oil consumption 02 q 45

[mcrews]

Got my 2002 Q45 in sept 05 w/ 42k miles. Noticed the oil was low so i topped it off. took 1 1/2 quarts. Went in for service, reported it and when I came back 3k later, the shop mgr said I had to come in between at 1500 mile then again 1500 miles later. So I've been in at the 1500 mile ck and the oil was low, 3/8 of a quart. the Dealer shop forman said it was in tolaraence but to make sure I come back at 1500 more miles. In retrospect, should I have gone in the shop and check the stick with them? Also, should to 2002 engine drink oil? I've still got factory warrenty left so I can do this for awhile. any advise? The forman said Infifiti does not like to replace motors...duh.

mark

ps thanks for some really great information on the site.

[Q45tech]

The redesigned engine does use more oil than the 90-96 engine. A design trade off!

I believe currently 1 quart per 1500 miles is acceptable [not what owners might expect] but acceptable.

3/8 -1/2 quart in 1500 miles means you have a very good engine.

It is your responsibility to keep the engine full of oil even if it is using some otherwise you will incur excessive wear.

Be sure to follow 3,750/90 calendar day oil change interval and carry spare oil.

They have changed quite a few engines since 2002!

Synthetic oils will evaporate less therefore less to add but you still need to change every 3,750 to adhere to warranty..........document everything.

Create a diary for the car with every detail, always come in at exactly 1400-1500 miles never over in the test.

The fallacy of the test is owners could remove oil to get a new engine.......just an extra 1/2 -3/4 quart.........drain and refill less with old oil......watch out for drain plug seals.........coded oil filters.

[elwesso]

Tech, do you think this applies to the VH45 or just the VK? I just had to add a quart after about 2000 miles..

anyway Mcrews, id just say buy an extra quart of oil whenever you get your oil changed... you check your oil every other gas fillup as a complete bare minimum, right????

[Q45tech]

My VH [Jan 90] did use little maybe a quart every 3,750 but it was on sythetic for 12+ of it's 16 years.At around 270,000 miles I returned to conventional 10w/30 then 40 Valvoline changed ever 3-4k. I add a quart between changes now.

But at 303,000 it's on borrowed time anyway due to number of cranks over last 16 years......still have original starter and injectors.

[elwesso]

Is there any reaosn you switched back to conventional? I remember that for a while there you were putting a lot of miles on the car (around 3000 per month) so that would make sense... is it just because at this high of mileage synthetic does not make any sense? Meaning its really not giving any benefit...

I still sometime question the cost effectiveness of using synthetic, however i have yet to find 0w40 in nonsynthetic off the shelf which is what I like to use in the winter.

[mcrews]

wes,thanks for the info.I'll update in acouple of more days.I should hite the next 1500 miles tues morning.

[qship96]

my 170,000 mile 96 uses less than 11 ounces of oil per 5,000 mile changes- even with the nasty smell of Redline oil dripping past the valve covers!

[Q451990]

Interestingly enough, I was at my local Infiniti Dealership (getting a chain guide estimate to use as ammunition for my upcoming negotiations with State Farm) and noticed that the service advisor had a screen up on an '02 Q with oil consumption issues. I asked him how common this is, and he said they see "a few" which probably means "pretty common." I also asked him if Infiniti had made any improvments to the engines in subsequent years, or should I expect the same from the new M45, later model Q45s etc. He said that the long block has been updated to resolve the issue... so I asked, if they changed the rings. He said yes... So I asked if the new engines still generated the same HP numbers - since Infiniti had loosened up the engine to create a faster engine. He said "they still run really fast" - so that's sort of a non-answer in my book.

Just wanted to pass along the information that I got. I have no idea if it's reliable, or legitimate. These service advisors have not always been up to date, or completely accurate with me. He really didn't seem to be aware of the guide issue on the early Qs - but for the most part they don't see many now, so that's somewhat understandable given Infiniti corporate's refusal to admit there's an issue.

Heath

[DrewQ45]

At almost 193K my 90 burns little or no oil (synthetic).... I never have to add between oil changes except for when I had a leaky radiator. Can't say the same for brake fluid which I have to top off every now and then. ABS unit "sweats" a lot. I have another abs actuator that pulled from a 92. Hope it doesn't leak.... did see any tell-tale signs. Waiting for some warm weather to slap it in.

...Drew...

[Q451990]

I believe the actuator was redesigned by 92 to withstand dirty brake fluid. You should be fine.

Heath

[mcrews]

Thanks for all the imput.at 3002.5 miles i was down 7/8 of a quart."within tolarence" shop forman said the had 3 longblocks in 3 yrs on 02's. they were at 1 1/2 quarts every 3k.Said that there was a tech meeting a while back, asking about any reocurring problems. the oil issue came up and the was never addressed again!!!!He also said if I'm low.....DON"T overfill to use up a whole quart. Kep it just below the line.

Also I saw a post somewhere about a Q45 making a lot of noise when it started and then going away. Mine did that and I freaked out. I called the dealer and he asked if it had sat for 3-5 days? yes it had. It's the hydralic lifters. after a minute all was good.thanks againMark

[maxnix]

I'd still track its oil use religiously. Good luck.