View Poll Results: Do or have you had an engine knock in park at warm idle on your 2009-13 Maxima
Voters: 238. You may not vote on this poll
Buyer Beware, 2009 - 2013 Factory Bearing Problems
#641
For what it's worth, I have a 2012 also that I bought new Jan 2014, now with about 25k miles. It had the knock since about 12k miles and I had the number 1 bearing replaced at the end of December under warrenty. Took about 3 work days to complete the job and they provided a rental car. Everything went well, noise is gone and the car has been running great for the last 2k miles with no issues. In the past Nissan has provided short blocks and some long blocks and gave additional warranties. I think those days are now gone and they are just sticking to the TSB which says don't replace the engine replace the bearing only. Some people who got new engines had the same problem return. Can't understand why this has gone on for so many years but replacing the bearing seems to have fixed my problem for now. I imagine it will for you as well but let us know your results. Ask for more warranty but don't be too surprised if the answer is now no even tho they have given them in the past.
I will be asking for extended warenty but I do not expect much. Seriously considering getting rid of this thing before the warenty is up. I just do not trust the quality of this car.
#643
Ridiculous right? I wonder though, how many more people with 7th gen maximas are having this same problem. I bet most of "non-enthusiast" folks don't even know they have the bearing knock.
#646
#650
The culprit might be a broken flex plate
So it turns out that we, or at least some of us, might be dealing with a broken flex plate and not the main bearing. I've had a 2010 maxima owner comment on my video about having to replace/fix the broken flex plate in his max. He said that he replaced the bearing but it turned out that the real issue was the damn flex plate.
I dunno wtf anymore
I dunno wtf anymore
#651
So it turns out that we, or at least some of us, might be dealing with a broken flex plate and not the main bearing. I've had a 2010 maxima owner comment on my video about having to replace/fix the broken flex plate in his max. He said that he replaced the bearing but it turned out that the real issue was the damn flex plate.
I dunno wtf anymore
I dunno wtf anymore
#654
#1 Main Bearing Knock, TSB NTB 12-071
Hi All,
Newbie here. 2012 Maxima SV Premium/Tech, 43K mi. Thanks to this thread, I now know what the knocking noise I'm hearing is, and have an appointment with the dealer to have it diagnosed. BTW, they're usually great, and have already arranged for a loaner, even tho they haven't diagnosed.
My question: since this is a problem with the originally installed part, how likely is it that the crank/rod bearings, pistons/#2 main bearing etc. have been compromised, so that the repair may fix the noise, but may not find excessive wear on related parts? If the crank has been moving out of round, so to speak, even just a little, wouldn't that probably cause some undue wear? When I talk to them on Tues. after they diagnose (and it sounds just like the videos on this thread), I plan to ask them, but I wonder what the gurus from this forum think? I know these engines are built to some seriously close tolerances.
Thanks in advance; appreciate all of your input!
Newbie here. 2012 Maxima SV Premium/Tech, 43K mi. Thanks to this thread, I now know what the knocking noise I'm hearing is, and have an appointment with the dealer to have it diagnosed. BTW, they're usually great, and have already arranged for a loaner, even tho they haven't diagnosed.
My question: since this is a problem with the originally installed part, how likely is it that the crank/rod bearings, pistons/#2 main bearing etc. have been compromised, so that the repair may fix the noise, but may not find excessive wear on related parts? If the crank has been moving out of round, so to speak, even just a little, wouldn't that probably cause some undue wear? When I talk to them on Tues. after they diagnose (and it sounds just like the videos on this thread), I plan to ask them, but I wonder what the gurus from this forum think? I know these engines are built to some seriously close tolerances.
Thanks in advance; appreciate all of your input!
#656
Thank you.
Thanks, Bificus99. I'm going to take it a step at a time, let them diagnose it and see what they say. If they propose only to replace the bearing, I'll ask them what assurance I have that 43K on a bad main bearing won't compromise other parts. Then, if necessary, I'll take it up the chain. No use borrowing trouble, I guess. So, I'll keep the forum posted. Have to say I haven't noticed any performance problems, just the noise.
