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Just bought this 2003 Nissan Maxima SE last week for 500 bucks. She’s got 294xxx miles and I know the check engine light is on for the cam sensor, o2 sensor, and fuel sensor. Having trouble starting and stall out when I don’t warm it up before driving, but that’s not the main issue. Every 1.5-2 days my oil light comes on when starting. I check the dipstick and there’s nothing. I add to the full level, usually 2-2.5 quarts of oil. 1.5-2 days later it’s low again. Rear main seal was replaced by previous owner, I know the front valve cover gasket is leaking but it’s not bad enough for 2 quarts every 2 days or so. Looks like maybe oil pressure switch because majority is leaking (new oil) on the bottom, towards trans and is all over control arms and oil pan. I’ll try to add pics. I don’t know what else is wrong with the car and don’t really know how to go about fixing it.
To get any semblance of reliability, you need to drop upper pan, replace half moon/RMS, and get rid of cats if it has them. I can't believe it would make it this long with cats unless they were gutted/replaced a long time ago.
Last edited by Child_uv_KoRn; Aug 8, 2023 at 10:59 AM.
The early VQ35DE's are known to burn through oil at varying rates due to piston rings and valve guide seals. Also, the pre-cats are prone to fail. If you check the online forums and YouTube, you'll find plenty of other owners of 350z, Pathfinders, QX4's, G35's and I35's with VQ35DE's reporting excessive oil consumption.
My son's 2003 Infiniti I35 would go through a 1-1.5QT of oil every 230 miles and there are no leaks whatsoever. We've managed to slow it down slightly by replacing the PCV valve, installing a closed loop oil catch can and running Penzoil 10W-40 dino oil.
Try addressing the leaking oil pressure sensor and the lower oil pan, replace the PCV valve and run some heavier weight oil to see if it helps to slow down the consumption.
I’ve been putting 10/30 in there, previous owner said he did it for the 4 years he owned it. Was thinking about putting a half quart or quart of Lucas in there to try to thicken it.
