let's talk about the 2002+ F50 (oil consumption issues among other issues )

[Qproject]

OK guys, I'm considering getting a f50.

the oil consumption issue seems to be just that, a oil consumption issue. Other than burning a quart for every 3000 miles, what other problems can this bleed into ? If it is a matter of an extra quart for every oil change, then I can handle that no problem. But if there are underlying problems, then that would scare me.

also, I understand the f50 has a few TSB'S and recalls that need to be done. Is this correct? can u help me understand the problems ?

thanks

[szh]

Looser ring fit to get more power is what leads to the higher oil consumption.

A qt every 3000 miles is not bad. If it starts doing a qt every 1000 miles or less, then Infiniti will swap out the engine.

Z

[Mark Linkous]

Hello,My first recommendation would be to do a NICOclub.com search for 2002 Q45+ Oil Consumption. There are a great deal of posts about it. You can also include the 2003-2004 M45 as well since they share the same drivetrain. Consumption is pretty much as you described quart to half quart between oil change intervals. Some seem to not be affected as much. This might be due to the way in which the engine was broken in during the first 1000 miles. Aside from oil consumption, the ballast for the headlights is a common failure point. The main TSB for the F50 Q pertains to the throttle and ecm. This only affects 2002-2003 Q's I believe.Cheers,M.L

[Qproject]

OK cool. the ballast issue is easy fix.

what about the TSB for the throttle and ecm ? what does that fix ? I hear of this one a lot.

Hello,My first recommendation would be to do a NICOclub.com search for 2002 Q45+ Oil Consumption. There are a great deal of posts about it. You can also include the 2003-2004 M45 as well since they share the same drivetrain. Consumption is pretty much as you described quart to half quart between oil change intervals. Some seem to not be affected as much. This might be due to the way in which the engine was broken in during the first 1000 miles. Aside from oil consumption, the ballast for the headlights is a common failure point. The main TSB for the F50 Q pertains to the throttle and ecm. This only affects 2002-2003 Q's I believe.Cheers,M.L

[maxnix]

OK cool. the ballast issue is easy fix.

Only applicable on 2002 F50 before a certain serial number.

Lots to recommend a 2003 or later one.

[NY94J30]

Check out the last few posts in the F50 owners thread. When I was shopping for an F50, I bumped it and got some good responses on F50 issues.

zerothread/171353

I would recommend an '04, if you can find one - 04 Premium, even better. With each model year, more options became standard.

[widebodyq]

Maxnix is on the money. I do not have this oil comsumption issue nor have I had any other issues with this car. The earlier 2002 models did have this issue

[qship96]

I remember reading about failures of wheel bearings, instrument clusters, and nav screens also. On premium models, rear window power shade seems to be an issue also? Leather on drivers seat looks to stretch/wrinkle/bunch up at low miles according to pictures I see on E bay.

[maxnix]

Maxnix is on the money.

Please let me clarify.

Any VK may have the oil consumption issue. Cause uncertain but extended OCI and improper break-in are major suspects.

Only first run of 2002 F50 had the accelerator pedal/TCU reprogram TSB.
Modified by maxnix at 6:32 PM 3/25/2008

[Q45tech]

You buy a model that is low enough miles and age to qualify for Nissan extended warranty........<4/59.9k, then pay the master technicans [effectivo] to find things that a normally compensated technican would miss, to recover the cost of the extended warranty.

[Qproject]

is this the recall associated to the TSB reprogram ? sounds different.

there was only one official recall no? the TCE reprogram is simply a TSB right ?

http://www.automobilemag.com/a....html

Please let me clarify.

Any VK may have the oil consumption issue. Cuase uncertain but extended OCI and improper break-in are major suspects.

Only first run of 2002 F50 had the accelerator pedal/TCU reprogram TSB.

[StarPD]

Qproject, I have an '05 Q45. I've had it for 14 months now.My oil consumption is appprox 1/2 quart per 3500 miles. That's a LOT more than my '94 "t" model, but still not bad all things considered. The VK motor does have more oil consumption due to the different ring/cylinder design and likely other factors, so you'll probably not get consumption down to the level of the VH.

Like the others here, I strongly urge you to get the service history on the particular car you are interest in buying, then have an EXPERIENCED senior Infiniti technician do a complete and full inspection, bumper to bumper, including compression and leakdown checks on the motor. You will have to pay for this, but it's cheap insurance.

Then if you do buy it, be sure to FLUSH(not just change) ALL fluids, including brake system, steering system, and fan fluid. Get a complete wheel alignment and balance, change ALL filters. Get prices on these items, and take them into consideration when negotiating purchase price.

