QuestionQUESTION: 91000 miles on a well cared for 02 Altima. Cat went out in Oct. 07 and replaced. Now the engine is using 1 quart oil in 475 miles and black reside inside tail pipes.It has been to 6 mechanics that tell me to add oil when needed and drive it. What is going on with this car?
ANSWER: Hi Anita -
First of all, please check the spark plugs and note whether you have the same black residue on the plug electrodes.
Also note whether you see blue smoke coming out of your exhaust at any time, especially when just starting the car after a long sit, or when accelerating up a hill.
The oil consumption is abnormal. Did it start immediately after the cat replacement?
Please get back to me for this info is important to move on with diagnosis.
If it is easier, you may email me at cjiwash@yahoo.com
Thanks Anita
aloha
calvin
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Calvin, This is the time line on the Altima problems
10/23/2007 LOSS OF POWER IN 2002 ALTIMA WITH 85,000 MILES
10/29/2007 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. AUTO LEFT ME STRANDED, WOULD NOT START.
11/02/2007 MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR REPLACED AT AUTO REPAIR SHOP RUSSELLVILLE, KY.(NO NISSAN DEALERSHIP CLOSE) AFRAID TO DRIVE CAR ANY DISTANCE. ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON AFTER REPAIR.
11/02/2007 CATALYTIC CONVERTOR REPLACED AT RUSSELLVILLE, KY. SAME REAPIR SHOP.CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON ( REPAIR SHOP DID NOT KNOW HOW TO RESET CODE SYSTEM. AUTO PARKED AT 88651 MILES.
11/21/2007 OIL CHANGED AND NOTICED OIL LEVEL LOW. CONTINUED TO CHECK OIL AND ADD 1-2 QUARTS FOR 700-1000 MILES.
12/25/2007 HOME FOR HOLIDAYS.
12/28/2007 APPOINTMENT MADE WITH NISSAN DEALERSHIP, PARIS, TN.
FOR SERVICE AND REAPIR ON 01/02/2008.
01/03/2008 I CONTACTED DEALER FOR VERDICT OF PROBLEMS (SPOKE WITH CHUCK). TOLD CATALYTIC CONVERTOR WAS NOT REPLACED AND IT WAS ORDERED TO BE REPLACED THAT WEEK.
01/9/2008 CAT REPLACED. DROVE 250 MILES AND PARKED THE CAR. SCARED TO DRIVE IT. RUNS FINE.
02/4/2008 BACK TO HAVING TO USE THE ALTIMA, 345 MILES AND DOWN 1 QUART OIL. I OPENED IT UP ON A STRAIGHT BACK ROAD ON THE WAY IN FROM WORK AND BLACK SMOKE BILLOWED.
I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO WORK AND HANDLE THIS, IT GETS VERY FRUSTRATING. Calvin at no time do I notice blue smoke, but it could be possible, since I can't start the car and see the back end.
AnswerHi Anita -
Thank you for the detailed synopsis of your vehicle. Quite a journey huh?
Still do not know whether the spark plugs have the same residue - Can someone check that?
Also, a car can only lose oil 3 ways -
If there is a leak
Burning it off
Leaking into the cooling system
If there is no smoke, then it is not burning it off. Do you see oil spots underneath your car? It could also be the oil pressure switch, but it needs to be checked while the engine is running.
To check if it is leaking into the cooling system - a quick check is to run the car until hot, take the dipstick and put a few drops on the exhaust manifold. If it sizzles, that means there is water in your oil and vice versa. Take a compression test to find out whether you need a cylinder head job, or head gasket replaced.
Mahalo
calvin
