Bought this 2012 Altima with 7500 miles on it in 2012 and it has now 89k miles, since i can't drive my 240sx everyday. I did most of the maintenance myself, and have only used synthetic oil, and all top class parts. More than a year ago, i keep smelling something from the engine bay right after i parked the car. Looked around and could not find any leak so thought i did not clean the area enough when i did the oil change. I cleaned it few more times and it still had that smell. Then about 3 weeks ago, i saw some fluids on the garage floor, and it appeared to be coolant. That immediately explained what i have been smelling was the coolant, and explained why my coolant reservoir needed refill once a year! After digging around i suspected there is a crack on the back of the engine right at the oil cooler. Sent it to a mechanic shop to look at, they said it is not a crack, indeed it is a hole in the block and coolant is seeping out of it slowly. Called nissan and asked for help, even though the car is out of warranty. They told me to take it to a nissan dealership to check it out. Mechanic at dealership said it is a weak point in the engine, and more than likely it is a defective engine from the manufacturer, and the only repair is to replace the block. Both mechanics told me they have never seen anything like this. Called nissan again, and explained to them what happened, and dealership is confident that nissan would do the right thing and assist in the cost of replacing the engine. To all of our surprises (not really!) nissan refused to assist saying that car is out of warranty period, and there is no recall, so i have to swallow the cost, and if i don't like it, i can file complaints with BBB.
Long story short, here are the conclusions:
- If the car is out of warranty and even if it is the defect from the manufacture, nissan is not going to help and too bad you/we find it too late.
- Nissan Altima manufactured in 2012, QR25DE engine, may have similar problem to mine. If you smell coolant, get it checked out.
- This will be last nissan, when i am in love with my 240sx, nissan is not the same anymore. Look is more important than their performance and reliability. I should have just bought a Kia and replaced it every few years.
- This is rare, but Woodmen Nissan in Colorado Springs, really assisted me in the whole thing and willing to reduce the cost of labor to replace the engine.
- Photos attached. See how much gums scratched off the block, and this is only half of it. Ironically, the leak is right next to the "NISSAN, JAPAN" logo!
