Nissan Consumer Affairs Oil Cooler Response

dad · 06-06-2009, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisSlicks

I wouldn't count on that. They are looking for any excuse to deny an expensive warranty claim, and they know because you have an oil cooler that you must drive the car hard and more than likely hit the track once in a while. They will do searches on your name and plate, looking for evidence that you were at the track even if the failure had nothing to do with that. Remember there are only 2 parts in this car that are worth warrantying, the engine and the transmission. Any claim against these parts is highly scrutinized.

Sooner or later some member is going to post that Nissan won't cover his warranty because they have an oil cooler installed.

NotmyGTR · 06-06-2009, 09:56 PM

I asked my dealer about warranty items for readily available mod parts such as intake, exhaust, headers, and cats. He told me that even if I brought a stillen product in and had the dealer change it out, it would void some parts of the warranty. Depending on what it was. Unless..........bohica (Bend Over Here It Comes Again) I was having them replace stock parts with Nismo parts. Then the warranty isnt voided.

My point is, if you can mod the car with Nismo parts, and the warranty isnt void, than why dont you guys have a Nismo oil cooler installed, and still maintain your warranty. If you get that "We dont have an aftermarket oil cooler for the 370 yet" response, call them on B.S. The car sent out for test drives/reports had a larger oil cooler on it. This should put this thread/discussion to rest as soon as someone has their dealer put one of the oil coolers on their ride.

Im going over to my dealer on monday to pick up some touch up paint they ordered for my car. I will certainly ask about this when I go over there and report back with any info.

FricFrac · 06-06-2009, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VCuomo

Sorry, but this just doesn't fly. When Ford (or GM, or Chrysler) takes one of their trucks, modifies it for off-road use, and supplies it to a truck mag to try out for a few days and then (hopefully) publish a favorable review of what the truck is capable of (which they've done countless times), Ford is not saying that they will provide full warranty coverage to you if you make those same mods to your Ford truck and then use it off-road. That's the way it's always been - and Nissan is just protecting themselves like all of the other manufacturers do.

It's not BS and it's not false advertising. The car does live up to expectations - if you want to track your 370Z, put the oil cooler on it (just like the cars in the magazine reviews) and the temp problem is solved. But you might (most likely will) have to deal with warranty coverage issues. That's a trade-off and decision that you have to make, just like all of the off-road guys do. Or just like anyone else does who modifies their under-warranty vehicle...

Look, there's no doubt that, from a public relations point of view, Nissan should have handled this better. I'm not a lawyer, but I don't think that any of you guys who are tracking the car, and are seeing the oil temp problem while tracking the car, have a prayer legally. Just MHO...

Now, you guys who are having temp problems under normal street-driving conditions... well, that's a whole different ball game.

ChrisSlicks - I'm not trying to single you out by quoting you above; it's just that what you wrote nicely summarizes what a number of the "track" guys have been saying...

Unless I'm missing something that is a completely different story. None of the article I read mention anything about the oil cooler or that the mod had been performed. On the other hand the modified off-road truck is completely changed from stock and has had some serious modifications. The point being that the oil cooler mod was hidden whereas the monster truck modified lists all the mods done in the article. Two totaly different situations and not comparable.

This also isn't a performance mod that stresses the engine. Even if the car isn't tracked the oil cooler is benificial not only in keeping the temperature reasonable in heavy traffic, etc but also by increasing the oil capacity which dilutes contamination in the system.

I suspect Nissan is concerned about extensive agressive use of the engine. Agressive use will result in safety mode and prevent extensive agressive use however with the oil cooler agressive use can continue indefinately and the results are unknown. This is a new motor again from the 3.5l and the VVEL is really unproven still so I can understand their concerns. Regardless if this inference is true the fact remains that they were dishonest buy not disclaiming the use of the oil cooler in media vehicles. It was only discovered by accident and IIRC it was hidden in the wheel wells... but dont quote me on that ;P

NotmyGTR · 06-06-2009, 10:09 PM

I wonder how many Altima owners have this problem. Same engine on the V6 models.

grahfz · 06-06-2009, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by butters167

I had a 02 WRX one of the first here in OK. I it putting out 326whp and never broke anything in the transmission. I drive it hard for 20k and drag raced several times. If they are breaking stuff that bad then they probably are abusing the car and deserve to be denied. The point is if you break something or put something on that breaks something yeah it is your fault. But if it goes bad because of a nissan defect they have to fix it unless they can prove otherwise.
Also remember your rights and the procedure very from state to state.
If the need arises I am lucky enough to have an attorney in the famliy and I will fight.

Also the warranty issue is not just a nissan thing, pretty much any car maker will try to deny a claim if they see a chance.

The 6 in my 370 whined whenever first gear was engaged, clutch in or out. Got worse over the first few weeks of owning it. Nissan replaced it no questions asked.

antennahead · 06-06-2009, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frost

^ doesn't that seem like it will work in reverse however, when those of us in warm weather are sending our cars back under state lemon laws? I mean, I'm a little rusty, but I believe if it overheats 4 times without it being fixed, it would be considered a lemon here.

