The Nissan Path

Pathfinder is at the dealer after starting to sound like a diesel tractor. Diagnosis: timing chain and/or guide and the price quoted was 2500. In addition, the SES light popped on the way in... O2 sensor... another 650. Thinking of trading it in at this point. Just venting, I guess.

geez sounds steep.

I had to have the guy repeat it cause I didn't believe it. I've had timing belts replaced on Honda's and Acura's, but I even had a chain done on an Oldsmobile right after I finished high school... Might have been 5-600 bucks each time. But, I never had chain done on a Nissan, STICKER SHOCK. Considering that the labor is ~$150 an hour here in Metro DC, do you think the price is too high?

You could always go to an independent shop. That's a lot of money for both of those repairs. Genuine Nissan oxygen sensors are always overpriced; you can get NTK sensors (who makes the Nissan sensors) for a small fraction of the price at Rockauto.com. A good tool to use for price estimates on repairs is here:
www.repairpal.com/estimator

I would try the little guys, but in my area the shops routinely have very similar labor rates to those of the dealer... And, I'm not sure if I cna trust any of them be honest. I guess the parts savings could be substantial, but in this case, the major expense is for labor. I like to do my own repairs, but this is a bit too intricate for me without a garage and my all to knowledgeable godfather who lives 6 states away... I guess all of the money I saved by doing my own fuel sender unit, brakes, routine filters, and etc. is now being doled out all at once! The good news is that I found a coupon for 30% off a repair from another local dealer which this dealer is willing to honor.

On a side note, I spoke to sales about this scenario, and if they can find a black 2012 with tan interior and LE trim that they will certify, I may make a move in that direction! Worst case at least the repair will be done right...

aadadams wrote:I guess all of the money I saved by doing my own fuel sender unit...

There was a recall for the fuel level sender unit. If your model is included in the recall you should be able to be reimbursed for the expense you incurred. In this case, that should mean the part cost at least. Maybe you can create an invoice for your labor.

I would think the O2 sensor would be a DIY based on the other things you've done, but perhaps I'm underestimating it.

Would be great to recoup the part price... Unfortunately, when I did the fuel sending unit, I was already outside the extended warranty window of 72000 mi. I could have opted to do the O2 sensor myself, LOL, the 2500 dollar quote on the timing chain must have really discombobulated me!

Would be great to recoup the part price... Unfortunately, when I did the fuel sending unit, I was already outside the extended warranty window of 72000 mi. I could have opted to do the O2 sensor myself, LOL, the 2500 dollar quote on the timing chain must have really discombobulated me!

The recall was for the 2006 model year; for other years, it was a service bulletin.

After my 30% discount, I was out 2.5k and change for the repairs. She's running like a top again... for now at least.

my closest dealer wanted about 2000 for a timing chain job. that sucks that it cost that much but atleast she is running again

SES light is back this morning... Pretty sure it isn't related to the timing chain, most likely related to the (misdiagnosed) oxygen sensor...

could be one of your catalytic converters?

nikko7mge wrote:could be one of your catalytic converters?

Yep, but I'm not gonna say it! I replaced one of them last year.

EDIT1: Turned out to be a bad wire on the O2 sensor... O2 sensor was re-replaced FOC...

EDIT2: The light is back on... Not sure what's happening? Headed over at lunch for a followup scan. We are scheduled to leave town in the morning for a week long vacation...

The scan tool says that the O2 sensor that has been replaced twice is bad. Dealer says a leak must exist somewhere that's causing it... They will dive into it deeper after I return from vacation...