dealership nightmare (is it???)

[rajeevjha]

Folks, thank you an excellent forum. I need your guidance on my situation.

I have driven my 97 J30 for past 5 years (bought at 80K miles in 2004 May, it now has 113K miles) without any problem. everything perfect.

About a month ago, I started getting engine sqeeling/sqeaking (??) sound after start , took it to the dealership. They came back with laundry list of things to be done:

1. cracked belts - suggested 3 fan belt replacement $2752. Knock sensor out - replacement $11003. Replace timing belt kit - $1700 ( will include fan belts as well in this)4. 120K miles servicing - $13005. Struts etc $1500 ...(something about it..they say the car handles poorly..it is everywhere...I find the car handles so well).

6. I do feel that this car hesitates for a second or two when I press the gas, but its a smooth cruiser after that...

In any case, I love the car..love its luxury, Bose sound system (the sub in the trunk kicks a$$). Bought it for $5200 ( 5 years ago) and want to drive this for as long as it can (reliably though)..

what in your opinion are "MUST DO", "SHOULD DO" and "CAN DO" things in this laundry list?

Also How much money should I put in this $3000 value car?

thanks again for your help.

Rajeev

[SteveTheTech]

I wish I could say that this type of recommendation is uncommon given the year and mileage. Periodic maintenance is crucial to the operation of any older car, and especially a Japanese one.

Of the items recommended to you have any of them been done? Regardless of mileage given the age of these vehicles I would advise any owner concerned about the longevity of their car to get your T/belt and all filters changed.

You can infact save your self some money by breaking up services into individual items. As a technician we recommend services be performed if we have no history and by a visual diagnosis. That is not to say in some unfortunate cases that some of the people in my field have deceived an owner or scared them into a repair. I personally find this practice appalling and itemize recommendations to customers with issues based on how important to daily operation they are. Things like starters and fuel injectors cannot be overlooked, belts on the other hand unless they are making noise (as it seems they are in your case) can last for a while, once they do start to crack at a rate of <3 or 4 per inch or so depending on the overall condition of the back surface of the belts.

I am in no way saying your dealer is trying to rip you off and please do not take it that way but you may want to take it to another dealer if you are curious, explain to them what your goals for this car are, and do not tell them what your budget is.

If you have neglected the basic maintenance of your J than you may be indeed looking at a rather pricey investment. It may be time to put some thought into how much you do indeed feel like spending. You are really the only one who can decide how much this car is worth and how much room in your budget you have to fix it up. This is not to say that after you put all this money into it the ECM might take a crap on you a month after. It's the nature of the beast. The car I have was repaired by a backyard garage with new injectors and plugs and it would not pass idle. There was an internal ECM failure. It's time to make a cost benefit chart on this.

[driverdriver]

rajeevjha welcome to NICO!!!

Do you get a squeeling or screeching sound at start? If its screeching and if that's intermittant (sometimes you get it and sometimes you don't) , you need a new flywheel. Very common age related problem.

The most important thing on the list you need to get done is the timing belt. If it hasn't been done, get it done ASAP. The J has an interference engine. If the belt breaks, your engine is toast.

a good place to get parts for the J30 is everythinginfiniti.com

They're one of our sponsors. Part prices are cheaper than a dealer. All parts are Nissan OEM.

The cracked belts are easy to do. I would buy the part and get an independent competent mechanic to do them. You'll save a bundle over a dealer.

If your tire wear is even, I would get a second opinion on struts.

Do you know what the 120k servicing involves?

[GerryO]

I have driven my 97 J30 for past 5 years (bought at 80K miles in 2004 May, it now has 113K miles) without any problem. About a month ago, I started getting engine sqeeling/sqeaking (??) sound after start.

1. cracked belts - suggested 3 fan belt replacement $2752. Knock sensor out - replacement $11003. Replace timing belt kit - $1700 (will include fan belts as well in this)4. 120K miles servicing - $13005. Struts etc $1500 ...(something about it..they say the car handles poorly..it is everywhere...I find the car handles so well).6. I do feel that this car hesitates for a second or two when I press the gas, but its a smooth cruiser after that...

Bought it for $5200 ( 5 years ago) and want to drive this for as long as it can (reliably though)..

1) a worn glazed cracked belt or a dry idler bearing is probably the reason for the squealing/squeeking sound at start-up, especially on cold damp mornings.2) request the ECM scan results, and based on how transmission shifts and your fuel mileage, why they believe the KS is bad? They want to pull your plenum.3) mileage wise you are about due for a timing belt change, which should also include changing accessory belts, new coolant, new tensioner, new oil seals, etc. $1,700 sounds about $500 too high at a dealership. Ask about their coupon/discount price.4) 120K servicing includes? Transmission flush and new filter, fuel and coolant system flushes? Throttle body and MAF cleaning? New spark plugs and air filter?5) At 176K miles on my 1993, I'm pretty sure that my struts are shot, but if tire wear is normal, braking is OK and you can live with it....

Count on them finding more things wrong, if they do any of the work and dealership J30 maintence is more preventive focused, as opposed to corrective.

