Lovemyser

Hey guys,

I tore into my motor last night, I check the valve lash last night via the FSM and it was good. I'm leaning towards piston slap or wrist pin failure.

Here is the question, I'm going to start searching for another motor today but don't know which one I need to look for, I know I DON'T want a 2002.

Should I find an 03? 04? 05? 06? I don't know which, I know that the 03 is going to be the only direct bolt up that doesn't bother me, I want the one that's going to cause the least problems, ESPECIALLY with oil burning.

What do you guys say and why?

Andy

NmexMAX

iTrader: (22)

I know of an 02 engine that sees 7500 RPM at least 2x / week. So, no sure if your reasoning is validated.

But yes, 02 - 06 Maxi / Alti blocks are essentially the same.

Not sure about the 07 as of yet, I would need to study the FSM more.

jasonmax

iTrader: (2)

VQ37HR FTW..

Lovemyser

My reasoning is simple...I don't want an oil burner. I was dropping a quart of oil in that thing every 3k miles. I know some people have it worse but I don't want it anymore.

Exactly when was the oil burning problem fixed????

Merlyn

iTrader: (4)

my oil levels are fine... I have an 02 with stock motor...

Lovemyser

Tore into the motor last night. Checked valve lash adjustment and all the lifters. All seem to be operating normally. Leaning toward piston slap or wrist pin. put 3 quarts of oil in rubbermaid containers for the UOA. It's possible that amsoil could pay for the damage and repairs.

Andy

Pearltt

You think its because of the amsoil???

Lovemyser

Maybe not amsoil, but I do think it's something to do with the extended oil drain (More than 3k miles per interval).
The 350z forum has a 28 page thread on UOA's and they agree with my analysis.

NmexMAX

iTrader: (22)

That engine code does not exist.

Lovemyser

Ya, isn't it VQ37VHR

Pearltt

I personally use Royal Purple but I don't change my oil every 12K miles like Royal Purple suggest...I usually change it every 4K...I think synthetic oil does breakdown slower than regular oil but just not as slow as they(amsoil, mobil, R.P) say....

NmexMAX

iTrader: (22)

That would be correct.

Lovemyser

Well, my brother just called today and he said his manual tranny saturn just crapped out too, sounds like a box of rocks. Guess what he's been running...Amsoil Syn. Is this a trend?

I don't know guys, anybody have experience with Amsoil?

McSteve

iTrader: (3)

does the oil burning occur even with oil that has manufactured suggested viscosity? I start to beleive that full synthetic oil might have something to do with the problem. Also are you sure that it ever got fixed? Isn't it like half the people's engine burns oil and hte other half are fine? lol

Scottwax

iTrader: (8)

My understanding is the block is fine, the problem was the rings. Use high quality piston rings and you shouldn't have any problems.

CMax03

iTrader: (3)

I do about the same in my 03 Max! 4500-5000 mi oil change intervals with 10w40 Royal Purple! And I didn't go synthetic until 5000 miles on the engine for the rings most be broke in b4 synthetic oil usage.

jvienneau

A quart every 3K is not even close to "an oil burner". Anything over a 1000/qt is pretty normal and has nothing to do with your failure (neither does Amsoil). You really should pull it apart and find the cause. It might be cheaper to fix it than buy an unknown engine.

foodmanry

iTrader: (15)

My only experience was an extended oil drain interval with Amsoil 10W-30 sythetic at 10,000 mile interval. I sent that oil in for analysis and the lab basically told me I need to take corrective action to address the issues before it was too late.

So yeah...doesn't matter what oil you are running, extended drain intervals definitely run a high risk.

jasonmax

iTrader: (2)

do a oil analyize before doing something to the engine is always the best way.
I'm gonna do that on my next oil change.