QX4 Engine Oil Low

[wchai]

Hi,

I need your opinion on this problem I am having. I checked my oil last Friday and found it to be 2 qts low. I filled it to max and droved from Los Angeles to San Jose that night (about 380 miles). The next day I checked again and it was again 1 qt low. So I filled up again and called Frontier Infiniti on Steven Creek Blvd in Cupertino, CA immediately. The dealer said they didn't have any appointments available until 3 days later. So we took the car in today for a check up. The dealer refused to do any work on it except to seal everything up and have us drive it for another 1000 miles. I explained to the service rep that we having been losing oil fast and the car probably wouldn't make it for another 1000 miles. The service rep said there was nothing he could do because he must follow Infiniti's policy. So here are my questions:

1. Is this really a normal practice for Infiniti? Who is reponsible if the engine seizes up before the 1000 miles? What about liability concerns? I do need to bring the car back to Los Angeles so what if I get stuck on the freeway and get hit by a truck? I asked the rep to do a leak down test and he said it would cost $300 out of my pocket. I find Infiniti's logic to be really strange because we are not talking about a small oil burn problem here so I don't see the point of sealing the engine for another 1000 miles. 2. Because I had to wait for the dealer appointment, I am now one day over the warranty period (4 years/60K miles). Am I liable for the cost of repair?

3. Anyone else have the same oil problem on QX4? The car has been fine since I bought it new in 2002 except for a junk CD player and some other minor trim quality issues. I don't know where to point my fingure except at the dealer that has been changing my oil since new.

My car is a 2002 QX4 RWD. I change oil every 3-5K miles with only Mobil 1 and all work has been done by Metro Infiniti in Monrovia, CA. I called Infiniti headquarter and spoke to a customer service rep, she referred my case to an agent and I haven't heard from them since. I am very disappointed at Nissan now. After owning 6 Infiniti/Nissan cars I will think very hard before buying another Nissan product in the future.

You feedback on this will be greatly appreciated.

Wilson

[wchai]

I called Infiniti today and spoke to an agent (some young kid named Trustin Ngo). I asked him if the dealer can do a leak down test or even just a compression test for me so we can find the problem quickly before I drive it 400 miles back to Los Angeles. He was totally clueless and just kept rambling about Infiniti's corporate policy on oil consumption test. I didn't feel like wasting time so I asked for his supervisor. Well he said there was no one else I could speak to and that was that. What a disappointment.

I still hope to find the problem before driving the car for another 400 miles to get it back home. I would really appreciate your help on this. Any comments?

[Q451990]

Wow... is it smoking? That is a LOT of oil consumption without seeing smoke out of the tail pipe. I would make sure that the dealership documents that you made your appointment three days before your visit. Tell them you want it in the service records... Also make them document in writing all that they have told you about sealing the engine up for 1000 miles. Tell them you want it on letterhead, and make sure that they state that you have told them that it last used a quart in 380 miles. You will either get the documentation you need, or scare them enough to force a solution that makes more sense.

Good luck!

Heath

[wchai]

I didn't really check because I assumed the dealer was going to fix it and I was in a hurry to get back to LA. I will check it before I drive it back next week. Lots of M45 people are having oil consumption issues and some are using 1 qt per 1000 miles. I guess that's why Infiniti saw fit to apply the same oil consumption test to my car.

My best guess is a blown gasket. The dealer only had it for a few minutes so I don't think a thorough check for leak was conducted. I have a leak down tester so I can check it at home. Just don't like the poor service after I paid a premium to get an Infiniti product. Maybe I should upgrade to a Lexus next time.

[Q451990]

I have heard of the consumption issues on the newer Q's and M's but not on the QX4. Anything is possible though. With oil consumption that high, I think you should be able to see it without specifically "checking" - as in look in the rear view mirror.

I'm sorry to hear about your troubles though...

Heath