So I took the 04 to the dealership today to diagnose cel, they came back with saying I have low oil pressure causing bank 1 vvt solenoid not getting proper oil pressure. They say I need new timing gaskets on the rear cover, that that's the most likely cause by 99%. The car only has 67189 on the clock.
The question is, supposedly he hooked up a manual gauge where the stock pressure gauge is and was reading 7-10 PSI while my gauge on the dash is reading just under 60 at idle, see attached picture.
Anyone have thoughts, had the same issues? I'm sure as hell not going to pay $2500 for them to do the job.

 

The oil pressure at idle on a warm car shouldn't be 60psi, maybe on a cold start. So maybe the gauge is reading off, as far as cost obviously the dealer will be higher and I understand why. But if you can find a reliable shop to do it for cheaper that would be the move, unless you can do it by yourself?

 

My suggestion is to get a second opinion from another shop. Or, conversely, erase the CEL yourself if you have a code reader and see if it appears again immediately. If it's serious, the code will not erase and you can use the second opinion on what repair cost will be.

 

Only problem with a second opinion is I've already paid $125 to the dealership for diag, don't really want to pay another $100-125 for another shop to tell me the same thing if that's the case.
After replacing the crank and cam sensors and the vvt solenoid, I did use my obd scanner and cleared the code, the cel came back after 3 start ups, reason I took it in for diag.

 

May suck, but if another shop can do it for AT LEAST $125 less than the dealership quote then you have broke even. If they can do it for more than $125 less then it will be worth the extra money.

 

Very valid suggestions above. It's worth noting that the oil pressure sending unit and guage are notoriously unreliable. Warm idle with 60psi is highly inaccurate also.

The dealer has instilled fear in you with their stated oil pressure. Only 2 options here. Either they are honest or not, very simple. With $1000s of your money on the line your priorities are to protect both your engine and your bank account. If it were mine I'd get an independent 2nd opinion or more likely I'd by a $25 guage and learn how to measure the pressure myself at home, then decide your next step. Good luck!

 

Check the oil pressure sensor connection on your car. it is easy to see and access.
go to nearest junk yard. find 2-3 other 3.5 nissans.
remove 2X oil pressure sending units from other 3.5 nissans in yard. $10-$20 outlay/

Go to harbor frieght and get a oil pressure gauge.

#1 change the sensors and see if the readings change. when stock sensors fail they read HIGH.
yours might be failing.

#2 change to second sensor you picked up . and make sure it reads the same.

#3 take manual pressure readings yourself.

report back findings.

 

sounds about right. negotiate the parts and labor with them.
check their labor rate. and verifiy the hours on all data or prodemand.
then check MSRP on the parts they want. dont let them charge you "matrix" or mark up