Max2013

This is a great post and a terrific example of the value of this forum. Thank you Rick!

macsmalls

Shoot, I JUST bought my 2010 SV Sport last night, gotta double check to see if it's got this issue too, I REALLY hope not! Has 47k miles on it, no extended warranty.. anyone with higher mileage and still within the powertrain warranty have this issue and any problems getting it fixed through a nissan dealership?

13Maximasv

It's ok, I wasn't offended as much as I didn't want the thread to get out of whack. In less than a week I have over 20 PM's and several people on here stating this is or may be a problem with their car.

This is a thread every 7th gen owner needs to see this ASAP

Prior to buying if I saw a thread like this I never would have bought my 2013

13Maximasv

If you guys with a bit higher mileage and few years old could post how the dealership is taking care of the issue ( replacing the bearing or new block) and any compensation you are getting it would make this thread easier to follow in the future for others.

Also please post your dealers name and the city and state for others who may have trouble getting the repair taken care of

When my car is all set I will post the year, miles, how it was fixed and compensation I get from Nissan for others to see.

13Maximasv

The easiest way to see if the problem effects you is to warm the car up and park it in a garage so the engine sound is louder

Put the car in park and listen, if you have and doubt the problem should go away in Reverse and drive

If it makes the sound I would be at the dealer that sold you the car Monday morning


I would think the powertrain warranty covers it but will they take the cheapest route to fix it which I believe would be replacing the bearing as opposed to a new short block.

The TSB only came out in Sept 2012, before that I believe most dealers were saying it was normal

I know of guy who had it fixed but they ripped his motor apart as opposed to the new block I am getting

Maximam

Not sure a bearing but what does this sound like?

13Maximasv

Sounds like the bearings to me, does it go away in reverse or drive ?

Nopike

iTrader: (2)

I am replacing my 98SE after 15 great years. I was not planning to get another Maxima but after shopping around and looking at Infiniti, BMW, Audi, Acura and others. I finally went to the Nissan dealer and drove a Maxima. It reminded me why I like the car so much and why I have kept it so long. The car has a nice solid ride and the Bose stereo is one of the best out there. Now I see this thread and I feel like I need to keep looking. Would you buy the car knowing there is a good chance that the engine will need repair? I wonder how common this issue is and if Nissan may do a recall.

Don06Max

2012 SV with 20,000 miles, noticed knocking too. Dealer said that's normal, or noisy fuel damper. Took TSB in next day and insisted wasn't normal. They are changing bearing per Nissan. Going on 5 days counting weekend. At least they gave me a 2013 Maxima for rental.

ricknyce

What dealer? City & State

Don06Max

Jeff Schmitt Nissan Beavercreek OH

13Maximasv

IMO you should have pushed for the new block instead, that's a major job and so much can go wrong

My dealer spoke to Nissan and they (Nissan) decided on the new block, knowing this is an option I would push for it

13Maximasv

As the owner of a 2013 given this information I would pass on the 7th gen Maxima.

Maximam

It's louder in "N" or "P" but still there in "D"

ricknyce

For anyone that is having this issue and is getting it resolved, Please share what Dealer including City & state. This can be helpful to me just in case i decide to drive a distance to get the better treatment.

Im at 50K miles now and I'm covered up to 60K on the nissan power train warranty and then up to 100K on my extended warranty thru Carmax..... With that being said, I have some time to find the best dealer to handle this issue

13Maximasv

My car has 3800 miles, I imagine as mileage rises and the problem become worse the stress of putting the motor into gear may not totally hide the noise and thus why you hear it in Drive while I didn't

13Maximasv

Lupient Nissan Rochester, MN

I made a post similar to this about how the repair was being handled and to post if the block was done or bearing replaced

cleanmax316

My 2010 sport has this also. Does anyone know if the powertrain warrenty for a 2010 with 33k miles is still active?? I also bought this car 2nd hand and not through a nissan dealer. I have had problems with my local dealership in the past so im afaid this is going to be a diffulcult process... damnit@!!!

cleanmax316

LOL sorry fellas its early. after quick google search it looks like the powertrain covers for 5yr 60k miles and its 100% transferrable. Looks like ill be taking a trip to the dealer and if they give me any hassle i will want a statement from nissan themsleves stating my car is fine. If it is bad I will def push for the replacement of the block.

Don06Max

All fixed, no more noise. +1 size bearing and no more knocking sound. Fresh CVT oil and Ester oil fill. I'm happy now. Still have plenty of warranty left just in case, but looks good to me. A little over $1700 with rental.

13Maximasv

Print out the TSB and bring it to the dealer, if they say No call Nissan Consumer

13Maximasv

What year ? How many miles ?

Did you ask for an extended warranty from Nissan ?

I'm guessing you got new Coolant also.

Since the bearing swap is much cheaper seems people are going to have to push for the new block on older cars, Nissan suggested the new block on mine

Don06Max

2012 SV 20,000 miles. Have to call Nissan about warranty, have a case number already. TSB saves coolant, they only top off, everything else new though. Car running great, no noise anymore. I have extended warranty already when purchased, but will see what Nissan will do.

13Maximasv

Do you have the best warranty, the Gold preferred 8 year/120K ? If not it's something to shoot for

My car is ready and I am picking it up tomorrow. Nissan is supposed to call me tomorrow and I am going for the best warranty they offer which is the 8 year Gold Preferred and negotiate from there.

Kawowski

Here is my story from earlier this year WITH PICS!

Noise was fixed for about 3 months... it is now back.

