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  #1  
Old 03-05-2011, 01:55 PM
andrewdavid andrewdavid is offline
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Default VQ40 Secondary Timing Chain Issues

I'm another victim for the tensioner shoe's premature failure.
2006 Pathfinder with 60,500 miles, Nissan is not willing to cover this under a goodwill warranty for being 500 miles over.

If this a known defect, why are they so arrogant and willing to loose a customer?

If I actually decide to pay them the $1675.00 they want to perform the repair, will it last???

Are the new parts improved?
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  #2  
Old 03-05-2011, 07:21 PM
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Quote:
If I actually decide to pay them the $1675.00 they want to perform the repair, will it last??? Are the new parts improved?
Yes, the parts should last longer that the originals.

Did you tried calling 1-800-NISSAN-1? tell them that you are considering buying another Nissan and that your decision will be based on how much they are willing to help you with your current problem.
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  #3  
Old 03-05-2011, 09:09 PM
andrewdavid andrewdavid is offline
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Yes, I have called.
My file # is 7106220, Ryan ( My Regional Specialist) has stated that " Nissan Cannot help with this repair"
I asked to speak with someone else, he replied that the decision was made from a group of people, including himself and that the decision was final. He would not give me the name of his supervisor, but said someone would contact me within the next business day(which would be Monday 3/8)

I have owned 85' , 87' and 89' 300z's and my daily is a 97' Maxima. The Pathfinder is my wife's truck.
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  #4  
Old 03-07-2011, 01:27 PM
andrewdavid andrewdavid is offline
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We'll, I did get my call back from Nissan... Same response from Michelle " Nissan Cannot Help with this repair"

The parts I need to purchase from Nissan to fix their defect, will be the last dime that Nissan will see from me.

I guess Nissan makes enough cash from the parts and labor to fix their poor quality products, that customer retention is not a concern..
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  #5  
Old 03-08-2011, 02:50 AM
Dave1965 Dave1965 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by andrewdavid View Post
We'll, I did get my call back from Nissan... Same response from Michelle " Nissan Cannot Help with this repair"

The parts I need to purchase from Nissan to fix their defect, will be the last dime that Nissan will see from me.

I guess Nissan makes enough cash from the parts and labor to fix their poor quality products, that customer retention is not a concern..
It's theoretically possible that sometime in the future they will reimburse you. They have done so on the IPDM, fuel level sensor, and radiator/transmission issues in the past by extending warranties and providing reimbursement. Maybe the Timing Chain Issue will become "reimburseable" as well? Just be sure you have the work done at a Nissan Dealer and save your Repair Order/proof of payment.

I was just recently reimbursed for the IPDM fiasco that occured 2 years ago with my wife being stranded in South Carolina.

Go to www.nissanassist.com for examples of terms/conditions of what they've been doing on the aforementioned issues.

Last edited by Dave1965; 03-08-2011 at 04:54 AM.
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  #6  
Old 03-08-2011, 05:24 AM
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It just cost me $1806 to have mine replaced plus fix an oil leak that the dealer wasn't able to fix the 4 previous trips.
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  #7  
Old 03-08-2011, 03:32 PM
andrewdavid andrewdavid is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave1965 View Post
It's theoretically possible that sometime in the future they will reimburse you. They have done so on the IPDM, fuel level sensor, and radiator/transmission issues in the past by extending warranties and providing reimbursement. Maybe the Timing Chain Issue will become "reimburseable" as well? Just be sure you have the work done at a Nissan Dealer and save your Repair Order/proof of payment.

I was just recently reimbursed for the IPDM fiasco that occured 2 years ago with my wife being stranded in South Carolina.

Go to www.nissanassist.com for examples of terms/conditions of what they've been doing on the aforementioned issues.
I really do not have too much faith in Nissan or the dealers at this point.
We purchase the new cars/trucks at the dealers, but when things go wrong our only choice is to call 1 800 nissan at talk to someone who is trained and encouraged to deny our claims.

I want someone with the authority to approve / deny warranty repairs to tell me face to face that a timing chain guide should fail at 60,500 miles and that even though I have proof of 15 oil changes , I should of had this truck dealer serviced and "this wouldn't have happened" or if it was dealer serviced, the warranty would have been approved"

What would the dealer have done to prevent this, that normal service practices would not?

I understand that "shit happens" in manufacturing and things don't always go as planned. I can forgive that. But what I cannot forgive is the failure to make an effort to correct the defect.

