[vigsom]

Background

This story dates back to late 2017, when a friend was looking for options to change from his 2007 Accord AT.

We evaluated two 2008-10 Accord ATs and a 2010 Superb DSG but none of them were available at the right price and weren’t in the best of shape either.

There was this White Pearl 2011 Nissan Teana 250XV that suddenly sprung up to him by way of information from some source.

Given that Teana is a rare car, I wasn’t too keen on looking at it as an option. But my friend looked keen and I then told him to go ahead and find out details.

This was a Japanese company owned vehicle with the following details:

* Used by the India boss of this company
* 1,11,000 kms on the odo

Inspection

I accompanied my friend for an inspection and here is what we found.

The Great

* Brilliant exteriors save some imperfections on the front bumper bottom
* Not flood impacted
* Michelin 17” tyres less than a year old with most of the tread intact
* Great seats with all functions working
* All exterior panels on original paint
* Mechanically superb engine and transmission
* Chiller of an AC
* No errors on the console
* All documents in order with a 50% NCB on insurance
* Both keys, Owner Manual all available
* Rear seats in pristine condition



The Not- so- Bad

* driver seat leather was a little chaffed but not torn
* Steering wheel leather kind of chaffed
* Gear knob leather was chaffed

Now, the Bad:

1. The MD’s chauffeur informed that he had to be driving with at least 1 liter of power steering fluid in the boot to top up as and when required. I Inspected the leak and it was quite severe, with a drop-wise leak seen even when the car was reversing into the parking bay. The chauffeur also mentioned that the leak was observed only when the wheel was turned and not otherwise.

2. Took a test drive of the car and we found that there was this bad noise from the left that progressively increased with speed – that meant the left wheel bearing was gone

Typically, one would have walked away from a car of this type, but the route we adopted was different.

Decision Making (Go-No Go) and Delivery

1. My friend was itching to go ahead but I warned him that the Power Steering leak is a disturbing observation

2. He seemed to have gotten smitten by the car and wanted to know what it would cost to rectify the defects viz. power steering leak and the front wheel bearings. I didn’t give him an immediate answer but went home, researched and with my experience gave him a fair number.

3. I also told him that the car was excellent except for these two defects.

4. He negotiated and got this car for less than 3.75 Lacs, which was way way below what 2008-10 Accords were being offered at in 2017.

5. There was some drama on the day of delivery but we won't discuss that here. In the end it was all’s well that ends well !!!

6. Wheel bearing hubs – before a scheduled maintenance, we ordered the wheel hubs (with integrated bearings) for both the right and left wheels at USD 40 each via Amazon US. Someone who was coming in from the US brought these parts in good time.

It’s Maintenance Time

1. My friend may have been the de-jure owner but I would always end up as the de-facto owner for all his cars and maintenance would always be my responsibility.

2. Scheduled a few days for maintenance on this car through an FNG.

3. On close inspection of the leak, we found that some attrition of the high pressure hose with some surface had caused the hose to start leaking at the top part .Note the engine firewall and Cylinder Bank1 of the engine in the attached picture.



4. Additionally, we also observed a leak near the steering rack boots – it was difficult to confirm if the rack seals were leaking OR it was only on account of the leaky hose. There was power steering oil all over the lower arm as seen in the attached image.



5. Removed the intake manifold to create space for the hose inspection and removal. (Note that the tappet cover gaskets of Banks 1 and 2 indicate leaks.)



6. Removed the high pressure hose.

7. Got the high pressure hose renewed with a new hose at an expert hose manufacturer; got a set of new banjo washers too.

8. Meanwhile, the power steering assembly was also removed; this was quite a difficult task as there wasnt much room available to work at ease.

9. On removal, we discovered that this is an Electro-Hydraulic Power Steering Unit viz. there is a power steering pump with the connected piping/hoses plus there is a motor on the rack (representative image attached). I am assuming this combo ensures the best of both worlds viz. handling and economy.



10. The machinist opened the power steering assembly and said that a new seal kit was all that was required.

11. The rack was found in excellent condition.

12. The seal kit was ordered and took a few days to arrive, by when other jobs were performed.



Other Maintenance

1. Replaced the oil with Mobil Super 1000 5W-30; a very ordinary oil but adequate.

2. The oil filter was not available initially; on closer scrutiny, found that the Nissan Micra filter was a perfect fit



3. The HID bulb on the right headlamp had gone kaput; noted that the spec is D2R. I could find only unnamed bulbs but went ahead, got a pair and fitted them.

Note : The D2R is a reflector spec bulb while the D2S is a shielded type – note in the pictures that there is a metal strip on the D2R, while the same is absent on the D2S



4. Wheel hubs were removed and we waited for the steering assembly to be ready and fitted before fitting the new hubs





5. Spark plugs were inspected; found ok for a 1,11,000km car (iridium plugs generally easily last 1,00,000kms).



6. Steering assembly was refitted.

7. The new High Pressure hose was fitted with new banjo washers post which the intake was fitted.



8. The new wheel hubs were installed.

9. After the installation was over, power steering oil was filled in, steering moved lock to lock several times, and the system was back to normal operation.

