grizz

I asked when I picked it up about warranty and they said there was no extension. I would have expected a year, and I would imagine if anything were to go wrong in the short term they would probably fix it as goodwill - after installing a brand new engine you couldnt really ignore it if something went wrong shortly afterward - presumably there would be some consumer right that would protect against that? To be honest I'm just so glad to have it back I am trying not to worry about that! Mileage on the old engine was circa 29k.

Got my Z back with a spanking new engine on 30th Dec - best xmas present ever, wasn't expecting it until mid January. Never really got a decent explanation of what happened to the old one, although they did tell me there were bits of piston in the sump when they took it apart. Taking it very gently for a few hundred miles to run it in, although have to say it feels amazing to drive - very tight and responsive in terms of power. Mind you, I have been driving a fiat 500 courtesy car for 4 weeks, so it could just be that I have got too used to that! Warranty ran out at end of December, so despite this being an unpleasant episode, I have actually been very very lucky indeed

Hi all, Just thought I'd post an update. Been through the ringer a bit later with all the anxiety over the potential need to fork out for a new engine, but Nissan have just confirmed to me this morning that it was a mechanical failure, and a new engine is on its way from Japan, all covered under warranty. Am hoping i will get some more technical info at some point, will post if anyone is interested. Cheers again to all who posted in this thread, and hats off to Nissan for honouring the warranty!

Nissan have just called, apparently the engine has seized, but they acknowledge it has oil in it so at present its a complete mystery how this has happened. Have had to authorise them to take the engine apart to find whats caused it, I guess if its a fault I will get an new engine, and if its something that they can claim to be not a manufacturing fault then I am gonna be facing a bill for a new engine plus labour. I'm not a natural optimist, so feeling pretty f*%$ing depressed at the moment!

cheers mate that sounds like invaluable advice - and also gives me hope that my car isn't utterly fubar!

Its being picked up tonight and taken to Nissan - will post on here once I hear anything. Seizure or bad fuel seem to be the front runners, neither sound particularly good to me! Given that its still under warranty, what are peoples opinions on the likelihood of Nissan being wonderfully helpful versus shafting me royally? Many thanks to everyone who has posted on here so far, I know its pretty much impossible to diagnose this via a forum, but your comments are most welcome nonetheless

Was gonna be my suggestion I seem to remember someone else had a similar issue and it was a grounding strap +2 i'd agree. If it wont crank then it suggests the battery isnt working. And for it to stop suddenly i'd suggest the earth wire has come lose? Take a look at the negative terminal and follow the wire to the chassis to make sure it's connected securely. But headlights and radio and hazards all work, so doesnt that rule this out? Oh dear its sounding more likely to be seized up rather than something electrical by the minute.

Yep, I only drive mine every so often, many times Ive got in, thought "Cracking, 13 volts" then cranked it and had rather less than 13 volts showing For a car not to turn over at all its got to be seized or its starter related in my experience given that the first symptom was cutting out as opposed to not starting (although granted it wont start now) doesnt this rule out the starter related option? If so I really hope that doesnt mean its seized - what could possibly cause that to happen (given that I know it has oil)?

Given your battery has been worked pretty hard since the stall, the symptons for the stop has all the hallmarks of running out of petrol, or maybe you have picked up some bad fuel And maybe now the problem is compounded by the battery not having enough guts left to turn the engine over properly? Defnitely had not run out of fuel as I filled up maybe 1 hour before it happened - bad fuel may be a possibility I guess.

Would the ECU reset thing bugger my warranty? When i crack it nothing really happens at all, no movement on the battery gauge. Hopeful its just something similar to the grounding wire suggestion.

I'll search for the ECU reset thing but it sounds a little scary... I am assuming battery is ok as the gauge still reads high, and as it was dark I was waiting for 1 hour plus with headlights and hazards going before pick up arrived. All electrical stuff seems to be working fine. Just seems so odd the way it cut out whilst going along - was damn lucky I could coast to safety without incident

Will have to double check when I get back from work, but I think it did yes.

Last night return from a weekend away was heading down A1 in St. Neots area. Felt a strange juddering for maybe 5 secs or so, and then the engine cut out. No bang or anything other than the juddering. Got towed home feeling depressed to say the least. Whilst coasting toward a safe place to stop I noticed oil pressure gauge was on zero, but this may be just because the engine had cut out hence the gauge read zero. Checked dipstick and definitely have oil. Battery is fine. Serviced 2 months ago all clear. 58 plate, fortunately still under warranty (just), so if I can actually manage to get hold of someone at my local dealership, then hopefully can get it picked up later this week. In the meantime, if any of you who are more mechanically knowledgeable than I (which is effectively all of you), could suggest any thoughts as to what it could be I would be most grateful. Appreciate my description is vague, but it was a bit of a non-event - one moment had power, the next - gone. When I try to start it now it doesnt turn over, just make a short sharp whirr then nothing.

thanks guys, good to hear its not anything too serious!

a few times recently when I've started up the Zed there has been some resistance to movement, as if the the handbrake is still on. after applying a bit of power, i hear a clunk (from direction of rear wheels), we shudder then get moving, and everything seems to be fine again. today it was particularly bad, to the point where i thought we were going nowhere, but after the same routine and a particularly loud bang we were off and back to normal. handbrake seems to be fine, so i dont think it can be that sticking, i thought maybe a brake caliper sticking or maybe something to do with the traction control locking up rear wheels? have searched the forum but couldnt find anything similar - anyone have any ideas what it could be? i only use the zed max twice a week, so sometimes it can sit for a week or so without being used, and its only happened since it got cold, but that may be a total coincidence. any help much appreciated, dont fancy trying to explain this rather weird situation to the bods in the local dealer.