I just recently bought an 03 maxima. Its has the 3.5l. I really like the car, but at startup it smokes for about 30-45 seconds then clears out. I go through about 2.5 quarts every 400-600 miles. I have had the valve covers replaced. It does not leak any oil. Anyone else have this issue?

 

JFC that engine's toast. Search and you'll find a plethora of threads on oil burning VQ35's.

 

Ive already done that. Have not found anything like whats going on with mine

 

If your car is for sure burning it, then your pre-catalytic converts in the exhaust manifold have broken apart, and the chunks have been sucked into the engine chewing at your piston rings, causing extreme oil consumption.

The fix would be to delete the precats, and re-ring the pistons. Can be done by yourself, but will take a lot of time. Best route to go is to buy a used engine and swap it in. Just make sure it too isn't burning excessive amounts of oil.

With the amount of oil your car is burning, buying a used engine is the best thing for you at this point in time.

 

the thing is... if you don't know what shape the donor is you could end up in the same boat.
good luck!

 

And that's why you do the "hr" swap and be done with it.

 

Startup smoke might be the rubber valve seals failing. you could benefit from a high mileage 10w30 oil that nourishes/swells the seals.

 

You know that's what it seems like here in my 2001 - 150xxx miles.
No misfires yet but a bit of sputtering.
I don't notice any oil missing but the idle is a bit rough.
How many miles do these Maxima' s go before this oil consuming issue?
I was under the impression these cars run right through 200,000 miles before they begin going downhill.
I'm only at 15xxxx.