10. Gave the car a good wash to rid the lower arms and surrounding areas of all the oil deposits.

11. Tappet covers of both Banks 1 and 2 were found to be leaking as mentioned above; since boodmo was quite unreliable then with delivery, I ordered a set of six plugs, a new air filter and both tappet cover gaskets from UAE, which I carried along with me on return when I went there in early 2018. These parts are yet to be replaced.

Learning

This was the first V6 that I had evaluated and seen maintenance in; it is a royal pain to work on cylinder bank1 (the rear one) because it is very close to the wiper drain channel and the firewall.

Time and Money

Break up of costs in INR is as follows:

1. Steering Seal Kit 4500
2. Steering assembly machinist charges 1500
3. HID D2R Bulbs 2800 (for the pair)
4. Oil 1300
5. Oil filter 160
6. Wheel Hubs 5600
7. High pressure hose 1500
8. Labour charges 3000
9. Power Steering Fluid 300

Total cost INR 20,800 approx.

The OE high pressure hose was listed at approx. INR 19000 and the power steering assembly was a whopping INR 90000 then.

So this exercise was really well worth the effort.


The End Product – A Smiling Car

[Aditya]

The Nissan Teana is a very nice buy. It is extremely comfortable and will be as reliable as anything from Japan. It's a great option to waft in.

A 9 year old car is likely to have a few failed bits and this one is no exception. With the work you have carried out, this car will keep going for a long time. Besides, the overall cost is not high at all. Imagine the hole it would have blown in your friend's pocket if it was given to Nissan to repair!

Your thread will surely help other who are likely to tread on the same path.

[Ross]

Wow superb buy.. I bought a 2011 Teana 250XV with 43k on odo in 2015 and sold it last year with odo reading of 79k. Usage was almost exclusively on highways as I had a smaller car for the city. Did multiple Bangalore- Hyderabad and Pune- Bangalore, Mangalore trips and nothing beats this super sedan in terms of highway comfort. Wish you many many years of happy ownership. Last pics of my beauty before I let her go.

[vigsom]

^^ Your beauty looks smokin' hot !!

How were the interiors when you let her go? I was also apprehensive of the car's dashboard developing cracks (chronic issue with Teanas in some weather conditions), but our example had none of that.

The Ottoman seat was a nice feature.

[Ross]

Mine too had a dashboard crack next to driver side AC vent. In 4 years of my ownership I did not have any other cracks. Other issue is dashboard gets little sticky under heat. Both are common issues in Teana and can be controlled to an extent by putting up good windscreen uv shield and covered parking. Some pics of interiors too..

[mpthy]

I am so tempted to buy a used Teana, Accord, Kizashi, or Mondeo. You can get one for the price of a new Alto, whereas a similar new car would easily be 10-15 times the price of such used samples. However, the thought of prohibitive repair bills and low GC prevent me from acquiring one of these beauties.

[viXit]

WOW!
I was genuinely EXCITED when I saw "Teana" on the home page. Please keep this thread regularly updated with pics and more pics.

I absolutely love how luxurious the car is and how grand it looks.
The comfort of a german with the reliability of a japanese. Beautiful!
The amount of car you got for the money is seriously a steal.

What kind of pipe have you used for the high pressure line?
And where did you source it from?

Unless it violates forum rules, please share about the delivery day. Many would be keen.
Congratulations to you and your friend!

[BashfulKlutz]

I used to see Teanas when I was a child, living in Delhi during 2010-2012. These, sadly, seem to have become much rarer now, but maybe due to Nissan not performing as well as it should, even on the after-sales side of things, and not bringing its up-to-date global products here. I may get more excited on seeing this beauty up close than a generic Mercedes-Benz, Audi or BMW. It holds a lot of that sense of occasion for me. The ₹20,800 bill is actually really good for this, compared to that scary ₹90,000 expense. I wish I had the know-how to perform such repairs myself. Great work, Vigsom sir! I love the fact that your friend dared to make such a unique choice, in spite of the current climate of this segment of the market.

[zalaps]

Originally Posted by Aditya

Imagine the hole it would have blown in your friend's pocket if it was given to Nissan to repair!

Your thread will surely help other who are likely to tread on the same path.

A bomb! As a Nissan Evalia Owner I know the game.

Vigsom Sir,
Always delight to read pre owned reviews from you. V6 under 4L! I'm sure car is in safe hands of yours! Looking forward to see simple solutions to real problems in this car too.

[vigsom]

Originally Posted by Aditya

It is extremely comfortable and will be as reliable as anything from Japan.

A 9 year old car is likely to have a few failed bits and this one is no exception.

Your thread will surely help other who are likely to tread on the same path.

Thank You, Aditya.

1. My intent of creating all this is just to light the inner fire in some folks who are willing to take such calculated risks.

There is no reward without risk !!!

2. However, let me tell you that like most other brands, Nissan's product quality has dipped big time.

For the way this Teana was maintained, the power steering shouldn't have leaked.

My brother wasn't happy with his Infinity QX60 and had to write to the principals in Japan for a simple issue with the sun visor, which the local dealer in the GCC wasn't supporting.

