wish me luck...took my 05 frontier in for service

[stevet47]

If the problem in the TSB is indeed the same problem you are having, and they confirm that, and your VIN fits within the range that is specified on the TSB, they are required to fix it at no cost to you. If they refuse to do so, report them to Nissan Corporate, and find a new dealer.

[Zero Six LE]

Originally Posted by mattv

@ Mainerunr !!

thanks man, glad to hear that for sure. I'll bring it up and press them on it.

dealership says "just because it's a service bulletin that doesn't mean it's covered under warranty"

Service rep says it's an adjustment, and it's not covered since parts are not replaced. He said they did one of these jobs a few months ago and tried to submit it to warranty and it got kicked back. He says he ate the charges and that's the last one he'll eat.

There are a few TSB's that are directly related to top-end/valve noise....

-------------------
NTB06-079 -

1996-2007 NISSAN MODELS WITH ENGINES: VQ35, QR25, QG18, GA16, VQ40, VK56, MR18, MR20; DTC FOR VARIABLE VALVE TIMING CONTROL FUNCTION

The MIL is on with any of the following DTCs stored:

P0011, P0014, P0021, P0024, P1110, P1135,
NOTE: The engine may also have Camshaft Sprocket rattle noise and/or other engine noise.

---------------

NTB06-063a -

2005-2006 NISSAN FRONTIER; TICKING (SPARK KNOCK-LIKE) NOISE FROM ENGINE DURING ACCELERATION
An applied vehicle, when accelerating at 1/8 to 1/2 throttle opening, has a ticking noise coming from the engine area that sounds like spark knock,
AND
You confirm the noise is not spark knock related,

---------------

NTB05-015b

2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER, FRONTIER; RATTLE NOISE FROM VIAS POWER VALVE ACTUATOR / INTAKE MANIFOLD COLLECTOR
There is a rattle noise coming from the Variable Induction Air Control System (VIAS) Power Valve Actuator /
Intake Manifold Collector at engine speeds around 2,200 RPM.

TSBs only apply during the basic warranty. After that you have to pay if you want them performed.

[Ghostcustoms]

Yup and they wont fix it till its past 36k...

I had some valve noise on start-up and the instant I replaced the nissan oil filter with a napa one it went away.

[mattv]

Originally Posted by Zero Six LE

TSBs only apply during the basic warranty. After that you have to pay if you want them performed.

I'm within the 60,000 engine/powertrain basic warranty. This is not an extended or "extra" warranty. Still covered, yes?

Sitting at just over 53K miles right now.

[Zero Six LE]

Originally Posted by mattv

I'm within the 60,000 engine/powertrain basic warranty. This is not an extended or "extra" warranty. Still covered, yes?

Sitting at just over 53K miles right now.

Powertrain warranty is seperate from the basic warranty. You would need to consult your warranty booklet to see what's covered and what's not covered.

[mattv]

Quoted from the warranty book:

"the powertrain coverage is 60 months or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first. Powertrain coverage applies to components listed below, supplied for nissan except for those items listed under the caption "WHAT IS NOT COVERED".

Engine:
Cylinder heads and block and all internal parts, rocker covers, and oil pan, valve train and front cover, timing chain and tensioner, oil pump, water pump, and fuel pump, fuel injectors, intake and exhaust manifolds and supercharger, flywheel, seals, and gaskets."

Just got off the phone with Nissan Consumer Affairs. After referencing the owners manual and warranty coverage paragraphs, the representative on the phone documented the entire situation and sent the claim file to the arbitration department. The representative gave me a reference number for the documented situation as well as her name and direct extension. First time I have ever dealt with nissan support - and it was a good experience.

I was told to expect a call from a representative with a decision regarding warranty coverage by the end of the business day tomorrow.

[mattv]

Nissan representative contacted me today, said that my claim was not covered by warranty because no parts were replaced.

I mentioned the TSB...TSB does not apply to my vehicle because my vehicle is outside of the VIN/serial covered in the TSB. The representative was not even aware of the TSB before i told him about it.

Service rep said that the warranty claim would not be covered because the TSB did not apply to my vehicle. I told him fine, then we forget the TSB. I then quoted warranty manual, page 5

Warranty repairs will be made at no charge for parts and/or labor (except for batteries and tires...

The rep then said that yes, the manual is correct, and that since no parts were replaced, the warranty would not cover it.

I said parts and/or labor, meaning that even if no parts were replaced, labor would be covered. The service rep did the "well i see your point" and says it's just not a warrantable item and my powertrain warranty doesn't cover valves.

I quoted the section from page 4 of the warranty book that explicitly says "valve train" is covered. Service rep said he was going to do some digging around and some talking, and said he would get back to me.

He also told me that if I pick up my truck and pay the bill I will probably never (ever) be reimbursed for the expense.

What good is a warranty if it's not stood behind? If this is not covered, i probably won't buy another nissan vehicle. This is my 3rd brand new nissan that i've bought, and it will be my last if this isn't sorted out.

UPDATE (45 minutes later)...

Nissan representative called me back. He said that this is not covered under my warranty...but that nissan corporate would pay for the repairs.

He said it's NOT covered because no parts were replaced.

I said, "so there is an error in your warranty manual?

he replied, "well no, it could just be clearer"

I say the whole thing is bullcrap. I will be going to another dealership for my service from now on. HUGE props to nissan for being so kind and covering a repair that's covered under warranty....

[Zero Six LE]

Glad to hear they decided to honor it. Way to stand up for your rights.

[FitzIngarage]

It's just a shame that some manufacturers and dealers try to do what they can get away with, rather than do what is right. These people must lead troubled lives trying to remember who they've lied to and what the lie was.

[mattv]

The dealership service manager called me back yesterday evening to let me know that my truck was ready and that there would be no charges. He told me that his regional manager called him and told him to run the charges through "goodwill" and even if they didn't go through, he'd override the system and push it through.

I still simply do not understand how this is not a warrantable item....for darn sure I'll be talking about this to whatever dealership I go to when it's time to trade my 05 in for an 07 or 08.