There is a lot of debate here about "tracking" the car and Nissan not being interested in lowering temps for that/versus warranty, etc. I can see that argument. However, there are many here in warm climates that are hitting 260 with minimal effort already. Is Nissan going to step up to the plate and say that improvements in metalurgy and lubricants will now allow these temps with no longterm effects on the engine? I guess as an earlier poster stated, someone needs an independant authority to do some testing on this and report some results.......... maybe that dude from 370.com that posts here quite often?

John

travisjb · 06-06-2009, 10:37 PM

FYI on our oil temp survey Oil Temp Survey ... we have ~80 reporting in, with 29 experiencing oil temps above 260F (~1 out of 3), and 95+% saying they want action from Nissan to remedy the situation

grahfz · 06-07-2009, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by antennahead

There is a lot of debate here about "tracking" the car and Nissan not being interested in lowering temps for that/versus warranty, etc. I can see that argument. However, there are many here in warm climates that are hitting 260 with minimal effort already. Is Nissan going to step up to the plate and say that improvements in metalurgy and lubricants will now allow these temps with no longterm effects on the engine? I guess as an earlier poster stated, someone needs an independant authority to do some testing on this and report some results.......... maybe that dude from 370.com that posts here quite often?

John

Doesn't oil break down ~300? I seem to remember somebody hitting that with a vg30 and tossing rods.

IDZRVIT · 06-07-2009, 10:09 AM

Will someone who is a professional registered mechanical engineer step up to the plate and give their expert opinion on the lubricating properties of todays oils and materials engineering and whether or not the oil will break down on temps below 280 resulting in component failure?

Are the pistons of this engine cooled by oil? If so, would not the oil dripping back to the base pan be hotter than any other part of the engine being cooled by the oil and returning to the base pan as well as the oil scraped from the cylinder walls? If this is the case, the oil cooling the pistons/cylinder walls will be significantly hotter as the top of the pistons/cylinder walls are in direct contact with the extreme temperatures from combustion. Is the oil temperature sensor in the base pan? I would suggest then that highest oil temperatures will be in the base pan and not necessarily in the valve train or bottom end. If so, the oil then is cooled somewhat on its way to the engine's critical components such as the bearings and cam lobes? What might one expect the oil temp to be in these ares of the engine?

Wally · 06-07-2009, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by antennahead

You know, I'm not looking for a freebie, I just want them to say "buy this oil cooler (Nismo or Nissan Motor Sports), have the dealer install it, and we won't void your warranty". Pretty fair and simple.

John

Agreed thats all I am asking, one of the magazines has listed as an available option so where did that part go.

Wally · 06-07-2009, 01:41 PM

On the PR campaign, we had 500+ people this weeekend at the track for a track day as well as a Concorso sponsored by Ruf Porsche, I had the only 370z at the track which I parked in front of the paddack to ensure that questions would be asked and made myself available when I was not instructing on the track. I can not tell you the number of people that asked how I liked the car and I think you all know what the answer was.

It was very ironic that Nissan or the reviewers have picked to compare the 370 against the caymans the biggiest difference 370z sat on the paddack while a countless number of cayman's hit the track. (without any problems)

So I quess you really get what you pay for, $60,000 + a real manufacture that supports there product.

$32,000 + a nissan that can not even enter the the game

$80,000 + (GTR) a nissan that is capable but its daddy wont let it out to play.

SoCal 370Z · 06-07-2009, 01:50 PM

Wally,

We have to be fair about matters, as Porsche Cayman's are not without their similar issues: Smoke'em if you Got'em - Petition to Porsche

Believe me, and for different reasons than most here, I think our oil cooler issues sucks the big one, but we have to be equitable in our problem comparison.

VCuomo · 06-07-2009, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FricFrac

Unless I'm missing something that is a completely different story. None of the article I read mention anything about the oil cooler or that the mod had been performed. On the other hand the modified off-road truck is completely changed from stock and has had some serious modifications. The point being that the oil cooler mod was hidden whereas the monster truck modified lists all the mods done in the article. Two totaly different situations and not comparable.

This also isn't a performance mod that stresses the engine. Even if the car isn't tracked the oil cooler is benificial not only in keeping the temperature reasonable in heavy traffic, etc but also by increasing the oil capacity which dilutes contamination in the system.

I suspect Nissan is concerned about extensive agressive use of the engine. Agressive use will result in safety mode and prevent extensive agressive use however with the oil cooler agressive use can continue indefinately and the results are unknown. This is a new motor again from the 3.5l and the VVEL is really unproven still so I can understand their concerns. Regardless if this inference is true the fact remains that they were dishonest buy not disclaiming the use of the oil cooler in media vehicles. It was only discovered by accident and IIRC it was hidden in the wheel wells... but dont quote me on that ;P

One of the articles referenced on this forum stated that the 370Z that they were testing had an oil cooler installed by Nissan. I don't remember which one it was, maybe one of the other members will...

alan93rsa · 06-07-2009, 04:10 PM

Quote:

It was very ironic that Nissan or the reviewers have picked to compare the 370 against the caymans the biggiest difference 370z sat on the paddack while a countless number of cayman's hit the track. (without any problems)

So I quess you really get what you pay for, $60,000 + a real manufacture that supports there product.