#657
This noise is only an issue at idle, typically in park or neutral. The potential of damage to other rotational elements at the cylinder involved is very unlikely.
If you want some extra insurance, peace of mind, have an oil analysis done before the work is done and do another in 15k miles and compare the copper, tin, lead, iron levels. I recommend the wait of 15k (2-3 oil & filter changes) to remove any 'wear-in' bearing materials that will spike right after the bearing is replaced.
Blackstone labs (my personal oil analysis lab recommendation) should be told of the work done on the engine so they know what you are trying to catch = higher than normal engine wear from bearing work.
And finally, as I have said many times in this same thread, the noise is annoying, but it was never going to stop your engine from lasting for at least 200k miles with standard maintenance.
If you want some extra insurance, peace of mind, have an oil analysis done before the work is done and do another in 15k miles and compare the copper, tin, lead, iron levels. I recommend the wait of 15k (2-3 oil & filter changes) to remove any 'wear-in' bearing materials that will spike right after the bearing is replaced.
Blackstone labs (my personal oil analysis lab recommendation) should be told of the work done on the engine so they know what you are trying to catch = higher than normal engine wear from bearing work.
And finally, as I have said many times in this same thread, the noise is annoying, but it was never going to stop your engine from lasting for at least 200k miles with standard maintenance.
#660
There is no 2015 Maxima only late 2014 models, it has to do with the new 8th generation models not being ready in time for the 2015 model year so they skipped it. Yes, there are still 2014's that have the knock but many, if not most, do not. Just make sure the car is warm and listen carefully at idle and you will here the knocking noise. If the car has 20 to 30k miles on it and still does not have the knock it probably will never develop it. Powertrain warranty covers is if it does occur. I would not let the fear of this keep you from buying the car if it is what you want.
My 2012 developed the knock and was repaired under warranty a couple of years ago and has run fine ever since. I think the vast majority of Maxima's will not develop this problem but it is out there and many may not even know what the noise is if the have it. It can only be heard at warm idle.
My 2012 developed the knock and was repaired under warranty a couple of years ago and has run fine ever since. I think the vast majority of Maxima's will not develop this problem but it is out there and many may not even know what the noise is if the have it. It can only be heard at warm idle.
Last edited by george1800; 09-23-2017 at 05:47 PM.
#661
08/07/2018, Took my 2010 Maxima SV into Gandrud Nissan Green Bay, WI to get an oil change, front brake pads and clean the rotors. After 3 hours I paid my bill and started my car and immediately had a tapping noise coming form the motor. Been driving this car for 2 1/2 years so I know what it should sound like Car was great since I bought it in 2015, including the ride up to Green Bay. Unbelievable coincidence that as soon as I have the oil changed this pops up. Jumped through all the hoops. Looking like I am on the hook for $1400 bearing replacement or option 2 was $2800 to have a used motor put in with a 1 year warranty.Will make 1 more attempt with Nissan. Thinking I should go with the repair not knowing what shape the used motor is in. Hopefully they have someone there qualified, not to confident since I didnt see any mechanic that seemed to be over 25. Car was purchased used from a non Nissan dealer 12/2015 with 72,000 now has 85586.
Edit: On a positive note, I made them go next door and get me the keys to a 2018 Chevy Silverado LT so I have been driving that for almost 2 weeks while I try to fight/ decide
Edit: On a positive note, I made them go next door and get me the keys to a 2018 Chevy Silverado LT so I have been driving that for almost 2 weeks while I try to fight/ decide
Last edited by Bergertime; 08-18-2018 at 07:39 PM. Reason: add note
#664
you need to report this "Factory Bearing" problem at Carcomplaints.com (https://www.carcomplaints.com/ ).
Carcomplaints.com is an excellent site with a ton of information about problems like this.
