[Scott Wagner]

Weird problem. I just bought a used 2017 QX60 with 30k miles on it from CarMax less than a week ago. It is leaking oil and is still under carmax warranty so I took it in. They first told me it needed a new front valve gasket but when they took it apart they noticed that their was sludge in the engine. They recommend that we returned the car with CarMax's 7 day return policy and found something else. I asked about fixing the issue and they said the only solution was the replace the entire engine which I could have them do since it is still under their warranty. The engine work would be done by the Infiniti dealer on CarMax's dime unless Infiniti decided it was covered by manufacturers warranty. We have no service records on the car.

Soooo the question is do you...
1)Return the car and find another one?
2)Keep the car and get a new free engine?

What do you guys think?

 

[jonesy84]

Weird problem. I just bought a used 2017 QX60 with 30k miles on it from CarMax less than a week ago. It is leaking oil and is still under carmax warranty so I took it in. They first told me it needed a new front valve gasket but when they took it apart they noticed that their was sludge in the engine. They recommend that we returned the car with CarMax's 7 day return policy and found something else. I asked about fixing the issue and they said the only solution was the replace the entire engine which I could have them do since it is still under their warranty. The engine work would be done by the Infiniti dealer on CarMax's dime unless Infiniti decided it was covered by manufacturers warranty. We have no service records on the car.

Soooo the question is do you...
1)Return the car and find another one?
2)Keep the car and get a new free engine?

What do you guys think?

I love my QX60. But in this scenario if I was you, I would return it to CarMax, go visit my local Infiniti dealer to find a comparable model, and never go to CarMax again the rest of my life LOL but that's just me and it seems we have a pretty good Infiniti group here in Dayton Ohio. Perhaps you save several thousand dollars going through CarMax, but it also appears you have discovered why that is the case

 

[Scott Wagner]

I don't blame carmax. I'm sure they got it as a trade in or at an auction like anywhere else. They could have just replaced the valve gasket and closed it back up and gave it back to me but they chose to tell me about it. Does replacing the engine fix any issues that this could cause?

 

[jonesy84]

I don't blame CarMax either, just more of a statement of fact that it can be an inherent challenge of buying vehicles from places like that, where service records are typically incomplete, if available at all.


That being said, if sludge in the engine is the extent of the issues with that vehicle, it would stand to reason that replacing the engine would be the fix. If the previous owner took it to their local Infiniti dealership to have it serviced while they had it, perhaps a trip to your local dealer would be in order to see if service records carry over and all Infiniti dealers have access to see what service was done at any other location. At least you could get a feel for what other issues, if any, have been looked at and fixed on this specific vehicle. And for a vehicle as new as yours, if they never took it to a dealer for much of any service at that point, I would probably go another direction because it's hard to say what other issues their lack of maintenance will cause down the road. I feel like if the previous owner either leased or bought that vehicle, they should have taken it to the dealer for most of their maintenance since it would have been under original warranty, presumably. So if they can't pull up many or any service records, YIKES

 

[Scott Wagner]

Thanks for your thoughts. That makes sense. It is a very clean and otherwise appears to be well taken care of vehicle. It was a 2 year lease. I'm guessing they just didn't change the oil often if ever.

 

[Rooster]

I don't blame CarMax either, just more of a statement of fact that it can be an inherent challenge of buying vehicles from places like that, where service records are typically incomplete, if available at all.


