Nissan Problems

Clutches are becoming a problem with modern cars, many of which are wearing out or failing at quite low kays. The D40 Nissan is one that we often get complaints about, and 38,000 km is way too few for a clutch under normal driving conditions. Nissan’s reaction that it is a wear and tear issue, but I would say that it is not ‘fair’ wear and tear. You have two options, seek the advice of a four-wheel-drive specialist and have a heavy-duty clutch fitted that will last longer, or consider taking Nissan to court. If you choose the latter get the advice of your state consumer advice people.

I reckon you would have good reason to ask Nissan to supply new hub assemblies free of charge, leaving you to pay for the labour. The best place to start is with your dealer, and you should show him the failed parts and a report from your mechanic.

Nissan specialist Jerry Newman tells us that 20w-50w is regarded as a little heavy for a modern multi-valve engine, and that 10w-40w or 15w-40w is preferable depending on the temperature of the area you live in. Either grade would be suitable for your area, but the 10w-40w would be better if you were driving regularly to the snow where it would be much colder.

I would have suggested that you clean the injectors, but as you have already done that I would go through the plugs, leads, coils etc. and make sure all is well with them, and make sure the idle is correct.

Clutches are not normally covered by warranty, but that assumes they wear out normally over a fairly long period of time and use. Yours, however, hasn’t done that, which suggests there is something wrong, something that is not normal. I would think you have a justifiable claim against Nissan to cover the replacement, but first you need to establish the cause of the problem. To do that the dealer has to remove the clutch to inspect it, which should determine that has gone wrong. There two possible scenarios at such a low mileage are a manufacturing fault, in which case Nissan should replace the clutch, or abuse, in which case you would have to cover the cost. If you’re not satisfied you could consult the consumer affairs people.

Take to the pulley with some emery paper to take the gloss off them, if that fails consider replacing the alternator pulley.

The dealer’s advice is correct that your transmission is working normally as it should. Nissan specialist Jerry Newman told us there is no quick fix that would enable the transmission to select fourth as you would like it to.

Putting the blankets over the engine and bonnet means the engine doesn't cool as much while sitting overnight, so isn't as cold when you come to start it in the morning. I'd say you need a new battery, one with good cold cranking power, as I reckon the drain on the battery as it tries to turn the engine over is too high and the engine isn't getting enough power to start. Once it fires it's fine, that's because it's then not having to power the starter.

We haven’t had any other such reports at Cars Guide, perhaps our readers could let us know if they have experienced the same problem. To find the cause you need to establish what is, or perhaps more importantly, what isn’t happening. Are there any leaks around the heater? Is the core blocked or broken? Are all the hoses intact etc.?

I would top it up and watch it for a week or two. If it drops substantially then take it back and have it checked, but if all was well before the service there’s no reason to think anything has happened during the service to change that. Trying to prove the mechanic didn’t top it up properly is too difficult to attempt. If you’re unhappy with him go somewhere else next time.