[2011+] QX56 new motor, timing chains, etc

fix

>"the tech also told me they have done timing chains on almost all the 2011's they've sold.. " <

Hmmmmm. Hate to hear that. Getting ready to send off another oil sample for analysis. 24k and some change.
I guess I need to put in my signature 'original chain' LOL
Have a good one
parrott
 
^^^Lol.....the way I see it,once all the know issues are sorted,this 'monster' is good to go.
I'm just glad mine had it fixed before buying,also replaced were both CATS etc.I read a lot about this car before buying and almost all the know issues and annoyances I've been reading about have all been done,fixed and or replaced on this SUV.its basically brand new.
So time will tell.If yours is still under warranty,I guess you've got yourself covered.
This is not my first time buying an import with a know issue and they were all excellent once you fix or correct that particular issue,the more reason why I bought this QX.unlike domestics....sigh.
I read through a post on here where a guy returned or sold his QX and went and bought a ford....wow...brave dude,brave.
My wife will 'skin' me alive if I should do such a thing.
 
Timing Chain Flaw

I have a 2012 QX56 that I bought new three years ago this month. I've had the same issues as described by the rest of the people listed in the posts below. I reached out to my dealer who immediately diagnosed the problem over the phone and then verified it upon my visit. I was told by the dealer that this is a very common problem with Infiniti. So much so that Infiniti issued an "official" service bulletin to the dealers that this is a known problem and flaw. The dealer recommended I reach out to Infiniti to file a claim for assistance in the repair seeing they are very aware of this flaw. Infiniti took my information and followed up within two business days saying they will not be offering any financial assistance with the repair. I continued to ask questions about why they would not stand behind a design flaw that is so prominent - their response was canned, shallow and repetitive. "I'm sorry, we will not be able to offer any assistance" - over and over and over. I even asked if I could speak to someone else within the organization to better explain the denial and the response was again - "I'm sorry, we will not be able to offer any assistance at this time. It became almost comical to me that a company that advertises a positive customer experience could act this way.
I've serviced and changed my oil every 3500 miles in addition to using premium fuel from the very beginning and yet there is ZERO backing from Nissan / Infiniti even though they have admitted to the flaw to my dealer. I've got to say this is one of the MOST BIZARRE AND DISAPPOINTING CUSTOMER SERVICE EXPERIENCES I'VE EVER BEEN INVOLVED WITH. After owning a Nissan Titan & Infiniti QX56 in recent years - I will be changing my brand of choice moving forward.
Very disappointing and unfortunate!
 
That is very unfortunate. How many miles are on your vehicle? Mine was still under warranty at 52,000 miles but they fought me on the repair because I did not submit enough receipts for oil changes. I fought back and produced receipts that showed oil change intervals every 7500 miles. They then said I should have changed oil sooner and that my problem was due to too infrequent oil changes. I pointed out that the owners manual clearly states 7500 miles for normal service intervals. I also argued the case that if this was not a design flaw, then why were the failing cam tensioners and oiling system upgraded with a better design? They ended up relenting and paid for the fix.
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Timing Chain

I have just over 90,000 miles on my QX. I put quite a few miles on per year for business but have always been very diligent on the frequent oil changes. When I asked the CSR from Infiniti if I could provide to them all of my receipts - she simply responded again with the canned reply about not being able to offer assistance. I guess I just would have expected more from them seeing that my dealer specifically informed me that Infiniti is very aware of the fault and issued a service bulletin to the dealer about this problem. If this was just a normal "wear and tear" type of issue - I would not have even pursued the claim, but seeing Infiniti pretty much admitted to the dealer that this is a design flaw, I felt it was worth the extra effort. The fact that they denied the claim was one thing - but the way they responded to my questions and concerns on the phone was an entirely different issue that really rubbed me the wrong way.
 
Has anyone experienced poor acceleration with this issue? I just developed the timing chain problem and I'm going to fix it myself ($470 in parts) after seeing the dealer quote of $4200, but I also have poor acceleration that started at the same time.

Could the timing chain issue be messing with the direct injection fuel pump and causing the notchy acceleration? Could it cause the HPFP to fail?

Also, should I replace the tensioners while I'm in there?

Has anyone done this themselves and do you have the j-51269 tool for oil jet removal and installation?

Thanks!
 
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mileage? what year is your car?

pull any codes from the DTC?

you could have sludge/heavy carbon in the engine where the petrol and air ignite, especially if you baby the engine and dont give it an "italian tune up" every so often.

could have a faulty petrol pump too! again check your DTCs....

and on top of that, sure this issue could be caused by the means that you state as well...
 
2012 with 101,000 miles.

No codes, unfortunately.

