Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

MattBaggins

(7,894 posts)
Sun Sep 7, 2014, 11:21 AM Sep 2014

Buying a used car knowing there is a "service campaign"

Looking at picking up a 2011 Nissan Juke. I have researched the hell out of the car and there is a pretty serious service campaign right now for faulty timing chains.

When buying a used car like this from a non Nissan dealer will a Nissan Dealer still do the work and will it still be covered?

5 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Buying a used car knowing there is a "service campaign" (Original Post) MattBaggins Sep 2014 OP
Not able to answer your question; other considerations edgineered Sep 2014 #1
Sorry more detail MattBaggins Sep 2014 #2
Where to begin. edgineered Sep 2014 #3
The pressure sensor is minor MattBaggins Sep 2014 #4
Sounds like the plan! edgineered Sep 2014 #5

edgineered

(2,101 posts)
1. Not able to answer your question; other considerations
Sun Sep 7, 2014, 11:40 AM
Sep 2014

It used to be that timing belts get replaced at 80k miles, if this car is nearing that mark the service issue actually becomes routine maintenance. Generally the timing belts last twice that long, but with things being an issue with this model changing it out is a good idea.

Figure about 3+ hours of labor and another hundred or so dollars in parts. Ask for a final $400? off after all other sales negotiations are done. Either that or they can replace the belt, insist the idler, tensioner, and water pump get replaced at the same time.

MattBaggins

(7,894 posts)
2. Sorry more detail
Sun Sep 7, 2014, 12:38 PM
Sep 2014

The car I am looking at has 27k miles but SOME cars of the model years of 2011 and 2012 have a service campaign to replace the timing chains due to a defect in them. I know from doing a carcheck that I also may still have an open recall on the fuel pressure sensor; but it is not major. The dealer selling the car is a Mazda dealer not a Nissan so they won't be doing the work.

Nissan is trying to downplay this as a service campaign, but when some owners are hitting 40k and having the chain break and blow the engine, it is a bit more serious then they admit. The service campaign is open until Oct 2015 so I have time on it.

I will be calling Nissan corporate tomorrow and have them run the VIN to see if the car is flagged for timing replacement and whether they will do it still.

I will go see the dealer Tuesday. I have my pitch.

1. The Juke has a particular crowd. People love it or hate it. Yours has been on the lot for 45 days. I am willing to help you and take it off your hands
2. Open safety recall
3. Serious service campaign for timing chain

I know they will offer me $500 for my beat up 04 Forester but I can go in with a print out of my autotraders.com $1500 offer.

How much could I realistically get them to go down on price?

edgineered

(2,101 posts)
3. Where to begin.
Sun Sep 7, 2014, 01:34 PM
Sep 2014

First off Matt, mechanics has always been a hobby, only since the kids are grown have I chosen to use my abilities professionally, and that's on motorcycles. There is no doubt in my mind that you will give them hell, here are a few things that may help.

The fuel pressure sensor - Remember GIGO from earlier days of computers? (garbage in, garbage out). The cars computer will operate the engine in either a default mode or modify ignition timing, injection rate, or shift patterns accordingly when receiving incorrect input. This results in a decrease in performance and economy. Additionally, depending on its programming, the FI (fault indicator) or similar warning light may come on forcing you to have a diagnosis run. If this type of error code is not stored (and it is of a type that might not be) then the shop may have a tough time finding the problem. A good shop/mechanic won't guess at things, but with others the costs to you aren't their concern.

The timing belt - because they call this a serious concern the motor is probably an interference type (copied from cars.com)

6. Broken Timing Belt...Cost: $1,500 to $3,500

The lowdown: There are two kinds of engines: interference engines and non-interference engines. Or, as we refer to the interference engines in the trade, motor wreckers.

An interference engine is actually a more modern engine design, where the valves open wider and into the path of the upcoming piston. This lets the engine breathe better, giving it more power and better fuel efficiency. It all works fine as long as your timing works fine — when the valves are open, the piston is down, and when the piston comes up, the valves are closed and out of the way. If your timing belt breaks or jumps a notch on an interference engine, the piston smashes the valves, and you need a valve job ... at least. That's why it's crucial to change the timing belt at the recommended interval, before it gets anywhere near the point of breaking.

On a non-interference engine, a broken timing belt will leave you stranded, but it won't crush your valves. You can ignore the timing belt change on one of those engines if you don't mind getting stuck. On an interference engine, you're rolling the dice on a large boat payment for your mechanic.


A Mazda dealer has the car, not a Nissan - so either they took the car in on trade or picked it up at the auction. If it was at the auction they have their own money in the car, even though most likely they got the car dirt cheap. They still need to move it or return it to the auction. It looks like they are going to lose money on this one regardless. The fear you must put in their heads, especially if they made the mistake of picking it up at the auction, is how much they are going to lose, not if. Talk to the finance manager before committing and he will want that car off the lot asap.

Sorry I can't help with the dollar figures, it seems like you're at you best in that arena.

MattBaggins

(7,894 posts)
4. The pressure sensor is minor
Sun Sep 7, 2014, 02:12 PM
Sep 2014

They went out of the factories with the sensors not tightened to specs and they can come loose and leak.

The engine is indeed an interference engine and that chain is a big risk. It is not a 3k fix. It is potentially a new engine at 7 to 9k.

I will not consider the car until I actually call Nissan and get the low down from them. Even if the car is not on the service list, I plan to have a printout of the service problem and hand it to them and see if they bite. "I am really really doing you a favor taking this car off your hands."

edgineered

(2,101 posts)
5. Sounds like the plan!
Sun Sep 7, 2014, 02:24 PM
Sep 2014

Today's cars and bikes are engineered so much better than ever before, they're practically maintenance free. With a little care and by following the service schedules they seem to run forever. Its a good looking car, hope everything goes well and sorry I couldn't help with the numbers, hopefully another poster with experience there helps you.

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Automobile Enthusiasts»Buying a used car knowing...