Possible gearbox problems. Covered under warranty?

[CarpeDiem]

Hi all,

I will apologise in advance for the war and piece story.

I purchased an 07 350Z GT roadster in March this year. Not long after having the car I noticed that it was a bit stiff going into second and third gear. After a bit more time I noticed that getting into second was even stiffer and sometimes wouldn't even engage second when changing down from 3rd. I also started to experience a problem changing from 4th to 6th. Nearly every time changing at high revs from 4th to 6th the lever would fail to engage 6th gear.

After experiencing this I booked it into my local Nissan dealership (an Arnold Clark) to try and sort out the problem. I explained everything that I had experience and left the car with them. Later on I returned to the garage to be told that 2 mechanics could find no fault with the car and that since they couldnt find a warranty fault I was liable for the labour charge for the time they done the road test. As you can understand I wasnt pleased with this. I argued the case with them but they wouldnt back down and said I had to pay the charges. Eventually I paid the charge but got straight on the phone to NMGB and they have agreed to refund the charge. Since then I have had a call from the service department at AC (they got my answering machine) asking how the car is and if I was happy with the service. I've still to call them back and tell them excatly what I thought of their service, but that will be happening very soon.

I have now booked my car into Nobles in Edinburgh. It's a bit further to travel but seem to have a far better reputation than AC.

I was told by the guy in the service department that they will get the car in, strip down the gear box and take photos of the problem. These photos will then be sent to NMGB asking if it is covered under warranty.

I've asked how much it will cost for this repair if not covered under the warranty and was told that for the stripping down it would be £160 and for gear box repair would come to about £660.

I'm really hoping that it will be covered by the warranty. The car is only a year and a half old and its only done 10,000 miles. Surely if the gearbox is faulty it would be covered. I've read other post on here of a very similar problem (something to do with sychro's) and this was covered under warranty. I understand that those problems occured on the pre facelift model.

Any info, tips, advice that can help me or put my mind at ease will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

[GIXXERUK]

arnold clark are crap, i have had dealings with them

 

it sounds as though gearbox should be a warranty issue, it is not fit for purpose and it can hardly be wear and tear with 10k on the clock ! unless you had driven it without using the clutch

 

hopefully others will chip in soon and offer some advise on the best approach when dealing with a warranty claim

2nd and 3rd sychro's have been an issue on some cars

[CarpeDiem]

Thanks for the reply GixxerUK. I think your correct and it'll get done under warranty but just want some info just in case they turn round and tell me it's not. As you say, surely a gearbox cant be burnt out in just over 10k.

[bronzee]

Hi ya, as Gixx says, it's not unusual. One of the boys will probably be able to find the applicable technical document on here or look on http://www.my350z.com. You will definitely find the technical service doc on one of those sites, slap that in front of the dealer as proof of a known issue.

 

 

Later on I returned to the garage to be told that 2 mechanics could find no fault with the car and that since they couldn't find a warranty fault I was liable for the labour charge for the time they done the road test. As you can understand I wasnt pleased with this. I argued the case with them but they wouldnt back down and said I had to pay the charges.

That's not an unusual thing for a dealer to say, surprised not more have chimed in yet. It's either that or "we can't replicate the problem", been there done that. Sigh.........

[H5]

Go in and tell them you know for a fact the a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) (IIRC) has been issued by Nissan Motors GB regarding the syncromesh in 350Z gearboxes.

 

Say you are also aware of a number of owners who have had the work done, and ask if they have done any warranty repairs at all on 'box's. If they say no, you don't want a novice working on your gearbox anyway, so walk away. It is worth a drive to a dealer that both acknowledges it and has done it. If you need any documentation on what is replaced etc. I have details.

[Chris`I]

Go in and tell them you know for a fact the a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) (IIRC) has been issued by Nissan Motors GB regarding the syncromesh in 350Z gearboxes.

 

Say you are also aware of a number of owners who have had the work done, and ask if they have done any warranty repairs at all on 'box's. If they say no, you don't want a novice working on your gearbox anyway, so walk away. It is worth a drive to a dealer that both acknowledges it and has done it. If you need any documentation on what is replaced etc. I have details.

+1 - also mention that you are a member on these boards and that you know for a fact that there is a problem and it is covered under warrenty.

 

FYI my box has done 55k now and still changes fine. For yours to not be working right at 10k, it has to be a fault with the box and not your driving. Therefor Nissan have to fix it.

[martinmac]

There were problems with the earlier ones. This is from the Wiki.

 

I see a lot of 350Z transmissions have been replaced

During the 2003 introductory year, many 350Z owners reported problems with the 6 speed manual transmission. The symptoms reported included: gear grinding, trouble shifting, hard shifts, getting locked out of gears, among other problems. This is something any potential buyer should be aware of when looking into a 2003 (and some 2004) 350Z model.

