03 Xterra engine failure
KimmerK
11-13-2005, 02:09 PM
HELP! My 03 Xterra just had to have a new shortblock put in due to a fuel injector failure which caused my catalyst to "come apart" and fail.Thank God, warranty covered it,but, it only has 60,000miles on it and it has been well maintained. Has anyone else had this happen?
We were told this was an isolated incident,(despite there being another Xterra waiting for a new motor at the same time) and I'm nearly convinced that I got a defective truck from the factory. I'll try to make this brief: Out of the blue one day, my X started sputtering trying to accelerate up a very small rise at low speed and my check engine light began blinking. I stopped immediately and looked in the manual which said to avoid >45mph speed,steep inclines.Called my hubby,a mechanic of 30 years,cause he had told me in the past that if that light came on, to stop at once so no further damage was done. He called the dealership,who told us to do as the manual said to get it home and get it into the shop. No openings were available to get it in and my husband spoke to one of the techs and decided to trouble-shoot the basics himself to start, as they didn't seem overly concerned. Had the codes read at Autozone numerous times over the next couple of weeks and got the code for "multiple random misfire" and once, got cylinder #4 misfire.We replaced the plug wires,rotor,distributor and plugs (with Bosch platinum4 plugs as manual said) It ran a little better, but my SES light went on and off, blinking sometimes and others staying on and even went off a few times. Took to dealer,paid $99 to put it on the diagnostics for them to tell me I needed new plugs and wires. Told them we already did that and what my hubby had checked out and found to be fine. After insulting my husband and his abilities because he doubted their tech "with 27 yrs. experience",we ordered Nissan wires ($100 and 3 days of waiting) and went to a reputable import shop we trust and got $15 a plug iridium plugs.(this is what his computer said was replacing the platinums) They told us to drive it meanwhile. Put the new wires on in the dealer lot and no better. Informed them I was not paying another $99 for diagnostics again as we told them it wasn't the plugs/wires. Left thoroughly pissed off. Took in for appt.,told we should get it back in a couple of days. 23 days later, I finally am reunited with my ride, but not before delay after delay.The tech with all the experience pinched/ruined my wiring harness, then left caps, bolts and various parts off.Corporate office was useless-hung up on them.Its going back tomorrow. I have numerous other complaints(squealing windows,locks itself,etc.) What do I do? I'd like to just start over with a new truck since they put the old ticking lifters on the new engine and it sounds like a bad omen. Nissan doesn't seem to value its reputation as my dissatisfaction remains ignored. I work too hard to be paying this much for a lemon.HELP!
We were told this was an isolated incident,(despite there being another Xterra waiting for a new motor at the same time) and I'm nearly convinced that I got a defective truck from the factory. I'll try to make this brief: Out of the blue one day, my X started sputtering trying to accelerate up a very small rise at low speed and my check engine light began blinking. I stopped immediately and looked in the manual which said to avoid >45mph speed,steep inclines.Called my hubby,a mechanic of 30 years,cause he had told me in the past that if that light came on, to stop at once so no further damage was done. He called the dealership,who told us to do as the manual said to get it home and get it into the shop. No openings were available to get it in and my husband spoke to one of the techs and decided to trouble-shoot the basics himself to start, as they didn't seem overly concerned. Had the codes read at Autozone numerous times over the next couple of weeks and got the code for "multiple random misfire" and once, got cylinder #4 misfire.We replaced the plug wires,rotor,distributor and plugs (with Bosch platinum4 plugs as manual said) It ran a little better, but my SES light went on and off, blinking sometimes and others staying on and even went off a few times. Took to dealer,paid $99 to put it on the diagnostics for them to tell me I needed new plugs and wires. Told them we already did that and what my hubby had checked out and found to be fine. After insulting my husband and his abilities because he doubted their tech "with 27 yrs. experience",we ordered Nissan wires ($100 and 3 days of waiting) and went to a reputable import shop we trust and got $15 a plug iridium plugs.(this is what his computer said was replacing the platinums) They told us to drive it meanwhile. Put the new wires on in the dealer lot and no better. Informed them I was not paying another $99 for diagnostics again as we told them it wasn't the plugs/wires. Left thoroughly pissed off. Took in for appt.,told we should get it back in a couple of days. 23 days later, I finally am reunited with my ride, but not before delay after delay.The tech with all the experience pinched/ruined my wiring harness, then left caps, bolts and various parts off.Corporate office was useless-hung up on them.Its going back tomorrow. I have numerous other complaints(squealing windows,locks itself,etc.) What do I do? I'd like to just start over with a new truck since they put the old ticking lifters on the new engine and it sounds like a bad omen. Nissan doesn't seem to value its reputation as my dissatisfaction remains ignored. I work too hard to be paying this much for a lemon.HELP!
