3.5-

That stinks. But at least the dealership has acknowledged their error and are working with you to resolve the situation.

Twenty miles on little or no oil most likely caused some damage. It is hard to predict the extent of the damage without a tear-down.

How long did they offer to extend the warranty to?

-njjoe

 

Wow, talkin about some dumbs#ts!!!

I would stick to your new Mo request.

 

I bought the extended warrenty already so they wanted to add some more to it. they also mentioned they would monitor my oil samples for the next few oil changes to see if anything goes wrong.
I told them thats not good enough because my Mo is only 5 weeks old and i will not go through these testing phases on a new car because they failed to properly change my oil.

I honestly think they were trying to pull a fast one and resolve this problem because they know they are at fault. To drive the car on the highway with less then a quart of oil is suicide to me. I told them I do not want any "what if" senerios and wanted a new car since mine has only 3k miles on it. A new engine does not make sense to me either since the car is so new. They want to tear it apart already? What do you guys think?

Thanks

 

3.5-

Ideally, it would great if they gave you a new MO, but I doubt they will go that route. Putting in a new engine is also cost-prohibitive, and then you have to worry that they don't do any other damage while doing the swap. Offering an extended warranty on the engine is nice but that does not make up for the poor fuel mileage and loss of power than can result from the engine damage you likely experienced. Monitoring the oil is also nice, but what are they going to do if the analysis reveals there is a problem?

If I were in your shoes, I would be asking for a new MO, identical to what I have, but would be prepared to settle for a new engine, not a rebuilt one. I would also ask for a MO as the loaner in place of the smelly Armada.

Good luck.

-njjoe

 

Ditto Joe, but, anything less than a new Mo would be out of the question.

 

A new MO is a lot to ask for since they didn't ruin the entire car, just the engine. I would be satisfied with, as joe suggested, a replacement with a new engine.

 

A shame you didn't have synthetic in there. Wouldn't have even been an issue at only 15-20 miles!
Good luck with your dealer.

 

I feel your pain. But it is unlikely they will give you a new Murano.

It is very likely that the damage to the engine is very minor. It is difficult to ascertain without tearing it down.

Did you feel there was something wrong with the engine? Could you hear it sounded differently?

Oil sampling will not help here. If they offer a new engine I would go for it. if not get everything in writing and demand 200,000 miles warranty for the engine.

 

That is not good! One quart of oil is not enough oil to protect all of the engine's interior. The upper end was definitely starved for oil so all your valve train was at risk. The crankshaft/rod bearings/bushings are under a serious amount of load and were not protected by the necessary film of oil. The oil pump had to have run dry too. And, don't forget the cylinder walls and piston circumferences.... They are surely scored.

A NEW engine is a MUST if not a new car!:1:

Dealers have to have insurance coverage for just such an incident. Make them use their insurance coverage to cover THEIR mistake.

Stand your ground and involve an attorney as a last resort.


Dan

 

Just spoke with the manager. I get the impression that they do not want to do an exchange for a new car. He also hinted that a new engine would be too much of an hassel since it has to be shipped form Japan, which would take weeks, but its still a possibilty. He tried to offer me and extended warrenty till 120k miles and also pay for my next 3 oil chages...WOW. I told him all I needed from him at the moment was the documentations on the incident.

The new engine sounds good since who knows how much damage the old engine has endured. The thing that bothers me about the new engine is that the tech who puts it in might not do such a good job.

I'll look for a lawyer and see what my options are. Seems like they tried to used this get out of jail pass tactics on me and i'm not impressed.

Thanks for all your input.

 

He also hinted that a new engine would be too much of an hassel since it has to be shipped form Japan, which would take weeks...

Too much of a hassle? For whom? The only hassle is to the dealer who has to eat the cost of the new engine and the labor to install it.

The dealer is negotiating with you. He would love to convince you that there is nothing wrong with your engine, that a new car is out of the question, that a new engine swap is impractical, and that $100 worth of oil changes will placate you.

In my opinion this is a major foul-up. The oil is the life-blood of an automobile engine. The mechanic gave your new MO a transfusion but forgot to replace the drained oil. That is not an oversight like forgetting to change the filter. It is a major screw-up.

I wish Homer was still active here. He had a lot of experience in this area and would be able to share his ideas on the topic. I understand he had torn down quite a few engines in his time. Oh well.

Give 'em hell.

-njjoe

 

Seems like my best bet is to get a new engine. I'm going in to see them tomorrow and collect the documents. If I do go ahead and agree to the new engine what would you guys suggest that I do to make sure that the engine is replaced with a new one? I have a feeling they might just use the same one or a rebuilt one. Any advice? Thanks

 

It seems that the dealer feels he is going to loose. Hence the "hint" of engine replacement. Under these circumstances I would insist on getting a new, factory engine. A couple of weeks waiting is worth it. You will have a rental anyway.

Installation - I would take a day off and witness this process.

 

3.5V6-
You deserve a new car.

Unfortunately the best you'll probably do here is the new engine.
Insist on a new complete factory engine assembly - so the amount of work they actually have to do under the hood is minimized.

-Don't take the car back until the engine is replaced.
-Demand a new Mo as a loaner till the work is done.
-Demand an extension on the warranty.
-Demand that their most experienced tech does the work.
-Be there to witness the replacement process.

If they don't agree to all of the above get a lawyer.
Good Luck.

