02nissmax

Hello all,

I have an 02 maxima with 120K. Just about every 1K miles I have to add a quart. And it was worse when I was running synthetic. I ran synthetic from 55K to about 100k. It was about every 800 miles that I had to put a quart in. I run Castrol GTX 5w 30. There are no known leaks after I traced the whole engine with a dye except for one sensor that it seeps out of. What oil grade/viscosity/etc. worked for you guys to slow down consumption? This is getting expensive here.

On that note I'd like to know what this sensor is with the green connector so I can replace the o ring on it. The is on the cylinder head closes to the firewall

chrome91

iTrader: (1)

if you live in a colder climate run 10w-30. if you live where its always warm like the desert you could probably even go 15w-40 if its warm enough

02nissmax

I live in the northeast so its cold right now.
So you're saying that by going 10W 30 which is only changing the viscosity when oil is cold, that it will help oil consumption??

chrome91

iTrader: (1)

yeah its not fixing the problem but it will slow down the oil consumption. my truck burns oil enough that i run 10w-30 with a litre of 75w-90 gear oil even

02nissmax

I would've thought that most of the consumption happens once its warm so affecting the second number (30) which is when oil is hot and its when oil gets used more often.

How many miles did your consumption drop by on your truck?

Commanche

I have a similar experience. When I use the synthetic oil(such a Mobile 1), It seems burn quite some.

chrome91

iTrader: (1)

dont count the mileage really since it idles alot but cut the consumption by probably half by running thicker oil. my old Hardbody burned around a litre every week or two and i just constantly topped it up, engine always ran fine otherwise

Donkeypunch

Daym, people are using gear oil?


The manual says it's ok to run 10w40 but 5w30 is recommended in all climates.
So.. start using 10w40 see if that helps.

02nissmax

hmmm I definitely skipped over the part where it says that but good to be reminded. Ill definitely try that in my next oil change.

nestorlugo

iTrader: (11)

I won't be much help fighting the burn but I'll suggest staying far away from castrol brand above freezing temps look....@4:13 oil viscosity: http://youtu.be/U_AnRyIxDhs

02nissmax

Interesting vid, thanks.
Unfortunately ive been using Castrol for quite sometime. I guess its either back to Mobile or Quaker State

chrome91

iTrader: (1)

beats burning oil. dont recommend following what i do but i run 4L 10w-30 motor oil, 1L ATF and 1L 75w-90 gear oil in my truck. oil burning slowed down and no oil flow problems even in -40c, if it fits it sits

i run 5w-30 in my other stuff that doesnt burn oil and i always ran 5w-30 in my 3rd gen because it never burned oil even at its high mileage, but when a vehicle burns oil its expected you run thicker oil than what the manual recommends

george__

iTrader: (1)

^
So 10w30 is totally safe for this gen?

02nissmax

I wouldn't even dare run that thick of an oil. I mean quite often during morning startup I get a dry startup at 20F temps which means the oil isnt getting up quick enough, let alone using Gear oil. But at the same time will using thick thick oil like gear oil help keep oil in the bearings not draining because its so thick so the dry startup would be eliminiated...??

chrome91

iTrader: (1)

cant see why not, i know guys that run 10w-30 in 5th gens

i get no clacking or anything from running a bit of gear oil even in -40c but again i dont recommend following what i do, i guinea pig some stuff and it works out. gear oil still drains to the sump and wouldnt really stick to the bearings. id just run 10w-30 and see if it slows down your oil burning

Cotozic

I've been running Castrol GTX 10w 30 since the fall, and have since put about 3.5k on it and I'm about ready for a change at 5k. I haven't had any problems with it, nor noticed anything funky with the oil with the climate here in Indy where it seems to jump from low negatives back to mid 40s F every other week.

I have never had any problem with oil burning before though. I was using Mobil before Castrol when I had my oil changes done by others, but with my own change to Castrol, I haven't burned anything either.

colt149

iTrader: (1)

Oil consumption of VQ35DE are known issues. What are the causes:

Failure of secondary piston ring causing blowby oil comes out thru the PCV valve>PCV tubing>intake manifold>contaminating the fuel thus lowering the octane level the can cause pinging and spark knock
Solution: install PCV oil CATCH CAN not oil catcher
I recommend catrol GTX 5W/30 or 10/30

Gut both precat (near the radiator and near the firewal), then install 02 nonfouler to the two secondary 02 sensor (no to have SES light on) or remove both precat and install headers with 02 sim.

Local accumulation of oil due to failure of sparkplug tube seal (common in #5 sparkplug tube seal:REAR Valve)
Solution: Change rear valve cover and gasket.( use the 6th gen 2004 Valve cover and gasket: same thing and way cheaper)

nestorlugo

iTrader: (11)

Dude did you watch the vid i posted? Pick it up at 5:23.

I'll stay far-far away from CASTROL for those living around freezing temps....

Child_uv_KoRn

iTrader: (7)

Everyone should be using a quality 40 weight. VQs shear oil heavy and fast. 30 is just a joke (exception would be GC 0w30 and w/e is similar).

02nissmax

Thanks for your post, very informative and detailed.
I did do the rear valve cover so that's taken care of.
As far as the cats I've heard of that issue before but sucks in my situation. The car's got 120K, stock exhaust, never been changed. So the minute I stir that exhaust, parts of it will crumble into pieces. Just not sure it's worth my time or mine to take on such project. I'll need to buy a whole new exhaust.