Hi everyone. I noticed this morning that the oil was really high on my dipstick, which I've never seen before. My car had sat all night on a level surface and it was stone cold when I checked it. Below is a pic I took of the oil/dipstick....



I called my local auto parts store and he suggested the first step would be to change the PCV valve. He said he sees this a lot with older cars where the PCV valve gets clogged. So my next question is 'where the heck is the PCV valve on my 2000 Infinit I30'?

I did some research online and I think that I found it, but I want to post the pic I took and ask if this IS the PCV valve or not...



Thanks!

 

yes, pretty sure this is the PCV valve. I did this job before, watch the gomet, they tend to break down when you pull it out.

Not much confident about your oil level, anyway, never seen this before.

 

Did you wipe the dipstick, reinsert and then check it again? Perhaps overfilled during a recent oil change?

 

Yes, I wiped and check the oil several times. Keep getting the same results. I think I put a little too much in last time I changed it, which was beginning of summer I think. Anyway, got a PCV valve coming and I got some oil and a filter. Going to change everything tomorrow.

 

Let us know how much oil drains out when you change the oil. I don't understand how a bad pcv could make the oil level go up.

 

I don't really know why the oil is so high on the dipstick, either. I'm just going by what the auto parts guy told me and some information I found in this forum when I searched for other threads on this same topic. I know I may have put just a little too much oil in last time I changed it, but then this problem only started the other day when I checked the oil. In all the time since I last changed the oil the oil has remained in its proper level on the dipstick. So I don't know what has happened recently to make it be this high.

I'm going to put in the new PCV valve today. We have a winter storm coming in, but I'm still going to try to change the oil, too. I'm assuming that driving the car might not be a good idea until I drain and change the oil and get it back to it's proper level. However, that still leaves the matter of WHY it started doing this.

 

That's a real mystery. Are you sure you didn't turn it over even once before checking it?

I have a theory. The bad PCV allowed pressure to build in the crankcase and pushed oil up the dipstick tube as pressure vented around the dipstick. As the engine shut off and cooled, the pressure turned to vacuum and sucked the dipstick seal down enough to make it seal like a check valve. The vacuum held the oil in the tube like holding your finger on the end of a straw full of soda and lifting it. It would hold the oil in the dipstick tube even as the rest of the system returned to balance. The crappy design of our dipstick would hold the oil for a while even after the vacuum was released by pulling it out. Especially if it's cold.

I'd pull the dipstick, let it sit for 20 minutes and see if the level returns to normal.

 

I agree - the dipstick is a really stupid design. And no, I did not turn it over before I checked it the other day. I checked the oil while the car was still cold from sitting all night.

I did what you suggested and took the dipstick out and waited a bit, then I checked the oil and now it reads just slightly above the "H" mark. Good suggestion

 

Good deal. I wouldn't drive it more than you absolutely have to until you get the PCV valve swapped out.

 

You might want to change the breather hoses as well. The U shape and the one that connects to the back of the intake manifold.

But you should listen to Derrick. He's the master blaster mechanic around here. He loves Nissan's so much he'll probably replace it for you for free. Great guy. lol

 

Remember its 4.25 quarts not 5 lol....and by the look of hose that grommet will rip when pulled out....might wanna order that first or that hose will hang lol.

 

Well the parts store doesn't even list a grommet for that part. Nearest Nissan dealer is in Grand Rapids and (as Derrick said) if I shouldn't drive the car then that's a long drive just to get a stupid grommet. I found a grommet online at CARID: http://www.carid.com/2000-infiniti-i...m-8715397.html

Would that be the correct grommet? If so I can just order it online and they can ship it to me, then I don't have to drive anywhere.

 

Yep, 4.25....got that memorized

 

The U-shape hose is the one with the PCV valve in the end of it? I don't know what the breather hoses are or what they look like. The parts store doesn't even carry those hoses you mentioned so I would have to find them online I guess. Could you guys point me to a place online that carries those hoses?

Thanks.

 

I'm pretty sure you overfilled your engine since the 3.0 engine requires 4.2 quarts of oil you might have put in 5 quarts of oil. overfilling your engine is bad for the engine and the spark plug which will foul it up if you pull the plugs and if it's soak then you have overfilled your engine. I had a customer overfilled her engine and her car wouldn't start. when I asked her what did it do before, she mention she changed her oil but what she didn't know that the dipstick has a mark where you fill up to, but she thought it was all the way to the top of the dipstick, what a moron.

 

Yup its the hose that connects to the PCV.

Nissan charges $19+tax for the breather hose.

Amazon is a little cheaper if you have prime:

I think you can just get the other hose from your local auto parts store. Just take it off and take it with you to make sure its the right size.

 

Thanks for the link. I can get the PCV grommet from Amazon, too. I'll just order both and have them shipped here then I don't have to go anywhere to hunt them down.

 

I think I found those breather hoses you guys were talking about. Let me know if these are the ones....

OES Genuine W0133-1907895-OES Breather Hose

OES Genuine W0133-1907903-OES Breather Hose

 

The proper way to check the oil of VQ30DE and VQ35DE engine
Warm the engine for 30 minutes or drive it couple of blocks. Turn off the engine and wait for 10-15 minutes. Pull out the dipstick and check the oil level. DO NOT CHECK THE OIL ON A COLD ENGINE

 

LOL if you want an unreadable dipstick smeared to hell then check it this way. The only way to do get a proper reading on these cars is to let them sit for like 4+ hrs (overnight's best). That way all the oil has returned to the sump.

