2003 Infiniti M45 Starting to Burn more oil

[cremecreme]

I have noticed after my last oil change that it was a little lower than normal, i still put the same amount that i always do but this time after about 3500 mile it was about a quart low and it has never burned that much that quick. Now i have read in the forum about the oil burning situation with the M, but is there anything i should do to prevent it from getting worse??I baby this car to death and i drive like it should be driven and it has about 55000 miles on it and it is a 2003, please don't tell it is time to dump it (trade)? I love this car, there ain't really that much out there that can mess with this car......any advice please???????????

KEEP THE 03-04 ALIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!

[szh]

I would not worry about this just yet. But do check to see if your oil filter is on properly and there are no oil leaks in the engine compartment, etc.

It could be that you did not let the car sit long enough this time before measuring, etc. ,etc., etc. The best thing to do is to check the oil on level ground in the morning, before you start the car at all. This way, you know you have a consistent measurement.

Plus, two quarts in 7500 miles (or 1 qt per 3750 miles) is typical for this engine apparently. If you start using 1 qt every 1000 miles, then I would worry!

ALso, if you are running a synthetic oil, one thing you could consider doing, is switch to a good dino oil (like Castrol GTX 5W-30 or 10W-40, depending on your climate) for the next 10k miles or so and then switch back to a good synthetic (like 0W-40 Mobil 1 Synthetic) and see how it goes.

Good luck with this!

Z

[Q45tech]

With conventional oil anywhere from 10-16% evaporates in the NOACK TEST..................therefore 6/10-1 quart use is normal prior to 3750 miles.

When you get to 2 or 3 quarts [or worse] usage that you need to worry.

[szh]

With conventional oil anywhere from 10-16% evaporates in the NOACK TEST..................therefore 6/10-1 quart use is normal prior to 3750 miles.

When you get to 2 or 3 quarts [or worse] usage that you need to worry.

Uhhh ... pardon my dumb question, Dennis. What is the NOACK TEST?

Z

[TxGuy67]

I thought my nightmare was over back in March of 2006 when the engine in my 03 was replaced due to "excessive oil consumption". Well guess what it's using 1qt per 1K miles again. Lease is up in October so I'll just feed it oil until then. Of course the dealer knows but they will not do anything. By mistake one of the service clerks gave me the wrong printout and I saw the engine replacement cost them over 17 grand! I really wanted to keep this car but I'll have to find another...

[cremecreme]

WOW!! I appreciate the feedback, OK well i feel a little bit better about this, but WOW!! a new engine!! and already burning that much!!! CRAZY!!!

[szh]

I am currently at 44k miles on my early 2003 M45 (mfg date of 10/2002) and using less than 1/2 quart per 3750 miles ... YMMV!

Z

[TxGuy67]

I am currently at 44k miles on my early 2003 M45 (mfg date of 10/2002) and using less than 1/2 quart per 3750 miles ... YMMV!

Z

Wow Z! You bought the good one and I have the "bad seed" same mfg date for mine. Guess since mine was shipped all the way to Texas....

[Q45tech]

http://www.thermal-instruments...8.PDF

Noack Test for oil evaporation under temperature stress............the light volatile components boil off leaving the sludge..........

[szh]

http://www.thermal-instruments...8.PDF

Noack Test for oil evaporation under temperature stress............the light volatile components boil off leaving the sludge..........

Thanks, Dennis!

Z

[szh]

Wow Z! You bought the good one and I have the "bad seed" same mfg date for mine. Guess since mine was shipped all the way to Texas....

I think my good result has to do a lot with the over-kill (some might call crazy ) approach I take to early vehicle maintenance. This involves multiple early(*) oil and filter changes, many revs to high rpm's to seat the piston rings properly - even during the "break-in" period - and regular oil and filter changes after that.

I use Mobil 1 0W-40 synthetic now, every 3750 miles, after I finished the initial 7.5k to 10k miles of good dino oil (like Castrol GTX 5W-30). I forget the exact mileage I switched over, but it is in some earlier thread of mine!

Z

(*)In regard to early engine maintenance, in some Mercedes's for example, their recommendation was for an oil and filter change at 100 miles! I did not do it that early, but ... you can search for a post of mine about my early fluid changes!

I changed out the transmission fluid, the differential fluid, power steering fluid, fan fluid (yes, there is such a thing on the M45 - the service consultant did not know about it either!), engine oil (multiple times), radiator fluid, etc., etc., etc. ... within the first 10k miles ... at various times.

[cremecreme]

FAN FLUID!!!! Wow that is a first for me.....should i check it now????

[szh]

FAN FLUID!!!! Wow that is a first for me.....should i check it now????

I don't remember the schedule for it! I'll take a look in the Service Manual for it tomorrow ...

Z

[boutitdog]

I have 80k on my 2003 m45,.. bought new, and have driven it harder, than any other car I have owned,...... from almost day one,... I was putting in 1/2 quart before the scheduled oil change, to now, maybe 1 quart, and the only problems I have had, gas gauge,... and exploding battery, and the most awful braking system for a car so powerful that I have ever seen. But, all I care about, is the fact that my engine blows away the most unsuspecting people around. I wouldn't worry about the quart of oil, it may be a little embarrassing adding oil to a new car, but with performance comes some pain......

As an owner, I would recommend this car to anyone, just keep checking the oil, and that's it.

I am currently at 44k miles on my early 2003 M45 (mfg date of 10/2002) and using less than 1/2 quart per 3750 miles ... YMMV!

Z

[cremecreme]

dats what am talking about

But, all I care about, is the fact that my engine blows away the most unsuspecting people around.

[CakeDaddy]

L

dats what am talking about

Church!!!

[szh]

FAN FLUID!!!! Wow that is a first for me.....should i check it now????

Okay, I could not find a schedule for this ... hmmm.

I guess I would recommend replacing it every two years or less - this may be conservative perhaps. But, given its function (keeping the fan motor cool), it may be worth treating it like it needs to be done reasonably often.

There is a small reservoir you can check for its level, though! THis should be done more often, of course, and topped off if needed.

Z