 

Why did the G35 not experience the same problems?

This is not an easily defined answer, but it is most likely due to the driving nature of the 350Z owners versus the G35 owners. The symptoms are much more evident under hard driving conditions such as fast shifting, or shifting at high engine RPM. With few G35 owners pursuing "spirited" driving, there is most likely a lower reporting rate of problem transmissions. The G35 and 350Z use the same transmissions, so the failure rate given all other variables the same should be even.

 

What are the failure signs?

Signs that your 350Z transmission is problematic: gear grinding and difficult shifting are the most obvious symptoms.

 

How can I fix the grinding problem?

Hopefully you find this problem before the 350Z drivetrain warranty expires. The typical fix is to replace the transmission with a newer revision. If you do not get it replaced under warranty, expect to pay $1600 or more for a new one (plus labor expenses).

 

 

 

 

It feels hard to shift sometimes

Transmission replacement cost

If you do not get it replaced under warranty, expect to pay $1600 or more for a new one (plus labor expenses).

[CarpeDiem]

Hi,

Thanks all for the info. Your certainly putting my mind at ease. From reading on here I thought that the TSB that was issued for the gearbox was for the pre-facelift model. Does the TSB include the 313bhp model too? If so, that is great.

When I spoke to the women at NMBG I asked her if there was any TSB's out for my car. She ryhmed of a few (the closest related thing being for the concentral slave cylinder for the clutch) but nothing about any gearbox issues. Surely NMGB should know about it.

[H5]

Hi,

Thanks all for the info. Your certainly putting my mind at ease. From reading on here I thought that the TSB that was issued for the gearbox was for the pre-facelift model. Does the TSB include the 313bhp model too? If so, that is great.

When I spoke to the women at NMBG I asked her if there was any TSB's out for my car. She ryhmed of a few (the closest related thing being for the concentral slave cylinder for the clutch) but nothing about any gearbox issues. Surely NMGB should know about it.

 

I don't know for certain whether the TSB is time / model year boxed or not. It shouldn't make any difference really - showing them you know a bit about the history will make them realise they can't fob you off. This is the reason it is worth ringing other dealers nearby and asking to speak to the service manager to see if he recognises the problem and has done the work before. Don't mention the age of the car, ask whether they are aware of the issue. Once they admit it, then tell them you're bringing your car in for them to look at, and can one of their technicians (that has done the work before) come out with you for 5 mins while you show him. That's what I did, when I got back they booked the car in for the following week to have the work done

[CarpeDiem]

Ok, I will give Nobles a call and ask if they have done this work before and if not I will call around to find a dealer that has.

[CarpeDiem]

OK, well I have an update on this.

The car was in Nobles yesterday. They took it out for a road test and the mechanic confirmed that there is a problem with the gearbox. I was so happy to hear that they acknowledge the problem is there.

I've now got the car booked in later in the month so that they can remove the gearbox and send it through to a specialist repairers through in Glasgow. They have booked my car in for a week but hopefully when I get it back everything will be perfect. I'll keep you all posted. Thanks again for all the help and info.

[sunset350z]

There shouldn't be a problem getting this done under warranty. I had very similar issues with my type r. Bought it brand new and 18 months and 20,000miles later, the gearbox was grinding when selecting 3rd gear. I had no problem with the dealer whatsoever, they took the car off my hands, supplied me with a courtesy car, and 3 days later car was returned as good as new. All free of charge Now, i know Nissan aint Honda, but all maufacture warranties are the same across the board, so they have no choice but to fix it under warranty

[RICHIERICH]

Hi guys,

I am also experiencing gear change problems, only 1st to 2nd gear. Not all the time but it feels like its not going through gate properly and a grinding noise as I change gear, Nissan told me they knew of syncro problems 5 to 6th gear but not 1st to 2nd. My car is a 2007 and done 9,500 miles they will have to bite the bullet and change my gear box, I expect the problem every time I change gear - NOT GOOD!

[Ebized]

Zzzz seemed to get the 4th to 6th issue sorted see the link (if you have not already done so) and he might be able to help on the 1st to 2nd issue

 

http://www.350z-uk.com/forum/viewtopic ... sc&start=0

[CarpeDiem]

Quick update:

 

Car went into Nobles on Monday. Got an update on thurs saying that the specialist is replacing the bolt rings (no idea what these are?) and some gears. Should get the car back next week.

 

Fingers crossed everything is perfect when I get it back.

[Trev-the-Rev]

I think you mean baulk rings Anyway sounds as if everthing is progressing nicely

[CarpeDiem]

Cheers for the correction Trev. It sounded like bolt rings down the phone.