[yodawill2000]

Make sure its not the AC belt tensioner pulley .Mine went bad and it squealed like a stuck pig.Uber easy swap.Welcome to Nico !!!

[newboy1]

For knock sensor, you can use bypass. Buy a new knock sensor from ebay around $30, and connect cable for $30 from nissan dealer, then put it on the front of your engine. Total only around $70.

For struts, you can buy the oem ones for over $600 for four struts, then cost 5 hours labor. You can find any mechanic to install the struts for you. Total is around $900. The struts price is from Joe.

For timing belt, you can buy timing belt kits from Joe, is around $300, the labor is around 5-6 hours. The total is around $600. I believe some person said they can drive over 180k for change a timing belt. It is not guarantee, but someone's experience.

[Victor]

A loose belt will squeal, try tightening them up. But if they are stretched you may be at the limit of adjustment. The reason they stop squealing as you drive is that rubber is an unusual substance that shrinks when it gets warmer, thus making the belt tighter. Most substances expand as they get warmer.The owner's manual says the timing belt should be replaced at 105,000 miles.

[Ebbtide]

I would change the belts, bypass the knock sensor (if it really is not working), and drive it into the ground. It might takes years to do that. I would then get a used G35 with the money saved.

With a car that age you could spend that 6000.00 bucks and a week later blow the transmission, ac compressor, cats, or any number of things.

I love the J30, best daily driver I ever owned, but like a sick dog, sometimes it's just better to put her down. Or you can sell it before it loses all its value.

I know this post is a downer, sorry.

[yodawill2000]

Cheaper to keep her !!!

[colincliff2]

This is why I avoid dealer service departments. You took your car in for a squealing belt and they try to squeeze every last dollar out of you by presenting you with all these obsurdly overpriced service items. If this was my car, this is what I'd do:

Find a good independent mechanic. Word of mouth is usually the best way to go about this. Of all those services, the only one that is really necessary is the timing belt. I had my timing belt, water pump, and accessory belts done for under $700. $1,700 is waaay too high. For that price you could get a transmission rebuild any maybe have some $ left over.

The "120k service" they're offering is likely just a tune up (plugs, PCVs, air filter, fuel filter, oil change, etc.). This should cost about a quarter of what the dealer quoted you.

The dealer is good for parts, but not service in my opinion.
Modified by colincliff2 at 6:20 PM 7/2/2009

[driverdriver]

I find if you buy a vehicle new or used CPO at a dealership and then build a relationship with the service department, more often then not they will cut you some slack. I've had many instances where my vehicles has received work at no cost past the warranty period or deals where they charged me only for the labour or parts.

[fun240]

If you havent did any maintance, and you bought the car 5 years ago, and barely put 30k on it.... pretty sure it probably needs extensive work

If you drive the car once a month, don't worry about anything

[yodawill2000]

I know alot of peeps out there don't ever do their own engine work but those of you that do, the TBelt , Water pump, tensioner's ect is not that hard.Just takes time, Tools and patience.A Heckuva alot of money to be saved in labor charges. And the extra bonus of becoming one with your engine.

[SteveTheTech]

This is a pretty straight forward procedure.....but I caution from trying this the first time on your only set of wheels. I have seen many of these 3.0s come in on a hook with a no start after timing belt replacement, or died while driving. I hate to find something loose or missing or a belt off cause irreperable damage. Sadly no one has ever been more interested in seeing if it was complete destruction or not, the check out time is not worth it to many.

You can find anyone to fix you J but take it from someone who fixes all Infinitis for a living, the J is something many of my co-workers don't want to work on. It is not an easy car to diagnose and is overly complex in many regards.

Remember you have a dual overhead cam timing belt controlled engine. One wrong tooth on any of the cams improper setting procedure and your motor may be toast. At least if the shop blows it up they should be on the hook for it.

I would change the belts, bypass the knock sensor (if it really is not working), and drive it into the ground. It might takes years to do that. I would then get a used G35 with the money saved.

With a car that age you could spend that 6000.00 bucks and a week later blow the transmission, ac compressor, cats, or any number of things.

I love the J30, best daily driver I ever owned, but like a sick dog, sometimes it's just better to put her down. Or you can sell it before it loses all its value.

I know this post is a downer, sorry.

Getting the parts for a good deal and having someone who has never worked on a J is a waste of money and you have a better chance just saving your money and doing it right once. Trust me.

In the several months of J daily driving I really love the car and from the inside seems like a simple enough car but there is a surprising amount of wiring and control units that talk to each other and engine control feature that were ahead of their time are common on this model. Treat it with a little love and it will return the favor. I have been stockpiling OE parts as I come across extra cash. The parts are expensive but they worked for this long without replacement, they are worth the investment...welll within reason.

[yodawill2000]

Good point.I must admit Ive worked on engines since I was a rugrat My pops and big brother both were into racing and always working on the cars.

I wouldn't have attempted it on the J if not for the most excellent write up.I cant count the times I checked the timing marks before i cranked it over with the breaker bar