Well, it was too good to be true.

Less than 3k and the first disaster has struck. You know, I'm taking a chance, getting away from my boring '150k and didn't spend a dime Camry', looking for some fun and this is a shi**y start.

Last Friday I was parking at work when I noticed a strange color at the passenger foot well in my new 2004 SL. A closer inspection revealed a floor mat & carpet that were soaked with ??? Did I go on a bender last night and lose control? No, it only took me a few seconds (after the shock) that it was water, likely from the evaporator (air cond). I quick look under the rocker and I can see the water peeing out approx where it's supposed to be onto the ground. So the drain isn't totally constricted.



Well it was either a jambed drain hose or cracked evaporator tray. Naturally it was the Friday before the Labor Day weekend and the dealer was shutting down, so I get to clean it up. So I go home & shop-vac out 2+ quarts of H2O and pound it with a fan overnight to keep the bacteria/mold at bay. The spendy mat is totally trashed (dye transfer).

The tech finally gets a look and adjusts the drain hose grommet in the fire wall, thinks it's kinked I guess. They run it a bunch and no water issues. Hmmmmm

So I go to pick it up and pull back the temp mat I put in place, yeh, that's right, more water. Guess they didn't try too hard. So far though, not the dealers fault, clearly a mfg or design issue.

Day 2 they take another look, pull part of the center console (luckily the dash can stay on, not like older Maximas, and we ALL know what happens to dashes that get ****ed with............... Squeak).
Just as I was guessing, the evaporator tray. The housing is a 2-piece assembly that wasn't sealed properly. Guess Nissan is interested in getting their hands on it, wonder why? Anyway, they're shipping a new one overnight.

Question, are we all going to be replacing cracked housings over the years as vibration and age take hold, or am I just snake-bit?

Clearly I'm aware of electrical and corrosion issues (had the floor pan & carpet checked). Lucky the carpet still looks good, although the 'new car smell' will no longer be an issue.

Could use a pep talk if anyone is an optomistic. I love driving the car and get lots of comments on its good looks, but the high has worn off some.

I'll keep this thread updated on how the "fix" works.....

Peace-out

 

d'oh! that sucks

Optimistic thoughts: If they can't fix it after the next visit you may be eligible for lemon law replacement. Check the laws in your state.

Optimistic thought #2: I accidentally left my driver's side window open one night, and we just happened to have record rainfall that night and the interior of my car was soaked. Fortunately the wind was blowing from the pass to the driver's side so it could have been MUCH worse. Aired out floor mats and took the car for a nice spin up to 80-100 mph with all 4 windows down and no mold or mildew or funny smell problems. I'm at 79k though, so the new car smell has long worn off.

 

On the bright side you are the only 04 Max owner with a wading pool installed. That is stone cold pimpin homey!

On a serious note, that does suck. Hope the fix works permanently.

CM.

 

I'f the carpet doesn't change color, I'ld throw some bleech on it and tell the Dealer I want new carpet

 

That's probably not a bad idea. But when they take out the seats to replace the carpet they'll end up scratching the dash and you'll get a new dash, but wait there's more. When they take the dash out to replace it they'll scratch the paint in the door jams and scratch your door panels so you'll get new paint and door panels. To make a long story short - before you know it you'll have a brand new car again.

 

The horror continues!!!! Today the dealer calls, says Nissan sent a new evaporator tray, and guess what, it's damaged!!!!

shift_LosingConfidence

Trying for a second "new" one tomorrow......

Someone wake me up, I'm in Oz.

 

That pic is right before I shop-vac'd. It cleaned up real nice (except for the mat). You wouldn't be able to tell if you saw it.

In this case, the less they do is more. Remember, these shops don't have much history on dis-assembling/assembling these sleds.

 

You sure Nissan sent a busted part or These fools didn't get anything at all and is giving you excuse to buy some time. I've worked with Dealers like that before

 

Dude why do you have to do get your hands dirty like vacuuming and etc? Let your dealership take care of everything. Leave the car there and have them give you a nice loaner. Make them replace the carpet so get to enjoy your car. Inspect the sheetmetal before they put on the carpet though, and have them put in writing your anti-corrosion wtty is still valid. Know your rights, be more persistant.

 

Easy big fella, the vacuuming took 20 minutes, it was a Friday night and the dealer was closed with Labor Day weekend in front of me. Science says if I leave it for 4 days for the dealer to clean bacteria/mold/mildew starts. As far as new carpet, do you realize HOW much they have to take out of there to get new carpet in? They would surely leave me a squeak/rattle along with that high gloss console scratched.

Keep in mind this is not the Dealers fault. I noticed there is a lot of dealer bashing in this Forum. This is NISSAN's turd! They clearly have a design or (likely) mfg issue at Tennessee. My actuaries say you'all may be chasing bad evaporator trays within a few years.

I got a loaner, I'm not that passive. I have records of the visits and areas effected. If it leaks again I have power of the lemon law, but have no desire to pursue, just want to DRIVEFAST.