2nd Oil Change

[FSUZ33]

Please chime in if I’m missing something, but I feel like if you’ve got “completely black” oil at 3,750, AND only 2,300 on that oil itself, that something’s wrong.
Cant speak for the “noticeably rough when accelerating“ part. This car can act weird, based on comments I’ve read here. But it sounds like that lasted 250 miles. Which I don’t really like either.

My first change was at the dealership, so I didn’t see the oil, nor did I check it for color just before. My 2nd wasn’t that long ago. A home job at 6,800. The oil was more orange than I was expecting, like orange iced tea. But it was still perfectly clear.

EDIT: Meant to ask… Did you check your level at at 3,500, or before you changed it at 3,750? Did It look like you drained at least 5 quarts?

 

[Zplz]

…EDIT: Meant to ask… Did you check your level at at 3,500, or before you changed it at 3,750? Did It look like you drained at least 5 quarts?

Good point. It’s a good idea to keep an eye on the oil level with this engine. I had to remind myself of this.
That, plus the oil pressure. I’m glad I’ve got the gauge right in front of my face face so I can keep an eye out for anything peculiar. I’ll admit to being somewhat paranoid about that blasted oil solenoid. Whether I’ll be able to do anything about it quickly enough is another matter, short of getting rid of it.

 

[AlanZ]

Just bought the Nissan 0w-20 oil and Nissan filter from z1. Going to do my second oil change in April. I think I’m at around 3,300 miles or so. I guess I’ll change oil once a year since I barely drive her.

 

[KrackaC8]

Good point. It’s a good idea to keep an eye on the oil level with this engine. I had to remind myself of this.
That, plus the oil pressure. I’m glad I’ve got the gauge right in front of my face face so I can keep an eye out for anything peculiar. I’ll admit to being somewhat paranoid about that blasted oil solenoid. Whether I’ll be able to do anything about it quickly enough is another matter, short of getting rid of it.

Talking with my tuner, RaceBox, they said no need to be concerned with lower miles if you change oil frequently. I asked if I should unplug mine and they said no, it's only an issue on higher mile cars that ran longer oil change intervals. Sounds like it's less of a random failure and more of a dirty/sludge issue.

One thing to remember, darker oil color isn't necessarily a bad thing, it means the oil is working and keeping the hydrocarbons, etc. suspended that are too small for the filter to catch.

 

[Zplz]

Talking with my tuner, RaceBox, they said no need to be concerned with lower miles if you change oil frequently. I asked if I should unplug mine and they said no, it's only an issue on higher mile cars that ran longer oil change intervals. Sounds like it's less of a random failure and more of a dirty/sludge issue.

One thing to remember, darker oil color isn't necessarily a bad thing, it means the oil is working and keeping the hydrocarbons, etc. suspended that are too small for the filter to catch.

Makes sense to me. I hope. A.I. Google looks to agree with RaceBox, but it may have just picked-up on some RaceBox info or related comments. Plus, I won't be pushing my Z on a racetrack.

Per Google A.I.,

"Some Nissan Z and Infiniti Q50/Q60 owners (VR30 platform) choose to "block off" the solenoid because it is seen as a potential failure point that can stick and cause low oil pressure under load. * The Trade-off: While a block-off plate ensures full oil pressure at all times, it permanently alters factory engine operation.


* The Alternative: Many enthusiasts suggest sticking to more frequent oil changes (every 3,000–5,000 miles) to prevent the solenoid from "gunking up" rather than removing it while under warranty."

It would have been really nice if Nissan would have come-up with a design that was fail-safe, instead of having if fail and blow-up the engine. Seems like they decided to follow this movie version, if the current solenoid was their idea of "fail-safe."

 

[KrackaC8]

Agreed, better engineering would have had it fail in the other direction.

 

[Mugzilla]

OP, look in to Blackstone oil analysis. I think it is $25. One report isn't that helpful. A few in a row shows TRENDS. My oils still has too much (something. I forget what). However, it is trending downward. And whatever that element is, it is a byproduct of engine break-in.

I've done 2 now. I'll be doing it again to see if I keep trending in the right direction.

 

[Zplz]

OP, look in to Blackstone oil analysis. I think it is $25. One report isn't that helpful. A few in a row shows TRENDS. My oils still has too much (something. I forget what). However, it is trending downward. And whatever that element is, it is a byproduct of engine break-in.

I've done 2 now. I'll be doing it again to see if I keep trending in the right direction.

How many miles on your Z?

 

[KrackaC8]

I wish there was a top shelf aftermarket oil filter available for the VR30 that utilized the correct bypass pressure... 99% @ 20 micron, preferably. I originally bought a Fram XG to use until I discovered it was the incorrect bypass psi.

 

[Zplz]

Agreed, better engineering would have had it fail in the other direction.

Yes. It’s not a great idea to have a single point failure design which results in an almost immediate catastrophic failure.

 

[Mugzilla]

How many miles on your Z?

11,000. 1st change at 1500. (Did not sample) 2nd at 6000ish. (Blackstone sampled). 3rd at 10,500 (Blackstone sampled)

Running 5w30 Mobil 1.

 

[FSUZ33]

Good lesson on why to install the hood popper delete.
Probably ran over a stick.

 

[Bumflik]

What i use. Im at 9009 miles and just did my 4 th oil change. No sludge can result when using this synthetic cuz this is PAOs and ESTERS tech

 

[KrackaC8]

Yes. It’s not a great idea to have a single point failure design which results in an almost immediate catastrophic failure.

LOL I remember watching that race live.

GM made a similar boneheaded move in their AFM lifter design (shuts half the engine down from V8 to V4).

 

[Zplz]

LOL I remember watching that race live.

GM made a similar boneheaded move in their AFM lifter design (shuts half the engine down from V8 to V4).

No kidding. Do you know the details of what happened with the car? That’s a pretty dramatic failure.