Wife's 100,000 mile update !!

[proZ28]

Why spend $40,000 on a new car....save it!
I also posted my update on another site, to help other owners.

Just an update of how my wife's 03 Murano has faired over the years - from my ownership the car started falling apart from 70000 - 100000 miles(read 'em and weep!)
*Purchased Nissan Data Scan Tool $200 = my favorite diagnostic tool for any Nissan, dont waste your time buying the generic diagnostic tool at "Autoz...." btdt!! I also have Murano '03-'07 FSM on CD's

Unsolved...maybe
*Pinging rattling at low rpm while accelerating at working temperature only, as it never ping/rattled when it was cold, this started apprx 70,000miles tried everything from plugs, gas, mass airflow, etc... to retarding the timing 5 degrees = not fixed probably internal engine damage, no CEL/SES
*burning consuming oil apprx 80,000miles, about one quart every three weeks = not fixed probably internal engine damage, no CEL/SES

Fixes(solved)
*Limp Mode * stalls while driving and goes into limp mode...after restart it works fine then goes into limp mode days later apprx 90,000miles = (solved) remove/replace VSS, vehicle speed sensor...easy, no more limp
*No start* engine cranks no start no codes apprx 95,000miles = (solved) remove/replaced Camshaft Position Sensors and IPDM...IPDM is expensive!
*Heavy burning oil smell from oil dripping out of transfer case onto exhaust = (solved) replaced all transfer case axle seals apprx 80,000miles, difficult work, as engine cradle was lowered/removed
*Outter CV axle boots leaking L&R apprx 85,000miles = (solved) boots were not ripped, the metal band clamps fatigue over time...removed/pack grease/new clamps..if you have no money use a couple of long zip ties
*Front suspension knocks/thumps over bumps and sudden braking apprx 80,000miles= (solved) replaced L&R lower control arms, inferior rubber bushings wear fast...I'm trying to mass produce Urethane bushings that will last forever!! Wish me luck as I already have a mold!!!
*Rapid, constant rattling from the rear L or R interior while the vehicle is in motion apprx 50,000miles = (solved) replaced L&R upper shock mounts...very easy to do in fact if you buy certain shocks the bushings are included!!...easy
*Slow starting cranking apprx 85,000miles = (solved) replaced starter and installed high CCA battery, also under the battery tray is your NEGATIVE ground...Nissan loosely bolts this to painted sheetmetal, you need to remove the bolt then grind/sand the sheetmetal and reinstall the bolt with some dielectric grease, also remove the crusty white stuff on your battery terminals as it acts like insulation...easy
*Gas lid/door lid refused to open or sporatic apprx 90,000miles = (solved) replaced the relay in the driver's kick panel
*Lug nut and stud cross threaded apprx 85,000miles =(solved) replaced with new lug and stud from "NAP_" - very easy to do knock it out, tap it in and torque it down...OEM studs are soft and made from inferior imported metal
*Sun Visors falling apprx 85000miles = (solved) fixed with extra screws but requires separation of visors
*High pressure power steering hose leak approx 75000miles = (solved) remove/replaced re-crimped, high pressure power steering hose goes from pump to steering box, also dumped all fluid out of reservoir and put in new power steering fluid
*Front disc brake pads approx 60000miles = (solved) remove/replace front disc brake pads with factory ceramic pads rotors were still perfect
*Replaced air filter with drop-in reuseable air filter..."K&_" apprx 50,000miles...easy
*Replaced CVT fluid apprx 60,000miles....drain/refill at $20/quart...easy
*Replaced two front tires apprx 70,000 miles
*Replaced radio/cd player with "new" Metra Dash kit #99-7612B and Pioneer double DIN touchscreen DVD all in one!! Metra kit also syncs with steering wheel controls!! Also replaced all speakers, installed amps and handsfree bluetooth! Wife loved this one!! I love her too!!

