04 murano with 88k oil consumption

[soria90]

im goin crazy with this problem it hasnt been 3k miles yet and iv had to add bout 2 quarts twice already. 1st time 1500miles after oil change was done the light came on and valve began to tick and a CEL came on about code was something with intake valve timing and just know i checked n it had no oil again but this time no oil light and its been 2800 mile since oil change. what you guys think?

[Pilgrim]

Just in case you don't know: The oil light tells you that you have low oil pressure, NOT that oil is low. Low oil pressure can destroy your engine within a few miles. I hope you caught it immediately!

Loss of pressure is a reason to use synthetic oil - it gives you better protection if you lose pressure. But it does not work miracles.

Until you get this sorted out, I recommend that you check oil level at EVERY fill-up, and carry a spare quart or two of oil at all times. Checking the oil this often is a pain because of the time it takes for the oil to drain back into the crankcase and get an accurate reading - at least 10 minutes. But it's the only way I know of to make sure you don't fry your engine.

The advantage if doing this is that you will get an accurate mileage on how fast your car is using oil. If you don't keep an auto log book, start NOW and keep careful records of the pattern of oil use.

It sounds like something bad has happened, but let's get accurate info first - without destroying your engine.

[HVT]

Assuming this Murano was bought new, someone before you had to have beaten the hell outta that thing to screw up a VQ engine. Something is definitely not right if it's eating oil.

[soria90]

yea when the oil lite came on i shut off car waited a moment n then checked diptick and it had nothing so then i drove car bout 1 mile back home and bout mobile1 synthetic and out new filter and 1500 miles later samething happned no oil. Do u think just how the altimas n sentras had that problem with the loose screws in the butterfly valves and that also can lead to oil consumption maybe its the same with the some VQs

[HVT]

Originally Posted by soria90

yea when the oil lite came on i shut off car waited a moment n then checked diptick and it had nothing so then i drove car bout 1 mile back home and bout mobile1 synthetic and out new filter and 1500 miles later samething happned no oil. Do u think just how the altimas n sentras had that problem with the loose screws in the butterfly valves and that also can lead to oil consumption maybe its the same with the some VQs

Not on a VQ. We're on our 6th Nissan with the VQ engine, the last was our 05 Quest with over 100k miles on it. They're a solid engine and I've never heard on any such problems with them.

[Pilgrim]

To ask the obvious - there are no leaks, right? No drips on the ground? I'm looking for any place the oil could be going other than combustion.

When you say "no oil", exactly how much oil did it take to bring the level back up to the full mark on the dipstick? I'm sure you didn't have no oil, just very low oil.

Again, I urge you to check oil at every fill-up and make sure to stay on top of this. You don't want the oil to get that low again.

BTW - as a favor - please take time to write clear sentences....it helps.

[blackdog]

man i feel your pain, having the same issues as you are describing , lucky for me i am anal about oil levels and checked mine weekly, so never got below low/add mark, i am looking for a new/rebuild as we speak.

[soria90]

yea no signs of dripping or leaving stains and no blue smoke either. its my moms car so i guess i gota start payen close attention on how much it consumes like you said a book to keep track. I think im goin to do a compression check on it but i need a gauge but have no money because goin to college and im broke lol

[soria90]

i have access to all data at my college so i have the specs for the compression check. I just have to find time to do it and i know the rear bank is proboblly going to be a pain.

[nafddur]

Originally Posted by HVT

someone before you had to have beaten the hell outta that thing to screw up a VQ engine. Something is definitely not right if it's eating oil.

I'm with you 100% on this one, HVT. I've had several VQ's, and none of them ever burned a drop of oil - including my 95 Max that was running fantastic (with the original engine and MT) when I just traded it in with 221K.

I know our resident tech here (Izzy) has reported seeing VQ's that have used oil in the past. But he works on these things for a living, so naturally sees a LOT of them! Except in rare cases of something internal failing, I also say you have to beat the living-you-know-what out of a VQ to get it to burn oil. JMHO, of course.

[soria90]

yea i think the previouse owner mest it up to

[blackdog]

the previous owner of my mo was a family friend and she is not a lead foot and did all maintenance so i thought getting it from her was a good bet when the lease ran out, and i have driven it like all my cars, and yes i have a 98 maxima, with 290,000k and my toyota truck 91 has 300,000k and no oil issues with either but my mo is using one liter per 500k....................the facts are the facts there is a problem with oil consumption with this engine, still have people that think my mo is two years old it looks so good, it;s an 03.

[Sunlitcopper200]

Have you had your PCV Valve checked. I have an '03 with 114k on it that I bought new and it is using the same amount. So far I have replaced manifold (both sides) for $900, cam sensors for $550 and Cat for $600. No change on oil consumption. No leaks, and I swear I would notice if I was blowing a court of burned oil out my tailpipe every 500 miles. One dealer told me I needed a new engine. Took MO to am independent shop today. They said oil was leaking up onto the crank case and burning off because the PCV Valve was plugged. They replaced that part (free- it is literally just a piece of hose). Service manual says to drive for 600 miles and recheck vehicle. Shop also put dye on the oil so we can know for sure if oil is leaking to exhaust system. Seems simple, but I have had this excessive oil use problem since 50k miles and have asked many shops to diagnose. I was told over and over that I must be leaking and not know it since it wasn't possible to burn that much. Will update after the 600 mile re-check. Crossing my fingers!

[HVT]

You're either leaking it or burning it. It's not lost by osmosis. Sounds like a bad shop to me...OR...a story.

[blackdog]

i am going to get leak down and compression test done as well as checking the pcv, and right valve cover issue, but i fear that it will be the same end result and they are just getting a few extra dollars for the diagnosis. let me know how the pcv works out for you as i am going on holiday and you should have some data by the time i am back and take my mo in.