2024 Z - Burning Oil

[Hernandooo]

Alright, so recently I've installed AMS Exhaust, DPs, Intakes and TurboSmart Dual Ports Diverter Valves. Ever since i've installed the intake and exhaust system, i've had people come up to me and tell me that my car is smoking hella lots. I've tried to get the car tuned, but Nissan has locked the ROM for the new Z's (Like how Toyota did to the Mk.5 Supras) so I wait til it becomes available for Ecutek. When I got baselines done, the smoke disappeared, for a short time. Even installed a Z1 Oil Catch. Now it's back and with vengeance. I'm going to take out all the mods and go back to stock, see if Nissan can figure it out. I'm just hoping im not the unlucky one with a broken turbo seal. Once stock, i'll check to see if the smoke disappears too.

Also, did an Oil Change at 5000km with AMSoil Sig Series 0w30 and Amsoil Filter, leveled right at the F when the engine was warm. Now almost getting to 10000km, and the dipstick is reading just above L. Emptied the Oil Catch can twice (6000km and 9000km) and it was about 1/10th full each time, smelt mainly like oil with a hint of gas.

Is any one else getting these issues? I've read some people are having black soot build up on their OEM Exhaust system, i'm wondering if its correlating. As I also had a shit ton of soot on mine, before i changed it at 5000km

 

[D2M]

I last changed my oil a exactly 5K miles using 5w40 M1. my car is now at 7K miles and absolutely no change in oil level ( I check it often) My mods are intake, down pipes, exhaust, catch can. I do get black soot on the exhaust tips but its never excessive.

 

[Thefunk]

My soot deposits at my oem exhaust tips has been drastically reduced since installing the catch can. I only have nismo intakes. Try putting your mods back on without the diverter valves. Just a guess I'm not a mechanic

 

[Mr&Mrs]

These engines are known for smoking stock. Your downpipes will only make it worse. Just a sacrifice for more power. I opted for downpipes with CATs to help with this, but they are limiting my upgraded turbos too much at higher power levels so I will be swapping them before to long. You will get kick back from some people on this next tip but 5w40 is the oil setup you want to run on this engine. Also it can be tuned with Ecutek now.

 

[Hernandooo]

Upon returning my stuff back to stock, working on removing the LH side AMS Intake, i noticed oil accumulated in the turbo inlet (coldside)... I think i've narrowed down the cause of the black/blue smoke.

Still will be attempting to turn back everything to oem. BUT GUYS, if you're gonna swap out intakes, take a peek at the turbos and see if there is no oil. I should've done this when I Installed mine

Car is now grounded til it gets checked out at Nissan, hopefully its covered under warranty

 

[Hernandooo]

My soot deposits at my oem exhaust tips has been drastically reduced since installing the catch can. I only have nismo intakes. Try putting your mods back on without the diverter valves. Just a guess I'm not a mechanic

Swapped back the diverter valves to OEM, upon inspection of the Turbosmarts, didn't find any damage, soot, or oil on them.

Found oil in the the turbo inlet though (LH side), which would mean i have a broken seal or line somewhere there. Just so happens to be the same side where the PCV pipe is,.. coincidence? I think not. I could only imagine how much more damage I would've sustained if I didn't install a catch can.

 

[Hernandooo]

Pool of oil in the LH Turbo

 

[AlanZ]

Pool of oil in the LH Turbo

Wow man, thanks for the update! Keep us posted if Nissan covers this under warranty?

 

[VR30Infection]

So, Isn't there a line from the passenger side valve cover that goes to the intake pipe before the turbo?? If so, (by memory) This is the culprit. when driven hard you get blowby and the turbo is literally sucking this blowby right in. One of the reasons I don't agree with the drivers side pcv catch can only upgrade. Technically both sides should go through a catch can or if you don't care about emissions, then you just use little vent filters instead. Some argue that this is a bad idea because the suction on the valve covers helps the rings to seal however a full vent to atmosphere system is used all the time. The GTR guys do it all day long when pushing bug power.

okay, There are three hoses that take care of blowby. They are literally called "Blowby hose" .
There are one on each bank and then the PCV. So technically the PCV is the least of our worries as far as having a catch can because under boost the PCV is closed. the PCV can only work under vacuum. Now I'm upset with myself for purchasing a catch can that is the most useless of the three.. lol. I'm going to have to figure something out here.....

page 237 in the service Manual

Also. just to premise.. I'm hoping this is the issue you're experiencing. Hopefully they don't find an issue with your Turbo.

 

[Hernandooo]

So, Isn't there a line from the passenger side valve cover that goes to the intake pipe before the turbo?? If so, (by memory) This is the culprit. when driven hard you get blowby and the turbo is literally sucking this blowby right in. One of the reasons I don't agree with the drivers side pcv catch can only upgrade. Technically both sides should go through a catch can or if you don't care about emissions, then you just use little vent filters instead. Some argue that this is a bad idea because the suction on the valve covers helps the rings to seal however a full vent to atmosphere system is used all the time. The GTR guys do it all day long when pushing bug power.

okay, There are three hoses that take care of blowby. They are literally called "Blowby hose" .
There are one on each bank and then the PCV. So technically the PCV is the least of our worries as far as having a catch can because under boost the PCV is closed. the PCV can only work under vacuum. Now I'm upset with myself for purchasing a catch can that is the most useless of the three.. lol. I'm going to have to figure something out here.....

page 237 in the service Manual

Also. just to premise.. I'm hoping this is the issue you're experiencing. Hopefully they don't find an issue with your Turbo.

So mine being in a RHD RZ34, the line from the (drivers) side valve cover that goes to the intake pipe before the turbo is not the culprit. I checked that side too, and it was dry and clean.

My passenger (your drivers) side is whats pooling right now.

I changed the exhaust and cats back to stock in preparation for Nissan service dept to check out drove it around for a few hours, then yesterday changed the intakes. Upon re-inspecting, it appears the pool of oil may have decreased in size. (sorry for the shitty pic, my phone camera wasn't having it)

So, im kinda stumped.

Today, I had the Nissan dealership do the 10000km service, asked them to check out the suspected turbo, asked to use 5w30 instead of the 0w20, and enquired about ordering Nismo parts. When I got the car back from them, lets just say, I wasn't enthused by their response.

First off. Apparently I can't order nismo parts for my car unless I have a Nismo Z...

Second. I don't think they checked the Turbo Inlet, and automatically put the blame on the Oil Catch can...

Third, I just had installed coilovers with all the supporting mods, got it aligned at ShockWorks, and barely drove it. Maybe 500km so far. But proceed to tell me that my tires are wearing fast, will need new tires and realignment, asap...

Kinda lost faith in the dealership/ service center i bought my Z from, tbh

Going to see if there is another service spot around Melbourne that can help me out

 

[Loco38SUP]

This seems on par with US dealerships, they’re always looking for modded parts to deny claims. Even if aftermarket parts have nothing to do with the failure.

-RJM

 

[VR30Infection]

This is upsetting.

 

[VR30Infection]

Is there no valve cover to intake hose on that side ? In the service manual it shows one on each side.

 

[Who.Am.Eye.2716]

I have read and heard that there isnt a good mounting location for the 2nd can

 

[Hernandooo]

I took off the oil catch can just now, since taking going back to oem and taking it for service. 500km later, found that the can was about 1/4 full...

Also found oil in the pipe leading to the LH intercooler. RH intercooler still dry and no carbon, looks new...

Getting serviced again at another Nissan dealership in Melbourne (recommended location among the peers here, supposedly its the best in Australia) hopefully they can diagnose and remedy the fault here