Engine runs hot needs new engine

[kayrochester]

I have a 2003 G35. I had it 3 weeks and it ran hot and seems that I need a new engine. It was out of warranty 3 weeks or 100 miles. It had a short block installed under warranty and now must have a long block. Infinity said they would cover then called back and said no it would not be covered. I have been given 3 different reasons for them changing their mind.Has anyone had any issues?

[C-Kwik]

I hadn't had any issues with warranties, but we can try to give you some advice. You should provide us with more details about the problem with the motor (what is specifically wrong), what their reasoning for changing their minds about the warranty coverage was (all three), and why and when was the motor replaced the first time around?

[maxhopper]

If the short block was replaced by an Infiniti dealer, there should be a 12 month/12k mile warranty on parts and labor...but you're probably past that now.

Please provide more info, as stated above.

[kayrochester]

The car had a short block put in 20,000 miles before my issue. I dont know why. The mechanic said they should have put in a long block. No other information. They called me and the dealership and said they were covering order parts. They told me it would be ready in a few days. When I called Infinity to check because the dealership had not received the code for something.They told me 1)They did not tell me they would cover it 2) Then that the dealership told them they should not cover it 3) They did not know I was the second owner and then 4) The district manager that made this decision did not have the authority to do so.So now I have a car that was $15,000 that needs $12,000 worth of work.I work with dealers across the state and they can not believe what has happened including this dealership.Thanks for any help

[C-Kwik]

1. Probably not relevant. Even if the dealership told you it was covered, if you did not incur an expense because of them telling you they would then they can't be on the hook. And if you did spend money, they could be on the hook for that. Detrimental Reliance. But it would be limited to the actual expenses incurred. Not for the repair (unless they completed the repairs to an irreversible point).

2. Seems rather odd that the dealer told you that they would cover it and then tell Corporate not to cover it. You might want to look into that a bit further.

3. Irrelevant to the warranty itself. However, you should question why that would make a difference. Not that insurance law applies here, but this would open huge holes for a case for a 1st party bad faith lawsuit.

4. Don't really have a comment about this one.

BTW, you still didn't disclose what the actual problem with the motor is. Worst case being that you might have to foot the bill, it might help us to provide an alternative repair solution...

[maxhopper]

I'm also curious did you bought the car from this dealership? Have you called Infinti Customer Service? How many total miles are on the car?

[kayrochester]

I guess I was not clear, it was Infinity customer relations that told me that it was covered not the dealership. Infinity also told the dealership that it was covered. The mileage when it occured was 70,089.I bought it from an independent. I don't know anything else about what is wrong. That is all they have told me.

[rmezz13]

what made you take it to the dealership to have it looked at? Just running hot? Did the motor blow a head gasket? Warp the head(s)? what happened to have you decide to take it to the dealership?........ Is the car with you or at the dealership? is it driveable/will it start?

[C-Kwik]

You can ask the dealership what is wrong with it. There is no reason they shouldn't be able to tell you.

[kayrochester]

I was 300 miles away when it ran hot. So i pulled over I was scared to drive it so I called a tow truck. So the shop said nothing was wrong they took out some trash in the intake. So 8 miles down the road it started inching up to hot. So i took it slow and took it to the next shop that I knew. It stayed there for 2 days and they said nothing was wrong. My boyfriend came and towed it home. He is a master mechanic so he looked at it thinking it was a head gasket. He replaced the thermostat just in case.So he took it to the dealership to verify it was the heads and they did. The dealership thought it should be covered and told me who to call. Boyfriend thinks that when the short block was put in they did not seal the heads properly. The car is at the dealership, will pick it up tomorrow.He was injured in the middle east and can not do the work himself.

[Sentientbydesign]

I highly doubt you have $12000 in repairs needed.

Maybe $2k-$4k. A used engine can be had for $500-$1000, then there's labor.

[CPV35GT]

Seen bare long blocks new/remanned from Infiniti going for ~ $8K then add labor.

All I can think why on short block is possibly replaced due to oil consumption issues. Prior to current TSB on that issue, they were replacing only short blocks back then, but TSB doesn't pertain to your year G. Have heard 03-04's not under TSB fail though.

Think there's some kind of program Infiniti has in helping customers with out of warranty repairs. Ask them.

Wow...89miles over factory warranty period. IMO they should make an exception and cover 100%. Standard I think is 5yr/70K? Maybe it's the 5yr making them denying warranty depending when it was bought new.

Running hot makes me think there was an anti-freeze service done and system wasn't bled correctly. This is common if cooling system not bled of all air.

Good Luck with everything and sorry to hear what happened right after buying.

[Sentientbydesign]

Ebay, Craigslist, and here on our classifieds. I saw used VQs for $500-$1000.

I wouldn't go through the trouble of purchasing a brand new motor for a vehicle that has 70k on the chassis and all other parts.

I come from the Max/I30 side and we're used to Frankensteining cars. I know the G community is just barely getting to that point with the 1st gens.

[CPV35GT]

Ebay, Craigslist, and here on our classifieds. I saw used VQs for $500-$1000.

I wouldn't go through the trouble of purchasing a brand new motor for a vehicle that has 70k on the chassis and all other parts.

I come from the Max/I30 side and we're used to Frankensteining cars. I know the G community is just barely getting to that point with the 1st gens.

Understand and see you point.

A few more thoughts that may help you get this done under warranty and not out of pocket...

Shortblock just installed by a dealer then to independent, then sold to you: Install not done correctly ie: coolant system. Warranty coverage due to botched install by Infiniti dealer. Tell CS about that and if current dealer can confirm that's the reason for running hot and cooking/warping your heads/block.

Independent Seller: not serviced that system correctly. Might have a case against them.

Again good luck and hope I was of some help.