3000 mile and already having too many problems

[Altstatic2003]

So I recently posted adout rust around my back emblem and said I would let everyone know how everything went. Sooooo, I am driving to my dealership to get the rust around my emblem looked at and to get an oil change and then my "check engine soon" light comes on. I looked in the manual and it said it could be from the gas tank cap not being on tight enough. So I stop and tighten the cap. I get to nissan and the light is still on. So I tell the service guys about it and they said they will change my oil and hook my car to the computer to check out the light problem and also take care of the rust on around the back emblem. So I have to leave my car there for a day and a half until they finally fix everything (or so I thought).

They said the rust was not my trunk but the emblem itself was bubbling and rusting and rubbing off on my car. I thought the emblem was plastic but figured they know more than I do and as long as there is no rust everything is cool. I pick up the car and everything is fine.

So later on that night drove to blockbuster and pulled up front, put my car in park and dropped off a movie. While I was walking back to the car I heard a weird thunking noise coming from under the hood. I popped it but dont know much about engines so I just drove home. Well mid way home the damn check engine light comes on again! The thunking noise is still there and I am getting pissed. I am going to raise hell at Nissan tomorrow afternoon. I figured I would see if anyone knows what it could be before I go in there. Ideas?

[boystar22]

I can't speak for where the thunking sound comes from but mine does it as well. Once the engine is warm about once every minute or so, there's a 'thunk' sound. I only hear it when idling at a redlight or in a drive-thru. It also will continue to do it after the car is turned off and cooling down. I've had previous cars whose exhaust pipes and such will pop when cooling off, but they generally don't do it while the car is running at temperature. Its very annoying and embarrassing when someone else is in the car. I want to think its the heat shield on the exhaust manifold expanding, but since its constant I'm not sure. I just haven't gotten around to taking it in to the dealer, but if you can get them to identify it I'll be much oblige.

[Hussain]

nope.... havent really had any issues with my car and i ride it hard and race a lot and im at 22k miles with no issues....

[Altstatic2003]

I can't speak for where the thunking sound comes from but mine does it as well. Once the engine is warm about once every minute or so, there's a 'thunk' sound. I only hear it when idling at a redlight or in a drive-thru. It also will continue to do it after the car is turned off and cooling down. I've had previous cars whose exhaust pipes and such will pop when cooling off, but they generally don't do it while the car is running at temperature. Its very annoying and embarrassing when someone else is in the car. I want to think its the heat shield on the exhaust manifold expanding, but since its constant I'm not sure. I just haven't gotten around to taking it in to the dealer, but if you can get them to identify it I'll be much oblige.

Yea, I am going in tom. so I will let you know what they say.

[boystar22]

Yea, I am going in tom. so I will let you know what they say.

Thanks! I really need to take to video camera outside and record it just to make sure its the same thing. And to have proof when I take it to the dealer.

[Altstatic2003]

Mine is not once every minute or so. Its a steady thunk thunk thunk. I will be driving and dont hear it. But once I am stopped after a few seconds it starts, and does not stop until the car is off (or moving). Its not real loud either but def. noticable. It was not there before I took it to the dealership.

[DAAN.]

"boy" not the heat shield the check engine would not come on

Alt, my back emblem is plastic. Do a thorough inspection of the trunk lid when they return it

[boystar22]

"boy" not the heat shield the check engine would not come on

Well my check engine light isn't on. That's why mine is more of an annoyance than anything else.

[Andy_G]

3K miles on mine and no problems yet. (Knock on wood) Keep us posted.

[Nlghtmare]

So far I haven't had a problem like this (Knock on wood) but I've heard of animals like birds and cats getting into engines before causing similar symptoms. Doubt this to be the case, but you never know.

[Altstatic2003]

I am sitting I the service area right now using there customer computer.. And wouldnt you know that as soon as I come to have them look at it the noise goes away. I am going to be mad when they tell me nothing is wrong and then I hear it later tonight when I am driving home.

Ok so the noise turned out to be some loose hose that was barely hanging on. They also said they had to replace the Solenoid cap (i think, solenoid something) and thats why the engine light was on. Also I price installation of lowering springs and they told me it would cost a little over 900..... That can not be right can it?
Modified by Altstatic2003 at 3:11 PM 4/9/2009

[isaac_b]

hey look instead of paying 900 just buy the springs for 200 lol and give me 700 so i can buy me a artisan catback or fab up my own exhaust...but seriously 900 is way to much you can get the springs for somewhere around 200. and im sure somebody here lives close to you and would be glad to help. i would but im not close