I have a 2000 Maxima with lease maturing in a few months. A few days ago, I noticed a slight vibration coming from the engine, as if some unusual metal friction was happening under the hood. The noise was louder and increasing in pitch with revs going up. Not loud, but noticable through the steering wheel. The engine still pulled strongly with the usual smooth torque, only something was rubbing.

The next day, I had my appointment with Nissan for a check up. Before I took the car to the garage, the car wouldn't start. It almost did, but never reached a stable idle. The car was towed in Nissan garage.

Nissan called me this afternoon to inform me the problem is major, even though they can't tell me what it is. To find out what the problem is, they say they must remove the engine and open it up. The things is, they asked me to sign a form that states I'm aware the engine must be taken apart and that Nissan won't cover repairs under warranty. They said I was negligent for not changing oil at specified intervals. The oil was last changed at 25,700 miles, the car currently has 30,600. I was supposed to change oil at 3,700 miles intervals. The engine died after 4,500 miles.

Please help! What's wrong? Can 4,500 mile old oil possibly damage an engine to such extent? Is Nissan trying to get away with it? What should I do? Get an independent mechanic to determine whether the oil is truly responsible for the damage?

Thanks,
Christian A.
silly_chris@hotmail.com

 

ummm, youre freaking me out, a 2k at 39K miles.. I just got a very odd noise a few days ago between 2-3K. After a loud metallic noise while starting during the first few days of the cold weather, I started noticing an other sound when the car was under a load (like a hill). I've had tranny work, and this is nothing like any problems I had with the tranny.

It goes away above 3500, but if I hold it in that range, it lets out a squeal. Its almost like the car is pinging, but its not. Its really freaking me out. I really hope its nothing.

No, 7500 is the recommended interval, its in your manual.. I would not sign anything. The engine is still under warranty. period.

Now would be a good time to consult an attorney if they will not back off that 'paper to sign' Nobody else has had to sign a release for major work that I know of.

 

Tim, thanks for the reply. I hope you're not having the same problem. I can wish no one such frustration. Just in case, get an oil change done fast, and take your car in for an inspection.

I'll have to check about the 7,500 miles oil change interval. My owner's manual is in the car and the car is in the parking lot of the dealer. When the Nissan tech guy told me about the problem, he quickly made sure I understood no work would be covered by the warranty because of oil changes. He mentioned 6,000KMs (I'm in Canada). Perhaps he was just hoping I'd sign the release before thinking about it. He noticed I was freakin out. The lease contract says I must perform appropriate maintenance as specified by the manufacturer.

Beyond this negligence crap, I'm pretty sure bad oil can't do such a thing. Changing oil only once a year will probably increase internal friction and cause wear, but not destroy the engine!

The question is, should I take the car to another Nissan dealer or an independent mechanic? Nissan won't open up my engine and tell me what's wrong before I sign the responsibility release. How can I demonstrate oil has nothing to do with the problem?

Christian

 

actually, your oil can sludge if you wait too long, regardless of mileage. If that happens, no oil pressure.. bearings die...

Replacing an engine is expensive. Nissan will send a rep for this kind of major work. You should immediately involve Nissan. You can get the manual on their website, under the owner section.

Seriously, an engine is 6K+. You may want to spend 100-200 bucks for an attorney to at least figure out where you really stand.

Actually, I'm hoping mine is just a dying alternator or something like that. But just the thought that a VQ can seize is scary. I change my own oil, so I keep all the box tops of the filter boxes, and I try to keep the receipts where I bought oil.

 

Sorry to hear that!

Please please follow Tim's advice with the lawyer IF they don't back down once you show them it CLEARLY states in the owners' manual that 7500 miles for "non-harsh" driving conditions is acceptable.

Do NOT sign anything until a lawyer reads it over.

BTW, did Nissan change the oil last and what viscosity oil did they use?

 

I REALLY F-IN HATE NISSAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!