2003 M45 burning oil / engine replacement?

Post by **tcpw** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 11:09 am

My 03 M45 would probably pass the 1 quart per 1000 mile oil consumption test. However, my dealer wants to do a compression test and other tests for $175 dollars, then begin the debate with Infiniti for engine work / replacement.

I am the second owner, the car has 60k, I purchased the vehicle with 45k a year and a half ago. I have oil change records for my ownership but not the prior owner.

My questions is should I pay the $175 bucks and fight Infiniti or start shopping for a new car? Has anyone in my situation has any luck with Infiniti paying for repairs / engines under the powertrain warranty? Thanks for the advice.

Post by **NightRiderQ45** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 1:09 pm

I don't own a M45...the 04's especially Cake's car is growing on me, but I've read that the 03's have oil issues along with the fuel gauge problem. This is a known issue with this model and I'm quite sure the person you spoke with knows that. Also I think that these issues were cleared up in 04 model.

Post by **mahmudb** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 2:58 pm

Thats interesting. My car recently sounded like a diesel so I had it towed to the dealership. They told me that it was low 2qts of oil, never had any problems with oil leaks or burning oil. Mine is an 03' with 58k miles so Infiniti did all the tests and put a new engine in for free under the factory drivetrain warranty. I had to pay for new O2 sensors under my extended warranty because they were messed up.

Do you have an extended warranty?

Post by **amarder** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 5:59 pm

I just had my engine replaced at 68,000 miles in my 2003 m45. It took many complaints and trips to the dealer and 3 oil consumption tests. The compression test may or may not show the problem, but either way, you should still be under the driveline warrantee and if they feel the need to check compression, it should be at their expense. Mine towards the end was burning 2 to 2.5 qts in a 1000 miles. The reason they do that is that in order to squeeze an extra 5 hp out of the engine, they used low tension rings on the pistons. Some of them just never seated correctly. The oil getting past the rings carbonizes the cylinders and clogs up the whole works. The new motor is great.

Now, if I can only fix my gas gauge. I've had the sender unit replaced to no avail. Anyone out there with the answer? It is all over the road. My wife just ran the car out of gas with the gauge at 1/3 tank.

Post by **mahmudb** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 10:44 pm

amarder wrote: Now, if I can only fix my gas gauge. I've had the sender unit replaced to no avail. Anyone out there with the answer? It is all over the road. My wife just ran the car out of gas with the gauge at 1/3 tank.

On mine they had to replace the whole instrument cluster to fix the gas gauge problem. I had to pay my deductible for my extended warranty for that repair.

Post by **NightRiderQ45** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 4:58 am

So will one of the most experienced M45 members speak on this....are the oil consumption and fuel gauge issues corrected in the 04 models?

Post by **tcpw** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 5:48 am

No, I do not have an extended warranty. I am working off the 72 month 70K power train warranty.

Are you saying that they replaced your engine off the extended warranty or the basic powertrain warranty? thanks for the info.

Post by **tcpw** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 5:52 am

Did they require you to show proof of oil changes every 3750 miles or were you doing all your service at the dealership?

You make an interesting point on not paying for the testing. I guess I should argue that if the test is failed, which I assume it will.

After the compression test, is that when you started doing your oil consumption tests? Thanks for the info.

Post by **Q45tech** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 6:06 am

I once paid $500 cash at lunch to do a few exotic estoeric tests to get the service manager on my side to recommend a transmission replacement near the end of extended warranty.

999 out of a thousand said the tranny was perfect as it was, but I realize a new tranny for a measley $500 was the deal of the century. Later on I bought 4 new wheels for $100 cash....................

Over a 2.5 year association I paid $1,000 and got $10,000 worth of value.

The dealership is asking if you want their help for a measely $175 copay...................ignore the fine offer at your risk.

Post by **mahmudb** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 7:42 am

The engine replacement was covered under the powertrain warranty. They did look at the service record of the car and the dealership that replaced my engine did all the regular oil changes so they vouched for me. I'm not sure about the tests they did. They did various ones while they had the car but they were all covered by the warranty.

Post by **drftman** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 2:22 pm

i love the 03 04 m45;s and have been plannning on getting one but i didnt know they had all of these problems

Post by **drftman** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 2:22 pm

eqvrqeqwcqwdvc

Post by **DRIPS** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 5:07 pm

drftman wrote:i love the 03 04 m45;s and have been plannning on getting one but i didnt know they had all of these problems

please realize this is not always the case. I love my 03 and have not had the gauge issue or see excessive oil burning.

Post by **tcpw** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 10:14 am

You can buy mine.

Post by **CakeDaddy** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 10:44 am

NightRiderQ45 wrote:So will one of the most experienced M45 members speak on this....are the oil consumption and fuel gauge issues corrected in the 04 models?

My 03 has been solid since day one. I have 33,4xx miles on the car.

Post by **dorlandm** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 11:27 am

I had a 2004 M45 up til last week, got 2007 M35X and love it! But the dealer in Grand Rapids, MI told me that they burn oil and not to worry unless it gets over 1/2 to 3/4 quart in 3K. IT never did. I would do what ever you can to find the issue now before the warenty goes. If it is past that then keep an eye on it and if it gets much worse then do something about it. My thoughts are the dealer will want to replace the engine if it is on your dime.

M

Post by **tcpw** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 11:36 am

Congrats on the new ride. What did you get for the trade?

2003 M45 burning oil / engine replacement?

2003 M45 burning oil / engine replacement?

Re: 2003 M45 burning oil / engine replacement? (tcpw)

Re: 2003 M45 burning oil / engine replacement? (tcpw)

Re: 2003 M45 burning oil / engine replacement? (tcpw)

Re: 2003 M45 burning oil / engine replacement? (amarder)

Re: 2003 M45 burning oil / engine replacement? (mahmudb)

Re: 2003 M45 burning oil / engine replacement? (mahmudb)

Re: 2003 M45 burning oil / engine replacement? (amarder)

Re: 2003 M45 burning oil / engine replacement? (tcpw)

Re: 2003 M45 burning oil / engine replacement? (tcpw)

Re: (drftman)

Re: (drftman)

Re: 2003 M45 burning oil / engine replacement? (NightRiderQ45)

Re: 2003 M45 burning oil / engine replacement? (tcpw)

Re: 2003 M45 burning oil / engine replacement? (dorlandm)

Nissan Forums

Infiniti Forums

Datsun Forums

Technical Forums

Classifieds / Marketplace

Nissan Motorsports

General Forums