Dealer diagnosed it to be the timing chain problem.

I sent you a pm about the special tool, but do you know of one that is available to buy or rent?

Thanks


EDIT: UPDATE:

I now own the tool for removing and installing the oil jet. If anyone decides to do this, it's available.
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Had the timing chains done at 78K.....and both cats done last year......there is annoying stutter that I have had for 50K miles....of course can not be reproduced at the dealer....I think its something in the transmission programming software. No idea though........
 
docs03 said:
Had the timing chains done at 78K.....and both cats done last year......there is annoying stutter that I have had for 50K miles....of course can not be reproduced at the dealer....I think its something in the transmission programming software. No idea though........
Click to expand...


I have same issue...almost seems like that transmission is sometimes looking for a gear and lags. Is the sound with timing chain very obvious? Or is it something that just pops up one day?
 
trans learns your driving habits. you should reset the ECM to let it re-learn. the tranny depends on many factors to decide on what gear to get into (road speed, incline, braking, steering wheel angle, etc) but over time it will benefit from a re-learn...
 
marctronixx said:
trans learns your driving habits. you should reset the ECM to let it re-learn. the tranny depends on many factors to decide on what gear to get into (road speed, incline, braking, steering wheel angle, etc) but over time it will benefit from a re-learn...
Click to expand...


Used to drive 1.5 hours each way once a month to have it reset by dealership, gave up on it and just learned to drive with a heavier foot. I kind of drive like a grandma but when I drive a little faster, no issues.

Can someone explain to me what noise they hear when they think it's timing chain? Sometimes, I hear a higher pitched noise which sounds like metal scraping metal but it is so faint and doesn't happen all the time. Like I said I have 48k miles, probably just being paronoid. Beast has been a rock!
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2012 with 49K miles. Developed engine noise 3 days ago. Took it to the dealer this morning and just got a call that it needs a new chain and oil jets. All covered under warranty. Will report back in 2 weeks.
 
To me, the noise sounds like a supercharger whine, or more like a idler or tensioner going out.



 
I found this forum while researching details regarding the 2011 QX56. I almost pulled the trigger on one this weekend with 75K miles on it. I am sure glad that I did as I think it saved me from making a $29K mistake.

We had a J30 awhile back and loved it - then a 2007 Quest (bought new) with a similar timing chain issue - we paid to have repaired at 100K and were a little upset because it also was a known issue but Nissan offered no assistance because it was out of warranty. There was even a class action against Nissan for the timing chains in certain states (not ours though).

Glad I found this (and a few other sites) before I pulled the trigger. This was an early 2011 with a November 2010 delivery date.

As a follow up to the above post. I spoke the seller and mentioned my concern regarding the timing chain and the vehicle being out of warranty. Turns out the timing chains, guides and oil jets were replaced at 62K and both manifolds/cats replaced at 55K.

If I can find a decent warranty - I may pull the trigger and give Nissan/Infiniti one more chance.
 
CBlake, Do you still have the oil jet tool kit? I'm in a big bind by not being able to get one.
I'd be willing to buy or rent it from you.
Thanks in advance,
Roger
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Had mine in and they diagnosed a timing chain (2012 QX56 75k miles). Worked with the dealer who suggested I contact Infiniti for assistance for the $4,900 quoted repair. Just got a call from Infiniti saying they are taking care of the entire bill. Thanks Infiniti.

Funny thing is I was going to buy a new QX80 before I hit 100K. I really like the blacked out limited version. My purchase hinged on this decision. If they stood behind their product I would buy, If they didn't I would look at Lexus. They didnt know this. Looks like a QX80 in about 25k miles
 
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Punisher said:
Had mine in and they diagnosed a timing chain (2012 QX56 75k miles). Worked with the dealer who suggested I contact Infiniti for assistance for the $4,900 quoted repair. Just got a call from Infiniti saying they are taking care of the entire bill. Thanks Infiniti.

Funny thing is I was going to buy a new QX80 before I hit 100K. I really like the blacked out limited version. My purchase hinged on this decision. If they stood behind their product I would buy, If they didn't I would look at Lexus. They didnt know this. Looks like a QX80 in about 25k miles
Click to expand...

that is definitely the best news i have heard from someone out of warranty. congrats!
 
CBlake said:
2012 with 101,000 miles.

No codes, unfortunately.

Dealer diagnosed it to be the timing chain problem.

I sent you a pm about the special tool, but do you know of one that is available to buy or rent?

Thanks


EDIT: UPDATE:

I now own the tool for removing and installing the oil jet. If anyone decides to do this, it's available.
Click to expand...

Just wondering how difficult this was to repair. I'm considering doing it myself.
 
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