Just got my car back a week ago after major replacements under warranty, I have one very seriously CURZED zed.

It's just in the last 2 weeks had new driveshaft, shocks, fuel pump, left bank solenoid, and cd player and probably about to have both half shafts replaced because they have "excessive axial looseness", anyway, in the week I've had it back the trans is running excessively hot, dealer said that's normal to me yesterday. I know damn well it's never done this before and certainly not in any of the 13 other 350's I've driven. Oh, for no explainable reason blew it's full load of engine oil 6 weeks ago, sump cap was still on. It's also in the last few days also developed a shimmering on the steering wheel and before anyone jumps in it's not the alignment, that was perfect on Thursday when it was checked.

So it's almost burning to touch around the transmission lever and on the left side of the firewall. Rather concerning. Has this happened to anyone else???

It's less than 6kms since last service.

I am to the point of utter distraction with this stupid car, and all the problems it's had over the last year and since new, made my life hell.

Sorry for the vent guys, but if you knew the whole very ugly story you'd understand why I get so angry. Bang goes the 2nd 350 and the GTR35. After the very raw deal I've had I will be extremely unlikely I will ever by a 4th Nissan.

 

Keep in mind that almost 100% 0f the heat u feel on the firewall, trans tunnel and trans components ( Gear Shift ) is coming from the engine. And is compounded when a heat shield or insulation has been left out.

 

Cheers E***zy, yeah realise about the engine temp, but given they've had lots of bits out, it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if something has been left out. Will have my mechanic check when it's in again next week if it doesn't blow it's top in the interim.

I'm seriously not kidding about the heat around the gear stick, a few seconds is all you can cope with before almost burning your hand.

Car is still suffering huge vibration throughout at the moment with half shafts and whatever else the problem still is, so that may have had some bearing.

Oh, also the engine has also started making some extra unusual on top of the new ones in the last few months, not normal noises for my zed since I picked up a week ago.

 

I wish we had a lemon law in New Zealand, because my 350 would qualify hands down. Utterly ridiculous!!

 

I had a long response typed and I lost my connection----Dam Dial-up chaps my a$$. I will make this one shorter
If ur half shafts are bad --u can chk them by raising the back in neutral and moving them back and forth by hand and chking for play visually. They WILL cause vibration "throughout". Also keep in mind that an alignment is only as good as the Aligner.!!!
Blew oil ???--Chk ur crank case ventilaton.Make sure their are no pressure issues.
New noises are a prob, without hearing them myself.
The heat prob ????? ------Trannys as a rule are not heat producers and what heat that IS produced is generally not felt in the shifter because air flow is diverting it to the rear, Thats why I mentioned engine heat because it does the same thing, diverts it to the rear, in otherwords the trans.
If u are sure all is well as far as the engine cooling, then u can add insulation, also make sure they didnt, for whatever reason, screw up the seal under the console and the LOWER boot. If they did--- that will make for a hot shifter for sure.
OH ---And CHEERS !!!! Back

 

Cheers for that E***zy your responses rock as always, will have a look this afo. Just can't get into my mechanic til next week, as he's prepping racecars for this weekend. We had a look last night and all seems okay, but a different story when in motion. We've known for months the half shafts of stuffed. There is excessive play in the fixed end of the half shafts in comparison to the other 350'w with similar kms that we've checked it against side beside side (seen more of the underside of my car than anyone ever needs to). Vibration is huge, makes it very difficult to hold a straight line even on an even road, way worse on a bend or intersection on uneven road. It's a very hairy, scary ride at mo, with not the proper control of the back of the car and throws the whole handling out full stop.
These alignment guys are very respected, so I have no issues with the way the alignment has been done. Had even wear off the last set of tyres considering what the poor car is trying to drive through at the moment. Seriously you put any person, doesn't even need to be a mechanic in my zed at the moment and you would be shocked!!

 

Hey Hey Bronzee... so your car'z been sorta FIXED?? awesome to hear!! =) hahaha, i tracked you all the way to the statez... btw, juz letting you knw that I've alwayz felt heat on the left side of firewall ish....you knw the part where your left knee sits...(NZ is RHD) but never HOT...just warm....the warmth has alwayz been there and i thot it'd b normal since the engine sits far back and nissan prob hav less insulation compared to euros...haha...but yea...how the hell do u drive with a buring gear stick?? letz hope its some seal / insulation they forgot to replace... anwz... we shall catch up sometime!! i've been a bit busy lately and havnt been to the meetz! anw, juz cleand airfilter n changed filter oil to K&N...now its red...haha, damn there was quite a few bugz n crap on it....

cant wait to see ur Z back!