Metal in Oil: Infiniti FX Engine Crisis

I had similar issues with my 2013 Infiniti QX70 Diesel last summer. The symptoms you're describing match what I experienced engine cutting out unusually and hard starts. In my case, it turned out to be a faulty crankshaft position sensor. While checking the sensor, my mechanic also found metal shavings in the oil, which was concerning. The repair wasn't something I'd call minor, but it wasn't a complete engine rebuild either. Had to get the crankshaft sensor replaced, timing recalibrated, and they did a thorough oil system flush to clear out those metal particles. The whole job took about two days at my local Infiniti specialist shop. I'd strongly recommend getting it checked ASAP though those metal fragments in the oil could indicate more serious internal engine wear. My mechanic mentioned that ignoring these symptoms could lead to catastrophic engine failure. Based on my experience, you'll want to find a shop that specializes in Infiniti or at least Japanese luxury vehicles. They'll have the right diagnostic tools and experience with these specific engines.

Thanks for sharing your experience it's really helpful to hear from someone who's been through this. I actually ended up going to an Infiniti specialist and got it sorted out. Do you remember roughly how much you paid for all the work? Also, has everything been running smoothly since the repair, or have you noticed any other issues pop up?

Hey again! Glad to help and happy to hear you got it checked out at a specialist. Yeah, as for the cost, I paid 250€ specifically for fixing the crankshaft sensor issue. Not cheap, but definitely worth it considering how much worse (and more expensive!) it could've gotten if left unchecked. The mechanic also fixed the timing alignment between the crankshaft and camshaft, which was definitely part of the problem. And to answer your question about how it's running my QX70's been performing like a champ since the repair! No more of those scary unusual cut-outs or starting problems. It's been about 8 months now, and honestly, it feels like a different car. The engine runs smoother, and I haven't had a single check engine light come on since. One thing I learned from this whole experience is that catching these issues early really pays off. Those metal fragments in the oil were a real wake-up call. How's yours running now after the fix?

Thanks for the follow-up! I wish my repair bill was that low. The whole thing ended up costing me around 800€ turns out my timing chain was pretty worn out too, so they had to replace that along with fixing the sensor and doing a complete oil system flush. But honestly, it was worth every penny. The car's running great now like you said, it feels like a different vehicle altogether. No more weird noises or cutting out, and the engine's purring like it should. Took it on a long highway drive last weekend, and it performed perfectly. The mechanic also gave me some tips about regular maintenance to prevent similar issues in the future. I learned my lesson about not ignoring those early warning signs. Those metal fragments in the oil really could have led to something much worse (and more expensive!). Really appreciate you sharing your experience it helped me know what to expect and pushed me to get it checked out sooner rather than later. Take care!