Nissan service center wrecked my car

bowenmedia

I brought my 2009 Z in for an oil change at a Nissan service center 1 week ago 5/13 and last night 5/20. After driving for about 10 minutes I heard a crazy noise when accelerating. I pulled over as soon as possible but before I got to a complete stop the car just died. When I got out I saw my oil pan spewing out oil. I took the attached picture on my cell phone which clearly shows the oil pan screw missing. I figure who ever worked on the car just hand tightened the screw and forgot about it. I had it towed and went to the service center this morning. They are now trying different things to get the car running and they are working on the timing. I feel like my precious Z which I work my *** off for is now getting picked apart by idiots. I will not be satified in any way unless I get a brand new motor. I will still sell the car without a doubt because like some people I'm very anal about my stuff and when something is in perfect condition and its gets some kind of major overhaul its just never the same. I'll always hear some noise or feel some vibration that I've never heard before. It really sucks that I have to retire one of my favorites things that I have ever had in my life. Especially because some stupid mechanic couldn't remember to tighten a single bolt.

Attached Images

oilpan.jpg (611.8 KB, 274 views)

Dark Sarcasm

this happened every couple of years at the Honda dealership i used to work at. I can think of 2 cars that had ALL the recommended maintenance performed by the dealer, for free, for the life of the car. All because a tech forgot to tighten the drain plug or oil filter. And one that they replaced the engine. They didnt even try to fix it, the service manager told em to order a short block and get it replaced. They also put the owner in a free loaner car.

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Jjaden

As crappy as this situation is, since you are set on selling the car, if I was you I would use this as an opportunity to trade +cash for a 40th Anniversary or drive it for a year and trade when the 2012's come out if any new changes are made.

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Hambone1

You could always get them to offer you free service for life, negotiate it into a cash value determined by you and the dealership, then apply it to a new Z and call it good. Convoluted I know, but worth a shot

southercadesi

OP: Im sorry about your car man. I agree with dark and hambone, you should try to get some sort of deal out of this. You should never give up your pride and joy. This is why I always work on my car myself...the things I know how to do anyway.

Forrest

If I wanted to keep the car then a new motor. I would tell them I don't want to put up with the problems its going to create down the road now that the engine is damaged. Put in a new motor or purchase the car from me.

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whoady4shoady

Exactly what I was thinking.

bloodo

What he said. You would want a new motor. The damage has been done to your engine.

Rikter

Chances are it wasn't actually a mechanic that worked on your car but an apprentice or employee waiting for an apprentiship (sp?). Thats how it worked at my old employment. The "kids" did the oil changes while the real mechanics did the real service work that may or may not include an oil change.

flashburn

Not at the dealership I go to for service, only their certified GT-R tech works on my car, even for oil changes.

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spearfish25

100% you need a new motor. Your engine has either seized or has serious internal damage.

I suggest you call Nissan North America and alert them to this incompetent service while you're still waiting on the dealer. Start chirping in the Service Manager's ear that he better replace your engine as well.

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retiredmd

So very sorry you have to experience grief over such incompetence.
FWIW, I would opt for a different resolution-if feasible.
In 1991, I dropped my 6-month old '91 911 Turbo at the selling dealer for routine service and the addition of a factory-approved exhaust system.
Late in the day as I drove to the dealership, I saw my car on the side of the road with several service techs peering at and underneath the engine. When I pulled over to investigate, I was sickened to see the car sitting in a pool of engine bits and oil.
I subsequently learned when the service tech completed his work, he asked a young lot porter to move the car to the appropriate pick-up area outside.
The porter decided to take the car for a little spin on the roads near the dealership. In doing so, he applied full throttle to a ice-cold engine, bursting seals and destroying the engine.
Naturally, the dealership offered to replace the engine, provide loaner cars and even free maintenance. I refused. I would have sold the car after the engine replacement. In doing so, the engine swap would have been revealed making the car's selling value less than it might have been.
I paid a lawyer to merely write a letter threatening legal action. In short order, the dealership offered to buy back the car for its original selling price, providing that I never reveal the name of said dealer. Naturally, I agreed.

A.J@CarbonSignal

Sorry to hear what happened. Try to negotiate and ask for a new engine. The ball is in your side so keep that in mind!

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370Zsteve

Agree with this added: Free maintenance for life, or a new car. The car is worth less with a replacement engine.

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sucasa

Sorry for the crap you are dealing with.

First off, wait and see what the dealer response is. I think will step up the plate and do the right thing but providing you with a new short block, complimentary loaner, and warrantied engine or provide you with a trade-in allowance for a new car. Best case scenario

In the meantime, I wouldn't publicize too much information on a public forum, rather, document all the details and speak to the a lawyer in case if you have to fight with Nissan Corporate. Hopefully, this will resolved with without any drama, but you need to do your homework, and make sure you are kept up to date from the dealer.

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