That being said, if sludge in the engine is the extent of the issues with that vehicle, it would stand to reason that replacing the engine would be the fix. If the previous owner took it to their local Infiniti dealership to have it serviced while they had it, perhaps a trip to your local dealer would be in order to see if service records carry over and all Infiniti dealers have access to see what service was done at any other location. At least you could get a feel for what other issues, if any, have been looked at and fixed on this specific vehicle. And for a vehicle as new as yours, if they never took it to a dealer for much of any service at that point, I would probably go another direction because it's hard to say what other issues their lack of maintenance will cause down the road. I feel like if the previous owner either leased or bought that vehicle, they should have taken it to the dealer for most of their maintenance since it would have been under original warranty, presumably. So if they can't pull up many or any service records, YIKES

If the engine has sludge in it to the point of needing to be replaced after only 2 years and 30K miles, I believe it is safe to assume it was never serviced. What kind of condition is the transmission in, has it ever been serviced? What about the brake fluid and engine coolant? Did it run hot and burn the oil to cause the sludge and the valve cover leak? Are the radiator, water pump and thermostat okay? Does it have any evidence of flood damage? Bottom-line, sludge build up in a 2017 with only 30K miles is not normal at all!

You may be fine with an engine replacement, you may not. The vehicle should have 2 years and 30K remaining on the factory bumper to bumper warranty. If you keep it, consider purchasing an extended warranty to cover you after the bumper to bumper expires until you pay it off -- I'd ask CarMax pay for the extended warranty to compensate you for you having to replace the engine...within 7 days of buying it. If they don't, I'd give it back to them and walk away. Then again, I wouldn't purchase a used vehicle unless it was factory CPO for fear of going through what your going through.

 

[Scott Wagner]

I did get an extended warranty. What work would have been done on the transmission before 30k miles? I'm thinking of asking them to lower the deductible on my extended warranty and do anything the manufacturers required in the 15k and 30k mile checkup

 

[Kazik_R52]

front valve gasket but when they took it apart they noticed that their was sludge in the engine.

the problem may be in the engine VQ35DD

direct-injection

a problem known from TSI VW/AUDI engines

 

[yeller]

Think about the resale value when you're ready to sell. If a prospective buyer sees engine replacement after 30k, they may turn around and not look back (I would).

I'd return the vehicle, there are enough QX60s out there to find a good running and maintained one.

 

[Rooster]

The transmission fluid needs to be flushed every 30,000 miles— has that been done? If you plan to keep it forever you don’t have to worry about resale value. If you plan on trading it in before it’s paid off you do and should heed yeller‘s advice —my 2 cents

 

[golftango]

I say do the exchange. Was this an ex-rental?

 

[golftango]

the problem may be in the engine VQ35DD

direct-injection

a problem known from TSI VW/AUDI engines

You have no idea what you're talking about.

 

[Bostonjoe]

Hope you returned it and both another product than Infiniti. Their cars are piece of junk. Just traded my 2017 qx60, had tranny problems at 32k. Dealer says know issue with no fix

 

[Kelly]

I have a 2017 QX60 and I observed some noise from the engine and the dealer said it was oil sludge in the engine, a new engine is required and my warranty does not cover oil sludge despite providing maintenance records and the vehicle only having 75,000 kilometres. I have escalated to Nissan Customer Relations and their response is pending.

 

[Rifi B]

I have a 2017 QX60 Base AWD, so far 96k miles, bought it new paid an extra $4k for extended warranty until 120k miles. In the past 4 years, I have replaced the Battery (Optima Yellow top), Rotors/Brake (R1 concepts slotted w/ 30% off and EBC brake pads) and tires (Michelin Latitude Tour). Dealer fixed a recall with the ABS pump, got a free brake fluid flush. They also replaced front 2 shocks, and a coupling in the drivetrain under warranty. I replaced the 2 front lower control arms, rear shocks and sway bar bushing because the car didn’t take bumps well and was getting sloppy. Also did CVT oil change and AWD transfer-case gear oil change for $650 from Dealer to maintain warranty. Now I did a bunch of research on this carbon build up on the intake valves due to the 2017 and up QX60/Pathfinder models being direct injected. No seafoam or spray product will fix it. What you need is to do ‘walnut blasting’, the process requires removal of the whole intake manifold and hooking up a hose to blast walnut shells to manually remove carbon build up on the intake valves, It’s a 3+hours job. Also at the same time install an Air/oil separator or catch can so that the PCV doesn’t put oil in your intake that later cakes up on the intake valves. If you check BMW/Audi forums there’s people offering to do walnut blasting for $250-$300 but a reputable shop will charge around $500 and dealers $1,400. Also the 2nd row passenger seat mechanism broke making the seat wobbly, dealer said it’s not covered and wanted $2k, I declined and got one from the junkyard for $250. Also did u guys notice on the Pathfinder 2nd row passenger door panel, there is a cup holder at the top, but for QX60 2rd row door panel they deleted the cup holder at the top. Idk if anyone has swapped over a door panel from a pathfinder to qx60, cup holder at the top of the door panel would be convenient.

