03 se 80,000kms, so problems so far, i try to keep a close watch on my oil level

 

i measure how much is coming out. this past oil change i got only 2.5 quarts to come out. i was telling one of the service guys at the dealership about it and they suggested a do a compression test. i know what the problem is, its the rings. done deal. end of story. so i really dont want to pay them to tell me the smae thing. also my service guy saw my blow by catch can setup and asked how much oil i catch in it, i said about 1/4 to half the container every 4-5 days (home depot one). so he was like take the car up to 6k while he stood behind, he said he noticed black and blue smoke. it has bout 76k on it and honestly i knew about the oil burning issue on the 3.5s before i even bought my car but i mean i guess its just one of thos things you have to live with or sell the car. i love my car too much to sell it because of that issue. other than that, the car is fine. its smooth and fits me just perfect. i dont think that people should frown down upon the maximas or any other car for that matter that has a 3.5 heart because of this issue. i know some of the 350 guys have the same issue as well. i think that most newer nissans with the vq motors have this issue but thats not going to keep me from buying another nissan. in the next few years im looking to upgrade to a nicer m45 which is notorious for burning oil.

 

Well, did you get ALL the oil from the pan? There is a little bit usually still in there. Also, did you drain all the old oil from the filter? What about the oil that gets soaked into the filter element? Got any pics of the catch can?

 

i left the pan open for like 20 mins and let it drain out as much as possible. the 2.5 is including oil in pan as well as the filter. i dont have any pics of the catch can setup but its very similars to THE LAWs setup. ill try to get some pics of the catch can up soon. is there a special way of getting "all" the oil out? i mean i know there a whole bunch stuck in the heads and oil passages and what not but is there a way to blow them out or get it it come out quick?

 

The hotter it is the better it will flow out, but I am sure you knew that. Also, the 3.5 has a better oil pan, I think the drain plug was designed better than on the 4th gen. So your probably ok. But I do know that I was able to pour almost a entire quart into the oil filter.. Simply turning the filter upside down will not drain it all out.

 

I 60k on my 03 6 speed and it is burning a quart every 3k miles. Is there any resolution to this problem?

 

Nissan needs to fix this problem or epidemic

 

How weird. I just checked my oil today and was worried that I was down about 2/3 litres of oil?? I have 132000 Kms and this is the first time I noticed the oil reading to drop this badly. It's due for an oil change anyways and will have to monitor this to make sure it does not become problematic.

Oh yah, no mods or anything but "spirited" driving sometimes

 

I haven't done it on the VQ, but on the ford V8s, I start the engine for a few seconds and it blows a lot more oil out into the pan (then it drains of course). If you're not too big of a wimp, try that :P
I also fill the filter up before I screw it on to possibly reduce any dry pumping time. I don't know if it helps, but it can't hurt.

 

I have a VQ35DE, but it's not in the Maxima, but the 2005 G35. It doesn't burn any oil, but it has a slight valvetrain rattle, which is normal.

The VQ30DE in my 2000 Maxima has some sort of rattling noise from the timing chain area when stick my ear around there. This motor doesn't burn a drop of oil. After 4000 miles, the dip stick reading is at the fullest point. The manifold is also dry as bone with virtually no blowby. I haven't done a search yet, but is there a timing chain tensioner one can replace on the Maximas VQ30DE?

I also have M45 with the VK45DE, which design is based on the VQ35DE. That motor does burn oil, at around half quart a month. It's a very common trait of the motor. No rattling. It sounds absolutely perfect and almost silent at idle.

 

^^^ my god man, you are a diehard nissan fan. yeah ive seen some people complain that the m45 burns oil. i was hoping that would be my next car too, i guess not. i dont think nissan will ever fix this problem. ohh and the comment about "blowing out the oil" by cranking the engine, yeah no thanks.

 

*makes chicken squawking sounds*

j/k haha

 

sticks are downshifted more often

 

so you run your engine and oil pump dry? That is the worst thing you can ever do to your engine. This is why synthetic oil is better in winter cause it flows at -48 degrees celsius. Most wear on your engine will occur in the first few seconds of each startup. And that's while having oil in the pan.