3. My friend took the risk purely because he knew I was there to sort it out; and I was confident because I have the guts, the experience and the right folks to support.

Originally Posted by mpthy

I am so tempted to buy a used Teana, Accord, Kizashi, or Mondeo

No harm if you have a good FNG to support.

Originally Posted by viXit

What kind of pipe have you used for the high pressure line? And where did you source it from?

Unless it violates forum rules, please share about the delivery day.

1. The high pressure hose was re-built by a company that specialises in this. The end fittings were the same.

They re-used an internal reinforcement (spring) from the existing hose to ensure that it was fool-proof.

Most cars' high pressure power steering hoses are available for between 4k and 7k, while in this case, it made good economic sense to build the hose.

2. Delivery day was full of drama. I wasn't there, fortunately.

My friend was ready with the DD for the agreed amount and wanted delivery on a Sunday, when the company office was closed.

The staff in charge of this formality who had agreed to the delivery on Sunday, then tried some evasive tactics.

Apparently they had found another buyer (the "setting" type), wanted to work the deal in favour of that guy, and were thus trying to dissuade my friend from buying the car after everything was ready.

Only after he threatened to take it up with the higher ups did everything get done amicably.

Originally Posted by BashfulKlutz

I wish I had the know-how to perform such repairs myself.

I love the fact that your friend dared to make such a unique choice.

Thank You for your nice words, @BashfulKlutz.

Friend dared because the eagle was there.

You can definitely build the capability but it will take several years of persistent efforts and hands on experience.

Originally Posted by zalaps

Looking forward to see simple solutions to real problems in this car too.

Thank You, @zalaps.

This car is actually not that complicated. You saw how a Micra oil filter fitted this car.

Yes, the V6 engine isn't ergonomically good for a technician.

[ChoosetoCruze]

Originally Posted by vigsom

2. However, let me tell you that like most other brands, Nissan's product quality has dipped big time.

I couldn’t agree with you more, and for the Teana/Altima specifically, keep a Hawk eye on that Jatco CVT as it’s the weakest link of that vehicle. The 2.5L V6 is bullet proof, but that Jatco CVT cannot handle all that power, and will fail if driven hard.

As much as I like the Teana 250XV, I have seen countless examples just abandoned/junked because the CVT went out after the car crossed 150,000kms. The owners didn’t want to spend to rebuild/replace the transmission as the cost would exceed the value of the car itself.

Just yesterday I was at my FNG replacing the 10yr old water pump in my Micra, when I saw another CVT from a Teana lying around on the floor. That’s probably why the Teana has never sold well because the Camry/Accord can run circles around it when it comes to long term reliability.

Since this example is still at 110,000kms, my 2 cents would be to enjoy it till it reaches 150,000kms & then get rid of it before that CVT bites you badly. Spectacular car otherwise.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by ChoosetoCruze

I couldn’t agree with you more, and for the Teana/Altima specifically, keep a Hawk eye on that Jatco CVT as it’s the weakest link of that vehicle. The 2.5L V6 is bullet proof, but that Jatco CVT cannot handle all that power, and will fail if driven hard.

As much as I like the Teana 250XV, I have seen countless examples just abandoned/junked because the CVT went out after the car crossed 150,000kms. The owners didn’t want to spend to rebuild/replace the transmission as the cost would exceed the value of the car itself.

Just yesterday I was at my FNG replacing the 10yr old water pump in my Micra, when I saw another CVT from a Teana lying around on the floor. That’s probably why the Teana has never sold well because the Camry/Accord can run circles around it when it comes to long term reliability.

Since this example is still at 110,000kms, my 2 cents would be to enjoy it till it reaches 150,000kms & then get rid of it before that CVT bites you badly. Spectacular car otherwise.

Very true. International forums are full of Teana/Altima models with gearbox issues/failures. However, what will help immensely is CVT oil change. Got it done, when my Teana reached 60k in spite of Nissan Service guys saying it is not necessary as it covers lifetime of car etc. I was also religiously practising moving to N whenever idling at signals. Above 2 measures should cover Gearbox issues to a large extent.

[saisree]

Nice car. It looks pristine and appreciate the way you took care of the maintenance work.

I see two confidence levels here.

1. India Boss who has been chauffeured in the car is confident that it’s enough to carry the power steering oil and the car will not give up on him.

2. He is not confident on getting it repaired at the Nissan service Center. So much of confidence in their work. Something Nissan has to build across.

[vigsom]

Originally Posted by saisree

I see two confidence levels here.

1. India Boss who has been chauffeured in the car is confident that it’s enough to carry the power steering oil and the car will not give up on him.

2. He is not confident on getting it repaired at the Nissan service Center.

Like most companies, this car was on its way out at the typical 100- 110k km mark; and both problems in this Teana would have surfaced around then.

The India Boss had already moved to another car when this was put up for sale.

On a side note, an Engg. major in Vadodara had a 2009 Altis G for sale last year. The car had done 1,65,000km and except some imperfections in the driver seat and a few gashes on the bumpers, was very good all the way. The listed price was too high, though.

Some companies follow the 1,00,000 km thumb rule, some follow the 10 year rule, and there are some that give away cars at 5 or even 3 years.