Issues with my Z HELP!
 

Ok so here is my story in a nut shell.

I have a 2009 370Z Sport/Touring MT

I was leaving work last monday and when shifting into second my Z died on me. Engine cut off, wouldnt start back up, just wouldnt turn over. Got it towed to the Nissan dealership where they informed me that I needed a new cam sensor and crank sensor and it would be covered under the warranty. No big deal, i wait a day, they install it. After the sensors are installed they call me to tell me that the timing isnt right in the engine and they cant figure out why. They told me that they would have to take the engine apart to find the issue in the timing, and it would be 10-12 hours worth of labor. They also informed me that due to my "Extensive modding" that it may not be covered under warranty and ill be responsible for the labor hours if they find that the problem was caused by aftermarket parts.

Now the funny part, my "extensive" mods consists of Stillen Gen 3 Bolt on intakes, A stillen Catback Exhaust, and an oilcooler.

What do you guys think? Could any of these mods cause a timing issue in the engine? It doesnt really make much sense to me, but im no expert.

Oh, and there was no warning before the engine cut off while driving. No knocking in the engine, no check or service engine lights, nothing.

Thanks guys

Brian

Brian, sorry to hear of the problem with your Z. Which Nissan Dealership did you take it to?

Sounds like the timing gear may have slipped a tooth somehow? Don't see how any of your mods could be even hypothetically blamed for the failure, it's not like you bolted a supercharger on there.

Hey Jon!

I took it to Sheehy nissan in glen burnie. Ive had good service with them before, and they have very good reviews on several review sites.

Yeah man, im totally bummed, they at least gave me an altima to drive around till they figure out what the problem is.

If a car under warranty has been modified, it's in a dealer's best interest to disclose the fact that liability could be thrust upon the car owner if the needed repair was caused by the modification. The dealer needs to communicate this so that if Nissan U.S.A. refuses to pay them to do the warranty work, they have made the car owner aware of the fact that it could be an owner-pay repair ticket. Standard dealer speak.

They are full of crap, extensive modding hahah right...the stealership will find any way they can to get out of warranty claims. I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure none of your mods could cause those problems. Good Luck man. Research everything and go in there and prove them wrong.

You have nothing to worry about with the warranty, it is physically impossible for your intake or cat-back to even remotely mess with timing. Good luck with everything and keep us updated!

:iagree:

:iagree:

Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act says they have to prove a particular part caused the malfunction. This is BS if they try to put this all on you and I would ask Stillen to help you out if they do.

That sucks dude! When I talked to the guys at Sheehy Nissan they told me I would be ok with intakes and exhaust as long as they don't directly cause a problem. You could always try taking off the mods and then having it towed to a different dealership if things start looking bad.

:iagree:

What's your mileage? I would hate to have those things fail after getting extensive mods like... TT kit.

Agree with moto. Standard dealer speak. He put it out there now to make you aware of the possibility. I gotta do the same in my job so I understand why he did it.

Like the others, I don't believe your mods caused the issue or that they won't honor the warranty work.

I go to Sheehy myself for much of my maintenance and have the same mods (with the exception of the intake). I haven't had warranty work done on it, but they've never balked at my mods.

From Cobb's Accessport tuning guide:

"The VQ platform utilizes a mass air flow (MAF) sensor located downstream to the air filter and before the throttle body to measure the amount (mass) of air entering the engine. This air flow measurement IS CRITICAL for ignition timing, fuel and camshaft phasing calculations."

Maybe check the stillen intakes for any loose connections?

What does Cobb tuning port have to do with the Stillen intake. The MAF sensor did not malfunction and if it did would not damage the cam & crank sensor. I'll give you the possibilty of damage to the timing if the MAF was tampered with, but that is not the case with a bolt on CAI without a tune. The MAF is "CRITICAL" because the ECU needs that reading for the engine to function correctly. Your not changing a whole lot parameters when you switch to a CAI. It's just slightly denser/"colder" air which the ecu can compensate for. CAI is not the same as forced induction.