I took my car to the service department for an oil change and trans fluid change. I have 36,200 miles on the car. While waiting the service rep shows me that the drive belt has small cracks in it and recommends it be replaced. I said ok and they replaced the belt too. I drove the car home and it drives fine. When I pull into the garage I can hear a very low knocking or thud type of noise. Now the sound is coming from the passenger engine compartment where the tech showed me the drive belt while lifted.

The interesting part is this low knocking sounds only happens while the car is in drive or reverse. It does not make any sounds in Park or Neutral. I immediately took it right back and said something is wrong and has caused this knocking in drive or reverse. The service department took a look at it and told me that this was not related to the drive belt install and that it was coming from the engine. I wanted to punch the guy in his face but I don't want to go to jail.

What knocking sound would only occur in drive or Reverse? Does anyone think this is related to the Oil change or Drive belt? I didn't think the trans fluid change would make the engine knock?

This sound is not high pitched and does not sound like metal. Its a low sound and almost sounds like something rubber or plastic coming from the side of the engine.

They won't look at it until Monday. I didn't want to drive it so I was going to leave it there and get a rental. Changed my mind and drove it home so I could take it somewhere else but I know it's something they did or caused.

Any info you guys can provide would help.

 

I assume you mean the rubber belt that drives the AC, power steering, etc. Guess I need to check mine too, as I have about 57K miles on my 04. They should last longer than 4 years and 36 K miles.

Your knocking sound is hard to diagnose (for me). Have you driven you Max hard, with frequent WOT starts? If so, it could be that the motor mounts allow the engine to shift just enough when you put the engine in gear that something is hitting and causing the sound. Can't think of what the service tech would have done changing this belt that would cause this sound.

Would be nice in "light" would comment on this question. Hope he sees my post and checks this out. Good luck.

 

****, they are saying it seems to be the number two cylinder. They are talking about replacing the engine under warranty through nissan. Could the service department have done anything to cause this? I don't race this car and it has plenty of power to handle things without flooring the throttle.

This is a 2004 model 5AT with 36,200miles. I only put on 13,000 miles since I purchased it last year with 23,200 miles. The car always drove great and I did all oil changes and put in two K&N filters. Did the 30K recommended service. Just had the transmission fluid change,oil change,belt replaced and the engine cylinder does this?

Is this normal?

 

So...take the new engine. Nothing wrong with a new engine in there.

 

No, but it does happen. You are beyond the 36 K mile full car warranty, so be happy that this replacement is covered under the 60 K mile power train warranty. That's why these warranties exist. Just hope that the dealer does a good job of replacing the engine -- no screw-ups !

 

Nissan is sending a brand new long block for my car. Whatever that means. If the car gives trouble after that I'm getting rid of it and will find me a TL or something else. Maybe the service department did screw up my old engine, I don't know. I called Nissan and told them about what happen. Nissan called the dealer and asked lots of questions and wanted them to send proof of all my oil changes. I got a Murano rental but Nissan will only pay for four days.

 

Where does Nissan come off only offering 4 days rental? They have your inoperable car! I'd give them a little fuss for this nonsense and even hang onto the car. Let them know, that four days would be great. "Wow, it only takes you four days to diagnose, order, and replace my engine?, isn't that great, fast service"?!

Swee

 

Long block is the engine block assembly with the heads on. I would assume not the intake etc. Should be fine. That 4 days rental is bull crap unless they will have the car done for you in that time, otherwise give them hell.

 

More or less that is what my thoughts were ^^^^^^^

 

Well, I got the Max back last week after 9 days and only four days on the rental. I was very pissed off and called Nissan about the issue and Nissan called the dealer and asked plenty of questions. The service rept. told me that Nissan was asking questions as if the service department did something wrong. They did send them a brand new long block but asked for all my oil change documentation. That dealer did all four of five oil changes and everything else to my car.







I'm suprised it drives great,nice and smooth. No ticking at all like the old engine. This engine sounds different. Transmission still shifts the same. I guess after Nissan put the spot light on them, they knew to do a good job. Only complaint is someone must have slammed the rear drivers side door because it rattles over every bump. When I roll the window all the way down it makes a clunking noise like the glass wants to fall. I have the 100k warranty that covers electrical stuff inside the car so I'll have it looked at somewhere else.

 

How long does it take to "break in" a new engine? Mostly I've been taking it easy but sometimes I forget and want get on the throttle. I put it in manual mode for the first time and it's very smooth but did not pull like the old engine. Does a new engine perform less than a driven engine??????

 

You need to follow the owners manual just like a new car. Don't skimp, or push it too soon. Give it a chance to wear-in.

I can't answer your question about reduced performance in a new VQ engine -- because I did not push my VQ while it was breaking-in.

 

Yes a properly broken-in engine will be more efficient and powerful. As far as break-in I've seen people saying not to switch to synthetic oil before completing the break-in procedure / untill 7500-10000 miles so logicaly speaking it takes about 7500-10000 miles but then again I'll the experts chime in.

 

It's been a while since I've driven a engine from 0 miles. I don't know if the ECU was reset because the transmission still shifts like it did before and I have to take my foot off gas so it will downshift. I didn't have to reset any options with the drivers seat or door locks,auto headlights. I want to properly break the engine in and yes I was thinking of synthetic oil. I wish I could record the sound of this engine because it makes no sounds or ticking at all. I thought a little ticking was normal but this engine just hums.