 

[yeller]

I have a 2017 QX60 Base AWD, so far 96k miles, bought it new paid an extra $4k for extended warranty until 120k miles. In the past 4 years, I have replaced the Battery (Optima Yellow top), Rotors/Brake (R1 concepts slotted w/ 30% off and EBC brake pads) and tires (Michelin Latitude Tour). Dealer fixed a recall with the ABS pump, got a free brake fluid flush. They also replaced front 2 shocks, and a coupling in the drivetrain under warranty. I replaced the 2 front lower control arms, rear shocks and sway bar bushing because the car didn’t take bumps well and was getting sloppy. Also did CVT oil change and AWD transfer-case gear oil change for $650 from Dealer to maintain warranty. Now I did a bunch of research on this carbon build up on the intake valves due to the 2017 and up QX60/Pathfinder models being direct injected. No seafoam or spray product will fix it. What you need is to do ‘walnut blasting’, the process requires removal of the whole intake manifold and hooking up a hose to blast walnut shells to manually remove carbon build up on the intake valves, It’s a 3+hours job. Also at the same time install an Air/oil separator or catch can so that the PCV doesn’t put oil in your intake that later cakes up on the intake valves. If you check BMW/Audi forums there’s people offering to do walnut blasting for $250-$300 but a reputable shop will charge around $500 and dealers $1,400. Also the 2nd row passenger seat mechanism broke making the seat wobbly, dealer said it’s not covered and wanted $2k, I declined and got one from the junkyard for $250. Also did u guys notice on the Pathfinder 2nd row passenger door panel, there is a cup holder at the top, but for QX60 2rd row door panel they deleted the cup holder at the top. Idk if anyone has swapped over a door panel from a pathfinder to qx60, cup holder at the top of the door panel would be convenient.

Wow. You didn't summarize your comments so I can only guess how you feel about the QX60. Sucks you ran into so many problems that seem to be out of warranty.

I always have bad luck getting items covered by warranty so skipped extended when I bought mine.

 

[Rifi B]

I also installed some DeeZee running boards, looks better than the OEM ones. Reminds me of the Mercedes GL450 running boards. I just ordered a Mann ProVent 200 IV, looking to have it installed to keep the Intake bone dry.

 

[Maialon]

I have a 2017 QX60 and I observed some noise from the engine and the dealer said it was oil sludge in the engine, a new engine is required and my warranty does not cover oil sludge despite providing maintenance records and the vehicle only having 75,000 kilometres. I have escalated to Nissan Customer Relations and their response is pending.

Hi im wondering what the outcome was for you as I’m also dealing with the exact same problem on my 2017 QX60 and have all my receipts!

 

[Patty]

Hi im wondering what the outcome was for you as I’m also dealing with the exact same problem on my 2017 QX60 and have all my receipts!

I am as well. There is a huge knocking at the top of my engine. My warranty was voided out because I went 7k miles in between an oil change. They said it was too long (2k) mile difference. So my engine is not covered. I have been doing the additives oil change but I feel I may have one year with my 2017 model. Such a shame

 

[plaroud]

Hi im wondering what the outcome was for you as I’m also dealing with the exact same problem on my 2017 QX60 and have all my receipts!

Same issue! 2017 as well and Infiniti is not covering anything. They are stating I did 17,000 miles in one month (between oil changes lol). Proved them wrong and they wont budge.

Please let me know what your outcome was.