$32,000 + a nissan that can not even enter the the game

I had to take a $4500 hit on the Z after 3 months to switch to a new 08 Cayman S plus the price difference and it was worth every penny.

LiquidZ · 06-07-2009, 04:46 PM

This thread makes me sad.

(//o)

06-06-2009, 09:56 PM	#92 (permalink)
NotmyGTR Base Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: TX Posts: 177 Drives: 09 370Z/Pearl 6speed Rep Power: 17	Nissan work I asked my dealer about warranty items for readily available mod parts such as intake, exhaust, headers, and cats. He told me that even if I brought a stillen product in and had the dealer change it out, it would void some parts of the warranty. Depending on what it was. Unless..........bohica (Bend Over Here It Comes Again) I was having them replace stock parts with Nismo parts. Then the warranty isnt voided. My point is, if you can mod the car with Nismo parts, and the warranty isnt void, than why dont you guys have a Nismo oil cooler installed, and still maintain your warranty. If you get that "We dont have an aftermarket oil cooler for the 370 yet" response, call them on B.S. The car sent out for test drives/reports had a larger oil cooler on it. This should put this thread/discussion to rest as soon as someone has their dealer put one of the oil coolers on their ride. Im going over to my dealer on monday to pick up some touch up paint they ordered for my car. I will certainly ask about this when I go over there and report back with any info. __________________ 1996 Skyline GT-R LM fully tuned by Mines/2006 Nissan Titan 5.6 SE Texas Edition/2009 370 Base w Sport Pkg

06-06-2009, 10:09 PM	#94 (permalink)
NotmyGTR Base Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: TX Posts: 177 Drives: 09 370Z/Pearl 6speed Rep Power: 17	Hard driving and stereo typing a car I wonder how many Altima owners have this problem. Same engine on the V6 models. __________________ 1996 Skyline GT-R LM fully tuned by Mines/2006 Nissan Titan 5.6 SE Texas Edition/2009 370 Base w Sport Pkg

06-06-2009, 10:37 PM	#97 (permalink)
travisjb A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: GSO Posts: 2,803 Drives: VIR Rep Power: 189	FYI on our oil temp survey Oil Temp Survey ... we have ~80 reporting in, with 29 experiencing oil temps above 260F (~1 out of 3), and 95+% saying they want action from Nissan to remedy the situation __________________ 2009 370Z #104 For Sale

06-07-2009, 01:50 PM	#102 (permalink)
SoCal 370Z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: US of A Posts: 2,842 Drives: Answers Rep Power: 34	Wally, We have to be fair about matters, as Porsche Cayman's are not without their similar issues: Smoke'em if you Got'em - Petition to Porsche Believe me, and for different reasons than most here, I think our oil cooler issues sucks the big one, but we have to be equitable in our problem comparison. __________________ ( Click to show/hide ) Why I NEVER say NO to the Panda Lou Fusz!!!

06-07-2009, 04:46 PM	#105 (permalink)
LiquidZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 1,940 Drives: Mag. Black 2009 370Z Rep Power: 705	This thread makes me sad. (//o) __________________

06-07-2009, 10:09 AM	#99 (permalink)
IDZRVIT A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Halifax Posts: 1,659 Drives: '13 CTS-V, '76 Vette Rep Power: 28	Will someone who is a professional registered mechanical engineer step up to the plate and give their expert opinion on the lubricating properties of todays oils and materials engineering and whether or not the oil will break down on temps below 280 resulting in component failure? Are the pistons of this engine cooled by oil? If so, would not the oil dripping back to the base pan be hotter than any other part of the engine being cooled by the oil and returning to the base pan as well as the oil scraped from the cylinder walls? If this is the case, the oil cooling the pistons/cylinder walls will be significantly hotter as the top of the pistons/cylinder walls are in direct contact with the extreme temperatures from combustion. Is the oil temperature sensor in the base pan? I would suggest then that highest oil temperatures will be in the base pan and not necessarily in the valve train or bottom end. If so, the oil then is cooled somewhat on its way to the engine's critical components such as the bearings and cam lobes? What might one expect the oil temp to be in these ares of the engine?

06-07-2009, 01:41 PM	#101 (permalink)
Wally Base Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Austin Posts: 32 Drives: 370Z, Sport Package Rep Power: 17	On the PR campaign, we had 500+ people this weeekend at the track for a track day as well as a Concorso sponsored by Ruf Porsche, I had the only 370z at the track which I parked in front of the paddack to ensure that questions would be asked and made myself available when I was not instructing on the track. I can not tell you the number of people that asked how I liked the car and I think you all know what the answer was. It was very ironic that Nissan or the reviewers have picked to compare the 370 against the caymans the biggiest difference 370z sat on the paddack while a countless number of cayman's hit the track. (without any problems) So I quess you really get what you pay for, $60,000 + a real manufacture that supports there product. $32,000 + a nissan that can not even enter the the game $80,000 + (GTR) a nissan that is capable but its daddy wont let it out to play.

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