2007 Nissan Versa - Engine died on the interstate today.

[Herr Kutz]

In case you are not aware and it has something to do with the powertrain...

Every Nissan is backed by a 36-month/36,000-mile limited vehicle coverage and a 5-year/60,000-mile limited powertrain coverage. 2003-2010 Vehicles equipped with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) also have a 10-year /120,000 mile CVT limited warranty extension. (For complete information, see your Nissan dealer and read the actual limited warranty.) For extra protection, you can also add Security+Plus®, the only extended service agreement approved by Nissan.

https://owners.nissanusa.com/nowners/navigation/warrantyContent

 

[SithSolo1]

We're well aware the car is out of warranty. On the other hand a timing chain, not a belt mind you, with no replacement interval should be expected at absolute minimum to last the distance of the original powertrain warranty, not just 2/3s of it.

 

[morkus64]

We're well aware the car is out of warranty. On the other hand a timing chain, not a belt mind you, with no replacement interval should be expected at absolute minimum to last the distance of the original powertrain warranty, not just 2/3s of it.

Yeah, I remember back when some dealer or other offered a whichever comes last warranty as a promotion. If someone did that again I'd be all over it - For a city driver, that's a dream.

 

[mirageracerx]

the timing chain shouldnt have been visible. meaning covers were off. prolly wont be a warranty situation. but if you can tell when you turn the key and nothing happens (like the engine is locked up) its a good indicator that the timing chain isnt moving.

 

[LTC8K6]

Sometimes you can tell that the cams are not turning.

 

[morkus64]

the timing chain shouldnt have been visible. meaning covers were off. prolly wont be a warranty situation. but if you can tell when you turn the key and nothing happens (like the engine is locked up) its a good indicator that the timing chain isnt moving.

The tow truck guy guessed - the mechanic took the covers off and confirmed.

 

[Insomniator]

42k for a chain? Shouldn't chains last a LONG time?

 

[Meghan54]

The tow truck guy guessed - the mechanic took the covers off and confirmed.

Or possibly this is one of those engines that allow you to see the at least a small part of the cam when you remove the oil fill cap. Some have baffles but some don't, and you can readily see the cam movement with those.

So, in essence, the tow truck driver may not have been guessing....

 

[morkus64]

An update - had the Versa towed to Nissan. The guy I've been speaking to there has been super nice about it. No word yet on the exact issues or if they'll take care of it, but I'll update when I hear something.

 

[morkus64]

Update:

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.

I hate the phrase, but it seems merited: FML.

 

[phucheneh]

I haven't heard of Versas having timing chain problems...but their newer engines are known for it. Jukes like to eat timing chains right about the time the warranty runs out. It would appear to be a tensioning issue.

 

[Belegost]

I haven't heard of Versas having timing chain problems...but their newer engines are known for it. Jukes like to eat timing chains right about the time the warranty runs out. It would appear to be a tensioning issue.

Do you know if that's with the HR platform (NA) or the MR (turbo)? The MR platform shares a "silent" timing chain design between the MR16DDT in the Juke and the MR18DE in the Versa.

Either way I'll be keeping an ear out for cold start chain rattle in the wife's car now...

 

[michal1980]

Update:

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.

I hate the phrase, but it seems merited: FML.

god lord. Thats about what the car is worth [new engine] and half for the rebuilt.

 

[boomerang]

What's a rebuilt engine with 32,000 miles on it? It was rebuilt at 32,000 miles? It was rebuilt 32,000 miles ago?

 

[SJP0tato]

Update:

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.

I hate the phrase, but it seems merited: FML.

That seems like a LOT of money, even for a rebuilt. Junkyard Versa engines seem plentiful (check car-part.com), there's plenty of them with 30-50k miles for $600-800.
Not sure how/why the chain failed so early on yours, but assuming the new one's okay you should be good another 150k miles easily.

 

[phucheneh]

Do you know if that's with the HR platform (NA) or the MR (turbo)? The MR platform shares a "silent" timing chain design between the MR16DDT in the Juke and the MR18DE in the Versa.

Either way I'll be keeping an ear out for cold start chain rattle in the wife's car now...

MR16DDT. Looks like they actually issued a recall a couple months ago; before that, there were revised parts available, but they weren't getting fixed for free.

http://www.autonews.com/article/201...lace-timing-chains-in-104000-juke-subcompacts

 

[morkus64]

Do you know if that's with the HR platform (NA) or the MR (turbo)? The MR platform shares a "silent" timing chain design between the MR16DDT in the Juke and the MR18DE in the Versa.

Either way I'll be keeping an ear out for cold start chain rattle in the wife's car now...

MR16DDT. Looks like they actually issued a recall a couple months ago; before that, there were revised parts available, but they weren't getting fixed for free.

http://www.autonews.com/article/201...lace-timing-chains-in-104000-juke-subcompacts

So am I getting this right? The juke and versa use the same timing chain design, but the juke had a recall and the versa didn't? Maybe that could help my case with Nissan?

 

[morkus64]

UPDATE: Nissan is covering it! I've been really impressed with both the dealership and Nissan Customer Affairs. MAJOR kudos to Nissan for stepping up.

 

[njmodi]

UPDATE: Nissan is covering it! I've been really impressed with both the dealership and Nissan Customer Affairs. MAJOR kudos to Nissan for stepping up.

Glad to hear it :thumbsup:

What exactly is the repair plan? Earlier you mentioned two options.

 

[morkus64]

Glad to hear it :thumbsup:

What exactly is the repair plan? Earlier you mentioned two options.

Not sure yet - the two parts of Nissan still need to talk to one another. Hopefully I'll find out Monday. With luck they'll go for the new engine, but who knows.

 

[Mermaidman]

UPDATE: Nissan is covering it! I've been really impressed with both the dealership and Nissan Customer Affairs. MAJOR kudos to Nissan for stepping up.

Does the whole experience make you more likely or less likely to buy another Nissan?

 

[morkus64]

Does the whole experience make you more likely or less likely to buy another Nissan?

That's a good question. I do understand that these things happen and overall I was happy with my car until this happened (then very very unhappy). But it was impressive to see a company actually step up when so many would just say "eh, you're out of warranty, no dice."

I'll say this - before Nissan came through, there was zero chance of going with another Nissan. Before I even knew what was wrong with the car I was telling my wife that even if it was just a couple hundred I wanted to sell the car and get something else. Most of that sentiment was probably just feeling angry and stranded on the highway. Since they came through, and seeing how well they've treated me throughout the process, I'm ready to forget this happened and next time I'm considering a car they'll be back on even footing so far as I'm concerned.

 

[twinrider1]

UPDATE: Nissan is covering it! ...

As a recent buyer of a '12 Cube with the MR18DE engine, I'm glad to hear Nissan stands behind their product.