Speednis
11-14-2005, 02:53 PM
What is a 'catalyst'? In my limited knowledge of engines, the short block includes the block itself, crank, pistons, and connecting rods. Lifters aren't part of the deal. Sorry to hear about your problems. I would make a list of every "cap" and "bolt" that is missing and give it to the service manager and insist they replace them, while its still running. I would seriously consider trading the car while its still under warranty. I don't 'think' your problem is a common one for xterras, but I can't answer that question with any kind of qualification.
What I'm wondering is what caused the initial fuel injector failure, you know, the root of the issue? Have they looked at the ECU or other fuel system components to determine the problem? Otherwise you risk having the same thing happen again.
What I'm wondering is what caused the initial fuel injector failure, you know, the root of the issue? Have they looked at the ECU or other fuel system components to determine the problem? Otherwise you risk having the same thing happen again.
-RotorDemon-
11-20-2005, 10:56 PM
Only thing I can tell is Catalyst = Catalytic Converter, and they replaced the motor because of a failed injector?
That REALLY sounds like you got taken for a ride and got ripped off. You are NOT going to get an engine failure due to a dropped injector NOR a clogged or collapsed catalytic converter.
A bad injector would make the engine run more rough, less power, and most likely your check engine light to come on. Not damaging to the engine in any way shape or form.
Catalytic converters are just there to make hippies happy. Won't go into extreme detail but you have two of them on the vehicle.. one on the left exhaust and one on the right. if one collapses it just becomes a restriction and the exhaust will not flow freely. NOT damaging to the engine. When that happens the oxygen sensor will pick up a malfunction and light up the check engine light.
That REALLY sounds like you got taken for a ride and got ripped off. You are NOT going to get an engine failure due to a dropped injector NOR a clogged or collapsed catalytic converter.
A bad injector would make the engine run more rough, less power, and most likely your check engine light to come on. Not damaging to the engine in any way shape or form.
Catalytic converters are just there to make hippies happy. Won't go into extreme detail but you have two of them on the vehicle.. one on the left exhaust and one on the right. if one collapses it just becomes a restriction and the exhaust will not flow freely. NOT damaging to the engine. When that happens the oxygen sensor will pick up a malfunction and light up the check engine light.
FixUrNissan
11-20-2005, 11:18 PM
HELP! My 03 Xterra just had to have a new shortblock put in due to a fuel injector failure which caused my catalyst to "come apart" and fail.Thank God, warranty covered it,but, it only has 60,000miles on it and it has been well maintained. Has anyone else had this happen?
We were told this was an isolated incident,(despite there being another Xterra waiting for a new motor at the same time) and I'm nearly convinced that I got a defective truck from the factory. I'll try to make this brief: Out of the blue one day, my X started sputtering trying to accelerate up a very small rise at low speed and my check engine light began blinking. I stopped immediately and looked in the manual which said to avoid >45mph speed,steep inclines.Called my hubby,a mechanic of 30 years,cause he had told me in the past that if that light came on, to stop at once so no further damage was done. He called the dealership,who told us to do as the manual said to get it home and get it into the shop. No openings were available to get it in and my husband spoke to one of the techs and decided to trouble-shoot the basics himself to start, as they didn't seem overly concerned. Had the codes read at Autozone numerous times over the next couple of weeks and got the code for "multiple random misfire" and once, got cylinder #4 misfire.We replaced the plug wires,rotor,distributor and plugs (with Bosch platinum4 plugs as manual said) It ran a little better, but my SES light went on and off, blinking sometimes and others staying on and even went off a few times. Took to dealer,paid $99 to put it on the diagnostics for them to tell me I needed new plugs and wires. Told them we already did that and what my hubby had checked out and found to be fine. After insulting my husband and his abilities because he doubted their tech "with 27 yrs. experience",we ordered Nissan wires ($100 and 3 days of waiting) and went to a reputable import shop we trust and got $15 a plug iridium plugs.(this is what his computer said was replacing the platinums) They told us to drive it meanwhile. Put the new wires on in the dealer lot and no better. Informed them I was not paying another $99 for diagnostics again as we told them it wasn't the plugs/wires. Left thoroughly pissed off. Took in for appt.,told we should get it back in a couple of days. 23 days later, I finally am reunited with my ride, but not before delay after delay.The tech with all the experience pinched/ruined my wiring harness, then left caps, bolts and various parts off.Corporate office was useless-hung up on them.Its going back tomorrow. I have numerous other complaints(squealing windows,locks itself,etc.) What do I do? I'd like to just start over with a new truck since they put the old ticking lifters on the new engine and it sounds like a bad omen. Nissan doesn't seem to value its reputation as my dissatisfaction remains ignored. I work too hard to be paying this much for a lemon.HELP!
