Well, took it in to the dealership and they couldn't find anything "out of spec" did compression test etc.... So after they charge me $100 for the diagnostic even though I'm under extended warranty. So after some moaning and groaning to my sales guy, they offer to change my oil using which ever oil I choose and then after 1000 miles they will perform an OIL CONSUMPTION TEST for free.

Anyone heard of an OIL CONSUMPTION TEST and if so, what are they looking for etc...???

They check your dipstick...

I'm using Mobil 5/30 syn and no oil consumption issues as of yet. Hope you get a new engine under warranty.

good luck. 130k on my '03 and I'm burning darn near as much oil as I am gas....

I figured as much. Stealerships =

Honestly, I never noticed this problem before when the dealer was charging me $55 for Castrol Syntec. I might switch back just for giggles. I'm still going to change it and montior it but it's worth a shot.

Just scares me when ppl are talking about new engines etc...

They also mark the oil filter and drain plug to make sure you are not going to drain the oil out just so U can show them its burning WAY too much OIL.

U can buy whats called a OIL SUCKER. Its a device that will pump oil out of the engine via dip stick tube and there will be NO trace of you trying to scam them for a new motor. I been through that route with my friends VW.

HeII I put a new motor in a RSX Type S for oil consumption issues cause some idiot didn't look over the engine right. I got the job ( I do engines and tranny rebuilds whenever there is a need for it) and after having a new head and block and pulling the engine out I noticed that the valve cover gasket was just pissssing oil out. Guy got a brand new K20Z1 under warranty cause of his leaking valve cover gasket.

maybe O/T, and I don't want to hijack SgtSchulze thread but....
I got some black carbon residue on my exhaust tips, is this burnt oil, or should I try different gas???...I'm running mobil1 5w/30. I assume most cars will exhibit this black residue if you put the hammer down frequently???...

I believe this is normal.....both my maximas have aftermarket exhausts and the inside of the tips become very black...until the next car wash when I wipe it down with a cleaner...

i hear most stock cars from the factory run very rich...this is for safety....and the black residue on the tips is just an indication that the car is running rich...true or false?

The Max's tips get black, but the G35's tips get black faster...Higher output engine=blacker tips sooner???...

I have been using Mobil 1 5W30 syn. since i got my car and then switched to 10W30 after noticing my oil burning problem. I started checking my oil every 250 miles after this. With mobil i burnt half a quart every 500 miles. I then switched to castrol syntec 10W40 and burned half a quart every 600-700 miles. I figured the thickness helped a little. Twelve days ago i decided to try Royal Purple 10W40 synthetic oil and today after 800 miles I burnt only a quarter of quart. I recommend trying royal purple, it's working great so far, my car is loving it.

I don't understand this oil burning problem. Neither of my max's did this 02 & 03. I only burn a tiny amount of oil from change to change. Nothing very noticable no matter what kind of oil i use. I usually use castrol gtx 5w-30 and use mobil 1 syn. during the harsh boston winters....

Been there still going through it.
I am getting a new engine as we speak (read) should be
done tomarrow (fri).
Noticed the oil problem because the low oil pressure caused my timing chain
to rattle.
I was loosing 2- 2.5 Q. every 3000K miles.
Dealership begain "testing", looking at dipstick, and yes it was loosing oil.
They tried changing PVC valve first (i changed it) but did not help.
Dealership recommended new short block and Nissan agreed.
Whole process has gone very smooth and fast at no cost to me
except Time.
This was all done under Powertrain warrenty (i'm at 56'000 miles)

SgtSchulze,
Are you still under Powertrain warrenty (60,000k miles).
It might be hard to get Nissan to pay if your over it. New engine
I mean.
If you do end up getting them to do one be sure to check on getting new
belts and plugs at just parts cost.

Sure, Higher emission vehicles put out more carbon and impurities, hence its natural that you get more buildup on the pipes. Driving hard would increase this as you are putting more gasses through your exhaust.

This may be especially true if you have headers or y/pipe with your pre-cats removed.