Amazingly, the 2012-2015 Maxima models are listed as "Awesome", with no knowledge and not a single comment about this "Factory Bearing" problem.
For example, see the 2013 eval here: https://www.carcomplaints.com/Nissan/Maxima/2013/
BTW, I am a 5-th gen owner. Came across this when doing my research about possible upgrade to a 7-Gen Maxima.
Last edited by maxiiiboy; 08-31-2018 at 02:09 AM.
#665
I very recently found/bought a 2014 Maxima SV CPO, 22K, with 7 yr/100,000 powertrain warranty - early Aug 2018. Thought I was in right place at right time. Now I find I have the knock. I know it's (all) already been said but come on, really? Everyone at the dealership is playing dumb now that I have the TSB in hand. After all the time that Nissan techs put in to get this car CPO and nobody picked up on the knock? Or were they ever advised to check for it since it's been going on for 5 model years??
Further - the TSB cracks me up -- (what a setup for the unsuspecting new owner) ---
" Knock noise from No.1 main bearing is confirmed if all of the following symptoms exist:
• Not heard at cold start • Can be heard at warm idle (not a cold start condition). • Heard best from under the engine with the vehicle lifted. • Cannot be heard driving at highway speeds. • Cannot be heard sitting in the vehicle with the radio on. "
I have a perfect match.
I am on record with Nissan Consumer Affairs and will be pushing for a new short block (verified in person, with numbers if that's possible).
Was wondering why they were so eager to sell/give me the car. No other problems but the bearing noise.
Does it help to go to multiple dealers to get more than one solution proposal? Or do they all call back to the mother ship - Nissan Corp?
1992 Maxima SE - sold for parts at 235K
2002 Maxima SE - 140K - strong
2009 Altima - 130K - strong
2014 Maxima SV - 23K
Further - the TSB cracks me up -- (what a setup for the unsuspecting new owner) ---
" Knock noise from No.1 main bearing is confirmed if all of the following symptoms exist:
• Not heard at cold start • Can be heard at warm idle (not a cold start condition). • Heard best from under the engine with the vehicle lifted. • Cannot be heard driving at highway speeds. • Cannot be heard sitting in the vehicle with the radio on. "
I have a perfect match.
I am on record with Nissan Consumer Affairs and will be pushing for a new short block (verified in person, with numbers if that's possible).
Was wondering why they were so eager to sell/give me the car. No other problems but the bearing noise.
Does it help to go to multiple dealers to get more than one solution proposal? Or do they all call back to the mother ship - Nissan Corp?
1992 Maxima SE - sold for parts at 235K
2002 Maxima SE - 140K - strong
2009 Altima - 130K - strong
2014 Maxima SV - 23K
Last edited by SlushMax; 09-05-2018 at 05:56 PM.
#666
Let them change out the bearing instead, a short block may just have the same problem after a time. That's what has happened to others. I had the bearing changed several years ago and the car has been running great ever since.
#667
I picked up a 2013 Sv a couple months ago that may have had this issue out of the factory as I have a receipt with the service records for a new short block when the car was about a year old and had 7,000 miles.The odd part is the car has 37,000 ( 30,000 or so on new short block ) now and I think I hear the knock as after reading this thread I walked outside to listen and the noise sounds the same as the video I saw. The Car runs fine and the average person wouldn't even hear it so I'm not going to worry about it.
EDIT, I just read the entire receipt as it's about 8 pages and lists all the parts , fluids, labor,etc etc. The technician notes say it was replaced after calling Nissan tech support for a # 1 bearing knock per TSB.
EDIT, I just read the entire receipt as it's about 8 pages and lists all the parts , fluids, labor,etc etc. The technician notes say it was replaced after calling Nissan tech support for a # 1 bearing knock per TSB.
Last edited by 2013maxima; 12-28-2018 at 06:32 PM.
#668
We had this problem on our 2012 max at about 50K miles. The dealer replaced the #1 main bearing under warrantee. The car has close to 90K miles currently and the knock is back. I am not impressed with Nissan quality.
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