Oil Consumption 2002 BOHICA!
06-30-2006, 10:07 AM
#41
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 219
I haven't checked into the site much lately, but this post caught my eye. I had a similar issue and wanted to post my experience in case it helps anyone. This may have been discussed in other threads, but I didn't come across any in a quick search.
I have an '03 6sp currently at 140K miles. Lots of highway. Oil changes every 5K to 7.5K miles, with one exception. Right around 73K miles, I started noticing a light rattle in the 1-3K RPM range. Not at idle, not above 3K. About 500 miles later, it sounded like I was driving an F350 diesel. I really noticed it on a long drive home one night. At that point, I thought about my oil. I checked my windshield sticker and OH S**T...I had 13K on that oil change. I zoned...I don't know.
Anyway, I drove straight to the dealer. Luckily, the wifey works there, so I know almost all the techs. I had their senior tech drive with me and then check it out. When we drained the oil, and only came up with 2.5qts. His solution...new engine. His words..."the bottom is ready to fall out." One of the other techs was in on this as well and he suggested trying something else. He thought we should try to replace the intake valve sensors. At least it would be a cheaper solution ($300 or so) and if it didn't work, I would decide what to do next.
I'm reading from my repair order...so hopefully this makes sense to the techies out there:
---ECU Code - PO0011 (NO CEL light was on...code found anyway) - Intake Valve Timimg SOL Inoperable
---Both B1 and B2 SOL will need to be retested
---Found engine has a bad spark/knock. Need to Replace the Intake SOL
After this was completed, the rattle went away completely. The car performed a little better, but nothing drastic. I had my snows on at that point, so I wasn't driving hard anyway. Maybe it helped more than I noticed.
Since then, no problems at all. The noise hasn't come back and I'm burning less than 1qt every 5k-7.k miles. Car is still strong and I run to the redline several times a week. Only minor issue is MAF...but that's unrelated.
Anyway...could this be the solution to the rattle???
I have an '03 6sp currently at 140K miles. Lots of highway. Oil changes every 5K to 7.5K miles, with one exception. Right around 73K miles, I started noticing a light rattle in the 1-3K RPM range. Not at idle, not above 3K. About 500 miles later, it sounded like I was driving an F350 diesel. I really noticed it on a long drive home one night. At that point, I thought about my oil. I checked my windshield sticker and OH S**T...I had 13K on that oil change. I zoned...I don't know.
Anyway, I drove straight to the dealer. Luckily, the wifey works there, so I know almost all the techs. I had their senior tech drive with me and then check it out. When we drained the oil, and only came up with 2.5qts. His solution...new engine. His words..."the bottom is ready to fall out." One of the other techs was in on this as well and he suggested trying something else. He thought we should try to replace the intake valve sensors. At least it would be a cheaper solution ($300 or so) and if it didn't work, I would decide what to do next.
I'm reading from my repair order...so hopefully this makes sense to the techies out there:
---ECU Code - PO0011 (NO CEL light was on...code found anyway) - Intake Valve Timimg SOL Inoperable
---Both B1 and B2 SOL will need to be retested
---Found engine has a bad spark/knock. Need to Replace the Intake SOL
After this was completed, the rattle went away completely. The car performed a little better, but nothing drastic. I had my snows on at that point, so I wasn't driving hard anyway. Maybe it helped more than I noticed.
Since then, no problems at all. The noise hasn't come back and I'm burning less than 1qt every 5k-7.k miles. Car is still strong and I run to the redline several times a week. Only minor issue is MAF...but that's unrelated.
Anyway...could this be the solution to the rattle???
06-30-2006, 10:20 AM
#42
Originally Posted by AllGo
2002 Maxima SE, if you are getting oil, water, and gas in your pcv catch can then you may have a head gasket problem. An almost immeasureable amount of fuel will get past the rings on the compression stroke and get into the oil but it certainly would not be noticeable by simply looking at or smelling the oil in the catch can. Water in your oil is an entirely worse situation.
My 2002 pcv catch can may not be catching 3qts every 5k miles but it easily collects 3-4 onces over a 500 mile period which would be roughly 1 quart over a 5000 mile interval. I have been simply recycling the oil in the catch can by pouring it back into the engine and other than that I add maybe 0.5 quarts per 5000 miles of mixed driving. But it seems that some are seeing much higher comsumption into the 2-3 quart range between oil changes and I would guess that some are using the ultrathin synthetics 0w30 and 5w30's out there.
