volvite wrote:nmexMAX,
I have an 08 V8 with 47k miles. Your above post is the first time I've heard about cracked exhaust manifolds on the V8. I do admit, I'm not part of an Armada/Titan forum. How many miles did your V8 have when you discovered the cracked manifolds? Also, did you discover it, or a shop?
Well, I got this with fairly high miles on it (72k), and if you read my first intro post a long time ago, I mentioned it, though at the time I didn't know what it was or could be.
After some due research on other forums Armada and Titan, I saw it was extremely common.
To answer your question I bought mine with them that way, and the sound has become progressively worse. Although the sound goes away after the vehicle is about warmed up.
Being in the hobby a long time, it's just one of those sounds that you "know".
But, when I had the muffler installed, it was verified by them.
As for the VQ chain tensioners, that's a common problem in 04-07 Maximas.
It's not that difficult of a job in these RWD's, but in a FWD 60º Maxima, plain out nightmare.
Looks as if they're trying to hose you, parts shouldn't be that much. Labor may be. I paid about 750, parts and labor for a timing chain job on a VQ with no CVTC. Had I known then what i know now, I would have tackled it on my own.