Nissan: Clutch not warranted with only 23,000 kms

[wafarmer]

The problem is the fact it is a dual mass flywheel which along with the spring clamping arrangement gives you a soft easy to operate smooth take up low vibration clutch.

This design has a very thin flywheel surface which also is uneven in thickness all over it.

When the clutch is put under moderate to heavy loads and especially with the small lower torque eg 3liter motor any slippage causes quite severe heat which in a large solid even thickness flywheel can be dissipated quite effectively but with the dual mass unevenly thin one used the heat causes uneven hot spots on the flywheel face which causes subtle bucking reducing the surface area in contact with the clutch plate which accelerates the slipping.

The now quite burnt patches on the flywheel face when the clutch cools are lower than the rest of the surface and the driver notices that the clutch operation has become quite juddery? (word)and usually even if the clutch survives for a short period of time any heavy use such as some 4wd or pulling a load usually results in rapid destruction of the clutch.

The above does not necessarily mean that the vehicle has been operated in a rough manner outside what would be considered normal use.

The problem is a defective design used by a number of manufactures to smooth the vibrations of diesel motors in their veihicals.

wafarmer

[Jaxx]

Wow great reply frosty, just what the OP needed. I hope you get it sorted because I like Nissan.

[BugBuyer]

I have read about this before in newspapers etc..
Its a common occurence.. and a NEW Nissan clutch will only last the same amount of time.
If You want to have a clutch to last longer You need to put a NON Nissan heavy duty clutch in Your vehicle..
Very Common..

Lee

[frosty]

Contact Nissan Australia customer support don't go back via the dealer.

These vehicles have had a problem with the clutch and Nissan is honoring the warranty and replacing them with a heavier duty clutch.

I am a fleet manger with the Government and we have had several of them done, we more to go.

Good luck but as I have said it is a know manufacturing problem with the 2009 Patrols.



Contact the Nissan Customer Service Centre toll free on 1800 035 035.
(Hours of Operation are Monday to Friday, from 8:00am to 6:00pm)
Or Mail
Nissan Customer Service Centre,
Nissan Motor Co. (Australia) Pty Ltd
Customer Service Centre
Locked Bag 1450
Dandenong South
Victoria 3164

Or Fax:(03) 9797 4400.

[NGE]

Purchased a new Nissan Patrol in Nov 2009. Since purchasing vehicle have moved from Metro Sydney to Rural NSW.
Felt the clutch slipping a few weeks ago and booked it into the closest dealer. Could not get in for about a week and a half. In that time the clutch totally went and the vehicle had to be towed on a Sunday evening to the closest dealer.
They reported all the relevant info to Nissan Aust and they told me that the clutch is a wearing part not covered under warranty. I have not been able to get anywear with Nissan inself and will now go about finding out how to tell as many people as possible about our issues and the lack of customer support we received.
The vehicle has only been around our small farm a couple of dozen times (been too busy moving etc).
Towed some of our belongings from Sydney. The biggest load no more than 2000 kgs. Its rated to towed 3000 kgs.
We have a Mazda also from new and the clutch lasted until 180,000 kms. So surely the line of you must ride the clutch cannot stand.
Basically we cannot believe that a company could figure that it is not worth their while to repair it. I'm sure that this will cost Nissan more than the $4000- it will cost me to repair this issue.
We are in our 30's so hopefully still 50 years of buying cars and we will never buy another Nissan and tell very person that will listen not to buy anything from Nissan.

NGE Member: Unhappy Patrol