A qt in 2500 miles is in spec and Nissan won't replace it under warranty
for that. Anything over 1000 miles or so is OK. I know, it's not
"typical", but it's not a sign of any problem. It may even decrease as
the engine get's more miles on it. But you'll likely have many new
problems if you let them replace your engine (because of all the systems
they will need to touch).

-jim

In article <a39a55b5988f2ed4bc5190c2689aa585
@localhost.talkaboutautos.com>, mhboogaart@yahoo.com says...

I have an 02 SE 6 SP with 22K miles (driven by a 43 year old) and have
the identical situation. Although my dealer said it was within spec.,
Nissan USA authorized an oil consumption test. It's basically a very
precise oil change. (Fill, mark the dipstick, drive 2500 miles and see
what it takes to come up to the mark.) The test verified my observation,
but they also said that a loss of a qt within 2.5K is in well within the
normal range. They consider a qt in <500 - 1000 miles to be a problem.

As I did more research, I've found that while it may be somewhat un-
nerving, this is not all that unusual in a lot of different makes. A lot
has to to with the lightweight oil used to keep the MPG high. Also,
given that the dipstick on a Maxima is virtually impossible to read, I'd
bet a lot of owners don't even realize that they are using a little oil.

You can be sure that the dealer will need to preauthorize the repair but
I doubt Nissan USA will authorize an engine change. I suggest that you
get them to do an oil consumption test just to get it on the record
early in the warranty period so you are protected. Personally, I would
sell the car before I would have my engine changed -- even though  I
really like my service department. Its inviting trouble.

Believe me, I know how annoying it can be (did I mention my Maxima is
sitting next to my 91 Sentra that never used a drop of oil in all of its
217,000 miles?). I change my oil every 3K, so its not a big deal for me.

Get the consumption test on the record, keep an eye on it to be sure the
rate does not increase, and enjoy the ride.

Change to Mobil 1 5W30 and run it for an oil change.  That is, about
3000 miles and then change it again.  The second oil change should
eliminate the oil burning.  Now, you have taken the plugs out and
checked to see that one of the cylinders is not burning oil.  If you are
under warranty you might be getting a new engine under warranty

It isn't even close to being outside of spec. Anything over 1 qt 1000 isn't
a problem as a rule of thumb.

I'd leave it alone then.

And it will probably never be the same afterwards...

Slight manufacturing tolerances can cause an engine to not be "perfect".
Any engine has to use some oil to keep parts like the valve guides
lubricated, if they didn't leak some oil past the seals, these would wear
out in no time. Also the ring land side clearance/ring gaps might just be
at the wider end of the spec. Not enough to ever be a problem, just not
perfect, nothing is!

You're talking about haveing to buy $2 worth of oil every 2500 miles and
want them to replace a $8,000 engine in hopes to get it to what maybe 1 qt
every 3000? It would take 10,000,000 miles before that would break even if
it could be made to never use a drop!

I think you'd be making a HUGE mistake to have an engine replaced over this
as the replacement could use more oil and/or have other problems you don't
have now.