Consumer Rights? Nissan did bad work? What to do.

[CakeDaddy]

Well well well!!! I’m pissed!! I took my 98 Pathfinder in to Nissan for a quick evaluation after noticing the leak in pic number 2. After talking to the service guy at Nissan, he said it's a possible crank case seal or a cam seal, so he told me that they’d have to pull it apart to resolve the issue and I might as well get the belts,wp,alt belt, etc.. done. OK, sound good I’m due for that anyhow. I go pick up my car 7 hrs later and the service guy say, “good news it was the upper cam seal leaking” cool. $750 and I get my car; I go straight home and park the car. The next morning the car is dripping from the SAME place before they changed the belts in pic 2, plus 2 new leaks in pic 1. ;( WTF

My big question is:What are my rights as a consumer? And what sould I say whenI revisit them this morning?

Pic1:Newly created leak after timing belt change at Nissan

Pic 2:Previous leaks before belt change and still leaking after belt change ;(

Modified by CakeDaddy at 10:40 AM 11/12/2007
Modified by CakeDaddy at 7:01 AM 11/14/2007

[fueler]

Sorry I dont know. i've heard of a leaky oil pressure switch before, http://www.4x4parts.com/ubbthr...86513 My advice is to take the car back and ask for them to diagnose the leak since it wasn't diagnosed during the t-belt change, like you requested. I've had a few oil leak problems before, but very minor,

the worst one was due to a loose oil filter (and "Express Tire San Diego" who had just changed my oil the day before, told me leaky power steering rack and $1000 to fix) I went home, found out it indeed was the oil filter like I guessed, and never been to Express Tire in San Diego since. My other 2 leaks were from valve cover gaskets and camshaft seals. All fixed now

[AlabamaDan]

They could have damage the cam seals when putting them in or worse would have been to scar the place where the seal sits and it's leaking past the seal.

Yeah, carry it back. Be nice, but firm to begin with. Start keeping detailed notes on who you spoke with, when, what was said, etc.

[KoukiS14]

unrelated, but I too had a bad oil leak from a loose filter like fueler. I left a trail of oil down my driveway, the road, and a puddle in my parking spot at work. I was pretty angry when I discovered it wasn't even tightened down. But I was relieved I didn't have a problem such as indicated in the pics on this page.

I'd take it back to Nissan and demand they complete the job they set out to do.

[MagicM]

Should I have purchased the 1999 RangeRover instead. just joking, dont answer that.

LOL you're Crazy, out of the pan and into the fire .

[fueler]

yeah, rangerover compared to nissan, what a painful joke to even consider them in the same category

[MagicM]

hey hey now, although my first car was a nissan pathfinder and i loved it, 210,000 kilometers, with no service except oil change and tires. Never a single mechanical or electrical problem. but when i drove a range rover for the first time it seduced me, i know they are a piece of **** reliablity wise, but i'am weak, once you go rover you never go back. There's just a different feeling with a Rover that a Nissan will never give.

[KoukiS14]

I came close to purchasing a used Disco Series II actually. Like Nissan, that particular vehicle has low resale and was a definite consideration as I was shopping for a replacement vehicle. Then I began hearing stories, and decided I'd stick with what I knew and buy a Nissan product.

Personally, I'd love a newer Land Rover, but I don't think I'd buy one without a warranty.

[MagicM]

Personally, I'd love a newer Land Rover, but I don't think I'd buy one without a warranty.

Unless you have alot of $$$$$$$ getting a land rover with warrenty or extended/3rd party is a MUST!

[fueler]

when i drove a range rover for the first time it seduced me, i know they are a piece of **** reliablity wise, but i'am weak, once you go rover you never go back. There's just a different feeling with a Rover that a Nissan will never give.

Oh I know about the luxury status. My friend had a 97 Range Rover that could climb hills so comfortably that it was shocking. I remember thinking that I could be drinking a coffee in a nice suit while climbing a steep grade and I probably wouldn't even spill. A few months after my Range Rover enlightening experience, I learned that the very same Rover I rode in, caught on fire on the 10 freeway in Los Angeles, and burned to the ground right there at the side of the road, as the owner watched.