 

I was using mobil 1 oil and filter on the fords (as I do the VQ). If someone wants all of the oil out, I gave a sure fire way lol.

 

QUick question, is it common to get about 1 second of the rattle/tick on cold starts? I get it for less then a second usually, only cold, no rattle at any other time. I thought it was just the lifters or something. Is this normal?

 

It is possible that the rattling you hear is the precat and it increases exhaust backpressure which in turn will effect loosen the oil seals.

 

If it is, then that's what happened to me. Had to get an engine swap b/c of it (partially seized from no oil).
My cat was completely clogged with those worthless precats. Useless ****in ****, I swear. If I wanted somethin that would break and reduce performance, I'd install it myself. ****in engineers. Like anyone cares about or tests emissions when the exhaust/engine is cold.

 

Quick q, if I wanted to change the timing chain tensioner on my vq35, is there a access hole to change it (like in the vq30), or does the entire timing cover need to be removed? Thanks

 

Here's the procedure from the factory service manual.

http://filesbox.info/211TimingChain.pdf

Password is fast

 

nice, theres a cover for the tensioner, if i just replace that i should be ok. I think the tensioner is just a little weak, it only rattles for a second on cold starts. engine only has ~40k miles on it so i dont think the guides would be worn out by now. Im using a 0w30 (german castrol - gold) right now, some heavier oil (5w30) would probably help a bit too eh??? Damn timing chain

 

I cant make any new threads i guess, since my account is so new. Can one of u guys be kind enough to post a new thread; make it a poll, questing is 'Do You experience cold start rattle?'' Thanks guys

 

hey man your going to get flamed for this question. my suggestion is post it in the "noobies" thread and im sure someone will have an answer. also your a donating member so make use of the search function at the top of the page. its very helpful.

 

I just rolled over 70000 miles and no signs of leakage or oil burning.

 

Thats about when mine started. Now at 108k i go through about a qrt every 1000 miles.

 

117,600 on my engine, no rattle and less than a quart down after 3000 miles. My 626 used more oil than that (1 quart per 2000-2500 miles). I'd say that is pretty typical oil consumption for an engine with more than 100k on it.

Of course, the owner's manual states that it is normal to add oil between oil changes...typical CYA statement.

 

i think the rattle poll should be a little higher i think everyone has that rattle problem at lower RPM but some havent discovered it yet

 

It would be kind of hard to hear if you listen to music while driving.

 

On cold mornings, I start my car by reaching in through the driver's door (my head is completely outside the car) so it can start warming up while I put whatever I need for the day in my car. I am sure if my car had the start-up rattle, I'd hear it under those circumstances.

 

I think there was a TSB for cold start up rattle, which does not fix the driving around clicking, rattle.

I use cruise control, and will often hear the rattle a bunch of times. So I'll tap the accel once and it'll usually go away.

 

I have a 02 Maxima SE with around 60k miles. I currently have no problems with my engine. its working nice and smooth. Hope to stay like that for a while.

 

I have a 02 6spd and it just hit 60K and all i need to do is put some bearings in

 

m1-109

 

My 02 is my fifth Maxima and my first 3.5.
It is also the first one to burn oil (starting at 75k miles) though my last one, a 92 5 spd, I gave away with 235k miles.
Oil use seems to have stopped lately using high mileage oil.

 

134k replaced two front cats and still here the rattling noise, only in low rpms and every cold start i could here the belts rattle for a min or 2 then it goes away, my oil is ok i usually always add a little to it before my time for the next oil change but nothing to crazy,

 

128k no leaks and very minimal oil consumption 1/4-1/2q every 3k still runs like a champ.

 

no issues, but a little rattle not from the engine but more like exhaust components on take off, more apparent after i got my flowmaster...

 

No oil usage, just a slight rattle at start, but not if you depress the gas 3 or 4 times slowly with the ignition switch in the on position this eliminates the rattle and reduces the start rpm! 93K 2003 auto w I/H/E

 

02 VQ35 and im burning oil from the front and rear valve cover... could be other places but those two i know for sure

 

05 VQ

no problems yet....