Valve Stuck on my 2004 Infiniti M45

[KaizenX]

Hey let me ask you guys. I have a 2004 M45 and she has about 20,000 not driven hard miles on her. I went to start the car the other day and it was making some serious noises under the hood. I was thinking valve tap.

The dealership says it was a stuck valve and since I was 3,500 over for mile oil change that was the cause. I have to put in about a 1qt or 2 in between each oil change as well.

In the past around 10,000 miles I complained about whie smoke coming out of the vehicle and it not starting properly.

One time the car sat for a week and when I went to start it she would run for anything. I finally had to keep the gas peddle down and crank it until she started running.

Somehting does not sound right. I have had the car at the dealership non stop since day one.

Thanks for any info.

[Q45tech]

Why on EARTH would you skip the required oil change interval [7500/180 days] to give NISSAN an excuse to ignore their engine warranty with you.

Won't you feel bad about the disservice you have done to any future buyer of your car when you are done with it. What if no one accepts it as a trade in because they find out about your poor maintenance [unlikely]..........as it will just end up at auction and then into the hand of some poor person.

Get some BG Quick Clean for Engine and follow the instructions........a really stuck valve may mean you have to take the valve covers off and spoon out the sludge.........again unlikely at just 20,000 miles...........although over the years we have bought a few 96Q45 at less than 120k [$500 each] where we needed a jack hammer.

[szh]

The dealership says it was a stuck valve and since I was 3,500 over for mile oil change that was the cause. I have to put in about a 1qt or 2 in between each oil change as well.

Ouch! Oil change 3500 mile over? I have to ask why you went this long! Note that Infiniti can void your engine warranty if you do not do at least the minimum interval they recommend! Then, it can get expensive for you! I change my oil every 3750 miles religiously. This is a high-performance engine that needs proper, regular attention.

Inre the oil burn, the new engines were designed with a bit less tightness in the cylinders to provide the extra power (340HP from the same 4.5 liters as the first-gen Q). Hence, extra oil burn as well. Going through 1 quart every 3750 miles is pretty normal for this engine. I put in about 1/4 to 1/2 quart in the middle of my oil change cycle (and this is one of the best results around) because of my early engine break-in practices (more than usual oil and filter changes!)

If someone does not do good engine break-in practices, then the oil burn gets dramatically worse. Some folks have seen 1qt used every 1000 to 1500 miles.

Z

[KaizenX]

Ok. Come on guys. I have owned several different high performance cars. No matter what you tell me missing one oil change over 3500 miles will not and should not cause damage to my motor.

Instead of my motor going to 250,000 miles it might only last me 225,000 miles.

I attempted to perform the proper break in via this board and I thought everything was good. The car has had odd problems from the get go. Everytime I go to the dealership I have to bring the car back one two or three more times.

Even still I was looking for advice on is this really possible mechanically and not just wow just state the obvious. You guys are moderators? Thanks for the advice I will change my oil on time.

[Q45tech]

If BG QUICK CLEAN for engines doesn't solve the problem disassembly and parts replacement can.

"I have had the car at the dealership non stop since day one." and yet you were 3500 miles over for an oil change? Explain how this happens PLEASE?

Different performance engines can tolerate different levels of abuse.

All Nissan asks is that you change the oil every 90 days [ absolute maximum is 180 days/7500 miles] and check and maintain the oil level full 100% of the time======= in between changes.

[fyrestarrter]

Well I have the same problem on a 2003 M45 that has approx 62K miles on it & I get the oil changed religiously every 3500 miles. (in fact just had it changed in May & then parked it in my parking garage & only put approx 300 miles on it since then). But now my service engine light is on with that & this has caused a MAJOR problem with my gas gauge (my car telling me it's full when it fact it is NOT even close). I think there is something wrong here with these cars that Infiniti/Nissan is NOT admitting to. Q45Tech, where should I start to get my car repaired? I am having exact same symptoms plus service engine soon light as well & I cannot stand that god awful noise. Please help me!

[jEzTeR]

Go to the Infiniti dealer.

Hrmmm??

I am getting ready to pick up a 03 M45. I drove it today and it had no noise or smoke. The oil was fine as well.

I guess I will just take my chances.

What iol is best to use in between changes?

[szh]

Well I have the same problem on a 2003 M45 that has approx 62K miles on it & I get the oil changed religiously every 3500 miles. (in fact just had it changed in May & then parked it in my parking garage & only put approx 300 miles on it since then). But now my service engine light is on with that & this has caused a MAJOR problem with my gas gauge (my car telling me it's full when it fact it is NOT even close). I think there is something wrong here with these cars that Infiniti/Nissan is NOT admitting to. Q45Tech, where should I start to get my car repaired? I am having exact same symptoms plus service engine soon light as well & I cannot stand that god awful noise. Please help me!

Welcome to NICO.

Being in Atlanta, you have an awesome resource available to you (I assume the car is no longer under warranty?) ... the folks at T3! They may not have much experience with the M45 yet, but I am sure that they will be quite competent at trying to find the problem and fix it.

Send Dennis (Q45tech) an e-mail and/or call T3 and get an appointment scheduled.

Z

[szh]

What iol is best to use in between changes?

As long as you do the oil and filter changes regularly (3750 miles or less), any good Dino 10W-30 or 5W-30 oil will do just fine! Of course, changing to better/proper winter and summer weights is a good idea if you are in cold climates. Per Fred's posts, Chevron Supreme and Castrol GTX are among the best Dino oils you can find.

Personally, I like treating with the best I can do for oil. So, I use Mobil 1 Synthetic 0W-40 (all initial oil used through 7500 miles were Dino though!) as a good all-around excellent oil for all climates, short of being in Canadian winters!

The engine takes 5 7/8 quarts to fill (with an oil filter change) - I simply ask for the oil drain to be done a tiny bit more thoroughly and then add in all the 6 qt bottles I get. This just barely gets below the completely full mark when stone cold!

In between changes, I typically add about 1/8 to 1/4 quart at the 1750 mile mark (about halfway between oil changes every 3750 miles) - you can add any oil really (does not have to be synthetic). This low usage, by the way, is an outstanding result for this engine ... most other people seem to be adding a lot more. I think my original engine break-in procedures were good!

Z

[fyrestarrter]

Thank you! I will contact T3 asap. I still contend it's a bigger problem but I love my M & would do anything for her!

[richao]

Any updates on your original problem?

I just got mine with 25k miles and it smells like smoke on the freeway.

i love it but the smell seems fishy to me. I have an apointment this Thursday!