I met another Range Rover owner, had some nice off-road mods, who showed me the difference check engine lights on his dashboard. He must have had at least 8 different lights that were simultaneously lit red, yellow, orange, etc. He explained that there are so many sensors in that car, that even each SENSOR has its own SENSOR and problems just multiply themselves, and that it would cost at least a few thousand just to get all those lights turned off......

[MagicM]

WOW, it doesn't seem like they take of thier cars, the only light that i ever got was "check engine light' which is perfectly normal at certain mile intervals, and one time because i needed new spark plugs. It's like dating a supermodel, it will Bit** and nag at you, and demand attention, but it's a very unique experience. 385 dollars for a new key fob on a 05 sucks big ballz to. I'll admit ive spent thousands keeping them in check, and without the warrenty i would probably be spending a hell alot more.

[CakeDaddy]

alright alright! back to the pathfinder talk. I dropped my pathfinder off yesterday and received a call todya with them expalining that they mis diagnosed it and it is the oil pump that is bad, so they will do the entire job and only charge me for the part which is $175. Its normally a 9 hr job! wow! They mentioned they should have caught it while they were in the changing the belts and seals.

[Finny]

If it actuallly fixes ALL 3 leaks it sounds pretty fair... I wouldn't expect much more from a dealership. I'm interested to know how it turns out.

[AlabamaDan]

All that stuff you had done is something that should be done around 120k anyway. You're good for another 100k

[Sentientbydesign]

Jello,

My mother had the same problem with my I30 when she owned it. It leaked oil, so she took it to the dealership and they said it was the timing chain cover.

Well, they fixed it for a very pretty penny and there were still leaks. It turns out that when one seal is replaced, the job calls for other seals to be replaced at the same time. The reason being that the weak seal that was leaking is now strong and puts stress on the other older weaker seals. The oil will "seek" the path of least resistance.

Make sure the leak is in fact from the same area.

[CakeDaddy]

Update: 11-26 Still no patty

I got a call on NOV-21 with the hopes of picking up the patty, but it will remains hospitalized. They discovered that the rear main seal is leaking along with a bad oil pump, so they will be taking care of that as well. They also mentioned that there will be no charge for that. I'm not paying for any labor.

So, after all this is said and done I'll have a new oil pump, rear main seal replaced for the price of $175.

I'll keep you all posted.

[AlabamaDan]

Sounds like they're making it right to me.

[CakeDaddy]

Update: 12-7-07

I got a call from the service mgr thinking I could go pick up my pathfinder, but not a chance. Apparently, the new oil pump they put in isn’t creating pressure/pumping oil, so they will pull it apart again and replace the pump once more. He mentioned that this isn’t a common issue, but they’ve seen a previous case where this has happened He did assure me that this entire project will only cost me $175 (pump price).

I’m not even vexed by this anymore.

[02pathy]

either they a $$$$ing around with you and your car or they are not doing ne thing at all. they probably tried to put in a used, rebuilted or who knows what in your car. when a dealer have your money or your car they don't give a damm about you, they got something of yours and what ever money you think u might be saving they might find a way to make it back. so if i were u i would make some surpise visits, bring a couple coffee and donuts lol

[CakeDaddy]

Update 12-14-07 It has been an entire month since they've had it. ;(

I'm dedicated to keeping you folks informed on this matter, plus this form will act as my log book/recourse if worst comes to worst.

OK, I called today to check the status and to make a long story short, everything is back together. The oil pump is pumping and creating pressure, etc.., but after they test drove it they noticed a small oil leak from the oil pan area. He said, "this should be rather easy by dropping the oil pan and replacing the gasket" I mayy have it back by today

Modified by CakeDaddy at 1:38 PM 12/14/2007

edit 4pm !!!!aint gonna happen today. what the fcuk!!

Modified by CakeDaddy at 4:01 PM 12/14/2007
Modified by CakeDaddy at 4:02 PM 12/14/2007

[CakeDaddy]

Update 12-21-07

36 days later I get my Pathfinder back!! I picked it up last night and this morning no drip or leaks. All is good and I even got my transmission coolant lines replace for free. With all the disconnecting and reconnecting they had to do it. Grand total outta pocket was $215. I was expecting 175, but they did an oil change.

here is the invoice and take note of the $1185 coupon
Modified by CakeDaddy at 9:07 AM 12/21/2007

[AlabamaDan]

Good for you. Everything satisfied?

[KoukiS14]

Excellent news!!