Update on Excessive Oil Consumption

[Dan Q]

I had posted below on my 05 G35 Sedan consuming oil in large amounts. This is how my saga continues:

Infiniti required an oil consumption test despite the dealer pushing back due to the problem being quite obvious. After the test, lo and behold the engine is consuming 1.5 qt/1000 miles. They then requested that a compression/leak down test be done on the engine, which showed no loss in compression. Infiniti decided to replace the short block (block, pistons, rods, rings, crank), although it seems to me that a compression test would exonerate those parts from causing the problem. Both the service manager and mechanic agreed with me on this but apparently Infiniti is not concerned with any of our opinions. Hopefully tomorrow my car will be finished and I can pick it up.

I have spoken with the Infiniti consumer line and they have been terrible. The car has now been driven >100 miles on three occasions with between 0.5-1.0 qt of oil in the engine due to the excessive oil consumption (making noise all the while no less). I suspect that damage has been done to internals of the heads. Infiniti assures me that when doing the short block replacement the mechanic will inspect the cylinder heads and the bottom of the valves. They claim that this will be adequate to access any damage to the internals of the heads. I don't know how this is possible since the internals of the heads will not be visible without disassembling them. Also interesting that the mechanic has expressed his concerns that the heads have been damaged, but Infiniti has requested that he not take them apart. I assume that they will get replaced eventually since I don't know how the problem could be originating in the block if it did not lose compression. But it is unnerving to see that Infiniti will consider the car 100% fixed if the oil consumption stops without any inspection of the heads. This is not to mention that the catalytic converters have also been required to burn an extra 14 quarts of oil passed their way. Is this going to shorten their life? Infiniti assures me that the external inspection says they are fine. I wonder what you look for in an external inspection. Oil dripping out? Fire?

I can say that Nissan/Infiniti cars are probably reliable and I just got a bad one, but it has become apparent that their customer service is horrible all the time. My 7 month old car has spent 48 days in the shop at this point and they seem to think that this is ok. I have now contacted the BBB Auto Line for arbitration and am enacting the Lemon Law. It seems to me that this shouldn't be necessary on a brand new car. Does it seem that outrageous to request that they deal with the problem and just give me a new car? Apparently they don't feel that way. In any case, my hope is that I will be able to get them to replace the car and I can then sell it off and be done with it. I will never buy another Nissan product and will do my part to make sure that anyone I know considering one hears this story. It's too bad because they seem to make nice cars. I guess you're fine if you get a good one, but if not plan on getting screwed. If given the choice, I would rather gamble in Vegas that on my next car purchase.

[elwesso]

Im very sorry to see this... Honestly if I were you I would have gotten a second opinion at another dealer, even if it meant driving pretty far...

Its also very interseting that you say the customer service is bad, because ive only found it to be most pleasing..... Hell, I can drive in there with my 1994 infiniti, get service done, and they give me a loaner car...!!!

Oil consumption is not common on the VQ series engine... how did you break in the car??? SEems like these new engines are sensitve to how you break them in...

I dont think it would be unreasonable to ask the dealer to replace your car, or at this point at the VERY least, replace the entire enigne assy... Surprised they had you replace the short block, because the engine assys that come from infiniti are complete and pretty much ready to bolt in (minus accessories)... Seems more cost effective for them to do that.

[maxnix]

Keep on the back of Infiniti Customer Service. Request a meeting with the area representative before the installation of the new short block. Be sure that (without notice to the rep) that the senior technician and service manger is there. Be careful not to jeopardize their position with Infiniti, but allow them a venue (your meeting with the Infiniti Service representative) to state their opinion as stated to you.