2007 Nissan Versa - Engine died on the interstate today.

[morkus64]

Blerg.

Driving through Ohio and the car started to feel a bit wobbly - decided to pull off at the next rest stop but didn't quite make it. The gas pedal stopped responding and we had to pull off to the shoulder.

The tow truck guy took a look while I tried to start it and said the timing chain wasn't moving at all. We rented a truck and towed it back to Chicago - taking it in tomorrow to get it looked at.

Any thoughts on what I should expect as far as what might be wrong with it / what it might cost to fix? The tow truck guy was nice, but didn't seem terribly informed, and nobody within a 30-mile radius of where we broke down wanted to work on a Nissan anytime soon.

TIA!

UPDATE: So, just heard back from the mechanic - timing chain broke, damaged lots of other things in the process. Blerg.

Talking to Nissan - I've heard from a few people that they may cover it given that the timing chain breaking with less than 42000 miles on it is pretty ridiculous.

UPDATE 2:

Spoke with the dealership today - they said they'd have to replace the long engine block and associated components. ~$5500-6000 for a new engine or ~$3500 for a rebuilt engine with 32000 miles on it.

Blerg. Talking to Nissan consumer affairs now to try to get coverage.

UPDATE 3:

WOOOOO! Nissan said they would cover it. Really amazed to see them step up like that. Major props to Nissan.

 

[yottabit]

Really hard to say based on the info given. Not too familiar with that Nissan engine but highly unlikely the timing chain or belt would be visible in engine bay for the tow driver to reach that conclusion, unless he took parts off the car.

Did you hear unusual noise from the engine when it died or when you tried starting it?

You likely would have heard mechanical knocking from the engine if you did any really serious damage. If the motor just cut out im guessing it could be an ignition or fuel issue and run a few hundred bucks. If timing chain actually slipped then you likely need a whole new motor, few thousand.

What are miles on the car? What was oil level? Please update once you have more info from mechanic and maybe we can advise you better

 

[yottabit]

Did some quick searches and even found people suggesting this could happen from the battery dying. Sounds like the engine cuts off early when the charge gets low on Nissans

 

[morkus64]

~42000 miles on the car, oil level good (and was changed 5 days / 1000 miles prior to this happening).

I don't think the battery charge was low - still able to use hazards, move windows up and down. Had hazards on for ~45 minutes waiting for the tow truck.

Will update as soon as I talk to the mechanic.

 

[twinrider1]

He must've meant the serpentine belt. So when you tried to restart it, did it turn over at all? No clicks?

Were you in a thunderstorm?

 

[Vetterin]

The serpentine belt would be my guess also as, if it breaks your altenator stops.......altenating which will drain the battery and eventually shut down the engine.
There would still be enough charge in the battery to light the lights or hazards but not to crank the starter motor.
If it IS the drive belt you could replace it yourself for around $25 or have a shop do it for around $150.
On a side note.....just wait until you have to replace the spark plugs on that sucker..........

 

[Insomniator]

Cars should have redundant alternators... I swear the only time I hear of a car breaking down, new or old, its like the alternator like 95% of the time.

The only 2 times I've ever broke down (two different cars), alternator. My GF broke down twice (two different cars, one a 2009 Corolla), alternator.

 

[Fritzo]

Versas are usually good, reliable cars. Could be anything with the info given.

 

[tortillasoup]

I'd check the oil level and smell inside of the oil cap to check for burnt/low oil level.

 

[morkus64]

Took the car in today, but still waiting on a diagnosis. Will update when I hear anything. Thanks everyone for the advice.

 

[Vetterin]

Seeing that you are still waiting for a diagnosis, a broken drive belt should be eliminated as that would be seen as soon as they open up the hood. It's looking more and more like the altenator might be the culprit. If it is, expect to pay $400 - $500 for the repair.

 

[mirageracerx]

if the engine didnt try turning over when you stopped, it could be a timing belt. still it would mean something else locked it up. prepare for lots of cost if thats the case. but it should be well within a good warranty at 42k miles...

 

[Wingznut]

The tow truck guy took a look while I tried to start it and said the timing chain wasn't moving at all.

One, it doesn't have a timing chain. Two, if he meant timing belt, you can't see that without removing covers.

I don't think the battery charge was low - still able to use hazards, move windows up and down. Had hazards on for ~45 minutes waiting for the tow truck.

The battery having enough charge to run hazard lights is very different than having enough to start an engine and keep it running.

There are about a gazillion things that can cause an engine to stall and not restart. Good luck with your repairs, hope it doesn't set you back too much.

