Greetings Fellow Travelers ...
Well, I HAD planned on writing a 3 part story for Halloween, but an incident concerning my wife's 2008 Altima changed that; for now.
We had been using the oil change business owned and operated by the, for now, unnamed dealership where we bought our Nissan vehicles. I drive an '07 Sentra, which, of course, I named "Christine," after the infamous 1958 Plymouth Fury of Stephen King fame.
In years past I would change the oil myself, but decided to take the lazy way out and let someone else do it. Until a few days ago.
Christine got her fresh oil and filter first, the air filter did not need changing, only a few pats to remove some dust.
Next came "Pearl," Janie's Altima. When I removed the plug to let the old oil drain out I noticed several rust "bubbles" on the oil pan. Rust bubbles are a result of rust forming under the surface and pushing out from the inside.
I was concerned, but Janie made an appointment with the still unnamed local Nissan dealership to have a new one installed. The gentleman there told her it would be $107 and change to replace it.
I was asleep when she went, having just came back from the Valley. When she came home and told me what Nissan had said I nearly lost it, so bad I had trouble finding the phone number to call them.
" Well, sir, that's not covered. It's 3 years or 36,000 miles." The car has 52,000 miles.
But for a RUSTING oil pan? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?! The oil pan is a bucket-type part that is bolted to the underside of the engine. It holds the oil that is circulated around the engine, lubricating hundreds of moving parts. Being constantly bathed in oil, it should not rust. The rust bubbles told me it was an absolute defect in materials and/or workmanship when the part was made.
After a few minutes of discussion and being put on hold 3 times I was informed that a new oil pan would be ordered and installed at no charge. Of course, we have to be paying close attention for any oil leaks until that happens.
Deep breathe ... Ohmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm ................................
Here's the moral of the story. Either change your own oil or take your vehicle to someone that you can absolutely trust. Our cars were serviced by the same place since we got them and not one time did they mention any problem with the oil pan.
Now, about that Halloween story.
heheheheheheheheheh ...
Ed Hicks Nissan of Corpus Christi deserves 3 cheers and 3 gold stars for their handling of my Pearl, my wife's '08 Altima. They not only replaced the rusting oil pan, but fixed a flat and gave the car a thorough wash and wax.
