oil consumption question.
07-04-2011, 05:53 AM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 84
oil consumption question.
Hi all, I have 3 questions. Thanks in advance for any help.
My 04 6 speed has an oil consumption issue where every 4-6 weeks I have to put about half a quart of oil to keep it at the appropriate level. So my Q's are:
what may be the cause of this oil consumption?
Do I really have to change the oil every 3k miles even thought I'm constantly pouring in new oil?
Is it ok to mix synthetic oils? Example, amsoil synthetic with mobile 1 (the only 2 I use).
My 04 6 speed has an oil consumption issue where every 4-6 weeks I have to put about half a quart of oil to keep it at the appropriate level. So my Q's are:
what may be the cause of this oil consumption?
Do I really have to change the oil every 3k miles even thought I'm constantly pouring in new oil?
Is it ok to mix synthetic oils? Example, amsoil synthetic with mobile 1 (the only 2 I use).
07-04-2011, 10:12 AM
#2
How much driving do you do in 4-6 weeks? to answer your questions:
1. Could be your rings. Do you notice any leaks coming from the block? VQ engines are notorious for consuming oil not that should be a reason for consumption to be normal but certainly something to be aware of.
2. I would still change oil every 3K miles. Mathematically it could work out that you're running a good portion of clean oil depending on how much you drive in the 4-6 weeks between adding the half quart.
3. should be ok in a pinch, are the oils the same weight? amsoil will last much longer than mobil 1 so you'll be diluting the amsoil with the mobil 1. I'd stay consistant if possible. I'm running german castrol (GC) 0w-30 which is closer to a 40 but given the VQ's propensity to shred viscosity over time, it approaches a 30 towards the end of it's cycle. I just switched from amsoil to gc for what it's worth.
Hope this helps
1. Could be your rings. Do you notice any leaks coming from the block? VQ engines are notorious for consuming oil not that should be a reason for consumption to be normal but certainly something to be aware of.
2. I would still change oil every 3K miles. Mathematically it could work out that you're running a good portion of clean oil depending on how much you drive in the 4-6 weeks between adding the half quart.
3. should be ok in a pinch, are the oils the same weight? amsoil will last much longer than mobil 1 so you'll be diluting the amsoil with the mobil 1. I'd stay consistant if possible. I'm running german castrol (GC) 0w-30 which is closer to a 40 but given the VQ's propensity to shred viscosity over time, it approaches a 30 towards the end of it's cycle. I just switched from amsoil to gc for what it's worth.
Hope this helps
07-04-2011, 12:36 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,625
my buddy has an altima, they have a problem with sucking up road debris and it getting in and scoring the cylinders. his car drinks oil now. Nissan found this problem and did fix for it. a new rock guard... not sure how dirt gets past the stock filter and MAF screen, but his car is ruined and Nissan dropped the ball again.
also, make sure its not something stupid like the oil pin. some places have been known for not tightening the pins enough or reusing a bad pin that has a bad seal. you said your not leaking oil.. but it could become less viscous while your driving enough to leak a little bit and not while your parked
also, make sure its not something stupid like the oil pin. some places have been known for not tightening the pins enough or reusing a bad pin that has a bad seal. you said your not leaking oil.. but it could become less viscous while your driving enough to leak a little bit and not while your parked
Last edited by twentyeggs; 07-04-2011 at 01:05 PM.
07-04-2011, 12:57 PM
#4
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 84
How much driving do you do in 4-6 weeks? to answer your questions:
1. Could be your rings. Do you notice any leaks coming from the block? VQ engines are notorious for consuming oil not that should be a reason for consumption to be normal but certainly something to be aware of.
2. I would still change oil every 3K miles. Mathematically it could work out that you're running a good portion of clean oil depending on how much you drive in the 4-6 weeks between adding the half quart.
3. should be ok in a pinch, are the oils the same weight? amsoil will last much longer than mobil 1 so you'll be diluting the amsoil with the mobil 1. I'd stay consistant if possible. I'm running german castrol (GC) 0w-30 which is closer to a 40 but given the VQ's propensity to shred viscosity over time, it approaches a 30 towards the end of it's cycle. I just switched from amsoil to gc for what it's worth.
Hope this helps
1. Could be your rings. Do you notice any leaks coming from the block? VQ engines are notorious for consuming oil not that should be a reason for consumption to be normal but certainly something to be aware of.
2. I would still change oil every 3K miles. Mathematically it could work out that you're running a good portion of clean oil depending on how much you drive in the 4-6 weeks between adding the half quart.
3. should be ok in a pinch, are the oils the same weight? amsoil will last much longer than mobil 1 so you'll be diluting the amsoil with the mobil 1. I'd stay consistant if possible. I'm running german castrol (GC) 0w-30 which is closer to a 40 but given the VQ's propensity to shred viscosity over time, it approaches a 30 towards the end of it's cycle. I just switched from amsoil to gc for what it's worth.
Hope this helps
Last edited by Ruiz2728; 07-04-2011 at 01:00 PM.
07-04-2011, 01:02 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,625
Im usually the last person to say "take it to a shop" but in my experience when you have a problem with the oil that you can't figure out on your own, you do not want to let it go and keep your max limping around by adding in oil every so often. your problem could spread to a catastrophic failure of an expensive part or parts, resulting in a repair cost more expensive than the car.
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