Good morning all! My parents have a 2009 G37X with 73xxx or so miles. It is well-maintained, typically at the dealer for all service except some oil changes which are done locally. A few days ago while they were driving it, they heard a sound like a branch got caught under the car, then the motor stopped and the dashboard "lit up." It would not restart (like the battery was dead, but still had dash lights.) No starter or solenoid noise.

It was towed to a local shop and they were told that the mechanic could only get the motor to turn a few inches in either direction, by hand. The battery was in fact dead (I'm not sure if that was related to the car never being "turned off" after the motor died.)

I did a once-over on the car about two weeks ago. Fluids were all good, oil level was good, smelled and looked OK (Subaru STi racing background, so I'm fairly familiar with cars.) It was then driven 500 miles back home, and another bunch of miles over that time as well.

Does anyone have ANY ideas as to what this could be? Suggestions? Any help or direction would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you all in advance!

My 2012 G37X is still running great although I DISLIKE the all-season tires, especially in snow. Will be going the summer tire-winter tire setup next year!

 

Two weeks ago?

How about checking the oil level now

It is not unheard of incompetent shops failing to properly tighten the oil drain plug and it falls out. Jiffy Lube is infamous for that

Have the vehicle towed to an Infiniti dealer.

I learned a long time ago never to trust any independent shops touch my vehicles. Better to spend a few dollars more on oil changes at the dealer then wind up with the problem your parents have now.

Good luck

Telcoman

 

Not sure about he oil level now.

This is a shop (and mechanic) that they have used for years. It is NOT a chain-store. (I have also had a bad experience with JL!) This guy has an excellent reputation and never an issue over years of service.

The car is due for an oil change in 1000 miles or so, IIRC. I would find it VERY difficult to believe that a plug would work loose like that, specially after numerous hot-cold cycles over a couple of thousand miles. Further, there was no evidence of any leak and the failure occurred only a few miles from their house. Worth looking into the oil level now though.

They are working on getting it towed there now.

Thanks for your input, I'll add more as I learn it!

 

If the motor can only be turned a bit by hand (I assume you mean a wrench on the crank pulley) then it sounds very serious. Afraid no internet diagnose will help w/ this one, hopefully I'm wrong.
G/L

 

I would assume the same thing, although it was the mechanic that checked, not me. I have to laugh at the internet diagnosis comment...I was an admin at IWSTI (Subaru's) for years and we had these all the time. I haven't heard the phrase in years!

I'd certainly be interested in knowing whether this is something that other people have experienced. Not being local to the car is difficult, as I've been trying to diagnose via telephone and there are certainly more questions than answers.

Having blown ringlands in the past, the signs don't point in a positive direction here, I agree.

 

Just realized that this is in a general G37 folder. Should it be moved to Motor and Drivetrain?

 

Will get it transferred.........

 

Bump! Anyone else have any ideas?

 

UPDATE
Infiniti tech looked at car. Oil level OK. Without tearing the motor apart, he is guessing that it is something in the bottom end, but not sure what.

 

Final on this: Nothing more specific than "something in the bottom end" and the motor was replaced. The car was traded.

Thanks to everyone for the assistance!