[randomgiraffe]

Hi folks. Glad I found this thread, my car has recently developed problems with crunching in 5th and 6th gears - have had to be careful with 6th for a while but 5th suddenly went in a big way a couple of weeks ago. I can use 5th still but have to be that careful I don't bother anymore. I've got it booked in at Sunwin Nissan in Derby (I'm not from Derby just currently resident, no-one should be...!) but I'm conscious that they'll charge me a fair wack whatever they do/find. I don't suppose anyone can recommend any alternatives in the area pls?

 

Actully, while I think - does it sound like a synchromesh issue? Any guess on what they'll need to do / cost?

 

Cheers!!!

[randomgiraffe]

Forgot to mention - it's a '53 plate, no warranty

[ddmroadster350z]

Hi all,

I will apologise in advance for the war and piece story.

I purchased an 07 350Z GT roadster in March this year. Not long after having the car I noticed that it was a bit stiff going into second and third gear. After a bit more time I noticed that getting into second was even stiffer and sometimes wouldn't even engage second when changing down from 3rd. I also started to experience a problem changing from 4th to 6th. Nearly every time changing at high revs from 4th to 6th the lever would fail to engage 6th gear.

After experiencing this I booked it into my local Nissan dealership (an Arnold Clark) to try and sort out the problem. I explained everything that I had experience and left the car with them. Later on I returned to the garage to be told that 2 mechanics could find no fault with the car and that since they couldnt find a warranty fault I was liable for the labour charge for the time they done the road test. As you can understand I wasnt pleased with this. I argued the case with them but they wouldnt back down and said I had to pay the charges. Eventually I paid the charge but got straight on the phone to NMGB and they have agreed to refund the charge. Since then I have had a call from the service department at AC (they got my answering machine) asking how the car is and if I was happy with the service. I've still to call them back and tell them excatly what I thought of their service, but that will be happening very soon.

I have now booked my car into Nobles in Edinburgh. It's a bit further to travel but seem to have a far better reputation than AC.

I was told by the guy in the service department that they will get the car in, strip down the gear box and take photos of the problem. These photos will then be sent to NMGB asking if it is covered under warranty.

I've asked how much it will cost for this repair if not covered under the warranty and was told that for the stripping down it would be £160 and for gear box repair would come to about £660.

I'm really hoping that it will be covered by the warranty. The car is only a year and a half old and its only done 10,000 miles. Surely if the gearbox is faulty it would be covered. I've read other post on here of a very similar problem (something to do with sychro's) and this was covered under warranty. I understand that those problems occured on the pre facelift model.

Any info, tips, advice that can help me or put my mind at ease will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

[ddmroadster350z]

Hi,

Have you had the gearbox repaired & running?

The reason I ask as you have had problems with A.C. I also had with Nobles, with the same gearbox problem. Hope you are happy with repair.

Cheers.

DDM

[CarpeDiem]

I wouldn't say that I'm 100% happy. Maybe 98%. It is far better than what it was. The only problem I get now, and I am told that its a common problem with this gearbox, is that it is stiff to get into 2nd gear when the engine is cold.

I was told that they could adjust this but then it could cause problems when the engine is hot. The stiffness into 2nd when cold isnt too much of a problem, hence the 98%, as it does go away when hot.

HTH

[ddmroadster350z]

Hi,

Thanks for your quick reply, that's the first have heard Nobles admitting their is a problem

I have been complaining since bought the car new from them.

I don't get the 350 serviced with them anymore as they are not honest with their knowledge

Fortunately not as bad as AC. I don't know if it is the worry of Nissan paying for work being done or if it is a dealer thing "Don't give an F---" as long as the car has been sold.

Still galad you are 98% happy.

DDM

 

I wouldn't say that I'm 100% happy. Maybe 98%. It is far better than what it was. The only problem I get now, and I am told that its a common problem with this gearbox, is that it is stiff to get into 2nd gear when the engine is cold.

I was told that they could adjust this but then it could cause problems when the engine is hot. The stiffness into 2nd when cold isnt too much of a problem, hence the 98%, as it does go away when hot.

HTH

[Husky]

Ah, so my lovely shiney new car 04 plate 22000miles has this problem. thought it was quite dodgy and after coming out of a 6 hour drive i am pretty sure its showing the signs. I can only assume because it did so few miles in its first 3 years the problem didnt rear its ugly head untill out of warranty and noones bothered to sort it. the absolute bonus though is that i took out a year warranty when i bought it, 300 quid well spent if you ask me! phew!

[Darren-B]

I had a syncro go on 5th gear last year and straight away marshalls @ cambridge replaced the entire box with new under warranty, have always had the 1st n 2nd problem when cold with both boxes (mine a 54plate btw)

 

Hope you get it sorted