I took my 2010 Pro4-X to my local dealer last week for an oil change. Since then I have driven about three hundred miles. Half of those miles was pulling my 20 ft. fiberglass bass boat. Well, for a while now, I have been hearing a slight squeak when I turned the steering wheel all the way to the left or right. So I finally popped the hood and, sure enough, the power steering fluid was pretty low. Even though I had just had the oil changed, I decide to check the oil while I had the hood up. The dipstick was completely dry except for about 1/8 of an inch. This means that the truck is approximately three quarts low. Apparently the dealership underfilled my truck drastically when I had the oil changed. Had I not checked the power steering fluid, I would have driven the truck this way for the 3500 miles until my next oil change. My question is this. What kind of engine damage may have been done to my truck due to my driving it so low on oil. And towing a boat at that. I love this truck but now I am concerned. I had planned on keeping it for several years but now I am not sure if I need to unload it before the powertrain warranty runs out or not.
2010 Pro4-X driven with no oil?
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I would throw a B*TCH FIT towards that dealer. That's pretty basic stuff, they can't pull crap like that.
I have no idea what kind of damage that could've done... Did you ever notice your oil temp going way up?
I have no idea what kind of damage that could've done... Did you ever notice your oil temp going way up?
The temp has been fine and the engine doesn't make any unusual noise. What really sucks is that I only have 7k miles on this truck and it stickered at over 43k when I bought it. This was actually the very first oil change I actually paid for. The first one was free. I am so pissed I can't see straight. I need to take someone to the dealer with me tomorrow to keep me out of trouble.
This was the first time truck I have ever owned that I didn't do my own oil changes. I have had two back surgeries and I just can't quite get around like I used to. I assumed the dealership, of all places, could handle a simple oil change.
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Amen to that. I'm just under 18 and do of my own maintenance... wouldn't have it any other way.
Dustlane: You'll more then likely be just fine if your temp's didn't get too high. The only reason we have so much oil is for it to cycle and keep the temp's low, and if they stayed low you should be just fine. But if the dealer tries to give you free oil changes in exchange.... lol
The scariest part is that the first time I checked the oil, I had just gotten home and the engine was still hot. The oil didn't register on the dipstick at all! that is enough to make you load your pants. Free oil changes? The way they do it, they ought to give out free engines. I still can't believe it. That is a big engine to be running on three quarts of oil. Especially towing a bass boat.
Do ya'll think a free extended warranty would be a reasonable request? Even if I have to get an attorney, that would be acceptable to me. I am just concerned that this may have caused some premature engine wear. The powertrain warranty is only good for 60k miles. I would have a cow if the engine took a dump at 65k.
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I know with a lot of dealership issues, they try to give you free oil changes but I don't think you'll go for that one twice :eyebrow:
In your circumstances I'd have the truck checked out at a non-dealership shop. The dealer will more then likely try to hide any damages...
Extended warranty for sure! They kinda have to give you one for that big of a screw up
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I understand, but not everyone cares about your truck like you do. People just arnt the same as they used to be. Most just go to work, half a$$ through the day and go home. Most think a dealership can do the best work but the truth is they are the same as everyone else. With my first car (2000 ford focus) the ford dealer was to change the fan belts and didnt even open the hood (I used a small pice of tape on the hood). I payed and than raise hell showing the manager a ricept and a car with old belts. Now when I do take my cars to someone else I look and take note of what they are to do. Like maybe wirte my D.O.B on the oil filter to make sure they change it kind of things. I also ask to watch them doing the job. Nissan let me watch when they did my recall work for the fuel sender. If they say no I go else where, its just that easy for me at least.
That is kind of what I was thinking. It just feels wrong to have to get a brand new truck checked out like that. Especially since it is because of the dealership. Free oil changes. That is hilarious. I will laugh out loud if they make that offer.
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When I did my oil last week I dumped in 4 quarts then checked it and got nothing. I have to use 2 of the big jugs to fill it. I would imagen 3 quarts might give you some problems, im no pro. Just dont let them bull $hit you and try to get you to be happy with them just topping it off. FU#K that demand something for them fu#king up. Have them find out what tech did it and even talk to him too.
When I was in high school, my buddy went to work at that same dealership as an oil changer. There was no experience required. I think they usually hire uncertified young kids for the oil change/lube jobs. Unfortunately, alot of kids nowadays don't even know how to check oil levels...much less change it. Pretty sad. Darned XBox.
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I would get get a sample of the oil and have it checked out. I'm not sure where to send it, but I have read of a lot of guys that send their used oil to a lab. I would get a sample in my possession before your dealership throws it out. It might help you in court if it ever comes to that.
My old man had this issue in his Mack rig once, he blew a seal and had to drive across Arizona blowing oil like crazy. A few hundred miles in the 95+ degree heat and he gets to the Mack dealership... they do a full engine tear-down assuming it is toast. Turns out, despite there being no oil in the engine that it was fine. The techs were shocked. From that day forth, it was all Amsoil oils in our engines (the whole family). Haven't looked back since.
The moral of the story -- it is a horrible situation and I would be so pissed I couldn't see straight; but it isn't necessarily a death-nail for the engine.
I would give the dealership absolute h3ll, demand at least an extended warranty, call Nissan and file a complaint, and then keep running the Titan. She might survive just fine.
-S
The moral of the story -- it is a horrible situation and I would be so pissed I couldn't see straight; but it isn't necessarily a death-nail for the engine.
I would give the dealership absolute h3ll, demand at least an extended warranty, call Nissan and file a complaint, and then keep running the Titan. She might survive just fine.
-S
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With three quarts low I am pretty sure you would hear the valve train clattering. I would drain it thoroughly myself (or watch while the dealer does it) add 7 quarts, and then read the dip stick to make sure it reads correctly.
And if power steering was low, you probably have a leak, leaking hoses are very common.
And if power steering was low, you probably have a leak, leaking hoses are very common.
Well the dealership just had the truck towed in. They aren't doing anything with it until I get there. I did call Nissan and make a complaint. I also called an attorney. He said that the only way I would have a case is if the engine was torn down and inspected for damage. Unless that happened, I can't prove that any damage was done. Its just that the truck is brand new and it is also our family car. I have alot of payments left. I hate to keep paying for it knowing that there may be some internal engine that may cause the engine to wear out prematurely. I can only imagine how pissed I would be if the engine failed right after the warranty was up. Then the dealer could say that there is no proof that their mistake caused premature engine failure. It seems like I am in a lose lose situation. I'll know more tonight after I get back from the dealership.
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Save some of the oil that gets drained. Send it in to Blackstone for a UOA. If it is full of metal, tell the dealer that proves premature wear, and you want a new truck.
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Your engine will probably survive this experience unscathed and live on to be destroyed by back sucked cat grit when the oem cats fail shortly after the warranty expires.
It looks like I may have dodged a bullet. The oil was only two quarts low. Huge relief. The service manager said that he didn't see how the tech could have underfilled it because of the digital metering machine that is used to put the oil in the truck. He wants me to take it back on Friday and re-check the oil level to make sure that it was just underfilled and that there is no internal oil leak somewhere. So far I am relieved. I'll post updates as I know more.
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