2011 QX56 Purchase opinions

Another one...smh...i'm impatiently waiting for mine to go...I hope they do step up for you and take care of that issue since Infiniti won't do the right thing...

When you purchased the QX did you have all the service records?

What were the OCI's?

What is your current mileage?

I've been told by my service manager and master tech that they are all going to fail (2011-2012) it's just a matter of when...they are seeing them fail with people doing OCIs of 3,750 and 5,000 around the 85k+ mile marker...
 
Luckily, the car was sold through CarMax, and part of their process is certifying that the car is eligible and warrant-able through their MaxCare warranty service, which we purchased SPECIFICALLY because I was terrified that this issue would come up. We purchased the truck with slightly less than 74,000 on the odometer, and we've put about 5,500 miles on it since we've had it (and changed the oil once).

I'm not sure what OCI means, so I can't really answer that.
 
3750, as noted by the internal computer's notification on intervals. I think we actually had the last (and only as owner) done 3500 miles after we bought it.
______________________________
 
bigdogbts said:
3750, as noted by the internal computer's notification on intervals. I think we actually had the last (and only as owner) done 3500 miles after we bought it.
Click to expand...

That's what I have been following as well...i'm at 68k...

Did you get a copy of the service history when you got the vehicle? If not you can go to your local Infiniti dealership and they can print out a summary of all service by any Infiniti dealership. I'm curious as to what OCI the previous owner used.
 
No, I didn't get a copy of the service records, just a copy of the service items that were listed in the carfax. I might go back and talk to someone at Infiniti after this whole thing is resolved, but for right now, I'm just focused on getting the QX back to functional status.

Does anyone have any specifics about the updated parts and procedures that takes this from an issue that required an entirely new engine to something that can actually be repaired?
 
Now they are just replacing the timing chain and the oil jet that gets clogged up causing the chain to run dry.
That's why those year models have oci's at 3750 and the 14's and newer have 5000 mile oci's.
Previously they were replacing the entire motor.
Here is something else to have checked if your timing chain goes bad. The catalytic converter will fill up with fuel and fail when the timing chains malfunctions. Got that directly from my dealer who replaced a cat on one of his customers that had a timing chain failure. He told me Infiniti covered the timing chain repair but initially refused to cover the cat. He pushed for his customer and got them to cover it.
He also told me the timing chains are the same as before but they are using a different and better oil jet. That is the weak link and again every single one that he has had fail were owners that infrequently had it serviced.
I will be the first to admit with my driving that changing every 3750 caused me to spend lots of time there. The upside is that whomever buys mine (I traded for a 15 Saturday) is going to get one that is mint condition with 75k on it. never game me a minutes' worth of engine trouble. I was in that sweet spot with miles, their end of the month and my job's requirement of having a vehicle 4 year old or newer. It worked out well for me in the trade so I can't complain. That being said I would not have had a single worry about driving it another 75k or more.
 
I just got off the phone with Carmax. They've verified that the timing chain is the issue, and they have to take it to the local Infiniti dealer to get the repair done as they "lack the tools" to accomplish the repair themselves.

Does the timing chain have to fail for the Cat to fill with fuel? We never got that far with this situation, it was in the shop with a functional but whiney timing chain. Either way, I'm sure that the Infiniti dealer and MaxCare will play ping pong on what needs to be fixed.
______________________________
 
That's a great question that I don't honestly know the answer to but I can ask later this week when I take my 15 back for the clay bar and scotch guard treatments.
The way it was explained to me the timing chain begins to fail when you hear the whining noise. Essentially the whining is the chain running dry so it isn't long before the chain breaks. I would have them check the cat while they are doing your repair. If you wait it might be more difficult to prove the cause/effect.
 
Not to thread jack but are you going to post picks and give us the scoop on the new '15? :D

They have two at my dealer and I want to pull the trigger but I promised myself and the wife I would wait until the kids got a little older...:(
 
Lol. Patience grasshopper. We got a gift of 18 inches of snowfall between Saturday evening and this am. 30 hour snow event.
The new Q has not been out on the street since we brought it home from the dealer.

Hopefully tomorrow I can get it out and take some pics.

After I've driven a few hundred miles I will provide a report. Road trip planned mid March. 14 hours each way so that will be a great time to see how it performs compared to our 12. Bar has been set high.

The 15 has same theater package and added driver assist. 22 inch wheels vs the 20's previously. I removed all of my led's from the interior and put them in the new one. Love the all LED grill on the 15. Pulled all of my floormats (Weathertechs) and put them in the new one. No change there so it was an easy fit.
This one has the mocha burl wood trim which I like and wanted in the 12 but then it was only available with the tech package which I still can't justify paying for.
I would have this time if the mocha burl was available. the stratford burl looks really cheap. My opinion of course.
They moved the side mirror controls out on the door vs below the left knee on the dash.
Infiniti Connect is really nice and I've used both the automated and live person to find a destination and have them send it to the nav. That's a great feature.
A few updates in that the steering wheel has the wood trim vs the solid leather of the 12. The inner part of the wheel is a lighter silver color vs greyed out on the 12.
Some extra stitching along the leather accents to the center console around the radio and on the door.
Driver assist has the adaptive cruise, blind spot warning, rear end collision prevention, collision assist while driving.
That is all I can think of at the moment. Has less than 100 miles on it. Lol.
Added to I'm so used to the previous one that many of the things that didn't change I may overlook.
Pics will follow soon on my other thread.
 
Last edited:
Nice write up and comparison....i'll be waiting...
______________________________
 
So, an end to our story......

MaxCare picked up the entire tab (minus my $150 deductible) for the repair of the timing chain. The process required pre-repair verification and authorization from

1.) CarMax
2.) The local Infiniti dealer (Plaza Infiniti)
3.) Independent MaxCare authorized appraiser/adjuster/verifier of things.

So the QX sat partially disassembled for 3 days before any of the work could be done, and I had to haul around in a rental car, but all in all I'm seriously happy with the outcome. If anyone is looking to buy a QX56 with 60K+ on it, don't hesitate to check out CarMax. Just make sure you get the warranty....
 
That's awesome that they took care of it for you...im curious as to why the dealer did not give you a loaner.

Also did the dealer have the parts in stock?
 
Did you immediately trade it after they fixed it?
 
Part of the MaxCare warranty is that they arrange (and pay) for a rental car for the duration of repairs. Hence the lack of a loaner.

Why would I trade it? The MaxCare warranty is a bump to bumper warranty, and is in effect for 5 years, or until I have 150,000 miles on the beast. Now that we have this out of our system, I'm hoping the next 4 and half years will be relatively issue free. ::crosses fingers::
______________________________
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Cars Connected in the Apple App Store Cars Connected in the Android App Store
Back
Top