Is it just me??

RonRizz · 06-20-2012, 05:11 PM

2011 base/sport 6 speed
First I need to say that I am, and I drive like, an Old Man! No racing, and driving all crazy like years ago.
Now then, when my car had right around 4k miles on it, going to the market, about 40 mph the car just up and dies. I pull off and crank and crank, but it will not start. A trip to the dealer indicates that the timing chain had snapped. (due to overrevving they claim)
Dealer fix, and all is well.
now to 11k miles.......Same road, same speed, 3rd gear 3,ooo rpm, car goes into limp mode. SES light is on as well. I return home (less than a mile away) and park it, disconnect battery to reset ecu, and restart later, fires right up, sounds good, seems normal. Next morning she don't start.
To the dealer where they tell me the timing chain "skipped", and they contribute it to excess oil consumption, that it was 1.5 quarts low. ( a month since they changed it, and just over 1k miles.
Anyway, I got a car with 11k miles thats getting a new short block installed. Am I the only one, or are there others out there???????

wstar · 06-20-2012, 05:14 PM

It's not unheard of to have them replace a shortblock for oil consumption, and 1.5qts low 1k miles after an oil change is definitely too much. I thought it was mostly a 2009 issue though, hmmm.

Either way though, I wouldn't think 1.5 qts low you'd see the engine die or a timing chain snap. Something else may be going on as well.

cheshirecat · 06-20-2012, 05:17 PM

the timing chain thing is VERY strange sounding. Oil consumption and short block exchange is much more common. imo, on the newer gen Z's, the timing is extremely reliable.

Regardless, the dealer is jerking you around with inferring it's somehow your fault that your car is having problems. I would start thinking about going to a different one.

Cmike2780 · 06-20-2012, 05:19 PM

The timing chain is kind of odd, but not out of the question. The oil consumption issue for the most part effected a few earlier 370's. Most were replaced under warranty and the problem fixed by replacing the short block. It sucks, but at least you're under warranty.

2011 Nismo#91 · 06-20-2012, 05:36 PM

Speaking of timing chains, is the VQ37VHR an interference engine? It probably is I just can't remember for sure.

cheshirecat · 06-20-2012, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2011 Nismo#91

Speaking of timing chains, is the VQ37VHR an interference engine? It probably is I just can't remember for sure.

yes, but the fact that it uses a chain makes slippage and valve/piston damage very, very rare

RonRizz · 06-20-2012, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wstar

It's not unheard of to have them replace a shortblock for oil consumption, and 1.5qts low 1k miles after an oil change is definitely too much. I thought it was mostly a 2009 issue though, hmmm.

Either way though, I wouldn't think 1.5 qts low you'd see the engine die or a timing chain snap. Something else may be going on as well.

Hmmm.... I asked the Tech if this was a common problem with the Z, and he told me it was the first he'd ever seen. I should have asked him how long he's been with Nissan.
I'm ok with them making the swap, its not costing me a penny, but I'm concerned that I may have the same trouble in the future.......
On a side note, does anyone know if this will extend my warranty as well??
Starting back at 0?????

Cmike2780 · 06-20-2012, 06:48 PM

I don't think the warranty works that way, but I think the powertrain warranty is pretty long anyways (5 years/60,000).

DEpointfive0 · 06-20-2012, 07:02 PM

Call Nissan Corporate and tell them exactly what you're telling us... If they replace anything in the engine stress to CORPORATE that you want them to ship a new ENGINE... Say you don't trust the "mechanic"... If you get a new engine you can then ask Nissan to reimburse you the loss that your car has a new engine in it... They'll usually write you a check of $1000~... A member on the forum has gotten a check back... Don't remember who

RonRizz · 06-20-2012, 07:52 PM

I appreciate the advice, but I'm just looking to be made whole, and replacing the block does that for me... I'm not looking to make a buck. If I have the same problem in the future....well then that may change things for me.
I'll give nissan their chance.