I would love to hear from anyone that took his/her pathfinder in for an oil change at 50,000 miles(While still under warranty), and the dealer volunteered that " we noticed a whinning noise coming from your engine, We'll take care of that at no charge"

I will not hand over $1700.00 to the dealer with the hope that someday Nissan will cover the cost. The problem is now, not 2 years in the future.

I welcome any comments, and appreciate any advice, but from my point of view this sucks!!
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  #8  
Old 03-08-2011, 06:13 PM
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mdawg4x4 mdawg4x4 is offline
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I agree with you completely. This is not a small occurance issue. But, I love my truck, it is almost paid off, I plan on keeping it for a long time, I wasn't willing to risk the engine itself, and other makes have their issues. Sometimes they stand behind them, sometimes they don't.

If I get some money back, good. If I don't, I should have another 70K miles before it due again.
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  #9  
Old 03-09-2011, 05:47 AM
Dave1965 Dave1965 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mdawg4x4 View Post
I agree with you completely. This is not a small occurance issue. But, I love my truck, it is almost paid off, I plan on keeping it for a long time, I wasn't willing to risk the engine itself, and other makes have their issues. Sometimes they stand behind them, sometimes they don't.

If I get some money back, good. If I don't, I should have another 70K miles before it due again.
Will most likely last more than 70K miles (fingers crossed/knock on wood/salt thrown over shoulder/chicken sacrificed under a full moon).

The "fix" for the timing chain issue from what I've gathered from other forums is that they re-shaped (smoothed out) the chain so that it doesn't have as much friction against the tensioner shoes. This was from folks comparing old parts with the new ones side by side. No hard evidence of whether the tensioner pads were redesigned with tougher material.

Last edited by Dave1965; 03-11-2011 at 11:51 AM.
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  #10  
Old 03-09-2011, 06:26 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave1965 View Post
Will most likely last more than 70K miles (fingers crossed/knock on wood/salt thrown over shoulder/chicken sacrificed under a full moon).
I like your optimism!
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  #11  
Old 03-10-2011, 01:12 PM
andrewdavid andrewdavid is offline
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What happens if the secondary tensioner guides are not replaced???
Has anyone run the engine until the chain has failed?

I can just picture the chain running on the tensioner piston until it cuts it in half, bent valves, Busted timing case etc...

I have ordered the new parts and the flex plate lock tool. I was just wondering if anyone has had a chain fail and at what mileage
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  #12  
Old 03-10-2011, 03:59 PM
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I don't recall anybody letting it go that far on a Frontier, but have heard, from dealers, of some Altimas needing engines due to chain failures. I guess Forum users and truck owners in general are smart enough to have work done when something doesn't sound right.
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  #13  
Old 03-10-2011, 04:17 PM
andrewdavid andrewdavid is offline
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I may not be the sharpest pencil in the desk, but I have learned a few things these past few weeks.

1. After purchasing a new vehicle, follow the forums to find the defects before the warranty expires.

2. Nissan is more concerned about their wallets than their reputation.

3. There are a great # of owners and tech's willing to offer their help and experiences.

4. When the parts come in, my ass is going to be opening up a a 60,000 mile nissan engine .
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  #14  
Old 03-11-2011, 05:01 AM
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The only bad part about doing it yourself, if Nissan compensates later as they did with the fuel sending unit, you will not get refunded. I did my own fuel sending unit repair , but was only out $70 and a couple hrs of my time.
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  #15  
Old 03-11-2011, 05:23 AM
Dave1965 Dave1965 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by andrewdavid View Post
What happens if the secondary tensioner guides are not replaced???
Has anyone run the engine until the chain has failed?
To your first question:
If by "guides" you mean the shoes, aren't replaced, the chain starts running on the metal portion of the tensioner. You'll then have metal-on-metal contact that will wear on the chain as well as the shaft of the now "shoeless" tensioner. If enough slack prevails, I suppose the short (secondary) camshaft chain could jump off the sprocket resulting in catastrophic engine failure on that side of the motor. Of course, depending on how many metal bits shear off the valves and pistons and enter the engine oil supply, you might as well consider the entire engine "toast."

On your second question:
I dare say that if anyone runs their engine until the chain fails, they would be so disgusted/enraged with Nissan that they wouldn't fathom returning to this forum or any other venue containing the name "Nissan." Personally, I would be so traumatized that I'd probably deny ever owning one.

Last edited by Dave1965; 03-11-2011 at 11:55 AM.
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