In My 15 years of knowing Nissans. I don't know what your milage is . I do know that injectors do need to be cleaned . When this is not done, build up occurs so the Ecm trys to dump more fuel in to compinsate for build up. To the point your car runs alittle rich. Next step after that is when a vech runs rich , Some unburned fuel can go into your exhaust. Your Cat Converters are right after your exhaust maninfold. The unburn Fuel Damages the Cat Converters and can casue them to break up interanlly . Once this happens it is possable for the debree of the Cat converter to get sucked into the engine and casue engine damage.
Your Spark plugs Should be NGK Plat plugs. Thats what all nissan dealers recommend, Casue thats what comes in your Vech when you buy it more or less. Other plugs will do , but i have found using Nissan Parts do work best. By teh way Plat spark plugs do not need to be changed till 100,000k miles.. any way back to your nissan
I do think you had a bad experiance at the dealership you went to and i woudl take it to another to get double checked . Most nissan dealers will offer a free 46pt or 27pt or what ever how many Pts they have to check your Vech .. They do it free .
I would start there to try to regain your trust in your Vech... GL
We were told this was an isolated incident,(despite there being another Xterra waiting for a new motor at the same time) and I'm nearly convinced that I got a defective truck from the factory. I'll try to make this brief: Out of the blue one day, my X started sputtering trying to accelerate up a very small rise at low speed and my check engine light began blinking. I stopped immediately and looked in the manual which said to avoid >45mph speed,steep inclines.Called my hubby,a mechanic of 30 years,cause he had told me in the past that if that light came on, to stop at once so no further damage was done. He called the dealership,who told us to do as the manual said to get it home and get it into the shop. No openings were available to get it in and my husband spoke to one of the techs and decided to trouble-shoot the basics himself to start, as they didn't seem overly concerned. Had the codes read at Autozone numerous times over the next couple of weeks and got the code for "multiple random misfire" and once, got cylinder #4 misfire.We replaced the plug wires,rotor,distributor and plugs (with Bosch platinum4 plugs as manual said) It ran a little better, but my SES light went on and off, blinking sometimes and others staying on and even went off a few times. Took to dealer,paid $99 to put it on the diagnostics for them to tell me I needed new plugs and wires. Told them we already did that and what my hubby had checked out and found to be fine. After insulting my husband and his abilities because he doubted their tech "with 27 yrs. experience",we ordered Nissan wires ($100 and 3 days of waiting) and went to a reputable import shop we trust and got $15 a plug iridium plugs.(this is what his computer said was replacing the platinums) They told us to drive it meanwhile. Put the new wires on in the dealer lot and no better. Informed them I was not paying another $99 for diagnostics again as we told them it wasn't the plugs/wires. Left thoroughly pissed off. Took in for appt.,told we should get it back in a couple of days. 23 days later, I finally am reunited with my ride, but not before delay after delay.The tech with all the experience pinched/ruined my wiring harness, then left caps, bolts and various parts off.Corporate office was useless-hung up on them.Its going back tomorrow. I have numerous other complaints(squealing windows,locks itself,etc.) What do I do? I'd like to just start over with a new truck since they put the old ticking lifters on the new engine and it sounds like a bad omen. Nissan doesn't seem to value its reputation as my dissatisfaction remains ignored. I work too hard to be paying this much for a lemon.HELP!
In My 15 years of knowing Nissans. I don't know what your milage is . I do know that injectors do need to be cleaned . When this is not done, build up occurs so the Ecm trys to dump more fuel in to compinsate for build up. To the point your car runs alittle rich. Next step after that is when a vech runs rich , Some unburned fuel can go into your exhaust. Your Cat Converters are right after your exhaust maninfold. The unburn Fuel Damages the Cat Converters and can casue them to break up interanlly . Once this happens it is possable for the debree of the Cat converter to get sucked into the engine and casue engine damage.
Your Spark plugs Should be NGK Plat plugs. Thats what all nissan dealers recommend, Casue thats what comes in your Vech when you buy it more or less. Other plugs will do , but i have found using Nissan Parts do work best. By teh way Plat spark plugs do not need to be changed till 100,000k miles.. any way back to your nissan
I do think you had a bad experiance at the dealership you went to and i woudl take it to another to get double checked . Most nissan dealers will offer a free 46pt or 27pt or what ever how many Pts they have to check your Vech .. They do it free .
I would start there to try to regain your trust in your Vech... GL
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