7k Miles... new engine. wtf?
 

So, before I even hit three thousand miles my 06 base model 350z started making this weird clicking noise... Basically as soon as you hit about 3k rpm, and were accelerating or holding your speed, it would make a really weird clicking noise, and I couldn't figure out why. I brought it in for the first service and had them check it out, and the guy was like, oh yeah I know exactly what that is, the front axles need to be tightened (or something along those lines). I drive out of the dealership and... of course it's happening again. I deal with it for a while, and then it really starts to bother (and scare) me, so I call in and make an appointment. I brought it in yesterday, and they told me it'd take at least the day so I left it there and got a rental. I get a call a few hours later and my service guy was like "Well, we had to order a part. So you can come pick it up for now if you want.". I ask him what part it was that they had to order, and he responds with "The engine". Some part eh? They said it was inside the valve something... Can't remember exactly what they said, but he said he talked to Nissan and they said he shouldn't mess with it so they're just replacing my whole engine. Has anyone else had this issue?
-Max

lucky you

Are you stock?

I'd like to hear more about what exactly the cause of the problem was...manufacturing defect? poor assembly?

Your post- WTF?
 

It's difficult to comment on your VQ35DE unless you recall in more detail what the mechanic/service writer actually said. It's not uncommon for a dealership technician to hear a rattle from inside the motor and simply call up NNA and get approval for a new motor.

So, I'd agree...lucky bloody you.

Someone has had every issue. If you can imagine it, someone has had it.

Check with your state office of consumer affairs. Considering how long you have owned the car, you may be entitled to a new car.

I'm going to call them today because I too would like to know exactly what the problem was. And I'm not saying I mind the new engine, I like it, but I just think it's weird that I need it after 7k (or probably that I needed it before I even hit 3k).
-Max

I've owned it for like... almost 8 weeks. Could you give me any more information on doing that? Thanks
-Max

Sounds like valve ping. They gave you a new engine for that?!! They have been telling everyone its normal. Let us know if the new engine still does it.

More details on the clicking noise; could you hear any hint of it while idling, did it progress with the speed, was it loud enough you could hear it over the radio, etc...

States have new vehicle return laws. Your state has a Office of Consumer Affairs or Consumer Protection or something. Contact them.

No, it wouldn't happen at idling, it only happened after about 3k rpm, while accelerating fairly slowly or holding speed. The car did not have to be moving though, if the clutch wasn't engaged and it was in neutral you could rev it up and slowly bring it up after 3k rpm and hear it. Generally you could not hear it over the radio, but sometimes you could. It seemed to me that it was sometimes louder than others, and it did progress with speed, at higher rpms, accelerating or holding speed would make it louder.

And as far as valve ping, I'm not sure what exactly he said but he said it was inside the valve something. And they didn't want to get into all that so they just replaced the engine.
-Max

Whoa thats crazy to hear that you had to have your engine replaced on an 06 that has only 7k miles! That would really bother me to. I'm glad to have nissans extended gold warrenty...which is basicly the factory warrenty up to 100k miles or 5 yrs.

The factory warranty is good for 5 years. You bought an extended warranty just for mileage?

I can't believe no one called him out on "front axles".

extended warrenty is suppose to be 100k miles and 10 yrs!!

I also saw that "tighten front axles". I use to work at a VW/Audi dealership. Thats crazy if you can get a motor replaced that easy. Usually they would make us tear it down, inspect it first, then if there was really a problem we'd replace the motor.

Good luck hopefully that tech knows what he is doing and puts your motor back in properly!

I have the same problem...Im goin to the dealer tommorow to check it out. I hear it while its in idle and clutch depressed while drivin

tell them to give you the 2007 engine

Maybe this is how Nissan is making room for the 07's. Gotta get rid of the 06 stuff one way or another.

What was the oil level? I noticed you're car is an '06. As many have been experiencing oil consumption issues with this year, that could have been the problem. Lack of lubrication will cause a noisy valve train, as well as create a situation whereby the dealer would be instructed by NNA to replace the engine.

If you're asking for the oil level when the noise started, I'm not exactly sure. I can't even pinpoint the exact time it started, just when I noticed it. Which was at like 3k miles.
-Max