 

[Belegost]

One, it doesn't have a timing chain. Two, if he meant timing belt, you can't see that without removing covers.

The battery having enough charge to run hazard lights is very different than having enough to start an engine and keep it running.

There are about a gazillion things that can cause an engine to stall and not restart. Good luck with your repairs, hope it doesn't set you back too much.

The Nissan MR engines used in the Versa do use a timing chain. Of course that is no more visible than a timing belt.

 

[Wingznut]

The Nissan MR engines used in the Versa do use a timing chain. Of course that is no more visible than a timing belt.

Oh wow... I stand corrected. Thanks.

 

[morkus64]

So, just heard back from the mechanic - timing chain broke, damaged lots of other things in the process. Blerg.

Talking to Nissan - I've heard from a few people that they may cover it given that the timing chain breaking with less than 42000 miles on it is pretty ridiculous.

 

[SithSolo1]

Yeah its two years out of warranty but no timing chain should go that early unless there was a defect when it was manufactured.

 

[Vetterin]

Nissan should really give you some goodwill help with that as there isn't even a replacement interval in their owners manual. Hell, most belts are even good for at LEAST 60,000 miles.

 

[thomsbrain]

I'd check the oil level and smell inside of the oil cap to check for burnt/low oil level.

It's a Nissan. If it's been more than a week since the last oil change, you don't need to look at the dipstick or cap to know that the oil is low and burnt. It's low. And burnt.

<- Married into caring for a 2007 Sentra.

 

[morkus64]

I spoke with Nissan - with some luck, they might actually pay for the repair. They have to have one of their service centers look at it and I have to get service records together but, with some luck, this won't wind up being a disaster.

What's really annoying is that the mechanic called me and told me I'd need to talk to Nissan just an hour or so after I returned the U-Haul and tow dolly I rented.

Anyone in Chicago happen to have the equipment to tow a Versa and looking for some good karma (and a couple of beers or lunch)?

 

[DrDoug]

So, just heard back from the mechanic - timing chain broke, damaged lots of other things in the process. Blerg.

Talking to Nissan - I've heard from a few people that they may cover it given that the timing chain breaking with less than 42000 miles on it is pretty ridiculous.

Sounds like it's an interference engine, which means that the pistons can collide with the open valves if the timing chain/belt breaks. Parts 'kissing' like that is death to an engine. Easy to fix but lots of work/parts which translates into "not cheap". I hope you come out well on this and Nissan needs to step up on this as this is abnormal for a timing chain at that low of mileage. I agree with what was stated above, 42,000 miles is nothing in the life of a good timing chain. I wonder if it uses a pressurized chain tensioner and if that collapsed, which could cause the chain to skip or even bind in the cam cover area. It would be interesting to know the cause. When they tear the engine down I would ask them to let you know what the actual problem was.

Good luck! :thumbsup:

 

[Wingznut]

The tow truck guy took a look while I tried to start it and said the timing chain wasn't moving at all.

So, just heard back from the mechanic - timing chain broke, damaged lots of other things in the process. Blerg.

So the tow truck driver was right?!?! Keep that guy's number!

 

[Zodiark1593]

I haven't heard of timing chains breaking unless one seriously neglected the motor oil, and especially with so few miles. (timing belts regularly outlast 42K ). A defect is quite likely.

 

[chin311]

Wow, that sucks! Nissan hopefully will step up to the plate because that is crazy. I had an 07 Versa myself I bought new and had til about 65k, no issues with it at all. My mom has an 08 with over 120k and never an issue either. Usually they are good cars from my experience.

Best of luck, hope ya don't have to pay much out of pocket! Will be a hassle though I'm sure.

 

[Fritzo]

Sounds like it's an interference engine, which means that the pistons can collide with the open valves if the timing chain/belt breaks. Parts 'kissing' like that is death to an engine. Easy to fix but lots of work/parts which translates into "not cheap". I hope you come out well on this and Nissan needs to step up on this as this is abnormal for a timing chain at that low of mileage. I agree with what was stated above, 42,000 miles is nothing in the life of a good timing chain. I wonder if it uses a pressurized chain tensioner and if that collapsed, which could cause the chain to skip or even bind in the cam cover area. It would be interesting to know the cause. When they tear the engine down I would ask them to let you know what the actual problem was.

Good luck! :thumbsup:

For reference, my co-worker has a '08 Versa with 186000 miles on it now...never had to do anything but oil changes on it. There was probably a defect that caused the failure. Nissan is a pretty decent company. I'm sure they'll take care of it.