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New Member with Sludge in Engine

14482 Views 45 Replies 25 Participants Last post by  vml46901
Hello,
New member here. I have a 2015 Nissan Murano that has sludge in the engine. It only have 51,000 miles. And yes, I changed the oil.... At every start up, I get BIG puffs of white smoke. I really like Nissan, as this is my second Nissan vehicle, but this sludge issue is changing my mind. Has anyone else had or have this problem. Everyone tells me to trade it in. Nissan says I need a new engine. Any suggestions or fix?
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They told me that I had a long block issue. Or the head gasket is blown. I don’t think flushing it will correct that would it?
The only way to fix a blown head gasket is to remove the head and replace the gasket. What is this "long block issue"; can you provide more detail.
What is this "long block issue"; can you provide more detail.
Dealerships rarely replace head gaskets anymore, and most dislike the bother of all the parts transfer with a short block. Hence, they probably recommended a long block.
Did you ever figure out what the problem was?


Is it really “sludge” same issue 2015 Pathfinder only 47,000 miles and random white smoke puffs out for a few seconds then dissipates. Not just start up but anytime and not consistent. Nissan thought it was the catalytic converters and changed it but still it happens. My mr Janice can’t figure it out as the damn thing won’t do it when it in his shop and he’s been working on our cars for years, I totally trust him. Some posts say head gasket or rings issue, one forum even said a specific valve cover was to blame. I just bought this car...and I’m trying not to regret it as I love my platinum, it’s a great car but I’m thinking I might have to get rid of it and never buy a Nissan again. Please help me figure this out so I can keep my car ??????
The only way to fix a blown head gasket is to remove the head and replace the gasket. What is this "long block issue"; can you provide more detail.
I wish I knew. I was just told the only way to fix the it would be to get a new engine and that would cost me 11,500.
Did you ever figure out what the problem was?
the dealership told me it was a long block repair which means that I need a new engine. 11,500. It is still under warranty but they will not cover it because they say that I did not maintain it and I did. 🤷‍♀️ My car still runs great, it is just pretty embarrassing when I start the car up. I am not fixing it and will just keep doing an oil change every 2 months until it stops working. Hopefully it will keep running ok. Everyone that asks about the car I make sure to tell them not to buy a Nissan and how bad the Customer service is.
I wish I knew. I was just told the only way to fix the it would be to get a new engine and that would cost me 11,500.

the dealership told me it was a long block repair which means that I need a new engine. 11,500. It is still under warranty but they will not cover it because they say that I did not maintain it and I did. 🤷‍♀️ My car still runs great, it is just pretty embarrassing when I start the car up. I am not fixing it and will just keep doing an oil change every 2 months until it stops working. Hopefully it will keep running ok. Everyone that asks about the car I make sure to tell them not to buy a Nissan and how bad the Customer service is.
That is terrible. I am having similar issues with my 2019 Pathfinder and a similar story...seems to run fine except the occasional white smoke out the back. They quoted me 17.5k for a new engine.
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New member here. I have a 2015 Nissan Murano that has sludge in the engine. It only have 51,000 miles. And yes, I changed the oil.... At every start up, I get BIG puffs of white smoke. I really like Nissan, as this is my second Nissan vehicle, but this sludge issue is changing my mind. Has anyone else had or have this problem. Everyone tells me to trade it in. Nissan says I need a new engine. Any suggestions or fix?
Hi and welcome!
Hi and welcome!
Puffs of white smoke during startup can be caused by some of the following:
  • Water condensation in the exhaust pipe especially during a cold start.
  • A small breach in the head gasket. This generally requires replacing the head gasket.
  • One or more leaking fuel injectors which causes an overly rich mixture. Run some good injection cleaner, like BG products 44K, through the system; give the cleaner about a week or two to do it's job. Otherwise replace all the fuel injectors.
Hello,
New member here. I have a 2015 Nissan Murano that has sludge in the engine. It only have 51,000 miles. And yes, I changed the oil.... At every start up, I get BIG puffs of white smoke. I really like Nissan, as this is my second Nissan vehicle, but this sludge issue is changing my mind. Has anyone else had or have this problem. Everyone tells me to trade it in. Nissan says I need a new engine. Any suggestions or fix?
Hi and welcome!
Hello,
New member here. I have a 2015 Nissan Murano that has sludge in the engine. It only have 51,000 miles. And yes, I changed the oil.... At every start up, I get BIG puffs of white smoke. I really like Nissan, as this is my second Nissan vehicle, but this sludge issue is changing my mind. Has anyone else had or have this problem. Everyone tells me to trade it in. Nissan says I need a new engine. Any suggestions or fix? Nox
Hi and welcome!
Looks like this is common. I just had my 2018 towed into the dealership . It only has 31,000 and white smoke is coming out of the tailpipes. I was given the same excuse most of you posted. They tried to say it was lack of maintenance on my end (not true) and I need a new engine at a whopping 15,000 … we filed a complaint. That’s so crazy these Nissans are having thus problem.
Looks like this is common. I just had my 2018 towed into the dealership . It only has 31,000 and white smoke is coming out of the tailpipes. I was given the same excuse most of you posted. They tried to say it was lack of maintenance on my end (not true) and I need a new engine at a whopping 15,000 … we filed a complaint. That’s so crazy these Nissans are having thus problem.
Hi Denise, welcome to NissanForums. Sorry to hear of your predicament. Have someone other then a Nissan dealer remove the valve cover from the engine; if there's no evidence of sludge, then here's several possible causes:

