03 altima 3

[nissan03]

I purchased a used 03 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE about 8 months ago. Recently, I started putting in Mobile1 synthetic oil. After driving for about 2 1/2 months my car started shaking (at idle) and making a ticking sound. I took it in immediately and the mechanics could not find anything wrong w/ it other then that fact the I was 2 quarts low on oil. So when I heard I was low on oil I told the mechanic that I had just change the oil to synthetic a couple months ago and have only driving 2k miles since. As soon as he heard that, he told me to go back to regular oil. So that bring up my first question: should I stay on synthetic oil or should I switch back to regular oil?

Then the mechanic told me the ticking noise is coming from one of my valves (from driving on low oil). The mechanic told me that he top it off (oil) and that I should go get a new oil change w/ regular oil; right now I have a mix of synthetic and regular oil; is that bad? Also, he said that I should keep driving the vehicle and see if it gets better; should I do this or should I take it in to a dealership?

Thanks for your time; I can really use the help.
Modified by nissan03 at 3:04 PM 10/17/2007

[Dittoz7]

Dealership...Fast...Like...Now Fast...Good Luck...

[nissantech06]

I purchased a used 03 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE about 8 months ago. Recently, I started putting in Mobile1 synthetic oil. After driving for about 2 1/2 months my car started shaking (at idle) and making a ticking sound. I took it in immediately and the mechanics could not find anything wrong w/ it other then that fact the I was 2 quarts low on oil. So when I heard I was low on oil I told the mechanic that I had just change the oil to synthetic a couple months ago and have only driving 2k miles since. As soon as he heard that, he told me to go back to regular oil. So that bring up my first question: should I stay on synthetic oil or should I switch back to regular oil?

Then the mechanic told me the ticking noise is coming from one of my valves (from driving on low oil). The mechanic told me that he top it off (oil) and that I should go get a new oil change w/ regular oil; right now I have a mix of synthetic and regular oil; is that bad? Also, he said that I should keep driving the vehicle and see if it gets better; should I do this or should I take it in to a dealership?

Thanks for your time; I can really use the help.

Modified by nissan03 at 3:04 PM 10/17/2007

FYI, VQ35s burn oil. There's a TSB out for it and they replace the engine under the power train warranty.

[jdshift]

VQ35's burn oil!!?? Enough to were it is something to worry about? Never knew VQ's do that

[Mr1der]

it's an intake manifold issue if I remember...just changing to synthetic shouldn't effect it though..did you use a different weight than recommended?

[cwtt]

FYI, VQ35s burn oil. There's a TSB out for it and they replace the engine under the power train warranty.

That is a really scary thought to think that a fairly new car needs an engine already.

[nissan03]

it's an intake manifold issue if I remember...just changing to synthetic shouldn't effect it though..did you use a different weight than recommended?

Nah, I believe I used 30/40, but I would have to double check that (I have a left over bottle in the trunk).... I just took it into the dealer today ("service engine soon" light came on today), so I guess will see what happens...

thanks for the advice everyone... If anyone else has something I'm here to listen, thanks!