I have a 2001 Maxima SE with Auto Transmission. I have replaced my Nissan air folter with a K&N air filter. The K&N air filter has been in the car for 3 months now. Recently I have been experiencing starting problems with the car. I took it to Nissan and they blamed the problem on the K&N filter. I have removed the K&N filter because Nissan has informed me that if I continue to use it it will void my warrnty. Can anyone shed some light on this. Did any one else come across this problem. And yes I am still having the starting problem even with the Nissan Filter installed. It only does it sometimes. I need all the help I can get.

 

search with keywords MAF and air filter.. very common problem. There is a service bulletin on this issue. You need the MAF replaced, it should be covered.

 

Before I give any comments on this, I just like to share w/ you my experience with dealer related to this topic.

I had installed a Injen CAI on my 3 week old 2002 Max. For some reason my "Check engine" light came on after about a week. I brought the car to my local dealer and they saw my Injen Intake. They said it MIGHT void my extended Warrenty b/c I have a aftermarket intake (Or I had modifications on the car) and want me to sign a paper that basically says, I agree to pay a fee of $88 for "diagnostic". Before I sign the paper I ask the manager, it will void my warrenty ONLY if the "MOD" was the cause of the problem. He say well, we will need to see what the problem is first. So I signed and left the dealer. 3hrs later they called me it was a "Faulty Air Temp. Sensor" and it will cover under my warrenty.

So, basically unless your MOD is the cause of the problem your warrenty should NOT be effected. But again IT REALLY DEPENDS ON YOUR DEALER.

 

well, an intake is different.. he just replaced the filter with the K&N.

If you read the TSB, it doesnt deny coverage for using a aftermarket air filter, but it does require them to put a Nissan filter back in.

They can claim any number of things if the intake itself is different.

 

That is a load of crap, you can use any filter you want. They can not void your warranty because you use a K&N. I have one too and I love it....no problems. The shop tries to blame it on the K&N OIL causing the MAF to fail.... I have news for you, Nissan filters use oil too.

 

load of crap or not, you need to be well versed on the exact wording of the TSB. it's been about 50/50 for the dealer trying to stick people with the $500 MAF. The EXACT phasing of the TSB does not deny you coverage.. but if they just skim over it, it can give the impression that you MUST have a nissan filter for the new MAF. It actually states that you must leave with a genuine nissan filter, not come in with one.

 

you'll find this to be common with a whole lotta nissan service centers. because of our dealers' reluctance to work on modded cars, some of the users here have taken to removing engine mods prior to taking their cars into the dealerships. if some of us are reinstalling whole stock intakes, putting a stock panel filter back in shouldn't be too tough.

sux, i know. i agree with tim, prolly your maf. put your paper filter back in and go to your dealer with tsb in hand.