Nissan QashQai Forums

Hi all

So just over two weeks ago my engine lost power on my 1.2 14 reg J11. I get the car to the dealer where I've always had it serviced. They assess the damage and let me know that the timing chain has slipped and caused impact between the valves and pistons, along with scoring of the cylinders on two of the four. The car's done 137k miles and was working fine up until this point. Always regularly serviced at the dealer. Dealer suggests I contact Nissan Customer Service as they feel as the car was looked after by myself that I have a good case to get assistance. I duly raise a case with them. Two weeks later they get back to me saying there's nothing they can do to assist. My Nissan case manager also stated that the timing chain needs changing every 50k miles. Something that's never been mentioned to me before.

This is a 5 year old car that's been regularly maintained and oil level checked daily (as part of my job) that now needs a new engine. The dealer states this cost of a new engine will be £7k. Separately, I've enquired of an independent garage replacing the engine and have been quoted £2.6k.

I've now raised a complaint case to Nissan and if nothing comes of that I will be on to the Ombudsman.

Well the chain isn't scheduled as needing a change every 50k miles, but 137k miles is a good innings! To be honest at that mileage I'm not surprised a goodwill gesture isn't forthcoming.

You wouldn't get a new engine though for £2.6k?

Though not a UK schedule this requires a timing chain change at 180,000 miles

From https://www-europe.nissan-cdn.net/content/dam/Nissan/za/Maintenance/Split/Qashqai/Qashqai_1.2T.pdf

... but you can tell it's not a UK one since that requires services at 12,500 miles not 9,000. (ZA suggests South Africa?)

Whilst the chain itself my not have a scheduled service, do Nissan say anything about the tensioner or guides being replaced after a certain age/mileage ?

Noddy1875 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 07, 2019 8:36 pm Whilst the chain itself my not have a scheduled service, do Nissan say anything about the tensioner or guides being replaced after a certain age/mileage ?

No, not any mention of it at all.

If it doesn't specifically say that it never needs changing, ever, after 137k miles unfortunately I doubt you will have an recourse.

I had a Golf with a timing chain, and that was "recommended" it was changed every 150k miles, so I would be surprised if "never" was the case with a Nissan/Renault engine.

So what would you do if you were in my position? Would you try and source a replacement engine or just scrap the car given the mileage? Most recent pricing I've received for a reconditioned unit is £1695 fitted.

I'd probably stick another engine in & sell it.

At that milage, it has been serviced every 6 months or thereabouts I'm guessing?

If you have always used the same dealer, maybe you have some recourse with them for not advising you that the chain needed changing, as matter of course, at some point recently?

Certainly don't just give up, if you make things hard for the dealer they make lean on Nissan to help.

Clint C wrote: ↑Tue Oct 08, 2019 3:00 pm So what would you do if you were in my position? Would you try and source a replacement engine or just scrap the car given the mileage? Most recent pricing I've received for a reconditioned unit is £1695 fitted.

I've just tried an online valuation and come up with :

"Your car could be worth up to £5,750"

... so not worth scrapping surely?