M56 using oil and leaking anti-freeze

[walt1227]

Hey guys,
I had my oil changed back in November with 78,334 miles on the odometer and now it is due for a change with 82,250 or so on the odometer. When I got it from California last August I checked the oil and it was a little low. Checked it the other day and it was below the L line on the dip stick. I will take it in on friday for an oil change and to have it checked for oil leaks. I have not seen any oil in my garage or anywhere when I drive it. Also has a leak somewhere because anti-freeze is leaking out now. I saw a nice size spot in the garage last week and again a couple days ago. I backed it out in the yard to wash it and check for a leak Tuesday and saw it dripping anti-freeze while idling. That will be checked on Friday as well. I checked the coolant level and it is not far from the full line and I don't run my AC or heat much at all. Anyone have any of these issues and can give some advice as to what it could be?

[DFW2011M56S]

Mine uses about 1 qt every 1,500-2,000 miles. Pretty much normal on the VK56 engines. Both of my Titans and my M56 used oil. Most seems to get pulled past the PCV baffling in the valve covers and into the intake manifold through the PCV valves. All three had intake manifolds that were dripping wet with oil.

As for your coolan leak, these engines have about 15 coolant hoses. Easiest way to find the leak is get a pressure tester from Autozones loaner tool program, pump up the pressure and start looking for the leak with a flashlight.

[Ilya]

Interesting...maybe I should start checking my oil level. I change mine every 5k but I have NEVER yet even removed the dipstick on my car. I'm at about 1800 miles right now.

[EdBwoy]

Mine uses about 1 qt every 1,500-2,000 miles. Pretty much normal on the VK56 engines...

Also normal on the older M45 engines, as long as you keep an eye on it so that the engine doesn't turn to toast. Thirsty engines the VK45DE seemed to be. Every car I've owned burns some oil. I'm also a dipstick believer who collects and logs my old oil.

[walt1227]

Took it in for a oil change and for the coolant leak. Couldn't find a oil leak and I never saw oil in my garage. The coolant leak was caused by the coolant pressure valve around the radiator. Costed $91 to fix with $62 being labor cost and it was $9 short of my warranty deductible. All is fine now from the coolant leak. They said they could no other oil every 1000 miles to see if there is something else going on since my extended warranty companies will want that before they pay.

[lovemycarM35]

did they check the valve covers gaskets ? the dealer replaced my driver side back in May cause it was leaking bad and i just noticed I'm getting a small amount of oil on my hand where the cover meets the engine again, it's going back on Thursday.

[walt1227]

did they check the valve covers gaskets ? the dealer replaced my driver side back in May cause it was leaking bad and i just noticed I'm getting a small amount of oil on my hand where the cover meets the engine again, it's going back on Thursday.

There was never a visible oil leak on the ground or anywhere under the hood. Apparently these cars just use oil.

[lovemycarM35]

OK got It, guess that's a good thing the manual does say it could loose a quart of oil between changes.

[walt1227]

OK got It, guess that's a good thing the manual does say it could loose a quart of oil between changes.

Yeah I think these are some good reliable cars if one takes care of them. Oh really, I have not read through the manual. I don't doubt that it is the norm since these are some big engines.

[lovemycarM35]

well it does state this in the M37 manual

[DFW2011M56S]

OK got It, guess that's a good thing the manual does say it could loose a quart of oil between changes.

Going off the oil consumption rate of the 3 VK56 engines I have had, if you service them every 3,750 you could be nearly 2 quarts low. If you service it every 5,000 miles, you could be closer to 3 quarts low. I check my dipstick ATLEAST every other time fill up. It is fairly normal for even new and low mileage engines to burn little oil. How much depends on many variables.

[Ilya]

What should the level be normally after a fresh oil change? I finally checked, for the first time of owning this car for 2 years, and mine was about 60% from the H mark. How many quarts is that? Should I add some ASAP or will it be fine till my normal 5kmi change? I'm at 2kmi right now.

[M37xfan]

OK got It, guess that's a good thing the manual does say it could loose a quart of oil between changes.

It's probably been 3 months since my last oil change?? oil still at H mark

[Ilya]

What should the level be normally after a fresh oil change? I finally checked, for the first time of owning this car for 2 years, and mine was about 60% from the H mark. How many quarts is that? Should I add some ASAP or will it be fine till my normal 5kmi change? I'm at 2kmi right now.

No one has a guess?

[EdBwoy]

What should the level be normally after a fresh oil change? I finally checked, for the first time of owning this car for 2 years, and mine was about 60% from the H mark. How many quarts is that? Should I add some ASAP or will it be fine till my normal 5kmi change? I'm at 2kmi right now.

Here's a guess based on experience. Normally, if you follow the recommendations from the manufacturer (such as using an OEM spec filter), the oil should rest around the H level or top hole.
A few things will cause variations, such as the oil temperature and how long you let it drain etc. Just check and top off as necessary.

Not sure if your manual calls this out, but all the Nissans I've had usually gauge 1 quart between min and max on the dipstick.

I wouldn't freak out over a half a quart low. As long as you see oil within the dipstick graduation, it should be within tolerance.

[Ilya]

What should the level be normally after a fresh oil change? I finally checked, for the first time of owning this car for 2 years, and mine was about 60% from the H mark. How many quarts is that? Should I add some ASAP or will it be fine till my normal 5kmi change? I'm at 2kmi right now.

Here's a guess based on experience. Normally, if you follow the recommendations from the manufacturer (such as using an OEM spec filter), the oil should rest around the H level or top hole.
A few things will cause variations, such as the oil temperature and how long you let it drain etc. Just check and top off as necessary.

Not sure if your manual calls this out, but all the Nissans I've had usually gauge 1 quart between min and max on the dipstick.

I wouldn't freak out over a half a quart low. As long as you see oil within the dipstick graduation, it should be within tolerance.

Thanks Ed, that's reassuring. I'll start to check it more regularly but it seems like my car might be alright.