Hi,

I took my Xterra 2000 with 57000 miles to Nissan dealer for the free 100 point checkup. I was told that there is a leak in rear main seal and it will cost about $ 850. If there is a leak, it must be very small since I don't notice anything on the ground after parking overnight.
The dealer told me that the leak could get bigger if it is left unattended. Fortunately, it is covered under warranty.
My question - Should I get a second opinion since the leak is not quite noticable or just take the dealer's words and get it fixed?

Thanks for any suggestions.

Regards,

x_owner

If its under warranty doesn't that mean you don't have to pay for it? If that's the case, get er done!

If it is under warranty, the dealership has no motive to report a non-existant problem. If the inspection was free, and the repair is free. Go ahead and do it.

You should wait til its not under warranty, then pay for it your self.

lemsip,

Absolutely fucking classic! Funniest thing I've seen in some time!

Just because it's (or any fix) under warranty doesn't mean the dealer fixes it for free from their perspective - meaning they are compensated by whoever the warranty is provided from, whether it's the factory or a 3rd party company.

Granted they may get less than if a fix was out of warranty and you have to "bend over" and pay out of your pocket, but if it's free for you to have fixed, by all means, why wouldn't you do it?

My RMS went at 98k+ w/ a 100k warranty. $50 deductible and half a day later it was all done.

A ton of people have had this problem with the Xterra... it probably IS leaking (I just had mine fixed under my extended warranty at 70K miles - cost me $50 for the warranty deductible and that's it )

Look for yourself... do you know where your oil pan is? you should be able to see a nice oily spot right in front of it - that's the leak.

It's the easiest thing in the world to pop the seal out and pop a new one in... except that you have to drop the transmission and transfer case to get to it

What to do about it?
1) If you can get it fixed free or cheap under warranty - DO IT.
2) If you can't get it fixed for free or cheap - don't worry about it.. it's NOT a big deal unless it is leaking a lot... just check your oil regularly (like when you get gas) and make sure that you don't run low.

this is something normally covered under the 60k power train, no?

My 2003 Xterra is in the dealer's shop today having the rear main seal replaced. 18,200 miles. I didn't have any oil spots on the ground, but the crossmember under the motor had seepage on it. This the third new Nissan I've owned, all Tennessee-built, and it's the first premature problem I've had.

They gave me a 2002 Maxima as a loaner, it's a nice car, with the 255 hp VQ 3.5 motor.

I will say that if the new 2005 X's VQ motor is anything like this one, hold on to your moonrocks, 'cause it's gonna get interesting.