 

How many VQ35 engines have been replaced? How many in a Murano? How many in a Murano by this particular dealer/mechanic? My bet is ZERO. I'd hold out for a replacement MO, or a new engine, with documentation, installed by the best speedshop/mechanic in your area, with full warranty bumper to bumper for the duration of your extended warranty.

I seriously doubt that the flunkie mechanic that works at that Nissan dealer has ever done an engine swap on a MO, and is almost certainly going to fubar something in the process.

The dealer goofed, big time. They'll give you as little as you are willing to take. Hold out, go over their heads with Nissan, and get a lawyer.

Great heads up being there to see them pull the drain plug. If you hadn't seen it, I guarantee they would have just topped it up and sent you on your merry way.

 

Good luck with getting the new MO, or even a new engine..don't give up

Like everyone else said, they are going to tell you that everything is fine with your engine, that nothing was hurt..and try and soothe you over by offering a couple free oil changes..what the hell is up with that last one..big deal, i'd rather pay for an oil change than pay for the amount of gas it would take to keep on visiting the dealer for repairs that you would run into down the road with your engine

And after all is said and done...take your MO to get serviced elsewhere..don't give them another opportunity to screw up

 

OK call me crazy but for the short drive the engine could be fine with only one quart. I would forget a new engine and a new MO and simply work on an extended warranty to 150 - 200K miles. I know in piston aircraft some can operate at one quart for short periods.

 

If I do go ahead and agree to the new engine what would you guys suggest that I do to make sure that the engine is replaced with a new one?

3.5-

A new replacement engine, often called a crate engine, is indistinguishable from a rebuilt engine. Both will look brand spanking new. The best way to be certain you are getting a new engine is to review the paperwork that comes with the engine. Verify it states it is a new engine and compare the serial number listed on the paperwork with the serial number on the engine going into your car.

-njjoe

 

OK call me crazy but for the short drive the engine could be fine with only one quart. I would forget a new engine and a new MO and simply work on an extended warranty to 150 - 200K miles. I know in piston aircraft some can operate at one quart for short periods.

G-

Correct me if I am wrong, but don't most aircraft piston engines have scavenger pumps to lubricate the engine as compared to wet sumps on automobiles? A scavenger pump can handle low oil levels a lot better.

-njjoe

 

OK call me crazy but for the short drive the engine could be fine with only one quart. I would forget a new engine and a new MO and simply work on an extended warranty to 150 - 200K miles. I know in piston aircraft some can operate at one quart for short periods.

I assume that more than a quart is needed to allow the sump to adequately draw oil out of the pan. This residual quart of oil is approximately the capacity of the lubrication 'system' (sump, filter, pump, channels, etc.) meaning that the pan needs at least this amount in addition to an amount that would bring the level in the pan to the bottom of the sump. I'm guessing any less than 2 quarts and the engine is effectively dry.

There could very well be no damage, given how tight these engines are and the relatively short distance driven, so maybe an enormously generous warranty extension could be acceptable. Any offer of free service should be countered in favor of service they pay for, but provided by a third party. The service you paid for was bad enough, just imagine how great their free service will be.

 

I'm going in tomorrow to get the documentation that the manager promised me about the ordeal. When I was in the office talking to the manager, he even asked one of the techs to come in and tell us how much oil was drained. He said less then 1 quart was drained, and that was the old oil . The manager said he understood that it was thier fault and said he will try to make things right. I will give him the benefit of the doubt and hope he makes things right tomorrow because I have already turned down all there warrenty and free oil change offers.

Quick recap why I'm so furious.
1. This was my MO's 1st very oil change at 3600 miles. Nissan recommands at 3750.
2. I have not made 1 payment yet for this car.
3. With the engine almost completely drained of oil, I drove the car for a good 5 min on the highway at 65+ MPH, not to mention the stop and go after I got off the highway to go back to the dealer.
4. My 95 Maxima has 250k+ miles on it and still runs fine. With this current engine in my MO, I have no confidence that my MO will even reach 200k.

All your helpful points were well taken. I'll gather all the knowledge I can get and prepare for tomorrow. I will not settle for anything less then a brand new engine fom Japan. The manager even told me that was something he could do, but was trying to back out after he said it.

If all fails then i'll contact Nissan, the BBB, and find a hungry lawyer.

 

And check the oil level before you leave the dealership...

 

Binding Arbitration

Check your paper work, I bet you sign a "Binding Arbitration" agreement when you bought the car. If so that will end up limiting your recourse. But I am not a legal eagle, but it's the impression that I got when I talked to a lawyer friend when I bought my MO new. So Good Luck.

 

I always check the dipstick

About 5 yrs ago I took my Expedition to a very reputable oil change facility (which was an offshoot of a local dealer). When they were finished, they would bring the dipstick into the lobby to show you the oil had been replaced and filled. Sure it took there tech's a few extra seconds, but it sure instilled confidence that the job had been well done.

I no longer live in the same state as that facility, but now I always ask to see the dipstick when I get the oil changed.

Ben

 

bdubs9-

That is a great idea, but it won't work with the MO. For whatever reason, I have the most difficult time seeing the oil level on the MO's dipstick after an oil change. I don't know if it is the type of metal the dipstick is fabricated from, or maybe the way the lines are cut into it, but the oil level is not easy to see.

I wish the MO had an oil level guage that would show the level prior to the car starting. That would be a great feature and would only add a few bucks to the cost of the car. Since the oil is a critical component of the engine you would think the automakers would give you a better (easier) way to monitor it.

In this day and age where we can track the temperature of our hard drives why can't we check the level of our car engine's most vital fluid without having to lift up the hood?

-njjoe