My VQ just started hemorrhaging oil!

[Volv04Life]

So I randomly went to check the oil in my altima today and found no oil on the stick. Im only 2200 miles into this OCI and it was full 3 weeks ago. It took 2 quarts to get up to full. I looked everywhere and no signs of any new leaks and the one I have still looks dried up and not very fresh. Im truly stumped for once. Im wondering if this is a sign of impending failure (rings maybe. It never burns oil so any insight would be appreciated.

 

[wrcsixeight]

It was your car! I replaced your dipstick with a shorter one just to mess with you. I'll be broadcasting the footage on youtube soon on "How to mess with a BITOGER!"


Did you Check the tranny fluid level, see if it raised by 2 quarts? I don't know if this is even possible with that Vee hickle.

I think you'd notice a blue cloud if it burning 2 quarts in 3 weeks.

 

[Volv04Life]

It smokes alot at idle and it smokes like a diesel on WOT but its done that forever without any noticeable burn off. I noticed My chrome exhaust tips are turning black.

 

[Trav]

I wonder if this is one of the years that particles from the cat got drawn back into the cyl and wiped them out. Google for the condition.

 

[Volv04Life]

[censored]?!

 

[gpshumway]

Trav's possible cause sounds ominous. I hope for your sake it's not that.

Another possibility is a frozen PCV valve. It usually happens only in really cold weather, like -15*F or colder but it's a possibility. PCV valve freezes open causing lots of oil to get sucked into the engine.

 

[Brule]

Originally Posted By: Trav
I wonder if this is one of the years that particles from the cat got drawn back into the cyl and wiped them out. Google for the condition.


Is this occurring on cars even without "pre-cats" now? This issue came up a decade ago when I owned an MR2 Spyder.

 

[Volv04Life]

It hasnt got below 0 this winter. My pcv is factory. Ive tried to change it but itll be easier to wait and do it when I do my plugs. This genuinely concerns me. I checked the drain plug thinkin someone was tryin to sabotage it. Its crazy.

 

[Volv04Life]

I guess im movin on up to a thicker erl.

 

[gpshumway]

Originally Posted By: Volv04Life
It hasnt got below 0 this winter. My pcv is factory. Ive tried to change it but itll be easier to wait and do it when I do my plugs. This genuinely concerns me. I checked the drain plug thinkin someone was tryin to sabotage it. Its crazy.


It's an unlikely cause, I grant you, but it's also a cheap fix. Usually clears itself up when it heats up and the ice inside melts, so sometimes you can never determine if it happened at all.

Happened to my dad's Audi once. OEM PCV that was only a few years old. The car drank a quart of oil in less than 300 miles, it actually lit the CEL.

 

[Trav]

Honestly i forget which engines were involved but i remember it being 02-05 years, i also remember some folks with 3.5 engines were posting about it on the Nissan forum.

I apologize for sounding like an alarmist, it was just the first thing that came to mind, it could be a lot of other things also.
Any recent CEL?

 

[Volv04Life]

No CEL. I feel so bad cuz I revved the [censored] out of it earlier gettin on the interstate. She only had 2 qts in her.

 

[heynow]

Originally Posted By: Volv04Life
It smokes alot at idle and it smokes like a diesel on WOT but its done that forever without any noticeable burn off. I noticed My chrome exhaust tips are turning black.


Sounds like missing oil isn't your engine's only problem

 

[Volv04Life]

My pcv is probly shot. Its never been changed but i cant get to it without the manifold off which was why i was waiting til i changed the plugs.

 

[Volv04Life]

Knew it was comin....

 

[Rand]

They did have a significant problem with the precats breaking up and getting sucked into the exhaust valves.

 

[Volv04Life]

Wouldnt it have locked up or started knocking? It pulls hard and idles nicely.

 

[SLCraig]

Originally Posted By: Rand
They did have a significant problem with the precats breaking up and getting sucked into the exhaust valves.


I honestly don't recall there being any issues with the 3.5.
The 2.5 yes for sure, 02-04.

I had a 2002 Maxima, first year for the 3.5 in that car and it ran flawlessly, although it consumed a good amount of oil much like this guy's Altima.

 

[MolaKule]

Originally Posted By: Volv04Life
It smokes alot at idle and it smokes like a diesel on WOT but its done that forever without any noticeable burn off. I noticed My chrome exhaust tips are turning black.


Once you change the plugs you'll have a better idea, but the stuck open PCV valve sounds like a likely culprit.

 

[MolaKule]

I have over 148,000 miles on my VQ35 and have had zilch engine problems.

I do know these engines seem to volatize thin oils or oils with high NOACKs.

I would switch over to a 10W30 or a 0W40 if you not already using those oils.

Quote:
It never burns oil so any insight would be appreciated.




Quote:
It smokes alot at idle and it smokes like a diesel on WOT but its done that forever without any noticeable burn off. I noticed My chrome exhaust tips are turning black.


Want to clarify?