I believe these superthin full synthetics that many use is the main culprit here. These oils are much more prone to atomization from valvetrain and crank movement and consequently the pcv carries quite a bit of this into the intake manifold. It seems apparent that Nissan didn't engineer the baffle systems in the oil pan and valvecovers in the 3.5 engine very well. This would have done a great deal to minimize this type of oil loss.
Further the smaller molecular structure of these synthetics allows much more oil to pass through rings and get burned. I have been running a 10w30 Mobil for the last 6k miles or so and this has mostly eliminated the "burning" of the oil as my oil level is much more consistent and the pcv catch can fills up less often.
My 2002 pcv catch can may not be catching 3qts every 5k miles but it easily collects 3-4 onces over a 500 mile period which would be roughly 1 quart over a 5000 mile interval. I have been simply recycling the oil in the catch can by pouring it back into the engine and other than that I add maybe 0.5 quarts per 5000 miles of mixed driving. But it seems that some are seeing much higher comsumption into the 2-3 quart range between oil changes and I would guess that some are using the ultrathin synthetics 0w30 and 5w30's out there.
I believe these superthin full synthetics that many use is the main culprit here. These oils are much more prone to atomization from valvetrain and crank movement and consequently the pcv carries quite a bit of this into the intake manifold. It seems apparent that Nissan didn't engineer the baffle systems in the oil pan and valvecovers in the 3.5 engine very well. This would have done a great deal to minimize this type of oil loss.
Further the smaller molecular structure of these synthetics allows much more oil to pass through rings and get burned. I have been running a 10w30 Mobil for the last 6k miles or so and this has mostly eliminated the "burning" of the oil as my oil level is much more consistent and the pcv catch can fills up less often.
I have since switched to standard Mobil 1 synthetic and I still have oil consumption but it has noticeably slowed. I'm considering a switch to a heavier weight oil on the next change to see if that makes a difference.
06-30-2006, 05:16 PM
#43
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 28
Originally Posted by SgtSchulze
I agree. My problem never surfaced until I switched to Mobil 1 Extended Performance stuff. Before that I used Castrol Syntec and never had a problem.
I have since switched to standard Mobil 1 synthetic and I still have oil consumption but it has noticeably slowed. I'm considering a switch to a heavier weight oil on the next change to see if that makes a difference.
I have since switched to standard Mobil 1 synthetic and I still have oil consumption but it has noticeably slowed. I'm considering a switch to a heavier weight oil on the next change to see if that makes a difference.
06-30-2006, 05:17 PM
#44
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 28
Originally Posted by MadMaxNH
I paid 485 for non warranty stuff I had them do while they were under there and zero (0) dollars for a new longblock VQ35 motor.
I did have to deal with the rattle issue on the long time before it was rectified though. Then an almost 4 months debating with Nissan Corporate. I am glad they finally made it right but they told me no alot. The big thing is being able to show paperwork outlining your maintenance stuff.
NISMOLOGY: Why is synthetic oil a "no-no" during the break in period?
I did have to deal with the rattle issue on the long time before it was rectified though. Then an almost 4 months debating with Nissan Corporate. I am glad they finally made it right but they told me no alot. The big thing is being able to show paperwork outlining your maintenance stuff.
NISMOLOGY: Why is synthetic oil a "no-no" during the break in period?
I am actually in the market for a 5.5gen Maxima. My question to you all is if there is any way to (while looking over a car for sale) see if it is subject to this oil consumption problem? Is the rattling sound the only thing? If so, what does it sound like, and is it only under 3K rpms (as someone else mentioned)? Is there any correlation to build date or something and the "bad motors"?