Puffs of white smoke during startup can be caused by some of the following:
  • Water condensation in the exhaust pipe especially during a cold start.
  • A small breach in the head gasket. This generally requires replacing the head gasket.
  • One or more leaking fuel injectors which causes an overly rich mixture. Run some good injection cleaner, like BG products 44K, through the system; give the cleaner about a week or two to do it's job. Otherwise replace all the fuel injectors.
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its surprising on such a young engine that has not done incredible mileage. If it is sludge you can have the engine cleaned with seafoam or something similar.







Showbox jiofi.local.html tplinklogin
Looks like this is common. I just had my 2018 towed into the dealership . It only has 31,000 and white smoke is coming out of the tailpipes. I was given the same excuse most of you posted. They tried to say it was lack of maintenance on my end (not true) and I need a new engine at a whopping 15,000 … we filed a complaint. That’s so crazy these Nissans are having thus problem.
When you filed a complaint, did you get any results/help on getting car repaired. I have a 2019 38,000 miles, changed oil then white smoke when starting car. It is at the dealership now and they say sludge in the engine. $9,000 to fix.
Has anyone had any luck? And story here... sludged engine after taking 2019 Pathfinder in due to white smoke. 63k miles. Extended warranty declining because of said sludge and Nissan also starting that they won't help because sludge is "proof" of lack of maintenance. I still owe 20k on this car. Anyone get any help from anywhere??
We've recently found a hidden problem on a few Pathy sludge engines that might be your issue. On two of them, the hose connecting the plenum to the rear valve cover was delaminated internally and collapsed on itself. This basically killed the PCV system and caused the engines to sludge up even though good maintenance was observed. Because the delamination was internal to the hose, the only external evidence was a slight "soft spot" in the rubber. The shop should check for this, and if found, it represents a component failure which your extended warranty should cover.
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Did you ever figure out what the problem was?
I am pretty surprised that there isn't some type of lawsuit with regards to these issues, not to mention the fact that they refuse to honor warranties. Toyota lost a lawsuit in 2002 and were forced to replace everyones engine. Why isnt this happening with Nissan?Nissan dealers told me I needed a new engine at 58,000 miles! No more Nissan products for me.
Looks like this is common. I just had my 2018 towed into the dealership . It only has 31,000 and white smoke is coming out of the tailpipes. I was given the same excuse most of you posted. They tried to say it was lack of maintenance on my end (not true) and I need a new engine at a whopping 15,000 … we filed a complaint. That’s so crazy these Nissans are having thus problem.
Where did you file a complaint and has anyone responded v to you?
Hello,
New member here. I have a 2015 Nissan Murano that has sludge in the engine. It only have 51,000 miles. And yes, I changed the oil.... At every start up, I get BIG puffs of white smoke. I really like Nissan, as this is my second Nissan vehicle, but this sludge issue is changing my mind. Has anyone else had or have this problem. Everyone tells me to trade it in. Nissan says I need a new engine. Any suggestions or fix?
Anyway its surprising on such a young engine that has not done incredible mileage. If it is sludge you can have the engine cleaned with seafoam or something similar.
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