - you can do it in your driveway.

 

Chad,

Our cars are intended to be driven with over four quarts of oil. The dip stick is there to monitor oil levels.
When it shows that it is a quart low,
you need to add a quart. Like real soon.

The oil is there to lubricant and cool the engine. You probably ruined your engine. Most likely you are hearing rod knock. This is due to worn bearings. The cure is to replace the engine.

Learn how to take care of your car.

Please tell me what you think the purpose of the oil light is.

 

Thank you for your respectful answer. I understand what I did was not good. I take back what I said about driving it often on less than a quart. I just checked it/topped it off and it was only just getting low. It was literally at the "L" line. Which I would guess probably puts me around half. This is as bad as I have ever allowed it to get, and I always give it oil when it needs it.

I've already changed every gasket down to the valve covers on the top. I haven't messed with the oil pan, but I have looked for oil marks before and never once found one. It has been losing oil for about 2+ years now, again, mostly highway.

 

I can't stand people who come on these forums without knowing a single thing about a person, their vehicle, their capabilities, or life, and want to be a condescending ****. What do you get out of it? Do your friends let you touch their weiners when you make them laugh?

 

Chad,

Cars have dipstick so that critical oil levels can be monitored. When the dipstick shows a quart low, add one.

We are talking basic maintenance here. Physics not emotions.

You are running a car more than a quart low. If you only get a bowl full of oil when you drain oil it means that you are running three quarts low.

Bad things happen to an engine if you run it more than a quart low for any length of time.

The oil light comes on when oil pressure (from lack of oil) is low.

 

I'll add just a little to this statement.

Once the light is on, damage has begun. I believe the owners manual tells you to stop driving and turn the engine off immediately if the light does indeed come on. From what the OP has described, if it's honestly not leaking, then that engine is done.

 

The OP must think that the oil light acts as a reminder or suggestion light to add oil soon.

I understand that the newer cars have lights that really are a reminder of being ONE quart low.

Unfortunately the oil light in our cars are essentially "too late" lights.