This is not related to the valve cover gasket that seeps oil, is it? Because other than oil consumption, valve cover gasket, and wheel bearings, it seems like a pretty solid car. I guess I will have to search more and/or post up a thread to see what else to look for though (unless you guys want to chime in here
)
07-13-2006, 09:13 PM
#45
Newbie - Just Registered
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 11
I had the same issue with my '02. But my knocking got really really bad. I started out by going through about 1 1/4 qts of oil every 3K miles, to going through 1Qt per 700miles or so (I had too had mentioned it to Nissan back in '04, also documented, but nothing ever came of it. then at 70K miles, it started giving me real problems). Unbelievable, the gal at Nissan told me she didn't know what oil I was using (said maybe it was "too heavy" - what a laugh). I took it to 4 different shops - 2 dealers, and 2 independents; 1 dealer and independent shop (a Nissan specialist) were able to diagnose it as a piston issue and basically concluded that I would've needed a new engine. Rather than try to fight and waste lots ot my time (despite being EXTREMELY UPSET), I just traded my car in after much debate. I've owned maximas before, I was quite disappointed with my '02. I was putting ~25K highway miles per year on the car, and never thought I'd have an ounce of worry with the engine. Coupled with the massive headache caused by the skipping CD player - I was fed up and ready for a change. I don't think I will ever buy a nissan again, and I made sure Nissan received that message.
Good luck to you.
Good luck to you.
07-14-2006, 10:46 AM
#46
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 55
Hey guys, I own a 2003 Max, I have 87,000km, I am having the same oil burning issues, 4L per 1000km.. I have gone to the dealership and I am trying to get a brand new engine. So far I have one more visit with nissan and they record my mileage and then Nissan Canada is going to be contacted, hopefully from there they can do something for me and get a brand new engine. The thing that is saving me is that there is a standard 100,000km Powertrain warrenty, I just have to provide oil change reciepts.
07-14-2006, 11:23 AM
#47
Anyone have any more details on this? My 01 has developped a rattle (140,000 kilometers). The rattle only appears when in gear - when in park, if you rev the engine, it does not rattle, so I'm thinking the rattle might be caused by something lose which moves when the car is in gear - exhaust pipe maybe? Similar to others, the rattle starts at around 2k rpm but goes away when the car gets up to speed. i.e., the rattle isn't apparent when cruising at 2k rpm. Those who had the rattle, was it constant or did it disappear as well?
Any documented cases of this engine problem on 5th gen models? Oil consumption doesn't seem high, but I'll have to start keeping a tighter record.
Any documented cases of this engine problem on 5th gen models? Oil consumption doesn't seem high, but I'll have to start keeping a tighter record.
07-14-2006, 03:59 PM
#48
Newbie - Just Registered
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 8
Always wanted a Maxima and now I am trying to trade my 01 Acura 3.2CL Type S auto for a 02 Maxima 6-speed. I'm doing it because Acura has a notorious automatic tranny problems. Mine did not fail yet but 160kms extended warranty will run out very soon. But now reading threads like this scares me to buy a Maxima. I already have a 02 Grey Luster with 70,000kms lined up for me at the dealership. I test drove it and it was pretty smooth, I didn't notice any ratles or anything like it. I am now afraid to buy it and can't really back out of the deal anymore. Left a deposit and made an offer. I really want the Maxima in that color though and the main thing - it's 6-speed.
What to do? What to check?
What to do? What to check?
07-14-2006, 04:42 PM
#49
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,875
Happend to my 2k3.
I made a poll while back.. Nearly 15% responded with oil burning issues. THis is not isolated. All forums with VQ35DE's will report oil burning. Search it on G35 forums, 350z forums, etverywhere.
In fact even my dads VK45DE is KNOWN to burn oil.
Nissan can't build motors for $hit when it comes to reliability. I had ot get a new long block installed on my 2k3. Thats why I tried my luck on my 2006 300C Hemi. Bye Nissan forever.
I made a poll while back.. Nearly 15% responded with oil burning issues. THis is not isolated. All forums with VQ35DE's will report oil burning. Search it on G35 forums, 350z forums, etverywhere.
In fact even my dads VK45DE is KNOWN to burn oil.
Nissan can't build motors for $hit when it comes to reliability. I had ot get a new long block installed on my 2k3. Thats why I tried my luck on my 2006 300C Hemi. Bye Nissan forever.
07-15-2006, 10:26 AM
#50
Originally Posted by AllGo
2002 Maxima SE, if you are getting oil, water, and gas in your pcv catch can then you may have a head gasket problem. An almost immeasureable amount of fuel will get past the rings on the compression stroke and get into the oil but it certainly would not be noticeable by simply looking at or smelling the oil in the catch can. Water in your oil is an entirely worse situation.
I'll have to disagree about the fuel. Myself and others can smell it in the catch can.
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