New Engine
*Finally at 100,000 miles, the engine was still pinging/ratlling under load, burning oil and the exhaust was blowing white smoke and went into permanent limp mode (solved) = purchased a new engine with my mechanics discount! I got a new VQ35de for 50% off cost!!! You do the math, minus 50% = dirt cheap!!! With the installation, I installed (2) new catalytic convertors from "Magnaf...", new fuel pump"Airte...", new fuel pump strainer/sender, new knock sensor, replaced all oxygen sensors...all of this for under $9000 !!!
Of course I split the old engine and found that one oxygen sensor was blown and split in half but I had no CEL/SES codes, this could have been why the engine only ping/rattled when it was up to operating temperature...hhmmmmm. Also the thin inferior piston rings were seeping oil all over the pistons, pistons were black,wet,sooty and plugs were ashed... this could have been why the engine was burning a quart of oil every 3 weeks...hhmmmmm. Also there was a layer of oil in the top intake manifold that created an oil film on the back of the intake valves..... but I solved this issue also....
A friend and I did the whole installation on our free-time after work in 6 days!!

Relearn-BTDT
If your Murano stalls after starting and rough idles just do the simple "idle relearn procedure". If your Murano has sat and has a dead battery for awhile you may need to do the "throttle relearn and idle relearn procedure". If you cleaned your throttle body and manually moved the throttle open and closed you will need to to the "throttle relearn and idle relearn". These procedures are a must-learn for any Nissan owner!

If you folks need guidance on anything just ask or PM me and I will reply. I took tons of pictures! If you need an FSM, tell me what year and I can send you a FSM CD, just cover the CD and postage. I also did little tricks as link the factory key fob to an alarm "shock" sensor so if your car is hit or glass breaks your factory horn will sound. I also installed a filter inline with the PCV so that acumulated oil would not find its way into the intake. Also I know where you can get a NEW complete VQ35DE Murano Engine from the factory for $6500 plus freight...if u buy me a plane ticket for 6-days, I'll install it for free!!!

[MuranoDriver]

Nice write up and info.

[kerrton]

Wow that's an interesting story, I'm just trying to take this all in and digest it! My first thought is: that's too bad that engine failed very prematurely, it only made it to about 80,000 miles and only about 9 years old - I'm assuming you were dilligent with oil changes etc. and it was just bad luck?

My second thought is: wow that is a lot repairs and maintenance! Honestly if any "average" person owned your car I'm sure it would be in the scrap heap simply due to the cost to perform all that maintenance - you did most or all of the work yourself, if you were to pay a shop to do that work it wouldn't be worth it. You could buy a nice used Murano, say an 07-08 for a little more than these repairs would cost. Regardless, good for you doing that work yourself and saving the labor costs.

Considering this is a $40k vehicle new, the $9000 parts cost does seem reasonable to invest considering you should get 150,000 more miles and 10 years of remaining service. It's always a tough call though, its very tempting to take put that $9000 against a brand new vehicle with 0 miles and full warranty or a solid used. This being a 2003 model I'd be a little concerned about the CVT requiring replacement soon, adding another $5000 to the repair bill. But that's all part of owning a vehicle, its going to cost you either way and you can't sit around worrying about what might break down next - just fix what's broken and enjoy the drive!

For most owners this repair on a 9-year old vehicle could have been a deal-breaker after factoring labor costs - you were able to do your labor yourself (6 days is a lot time, just on the engine swap alone), and you have the skills which most people don't have. If you budget say $800/day labor x 6 days thats $4800 labor that the average person would have to spend on top of the $9000 in parts just for the engine swap, plus all the other maintenance items you did. And if you take out the 50% discount on the new engine, you're flirting with that $20,000 mark and you are still running on the original weak CVT. I think most would've cut their losses and moved on, good for you tackling this job and saving yourself big time cash, like you said $9k is pretty good considering a new Murano is $40k!!

More importantly, thank you for documenting all of these solutions to common problems that I'm sure many Murano owners will encounter at some point.

Thanks again for the detailed write-up.