1. Ran AutoRx 2500 miles changing filter 1/2 way through. 2. 3000 mile oil change with Castrol GTX 5W30 changing filter 1/2 way through. 3. Repeated step 2 4. Repeated step 1 5. Currently about 2000 miles into oil change.
Used 5 qts since oil change in 2000 miles. 1 qt is from filter change.
I noticed that you followed the sludge removal application, changing out the oil filter at the half way point of the initial oil changes. If I am reading your post correctly you are now running a second application with Auto-Rx in the oil now. I am also assuming that you are burning a quart of oil every 500 miles. Was this the same consumption rate before you started with Auto-Rx? Was the motor heavily sludged before you started? Or were you aiming to see if cleaning the ring packs and valve stem seals and guides would reduce consumption?
It is surely safe to say that the ring packs have been cleaned up or freed up at this point. That typically occurs in the first 1000 miles of the application. However, Auto-Rx can not help rings that are worn or cracked. Does the car smoke heavily during acceleration or deceleration? How about when the motor is stated in the morning after sitting overnight. If so then it is likely that the issue is valve stem seals. If they are worn out or one is cracked cleaning will not solve the issue.
Have you checked the operation of the PVC system. If the crankcase can not release the positive pressure this can lead to high consumption. Was the oil that had been changed out much dirtier than normal despite having to add so much along the way to 2500 miles? How about the filters. Where they heavily loaded?
I'm writing this from work so have to estimate mileage from memory.
Car was bought with about 44K. At about 60K took it in for cam position sensor and found out it had a recall on cat converter so had it replaced.
I was running AMSOil Series 2000. During warranty work dealer changed oil. After a few thousand miles I changed it back to the AMSOil with a AMSoil flush. Did an AMSOil flush when car was initially purchased also.
At about 65K noticed it was using about a quart every 1000 miles. A google search of 2002 Altima oil comsumption brings up several hundred hits of people with similar problem. I have an 03 but engine is the same (4cyl).
At around 77-79K I found out about AutoRx. Put it in and changed filter halfway through. Then 2 oil changes with a filter change 1/2 way through. Not sure if I changed at 2500 or 3000 miles. (Records are at home) (1/2 way was at 1250 or 1500).
Few months ago did another oil change WITH Auto RX changing filter 1/2 way through.
End of Sept did an oil change. Now just running my 3000 miles. Changed the filter a few weeks ago. Since end of sept have used a gallon of oil. I figure 2 quarts are from the oil change and the filter change 1/2 way through. So it appears I'm using more oil.
Oil is extremely black so it appears it's cleaning something up. Usually about 300-500 miles after an oil or filter change I can see the color difference.
I would like to reinforce what Rich said about the PCV system. This is a relatively low mileage engine. I would find it very hard to imagine damage/wear at this point. Now it surely could have been neglected prior to your ownership, but that I would normally associate with things being fouled with deposits and not wear. I mean, it's surely possible, my experience has just shown it to be unlikely.
Just look at the valve cover. One hose will lead to the intake manifold below (engine side) of the throttle body. The other will lead to some form of filtered fresh air. The one going to the intake manifold is the one with the PCV valve or metered orifice in it. That's the one to inspect and clean. This is for the 4cylinder. It's screwed into one of the intake runners (most likely)
You should be able to spray carb/trottle body cleaner through the hose and the valve until you can order one. It's screwed into the intake. It will just look life a vacuum nipple.
www.rockauto.com
Nissan 2003 Altima Emissions PCV
2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5L 2500cc L4 FI [QR25DE] DOHC : Emission : PCV Valve Wiki Price BECK/ARNLEY Part # 0450350 More Information About this Part [Flag indicates this part fits vehicles manufactured for the US Market. It does not indicate where the part was made -- manufacturers produce parts in multiple factories worldwide.] [Flag indicates this part fits vehicles manufactured for the Canadian Market. It does not indicate where the part was made -- manufacturers produce parts in multiple factories worldwide.]
Part Image $5.83 Add to Cart STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS Part # V400 More Information About this Part Intermotor [Flag indicates this part fits vehicles manufactured for the US Market. It does not indicate where the part was made -- manufacturers produce parts in multiple factories worldwide.] [Flag indicates this part fits vehicles manufactured for the Canadian Market. It does not indicate where the part was made -- manufacturers produce parts in multiple factories worldwide.]
Part Image $8.19 Add to Cart AIRTEX / WELLS Part # 6P1247 More Information About this Part {#118106N202, PCV378} [Flag indicates this part fits vehicles manufactured for the US Market. It does not indicate where the part was made -- manufacturers produce parts in multiple factories worldwide.] [Flag indicates this part fits vehicles manufactured for the Canadian Market. It does not indicate where the part was made -- manufacturers produce parts in multiple factories worldwide.]
Part Image $9.42 Add to Cart
2003 NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5L 3498cc V6 FI [VQ35DE] DOHC : Emission : PCV Valve Wiki Price BECK/ARNLEY Part # 0450347 More Information About this Part [Flag indicates this part fits vehicles manufactured for the US Market. It does not indicate where the part was made -- manufacturers produce parts in multiple factories worldwide.] [Flag indicates this part fits vehicles manufactured for the Canadian Market. It does not indicate where the part was made -- manufacturers produce parts in multiple factories worldwide.]
Part Image $5.41 Add to Cart STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS Part # V399 More Information About this Part Intermotor [Flag indicates this part fits vehicles manufactured for the US Market. It does not indicate where the part was made -- manufacturers produce parts in multiple factories worldwide.] [Flag indicates this part fits vehicles manufactured for the Canadian Market. It does not indicate where the part was made -- manufacturers produce parts in multiple factories worldwide.]
Part Image $8.19 Add to Cart AIRTEX / WELLS Part # 6P1238 More Information About this Part {#118108J101, 118108J102, PCV368} [Flag indicates this part fits vehicles manufactured for the US Market. It does not indicate where the part was made -- manufacturers produce parts in multiple factories worldwide.] [Flag indicates this part fits vehicles manufactured for the Canadian Market. It does not indicate where the part was made -- manufacturers produce parts in multiple factories worldwide.]
So, geeaea are you saying this valve is threaded into the vacuum source rather than the crankcase vapor source, and then the hose from this valve would go to the crankcase vapor source, such as a valve cover hose fitting? Seems backwards, but maybe that is how it is done on these engines.
I understand your frustration. They design them to be easy/quick to assemble, not service.
I think a socket would fit over it, but it might require a deep well socket. In any event, when that's out of the way you can better evaluate consumption. If you haven't gone to the mechanic yet, make sure that the related hoses and whatnot are cleaned and checked for integrity.
tszpara, don't feel bad. It took me the better part of 3 hoiurs to change out a parking light/directional front light bulb in my 2000 Silverado. Had to remove the battery, the battery tray, the windshield washer fluid reservoir, and some inner fenderwell skirts just to get access. Just made me want to choke a design engineer.
Can't get a socket over it unless hose is removed. Bought wrench (23mm) but had small area to work with. About the width of a nickel. $30 and mechanic did it.
I had no idea just how problematic the 2002 2003 Altima motors are. If you merely google 2002 Altima oil burning, you will see what I mean. It appears that a good majority of these motors self destruct with only modest mileage and with apparent good maintenance histories.
What I did not find is a definitive answer to why they fail. Many recalls on catalytic convetrors, head gaskets replacements, valve stem seals and so on. But none of the mechanical repairs ever stopped the oil burning. Once they start burning oil, the motors appear to be toast.
