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Engine burning oil (1qt / 200 miles)

34820 Views 22 Replies 13 Participants Last post by  Sharky
I have a 2009 SL with about 78,000 miles on it. Around 60K miles the car started having a audible "knock or slap", especially during the then cold winter start ups. I did some googling and found alot of people saying the pistons shrunk/expanded which the cold would amplify. Sounded plausible and the car ran fine and after it warmed up it was ok.

Around 70K I noticed it started loosing oil alot sooner then I would expect and the knock or slap starting getting alot louder during startup and continued to be heard once warm (though much quiter). At this point the oil consumption started to get alot worse and 3 times I got the oil light.

Around 75K miles I started regularly checking the oil and water level to see what was going on and thats when I was able to measure the consumption. I am burning about 1qt every 200 miles at this point. I took a sharpie and drew 5 lines on the radiator overflow tank and it hasn't moved in a 1000 miles. So I don't think its a headgasket, which sounded like a common issue.

The car has a noticable lope to it at idle and if you brake moderatly quick the car will die when it comes to a stop. Having the AC on increases the likely hood.

I replaced the spark plugs at around 75K miles just to see what would happen. The car did run much better for about 1000 miles. But eventually the same old symptoms came back. All the plugs were pretty dark. So I think the new plugs probably ran great until they got coated with crap.

Soon I will take off the intake manifold and do a compression check and leak down test to see if its one of the cylinders or what.

I'm thinking its probably a cylinder or valve seal issue with how much oil its burning. But since the oil light came on several times and it makes terrible sounds by the time that happens (dipstick is dry by the time the light comes on) I'm thinking I'm just gonna buy a used engine and just do a simple swap. Don't want to run the risk of some of the bearings or seals going bad later. There is no oil leaking on the engine. And there have been a couple times a big smoke cloud came out of the tail pipe when the engine was cold. But once its warm the smoke goes away.

I do have a question. Will the MR20 work with the MR18 ECU and the CVT transmission? From looking at the threads it looks like most of the MR20 swaps were on the manual transmissions. But if its gonna be a hassle then I'll just stick with the MR18 especially since it is a couple hundred dollars cheaper.

I know I'm not really asking for help here, but I was just more interested in getting my story out there and seeing if anyone had similar issues.
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Sounds like you still have factory powertrain warranty. If you have proof of oil changes take it to nissan and they should replace it for you free of charge.

Failing that. The MR20 is a simple swap. I have one in my car. Using the stock Versa ECU, transmission, and all
He has 75k miles so unless he opted for the extended his engine warranty ran out at 60k miles. The problem started at 60k just when the warranty ran out. That is some luck.
^ Oops. I forgot it was miles. Life would be so much easier if the US would just conform to the rest of the world and adopt the metric system. Lol. Its much easier than imperial anyways
After checking every 200 miles i have put almost 800 miles on the car and only needed to put in 1/2 quart. The only thing i did was a couple weeks ago i did an oil change and added that oil addiditive called "Restore", its been around forever and can design looks like it. The engine is still loud and its still messed up but at least the oil consumption is down.
I would start shopping for a motor. or at-least start to budget.
burning that much oil and loud engine? I'd wash it, throw some heavy weight oil in and anything else that would quiet it down and drive it to a dealer and trade it in.

Sorry if that sounds harsh but It would seem you are going to have alot of work on your hands soon.
I agree with rob. For the price of the versa, u may be able to get a sentra, and get the MR20 motor. It really is a nicer motor then the MR18. That's always been my thing, trade in before you have problems. I know it sucks, but it would be worth it. Or keep this one, and do like a project car, and buy ur self another car. But im a trading guy.
Sounds like you still have factory powertrain warranty. If you have proof of oil changes take it to nissan and they should replace it for you free of charge.

Failing that. The MR20 is a simple swap. I have one in my car. Using the stock Versa ECU, transmission, and all
Absolutely, anyone can do a MR20 swap, its so simple!
The car is paid off so swapping engine would be alot cheaper (2 car payments worth, versus 5 years of payments). The MR20's look to be about $300 more (used of course). Any reputable places to look at?
dude 300 bucks more is so worth it. You cant buy 22HP for that cheap any other way. And labor is the same. So 300 bucks is a steal
The car is paid off so swapping engine would be alot cheaper (2 car payments worth, versus 5 years of payments). The MR20's look to be about $300 more (used of course). Any reputable places to look at? Check out Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market
Heres a video of the engine sound. Sounds like some of the others I've heard on Youtube.

ouch...that sucks man it sounds like a rod bearing.
hope you get it fixed and see if you can replace it with a 2.0 sentra MR20
Here in Houston I was looking for Versa parts and came across two used MR18 (one for a 2008 and a 2010) for $600 each. I don't know how many miles on each because I was not looking for an engine so I didn't ask, just the price. But I think you will have no problem finding a replacement engine.
Almost sounds likea diesel...

I have nothing useful to add but... nice Elise!
Bought an MR20DE locally today for a hair under $800 after tax. Will pick it up tomorrow (they had to remove it from a Sentra). The car had 21K on it, so not too bad.

I used that website listed a couple posts up and just went to place to inspect the engine first.
Bought an MR20DE locally today for a hair under $800 after tax. Will pick it up tomorrow (they had to remove it from a Sentra). The car had 21K on it, so not too bad.

I used that website listed a couple posts up and just went to place to inspect the engine first.
awesome! keep us updated to your progress. I'm yet to experience an mr20powered V but the guys that have them enjoy the bump in power and MPG.
Congrats man, keep us updated on the swap, and take pics while you're at it.
Saw the motor pic, awesome. No one sleeps till the motor is in!
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