06-20-2012, 05:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
RonRizz A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Pine grove, Pa Posts: 2,136 Drives: 2 feet, 3 pedals Rep Power: 6775	Is it just me?? 2011 base/sport 6 speed First I need to say that I am, and I drive like, an Old Man! No racing, and driving all crazy like years ago. Now then, when my car had right around 4k miles on it, going to the market, about 40 mph the car just up and dies. I pull off and crank and crank, but it will not start. A trip to the dealer indicates that the timing chain had snapped. (due to overrevving they claim) Dealer fix, and all is well. now to 11k miles.......Same road, same speed, 3rd gear 3,ooo rpm, car goes into limp mode. SES light is on as well. I return home (less than a mile away) and park it, disconnect battery to reset ecu, and restart later, fires right up, sounds good, seems normal. Next morning she don't start. To the dealer where they tell me the timing chain "skipped", and they contribute it to excess oil consumption, that it was 1.5 quarts low. ( a month since they changed it, and just over 1k miles. Anyway, I got a car with 11k miles thats getting a new short block installed. Am I the only one, or are there others out there??????? __________________ P99rs Head Unit--- Amps- 2 Pioneer Prs800d --- Zapco ST1000MX---Zapco ST-4XSQ---- SI BM mk5 Subs---SI TM65v2 Midbass--- SI M3 mids--- SI M25 xbl2 tweeters ----- 2016 MECA street class 3rd place at world finals

06-20-2012, 05:14 PM	#2 (permalink)
wstar A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,024 Drives: too slow Rep Power: 3594	It's not unheard of to have them replace a shortblock for oil consumption, and 1.5qts low 1k miles after an oil change is definitely too much. I thought it was mostly a 2009 issue though, hmmm. Either way though, I wouldn't think 1.5 qts low you'd see the engine die or a timing chain snap. Something else may be going on as well. __________________ 7AT Track Car! Journal thread / Car setup details

06-20-2012, 05:19 PM	#4 (permalink)
Cmike2780 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Long Island Posts: 5,059 Drives: slowwww Rep Power: 29	The timing chain is kind of odd, but not out of the question. The oil consumption issue for the most part effected a few earlier 370's. Most were replaced under warranty and the problem fixed by replacing the short block. It sucks, but at least you're under warranty. __________________ [09][MB][6-Spd MT][Touring][Stillen Gen III][K&N][Borla CBE][Evo-R] [ArchitTEK Photography]

06-20-2012, 06:48 PM	#8 (permalink)
Cmike2780 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Long Island Posts: 5,059 Drives: slowwww Rep Power: 29	I don't think the warranty works that way, but I think the powertrain warranty is pretty long anyways (5 years/60,000). __________________ [09][MB][6-Spd MT][Touring][Stillen Gen III][K&N][Borla CBE][Evo-R] [ArchitTEK Photography]

06-20-2012, 07:52 PM	#10 (permalink)
RonRizz A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Pine grove, Pa Posts: 2,136 Drives: 2 feet, 3 pedals Rep Power: 6775	I appreciate the advice, but I'm just looking to be made whole, and replacing the block does that for me... I'm not looking to make a buck. If I have the same problem in the future....well then that may change things for me. I'll give nissan their chance. __________________ P99rs Head Unit--- Amps- 2 Pioneer Prs800d --- Zapco ST1000MX---Zapco ST-4XSQ---- SI BM mk5 Subs---SI TM65v2 Midbass--- SI M3 mids--- SI M25 xbl2 tweeters ----- 2016 MECA street class 3rd place at world finals

06-20-2012, 05:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
cheshirecat A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 1,428 Drives: N54 135i Rep Power: 292	the timing chain thing is VERY strange sounding. Oil consumption and short block exchange is much more common. imo, on the newer gen Z's, the timing is extremely reliable. Regardless, the dealer is jerking you around with inferring it's somehow your fault that your car is having problems. I would start thinking about going to a different one.

06-20-2012, 05:36 PM	#5 (permalink)
2011 Nismo#91 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 2,402 Drives: slowly Rep Power: 40569	Speaking of timing chains, is the VQ37VHR an interference engine? It probably is I just can't remember for sure.

06-20-2012, 07:02 PM	#9 (permalink)
DEpointfive0 Premium Member Bitches Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: SoCal Posts: 14,824 Drives: a lot Rep Power: 17151	Call Nissan Corporate and tell them exactly what you're telling us... If they replace anything in the engine stress to CORPORATE that you want them to ship a new ENGINE... Say you don't trust the "mechanic"... If you get a new engine you can then ask Nissan to reimburse you the loss that your car has a new engine in it... They'll usually write you a check of $1000~... A member on the forum has gotten a check back... Don't remember who