 

This is written on Nissan Maintenance Owners Manual. The first pull of dipstick is unreadable,common sense dictate. you are right. Wipe it dry, then place the dipstick back and the second reading will give you the estimate oil level.
If you want to overfill your engine follow his recommendation not the Nissan dealership recommendation. Are you sure you are not the previous owner of this car?

This is what is printed on Nissan Owner's Manual
1. Park the the vehicle on a level surface and apply parking brake.
2. Run the engine until it reaches operating temperature
3. Turn off the engine. WAIT MORE THAN 10 MINUTES FOR THE OIL TO DRAIN BACK INTO THE OIL PAN.
4. Remove the dipsticks and wipe it clean. Reinsert it all the way
5.Remove the dipstick again and check the oil level. It should be between the H and L marks. If the oil level is below the L mark, remove the oil filler cap and pour recommended oil. DO NOT OVERFILL

 

Yes, and the manual is wrong. Mcclasser is right. The only true way to check the oil on a VQ35DE is to let it sight for at least 4 hours. I'll check it sometimes after 2 or 3 hours, but overnight is best, especially when it's hot out.

 

I have two nissan vehicle
2002 Nissan Maxima VQ35DE
2007 Nissan Altima VQ35DE engine, manual transmission , I check both engine oil level by sitting it overnight both engine are overfill on the dipstick. I follow the Nissan Manual recommendation as stated, it gives me a reliable reading.
I guess both of youre recommendation are better than dealership.

 

2002 Maxima VQ35DE engine: check the oil level after sitting it overnight. Its overfilled, so I drain some of its oil until on the proper mark. The following day, the engine timing chain rattle during start, I ignore for almost a week, it rattles during start. So I read the Nissan Manual on the proper oil reading and follow it. I did not hear the chain rattle during start since 2013.

 

Why is that colt?

 

Yes, most specially when the car is sitting overnight . The dipstick will give an overfill reading. Try it yourself, let the car sit overnight, pull out the dipstick, wipe it and reinsert it, and check the oil level. Then warm the engine for 30 minutes. Turn off the engine, wail for 10-15 minutes, pull out the dipstick, wipe it and reinsert the dipstick and check the oil level. Somehow VQ30DE and VQ35DE engine is different from other engine, like my Camry 2007 and Corolla 2002 its better to check the oil level after sitting it overnight. If you have timing chain rattle during a cold start better check the oil properly.

 

Well, in my experience, my dipstick reads lower the longer it sits. Letting it sit overnight or at least a few hours is how I always check. I've tried checking after 10-15 minutes and oil is all over the place. From my experience with these engines, you have to wait long enough for the oil to retreat back into the sump to get a proper reading.

 

This just doesn't sound right. I have an 00 and an 02. I've owned both of them for over 12 years and hundreds of thousands of miles. I've checked the oil with them cold, hot, warm... you name it. I've never gotten a higher reading when it's cold. As long as it's been sitting for 20 or 30 minutes it's all the same.

 

Just waiting on the parts from Amazon then I'll replace the PCV valve, grommet, hose and change the oil. Hopefully those parts will be here Tuesday. Not driving the car until then. Thanks for all your help and advice. Much appreciated.

 

I'm curious as to your definition of "over filled a little." How much oil did you put into it????

 

It reads slightly above the H.

 

just curious...did you even check it using the method colt149 mentioned? this is the method I use on my v30 and it's always spot on. good luck!

 

I got the old PCV valve out and the hose it was attached to crumbled apart. Thank God I had a new one. The old grommet appeared to be in good shape so I left that in and put the PCV valve in the new hose and inserted it. It was tough pushing that new valve in, but I managed to get it most of the way. I didn't force it anymore than that because I had to use a screwdriver tip to push the thing into the hole and the top of the PCV valve started to break apart a little. After I got everything put together and changed the oil I drove the car around today on errands and when I got home I checked the valve and it looked clean (no leaks). I think I might just buy another PCV valve just in case something happens with this one (they're quite cheap). If I have to put another one in this time I'll put some oil on the valve to help it slide in better.

 

Everything seems to be working out great. Made sure the oil level is where it's suppose to be this time, lol. I think I only used about 4 quarts out of the big 5 quart jug I bought. Cold level is where it's suppose to be now, as well as the warm / H level. I'll keep checking it to make sure. No leaks around the PCV valve. Seems to be running better.

Thanks to everyone who offered advice and suggestions. I appreciate all your help

 

Hola. Estoy buscando el empaque de los sellos del tapa válvula. Tiene 2 sellos . Pues encuentro solamente 1. Quiero comprar el kit.

 

On my 2003 Max and 2008 Max, after oil change, that I do not do, couldn't read the stick because oil was way up the stick. Only checked before a morning startup. I decided to remove some oil to see if it would drop the level. Removed almost a quart from both cars with a hand pump and got a true reading. These cars call for 41/4 and 4 1/2 quarts of oil with filter change. The place I take then to charges me for 5 quarts and looks like they try to give me my moneys worth. I've since put a note on the engine.