I bought an '04 Sentra from a dealership a few months ago. The carfax report came back clean, but it had been owned in a different state (Indiana) and sold at auction in Illinois. I know that one of those states doesn't have a lot of regulations about disclosing things like major accidents. I noticed today when I opened my trunk that there is a line that looks like a weld with paint over it that rings the trunk along the sides of the opening and along the back. I am wondering if this is evidence of some sort of repair to the rear end, or if this rough weld is a normal manufacturing thing. Any ideas?
I bought an '04 Sentra from a dealership a few months ago. The carfax report came back clean, but it had been owned in a different state (Indiana) and sold at auction in Illinois. I know that one of those states doesn't have a lot of regulations about disclosing things like major accidents. I noticed today when I opened my trunk that there is a line that looks like a weld with paint over it that rings the trunk along the sides of the opening and along the back. I am wondering if this is evidence of some sort of repair to the rear end, or if this rough weld is a normal manufacturing thing. Any ideas?
My friend? Carfax in a way is a crock of chit, There is no way in the world to ever tell if any vehicle ever had any problems. Carfax only lists what ever activity happens when the car is repaired at a dealer or SCTE certified mechanic, Department of motor vechiles or police reports that the damage exceeds “What ever dollar amount” that your state limits, since they all differ. In California it is $500. or some sort of suit that places a lien on personal property.
Now here is an example of how Carfax don’t work:
You have a wreck or do something stupid on private property, lets say you were going 20MPH backwards and hit a tree on your property and did this so called rear end damage. Rather than turn it in to your insurance agent “To keep the price from soaring” and reporting the accident “To keep a clean(er) driving record which also effects insurance by the way” you elect to deal with this repair YOURSELF.
But in just about every family there comes a body man or a mechanic of some sort, so this family body members buys OEM parts and does the repair on the weekends as a favor and repaints and every thing looks hunky dory, however you know that something will arise in the future due to this repair so you off load the car as a trade-in or something and this repair is not detected by the appraiser or the CARFAX so it goes un-detected until someone like you buy’s this and pick’s up on it.
Your only recourse to this is if in fact this example is true, then you may try to have the dealer buy this vehicle back and go after the last owner. It might take a lawyer to make this happen but it all depends.
If this was me and I was in this position, I would have a few experts look at this area and make a determination, I would also talk to my insurance company and explain the situation to them and I’m sure that they would be more than happy to have their professional claims adjuster look at this for you as well since there might be a safety issue which they would have to pay out on in case something bad happened.
Forget about a CARFAX buy it back guarantee, it was never reported so they have no way of telling this damage was ever done.
Remember, this post is an example, not a fact, I have no way of telling without actually looking over this problem of yours with my own two eyes. This is my 2 cent’s.
I'm having second thoughts on this whole thing and am now wondering if he isn't looking at a silicone bead line of calking that is painted which acts like an absorber and sealent where different parts of the body is joined.
I'm having second thoughts on this whole thing and am now wondering if he isn't looking at a silicone bead line of calking that is painted which acts like an absorber and sealent where different parts of the body is joined.
That's not a weld, Thats "RTV" Silicone rubber and my guess is that someone thought that adding that would resolve a leak. This compound is used in the manufacturing process, but not by the factory in those pictures, Someone did that and did a sloppy job at that.
That's not a weld, Thats "RTV" Silicone rubber and my guess is that someone thought that adding that would resolve a leak. This compound is used in the manufacturing process, but not by the factory in those pictures, Someone did that and did a sloppy job at that.
What does that mean? I don't get what kind of leak that would help with. It wouldnt keep water out of the trunk, but rather from leaking down to the ground? Do you think this is part of a repair for major damage/replacement, or something smaller?
Take some more pictures of this area when the sun is out. take one of the entire rear of the car with the trunk lid open. Cover the license plate if you want. I have an 04 as well and I will look at it in the morning for you.
Hopefully someone with more knowledge or experence in this area will chime in on this post.
As far as water goes, It sure could. If this is the point where the outter fenders attach to the inner fenders or uni-body portion is then at this point it would be sealed before these metal parts are put together, but I never seen it on the outside like that from your pictures.
I do remember reading posts here at one point where users have done mods to the tail lights assemblies and re-assembly caused leaks to the point that mold was becoming a problem in the trunk, so is it a possibility that you might have after market tail lights installed on this car? or clear lenses that look like the newer Altima's?
Take some more pictures of this area when the sun is out. take one of the entire rear of the car with the trunk lid open. Cover the license plate if you want. I have an 04 as well and I will look at it in the morning for you.
Hopefully someone with more knowledge or experence in this area will chime in on this post.
As far as water goes, It sure could. If this is the point where the outter fenders attach to the inner fenders or uni-body portion is then at this point it would be sealed before these metal parts are put together, but I never seen it on the outside like that from your pictures.
I do remember reading posts here at one point where users have done mods to the tail lights assemblies and re-assembly caused leaks to the point that mold was becoming a problem in the trunk, so is it a possibility that you might have after market tail lights installed on this car? or clear lenses that look like the newer Altima's?
Not that Im aware of. They look stock to me. I wish I had the clear covers. They look pretty nice.
Not that Im aware of. They look stock to me. I wish I had the clear covers. They look pretty nice.
Survey says: My 04 must have been made on the same assembly line and same day as yours because I see the same thing and it was never in a wreck as I owned it since day one.
It is defiantly a silicone sealant to prevent water and or moisture from entering between the outer and inner fenders which would or could cause the car to rust from the inside out. The same principal holds true for vibration, since it is not a constant weld across the two pieces the silicone acts like glue and an absorber to eliminate vibration.
Funny I never really looked at this close before, but old age has got the best of my vision.
if that is on the trunk, it is likely because the 02-03 models had problems with leaking. chances are nissan added this to prevent leaking although i cannot see the pictures very well as my contacts arent in.
Survey says: My 04 must have been made on the same assembly line and same day as yours because I see the same thing and it was never in a wreck as I owned it since day one.
It is defiantly a silicone sealant to prevent water and or moisture from entering between the outer and inner fenders which would or could cause the car to rust from the inside out. The same principal holds true for vibration, since it is not a constant weld across the two pieces the silicone acts like glue and an absorber to eliminate vibration.
Funny I never really looked at this close before, but old age has got the best of my vision.
A bit of pleasant news for a change. Thanks for checking.
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