Looking to sell the car in the next few weeks.

http://forums.maxima.org/7th-generat...ts-w-pics.html

Good luck to all of you!

13Maximasv

Thanks for the update ! Maybe the mod can merge these threads as this seems to effect a large % of 7th gens

ghost722

Dang, that sucks to hear. Not sure if I'm going to sell mine, but this will definitely be my last Nissan. (I know a lot of folks have no problems at all, but this is my 2nd nissan in a row with engine problems) I find it even more annoying that apparently it's up to the consumer to discover this problem on their own rather than being notified about a possible engine problem. If I weren't a member of this board, I would have never known about this issue.

13Maximasv

Makes you wonder how many of these cars have the issue, the mechanic told me he hears it all the time but if you don't mention it the dealer doesn't or they tell you it's normal

cleanmax316

just curious but what type of serious issues can arrise because of the bearing?? it seems this is a problem that effects most nissans and yet, i really never hear of any long term problems happen with this vehicles..

Richard66

A bearing knock is heard because there is a very small gap between the bearing cap and where it is connected to the crank shaft. This could be either the main bearings or the connecting rod bearings. Every time the crank shaft makes one revolution it slaps against the open gap creating the noise as a knocking sound. The knock will only get worse over time and will eventually destroy that part of the engine if not corrected. This problem is usually caused by the installation of an incorrect sized bearing or poor engine maintenance.

Nopike

iTrader: (2)

I wonder if Nissan knows which vehicles have the incorrect sized bearing? Is it a limited number or all 7th Gen Maximas? I was hoping to replace my 98SE with a 7th Gen but now I'm not so sure. If I still decide to buy one I would require an extended powertrain warranty.

13Maximasv

If you read the TSB it says to replace the bearing with one a size larger and gives all the bearing sizes, thus it seems these motors can have different size bearings and still be too small


NOTE: If color cannot be determined, refer to page 48.
77. Choose the grade for the new #1 main bearing as follows:



Figure 61
b. Select a new main bearing that is one full grade above the bearing that was removed.


Examples: If Yellow was removed, which is grade 3; select grade 4 (Blue) for installation.

If Blue/Yellow was removed, which is grade 34; select grade 45 (pink/blue) for installation. # 1 MAIN BEARING GRADE
GRADE COLOR
PART NUMBER
0
Black
12207-31U00
½ grade: 01
Upper Half – Brown
12207-AG000
Lower Half – Black
1
Brown
12207-31U01
½ grade: 12
Upper Half – Green
12207-AG001
Lower Half – Brown
2
Green
12207-31U02
½ grade: 23
Upper Half – Yellow
12207-AG002
Lower Half – Green
3
Yellow
12207-31U03
½ grade: 34
Upper Half – Blue
12207-AG003
Lower Half – Yellow
4
Blue
12207-31U04
½ grade: 45
Upper Half – Pink
12207-AG004
Lower Half – Blue
5
Pink
12207-31U05
½ grade: 56
Upper Half – Purple
12207-AG005
Lower Half – Pink
6
Purple
12207-31U06
½ grade: 67
Upper Half – White
12207-AG006
Lower Half – Purple
7
White
12207

13Maximasv

Car is back, running fine, below are the tech diagnostic notes, according to what I read this was not replaced as part of the TSB I referenced and never mentions a bearing. To be precise the TSB covers 2009 - 2012 models


I inspected the vehicle and confirmed the noise. I located the noise coming from the short block. I checked for bulletins and did not find one related to the 2013 Maxima. I performed a cylinder power balance test and found that when I cut out cylinder 1 and 2 , one at a time, the noise got louder. For cylinder 3 and 4 there was no noise. For cylinders 5 and 6 the noise was there briefly and went away. I called Nissan techline for assistance and they had me pinch off the PCV and breather tube to build pressure in the crank case. I did that and the noise did not change. Nissan suggested changing the short block

4DSCMikeHz

Dropped car off at the dealer and stated my concerns (knock and smell of coolant)...got the call yesterday, need bearings replaced

ricknyce

Did they give you a time frame of when it will be complete??? Did you get a loaner?

13Maximasv

What year and how many miles, are they replacing the bearing(s) or giving you a new block ?

13Maximasv

Ok, new Block, running fine. Nissan offered the 7/year 120K but I talked them into the 8 year 100K Gold Preferred warranty, zero deductable

I didn't ask but unlike the other forum member who said his was NOT transferrable they never mentioned it. I guess I'll find out when it comes in the mail

4DSCMikeHz

I did get a loaner...should be about 7 days to complete

13Maximasv

What year and how many miles, are they replacing the bearing(s) or giving you a new block ?

4DSCMikeHz

I'm driving a 2012 Sport w/ Tech package....sadly, only 26,000 baby (mainly highway) miles. Currently driving a Versa as a loaner and I totally miss the Maxima!

Per the service advisor, sounds like bearings as referenced in the TSB. He had one of their mechanics come listen to the knock when I brought it in and they both confirmed it was something internal. So far, there were no coolant leaks detected, but won't be sure until they rip apart the engine and replace bearings. He will check in with me once they know what the exact issue is (which of the bearings is acting up)

I have the gold extended warranty, and it is totally covered under the standard factory warranty...so I'm thinking that there is no point in asking for an extension when it is fully covered for years to come.

I do have a question...should this be a perfect time to switch to synthetic oil since they are basically rebuilding the whole thing? I did inquire with the service advisor a while back about making the change. The car is my daily driver and is it mostly highway driving. He basically said regularly changed oil will work like a champ....thoughts?