Ricky B Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 Hi I have an 06 Z with 34000 on the clock, (it was serviced 3,500 miles ago in April 2014) recently i noticed the oil pressure fall to 1/2 what it usually is, on tick over about 15 psi and general driving about 30 psi. Every now and again there was a ticking from the front passenger side when moving but not when stationary. Any way i checked the oil and it was low, not showing on the stick. So i topped it up, it took 2.2 litres to reach mid way up the dip stick. I was shocked at this as there was no warning light signal to say the oil was low. I used Castrol magnatec 5-30 A1 (ACEA A1) This seems to have solved the problem, But i have a few questions if anybody can help. Will any engine damage have occurred, with the oil as low as it was? Does anybody know what the ticking noise was? Is it ok to mix oils the garage that serviced it say the used 10-40 Many thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toon Chris Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 (edited) Hi I have an 06 Z with 34000 on the clock, (it was serviced 3,500 miles ago in April 2014) recently i noticed the oil pressure fall to 1/2 what it usually is, on tick over about 15 psi and general driving about 30 psi. Every now and again there was a ticking from the front passenger side when moving but not when stationary. Any way i checked the oil and it was low, not showing on the stick. So i topped it up, it took 2.2 litres to reach mid way up the dip stick. I was shocked at this as there was no warning light signal to say the oil was low. I used Castrol magnatec 5-30 A1 (ACEA A1) This seems to have solved the problem, But i have a few questions if anybody can help. Will any engine damage have occurred, with the oil as low as it was? Does anybody know what the ticking noise was? Is it ok to mix oils the garage that serviced it say the used 10-40 Many thanks Oh dear, that is not good at all. Mixing oil won't hurt, and the ticking was maybe something suffering from oil pressure problems or starvation. Your main issue is damage to the bottom end from lack of oil pressure which is very bad news. You either have escapade by the skin of your teeth or you have damage which will rear its head at some point in the future. 2.2 litres is a lot to be adding and you may have got away with it if your pressure stayed up high enough but unfortunately you will not be able to tell. Edited January 5, 2015 by Toon Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 Two things: 1. You probably have damaged your engine. It may or may not be terminal, but it's almost certain that there is some damage caused by running that low on oil. 2. Stop using Magnatec. It's p*ss thin crap that I wouldn't use in a lawnmower, much less a car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toon Chris Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 ...but Magnatec is better that air so at least you got something in there asap. If you car uses that much oil, check it weekly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 This is very true Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricky B Posted January 5, 2015 Author Share Posted January 5, 2015 Thanks guys, worrying but interesting, So what oil do you think i should put in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky-Ricky Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 Now its possible that it may have sustained damage I would change the oil to a 10W40, as said the magnatec is not liked, so any decent semi or fully synth should be fine, just keep your fingers crossed....oh and maybe fit an oil pressure gauge. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy78 Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 2.2L to get to half way up the dipstick means you were down about 3L of oil! <1L of oil per 1000 miles isn't a huge issue, but as others have said you may have already done some damage. Sounds like you have a drinker, just make sure you check the oil every week or few hundred miles so it never gets too low again. A thicker oil like Ricky suggested would also be a good idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricky B Posted January 5, 2015 Author Share Posted January 5, 2015 Thanks guys, I've spoken to Nissan They use 5-40 oil when they do a service. Would this be the oil to put back in. as said before i put 5-30 in to top it up. think i will do a full oil change on Friday when i'm off, so i need to get the correct gear. Thanks for all your advice on this guys. Wish Nissan had told me last April to keep an eye on my oil, as i would never have guessed that it would use oil so quickly, only 30,000 on the clock no smoke or other signs. it seems that some Zeds have a reputation for using oil. Cheers guys, thanks once again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ebized Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 NO, do as Tricky Ricky says - 10w40 - basically it stays thicker than 5w40 when the engine gets hot and less likely to get burnt away Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nissanman312 Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 so why is 5\40 better when not being drunk? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OllyB Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 Why are you recommending moving away from the manufacturers spec oil? 5\30 is recommended and is what the engine clearences are spec'd for so why move to 10\40? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy78 Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 10w40 is also listed in the service / owners manual IIRC? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 NO, do as Tricky Ricky says - 10w40 - basically it stays thicker than 5w40 when the engine gets hot and less likely to get burnt away That's not right Col: 10w40 is exactly the same viscosity as 5w40 when warm, it's just thicker from cold. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OllyB Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 I stand corrected, 10/40 can be used as long as temps are above -18.... Go for a quality oil, Motul, Miller's, Fuchs etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricky B Posted January 6, 2015 Author Share Posted January 6, 2015 Thanks guys. A great help ** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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