If after you buy it, you find oil consumption to be higher than is acceptable to you, you might want to try a trick I did on my '94. Take it out on a good hot day for a long trip where traffic is light and weather is good. Wind it out through the gears several times, at least 5, then drive it hard and fast for several hundred miles, loading the engine hard in top gear (after ensuring that your tires and brakes are up to snuff). This may well seat the rings even if improper break in did not. The motor can take it. so don't be fearful of damaging it.

Another point:Be sure to put GOOD tires on it, and keep them inflated to around 34.5 to 35 front and 37.5 to 38 lbs rear, checking pressures weekly. Change oil religiously every 3,000 miles or 90 days, using a premium synthetic oil and filter, re-flush the cooling system, transmission, brake system and steering system every two years or 30,000 miles, whichever comes first. Oh yeah, and DO buy the longest FACTORY extended warranty you can get. It's also cheap insurance, well worth the cost whatever it is.

The F50 is an excceedingly fine car, one that doesn't really get the respect it deserves. It does have a few flaws, like any other vehicle, but the many good things far outweigh the few bad things, none of which are hard to live with. The steering is a little vague and not as solid and precise as a G50, especially a pre-95 "t" model with HICAS, but it turns exceptionally short. The ride is a little firm (but it corners a LOT flatter than a G50). It's not as quiet as a Lexus, but is considerably faster and more responsive. The high beams are lacking in range, but the low beams are the best on the market. You can get replacement high beam bulbs that will increase light output but not too much added range from them. Premium models and later ones like the '05 have more goodies than you can shake a stick at, and they make driving enjoyable and fun.

In summary, IF you shop CAREFULLY, research the car you decide on, bring it up to as new condition in all respects, get the extended warranty, then maintain it properly, you'll have a fine car that you will enjoy for many years. Despite a few problems with early models, the F50 is among the most underappreciated cars in the business, much like the G50s were for so many years.

Let us know how you make out, and good luck to you.

[Qproject]

ok thanks guys.

I just got back from checking out a 02 f50, boy was it bad. dents all over the place, burning smell from engine, interior was dirty.

however it was the top of the line, rear view camera, rear power seat model.

but man makes me appreciate my q45 y33. The guy was wow'd at my car more than he was selling his car.

[maxnix]

ok thanks guys.vbut man makes me appreciate my q45 y33. The guy was wow'd at my car more than he was selling his car.

Many reasons to keep the devil you know. Remember, at least you have a VLSD, even if you don't drive hard enough to use it (with TCS disabled). It makes a difference in very hard cornering.

[Qproject]

how can I verify that this has been done?

the accelerator pedal/TCU reprogram TSB

[NY94J30]

Have your Infiniti service advisor run the VIN for service records.

[maxnix]

If it hasn't been done, the throttle pedal will pivot on the throttle arm.

Unfortunatelythere were two TSB that became combined into one. If the throttle pedal still pivots, neither has been performed. If it doesn't, then only the first TSB may have been applied.

[Jesda]

zer...ogram

[Qproject]

thanks jesda, that's exactly what I needed.

zer...ogram

[Qproject]

0 to 60 in 5.7 seconds after the throttle and ecu upgrade ? is this correct ?

I test drove a nice 02 yesterday, it was super nice, felt more powerful a lighter on the pedal compared to my dad's ls430.

[qship96]

0 to 60 in 5.7 seconds after the throttle and ecu upgrade ? is this correct ?

I test drove a nice 02 yesterday, it was super nice, felt more powerful a lighter on the pedal compared to my dad's ls430.

0-60 more like 6.5 seconds if running perfectly.Published {magazine} tests are performed using abusive brake-torque loading that not only is abusive to the transmission, but un-realistic in how an owner accelerates from a dead stop- best to look at magazines 5-60mph times to get an accurate feel for a cars acceleration abilities{especially manual transmission cars}

[StarPD]

0-60 more like 6.5 seconds if running perfectly.Published {magazine} tests are performed using abusive brake-torque loading that not only is abusive to the transmission, but un-realistic in how an owner accelerates from a dead stop- best to look at magazines 5-60mph times to get an accurate feel for a cars acceleration abilities{especially manual transmission cars}

I agree wholeheartedly.Even when I drove HP Corvettes and raced others, I NEVER did so from a standing start. I insisted on a rolling start. Standing start runs beat the heck out of the entire driveline. Not worth it.

[maxnix]

5.9 on the very best of the most perfect days.

The update improves pedal and TCU response, no extra power.