No Air Filter on my Brand New Nissan Titan

[meganmccatty]

My husband just took our new truck in for the 3700 mile maintenance to the dealership in north Austin. The mechanic told us that the factory failed to install an air filter, but with such low mileage, it is nothing to worry about. Now as we get home, the engine has a faint knocking noise. I started looking things up online, and everything I read about driving w/o an air filter is terrible... dirt and debris in our engine?! Has this happened to anyone else? Do I need to get a lawyer, or will Nissan fix this without a fight. My warranty is only good for 12k miles. I don't want the engine to lock up at 12,001 miles on my brand new truck. HELP!

[GalaxyPro4X11]

You would think that would be part of there before sale inspection at the dealership?
Sorry to hear. Good luck with everything


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[claytonr24]

They probably charged you extra for a high flow performance package


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[baseballfanz]

Wow, I've heard of other parts not being installed but an air filter? Make sure you get that on record, the part where the tech said "it was not installed from the factory".

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[BigA]

I would demand they take the truck back and give you a new one, I would say its a Nissan issue, I don't think most dealers check to see if theirs an air filter installed or not, its suppose to be a given just like you expect the airbags to be installed. There may not be much if any damage, but you paid for a working truck in perfect condition and that is what you should demand.

[bender2]

I would certainly have this documented at the dealership. Also be sure to have them provide you with a copy. In the event something occurs in the future, it can resort backto this incident. I would make the dealer change the oil/filter too. I doubt though they will replace the truck. Good luck!

[j1s_titan]

Why is your warranty only 12k? I thought all brand new vehicles had at least 3 yr, 36k.

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[mlaxton1]

There is a 12/12 warranty on trim, brakes, and alignment. 3/36 for most other components. The powertrain, or engine transmission etc, is a 5 year 60k mile.

Dealers definitely don't check for the air filters. In fact they don't check for much other than body damage, keys, radio functions, and batteries. Some fluids are checked.

On the subject of the noise, my 2012 titan and a lot of them out there have a tick louder than what most consider normal. Usually its the variable timing solenoid. Doesn't necessarily mean there is a problem tho. But to be safe you should get a copy of the documentation just in case something is up.

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[GalaxyPro4X11]

Originally Posted by mlaxton1

There is a 12/12 warranty on trim, brakes, and alignment. 3/36 for most other components. The powertrain, or engine transmission etc, is a 5 year 60k mile.

Dealers definitely don't check for the air filters. In fact they don't check for much other than body damage, keys, radio functions, and batteries. Some fluids are checked.

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Maybe they all don't but air filter was on the check list given to me at purchase.




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[Anavrin351]

The tick is your injectors. They are noisy. Your just now noticing it because you are looking for a problem. Take it to the dealer and tell them what happened. Tell them they can warranty the engine till 100k or replace the truck now and give you a new one. If they don't own up to it, lawyer up.

Edit just reread your first post and realized the dealer did the oil change and found that there wasnt a filter. He told you it wasnt a big deal because he works there. This should be an easy decision for them, otherwise contact nissan corporate to get a new T if thats what you want.

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[mlaxton1]

Originally Posted by GalaxyPro4X11

Maybe they all don't but air filter was on the check list given to me at purchase.




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It is on the checklist but like mentioned before, its always assumed its there. I'm a service advisor at a dealership. I see a lot of new cars checked in and actually have to sign off on them for quality control. I'm not saying its okay to not check them, but as humans we tend to get a little too comfortable when we do something every day.

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[06HemiRam]

Originally Posted by mlaxton1

It is on the checklist but like mentioned before, its always assumed its there. I'm a service advisor at a dealership. I see a lot of new cars checked in and actually have to sign off on them for quality control. I'm not saying its okay to not check them, but as humans we tend to get a little too comfortable when we do something every day.

Yes we do....

I see human error around a dealership almost every day.

That being said, the Titan engines are loud and its more than the injectors. Mine has very pronounced top-end noise in the tappets for the camshafts. I am sure they were shimmed on the loose side. To me, knowing the VK56 runs well on the loose end of the tolerance, that is the sound of power. Just so that we are on the same page, I can hear the tappets clicking/clacking at idle in the truck with the driver window down when going through a drive-through.

If the engine was damaged by dust or dirt, the first thing you will really notice is the ring seal going away, that would cause oil consumption and blue smoke on startup and idle and loss of power.

Other than that I would call 1-800-Nissan1 and get your lack of the air filter documented so that if something arises from it you have a leg to stand on.