Nissan Frontier, 3.8L new engine; what oil?

tiger862

tiger862

Joined
Mar 15, 2012
Messages
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Location
PEARL River la
Well got the 2020 Frontier 3.8 back after a month with new engine. Nissan recommends a break in period of 1000 miles with limitations on rpm to 4k, and keep a varied rpm. Oil change is recommended at 5k.
They couldn't tell me what caused failure so I looked at history, which oil changes were done at Wal-Mart last few times at 7500 miles and other quick oil places. It doesn't show the oil used so I don't know if synthetic was used.
Since I suspect LSPI and since this is DI engine I plan on using Valvoline oil and Midgrade gas. Reason for this combo is I do delivery service part time in Louisiana heat. The engine failed in traffic under 2k rpm on acceleration with Mobil 1 and regular unleaded. I am not blaming Mobil 1, just the fact of not knowing the quality of engine oil used or gas if it was top tier or not. Contrary to most thinking, there's a better additive package in 89 octane that is blended. ExxonMobil and Shell state to get best package get Supreme which help with injector cleaning even on DI which is why it cost more. 5.00 a tank more.
Does this sound like a plan for success and Advance oe EP Valvoline? I thought about 0w30 AFE or 5w30 Valvoline which won't hurt since 0w20 is recommended and only choice in manual.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
clinebarger said:
Doesn't much matter what you do outside of proper maintenance....If the engine is poorly built, machined, or designed....It will fail! Just a question of when.

How common/detrimental is LSPI in a naturally aspired engine?
Click to expand...

It isn't. lspi in turbo gdi only happens under boost.

But regular knock and detonation like happened in gas engines since forever also exists in gdi engines.
 
tiger862 said:
Since I suspect LSPI and since this is DI engine I plan on using Valvoline oil and Midgrade gas. Reason for this combo is I do delivery service part time in Louisiana heat. The engine failed in traffic under 2k rpm on acceleration with Mobil 1 and regular unleaded. I am not blaming Mobil 1, just the fact of not knowing the quality of engine oil used or gas if it was top tier or not. Contrary to most thinking, there's a better additive package in 89 octane that is blended. ExxonMobil and Shell state to get best package get Supreme which help with injector cleaning even on DI which is why it cost more. 5.00 a tank more.
Click to expand...
If there is a COSTCO nearby and you are a member, you would be better served to use their Top Tier gas (87 or 89 octane) if you have concerns about a stout additive package. Recent testing indicates COSTCO fuels have the highest detergent concentrations on the market. Also, COSTCO usually has the lowest cost gas in most localities.
 
And LSPI events are not shown to be correlated to fuel octane rating. Moving to midgrade gasoline may be a good idea for other reasons but this isn't one of them.
 
tiger862 said:
Well got the 2020 Frontier 3.8 back after a month with new engine.
Click to expand...
If you've mentioned this situation before, I missed it.
At what mileage did the engine fail?

Best of luck with the replacement. Was this a warrantied job? <<<seeking happiness here.

a. Maybe eschew the bargain oil change places?
Perhaps the "cheap filter media tore free, wadded up and plugged the lubrication system" fable happened to you?

b. Consider an engine oil cooler?

c. Do you leave your vehicle unattended when you're out delivering? Could aspiring, unemployed 'full time delivery guys' be threatened by you?
 
mitsuman47 said:
I also doubt LSPI.

Can we get more details on the engine that failed? Mileage, service history, etc.
Click to expand...
3.8 di engine. Acceleration in traffic under 2k-vibration then boom. Sounded like a rod came loose. 52k and regular oil changes at 7500 which is according to the manual to be correct. Don't know oil or gas used as I bought used 2k miles ago.
 
Nukeman7 said:
If there is a COSTCO nearby and you are a member, you would be better served to use their Top Tier gas (87 or 89 octane) if you have concerns about a stout additive package. Recent testing indicates COSTCO fuels have the highest detergent concentrations on the market. Also, COSTCO usually has the lowest cost gas in most localities.
Click to expand...
Shell, Exxon, Chevron and Texaco is all I use.
 
Kira said:
If you've mentioned this situation before, I missed it.
At what mileage did the engine fail?

Best of luck with the replacement. Was this a warrantied job? <<<seeking happiness here.

a. Maybe eschew the bargain oil change places?
Perhaps the "cheap filter media tore free, wadded up and plugged the lubrication system" fable happened to you?

b. Consider an engine oil cooler?

c. Do you leave your vehicle unattended when you're out delivering? Could aspiring, unemployed 'full time delivery guys' be threatened by you?
Click to expand...
It was warranted.
Never leave it running unless I see it. Doors automatically lock when I walk away then unlock once I go to get in while it’s running.
 
Still question is Louisiana heat and delivery which oil. Mobil 1 or Valvoline Advanced. For a couple of bucks there EP Valvoline.
 
VQ38DD is just a stroked VQ35DD which has been around since 2016 I think?

Haven't heard too many issues on them but @JTK had the timing chain go out on his Pathy?

Stuff happens to every engine once in a while. Doubt it was LSPI, VQ's have always had a pretty good knock sensor as well as the compression isn't that high for modern terms - its like 11:1, lowish for a modern GDI.

VQ's do shear engine oil pretty good so you can grade up or change frequently as possible preventative.
 
SC Maintenance said:
Stuff happens to every engine once in a while. Doubt it was LSPI, VQ's have always had a pretty good knock sensor as well as the compression isn't that high for modern terms - it’s like 11:1, lowish for a modern GDI.
Click to expand...
I’m not sure a standard knock sensor and the typical detection algorithm would detect an impending LSPI event. Standard pre-ignition knock and LSPI are totally different.
 
Nukeman7 said:
If there is a COSTCO nearby and you are a member, you would be better served to use their Top Tier gas (87 or 89 octane) if you have concerns about a stout additive package. Recent testing indicates COSTCO fuels have the highest detergent concentrations on the market. Also, COSTCO usually has the lowest cost gas in most localities.
Click to expand...

I have a hard time believing that. Do you have a link or ?

Shell Nitro Plus and Amoco/BP Ultimate have over double the amount of detergents found in most top tier premium fuels. I just can’t see a store brand running in that league. Especially at a discounted price.
 
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