NICO peeps... HELP!

[PEZi]

Here's the scoop. I write this on behalf of my mom. She recently took her 2001 X-Terra to Woodmen Nissan in Colorado Springs, CO. She spent just a tad over $3,000 in much needed maintenance and other repairs. Her car was in need of a lot of things due to age, included was timing belt, water pump, brakes, transmission flush and spark plugs. Other things included (due to CEL's) New thermostat and knock sensor. I'm sure there was more stuff that I am forgetting, but let's move on.

The X-Terra ran 100% fine when we took it in, it simply needed a little work. Now that we have it back, it runs like complete s***! The idle is erratic, sometimes sitting at 1,500 rpm for no reason at all. Sometimes it will be completely fine, but not always. It also makes odd noises, of which are hard to really explain, but sound mostly like ping pong balls bouncing IN the valve train... WTF!? On top of this, the transmission now shifts odd. It was 100% smooth when we took it in, now it clunks on occasion when stopping for lights, like its grabbing downshifts for no reason and then letting them go. I really don't get it.

The biggest issue isn't that its running strange, though. The big problem is that it has become VERY thirsty. I haven't actually calculated it yet, but if I had to guess, we're not seeing over 14 MPG, and probably closer to 12. This is at least a 4 MPG loss, and I can only assume its related to what is going on here.

The guys at Woodmen Nissan claim that they cannot replicate the symptoms we are describing, which I call BS on because it does it far too often for us to say it would mysteriously be ok when its in their hands. I've grown tired of dealing with them.

Is there anything I should check? I plan on checking all vac lines this weekend, but other than that, I think they need to fix this problem on their own dime. This is not the first time one of our cars ran worse after taking it to them, and we will probably not be visiting them any time in the future.

Thanks for any help guys!

[AZ89two4Tsx]

Over 3K in repairs and the car doesn't run like brand new? I would bring them HELL. Completely unacceptable.

Someone with experience should chime in.

[dre1507]

it's always a good idea to get proof of how things were before when dealing with shops you're not absolutely familiar with. i know it's not something you'll always have the time to do, but it can always be of great help if ever necessary.

Anyways, what's done is already done and i doubt you have any videos of car in it's pre-shop form. i'm sorry i have no real help to offer pez. hopefully it'll all work out for you and your parents.

[PEZi]

Over 3K in repairs and the car doesn't run like brand new? I would bring them HELL. Completely unacceptable.

Yeah... it runs worse. It didn't actually have any problems besides throwing codes before. All ran fine. Now it idles weird, makes noises and get horrible MPG. Everything done was essentially routine maintenance that should not have done anything to cause this, yet somehow it did, obviously. The thing that bothers me is the fact that it runs fine for them.... BS. Its not like they're saying its not their fault... they're saying there is no problem when there clearly is.

[Ozzie]

O2 sensor?

Check that it's plugged in securely. (The shop may have knocked it loose, or unplugged it for some reason)
If it's plugged in and seems to be secure, maybe try replacing it.

Also, does it have a MAF sensor?
If so, make sure that is plugged in securely, and is clean.

[Bubba1]

If you don't get satisfaction from the dealer, I would suggest taking the Xterra to an independant shop for a diagnosis. Yes it'll cost a few dollars, But you will better learn what's wrong and if it was, in fact, caused by the dealer. Plus having the facts in hand will make dealing with the dealership (or manufacturer's rep if it escalates) much easier.

[IanS]

Time to get James involved.

Sounds like they may have fubar'd the timing belt. That or they could have lefts something out when the intake plenum was removed, I dont remember if it needs to come out for the tune up on that gen.

Call Nissan North America's consumer affairs hotline.

[breadbox]

sounds like timing.... they should have noticed on how much louder it was when starting it.

My mom got her timing done and got it back and it was loud and gruff, and I shizz you not, they told me to put MOH oil in it and drive it for 500miles because a lifter might just be stuck. I just told them to check the timing because its wrong and they redid it no charge to us. I got the manager to listen to it start and I asked him how loud Hyundais usually are and he admitted it sounded i little off.

[PEZi]

Sounds like they may have fubar'd the timing belt. That or they could have lefts something out when the intake plenum was removed, I dont remember if it needs to come out for the tune up on that gen.

Could be either. It does actually kind of sound belt related in some of the sounds it makes. The fact that it is so erratic is what makes me think something vac related. Yes, the plenum was off for the replacement of the knock sensor, so it could be related to that as well. Hell, maybe they left off something there AND fooked up timing. I still just don't see how it never runs like crap when they have it.

[mdawg4x4]

Sounds timing related to me as well. However, if it were belt/chain position related, it would do it all the time. Sounds more like intermittent sensor issues.
Checking the timing should be easy.

[Rev_D21]

You said they changed the knock sensor? Well that requires removing the intake manifold, could they have missed something while they were in there?

[alms24sebring]

are there any other codes now since you got it back?. How many miles?

I would think the timing got fudged, thats what it sounds like. As far as the knock noise : Maybe when they started it up after the work they didnt add oil ?? It could happen. Seriously tho, something in the timing is wrong, I wonder if they could have reused a tensioner or somehting else. Maybe a leak in a gasket somewhere that wasnt tightened.

As far as the trans shifting, that may be related to the engine, but unlikely. Depending on milage and if its the first time its been done, that may be a costly mistake on your part.

[PEZi]

Miles... pushing 70k. Belt was only changes 'cause it was showing signs of aging. No codes. Oil is good, I checked it. I'm gonna have to tear into it and see if there is anything I can find, but we'll see. Its just bugging me that it was fine before going in, minus the fact it was getting old. NOW it actually has problems....

Rev, I almost guarantee that the knock sensor is the main culprit in this. That mess of an engine you have to take apart to get to that thing, there has got to be something there they missed.

[nissangirl74]

If you don't get satisfaction from the dealer, I would suggest taking the Xterra to an independant shop for a diagnosis. Yes it'll cost a few dollars, But you will better learn what's wrong and if it was, in fact, caused by the dealer. Plus having the facts in hand will make dealing with the dealership (or manufacturer's rep if it escalates) much easier.

Do This ^

I'm gonna have to tear into it

Don't do this.^ As soon as you touch it, if anything does end up being wrong, they can say you caused it by messing around with it.

Take it to another shop, have them give you a diagnosis, and go from there.

[Rev_D21]

Knock sensor relocation, the only way to go. I will be doing mine and I'll let you know how it goes.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Bring hellfire upon the dealership. Think of this like a divorce. Don't try to be friends afterwords. You have to summon your inner ***hole, and attempt to destroy everything they have.

Remind them of Nissan's current dealership standings (AKA, the bottom of the list when it comes to satisfaction). Make a video of the problem so they can't tell you they aren't seeing it happen.

[numbnuts240]

no help from me until i see pics of your mom.