Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
SUVs Nissan Pathfinder Nissan Pathfinder Transmission Questions
108 messages, Last post on Dec 01, 2009 at 9:37 AM
You are in the Nissan Pathfinder Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
|
I have an 2005 Nissan Pathfinder that mixed coolant and transmission fluid due to the internal cooler in the radiator leaking. I noticed the problem when the transmission started to shift late at a higher RPM than normal, and it had a shudder in it when driving at highway speeds while in overdrive at low RPM's. I checked the transmission fluid, and found a strawberry milkshake when I pulled the dipstick. The dipstick is bolted down by a 10 millimeter bolt by the way, and when you are having your car serviced make sure they check the transmission fluid because my local quick lube was not checking it, even though their paper work said it was checked and okay. Since I am a shadetree mechanic, I replaced the radiator myself which cost about $200. I drained the transmission fluid and refilled it several times to try to get all of the contaminated fluid out of the transmission. Once the coolant was out of the transmission, the transmission shifted better and I thought I was out of the woods.... but that was not the case. The coolant/fluid mixing started at around 80,000 miles and at 98,000 miles, the trans slips so bad it is no longer drivable. After speaking to several transmission techs I learned that the glue used to secure the clutch material to the thin metal plates is water based and the clutch material will come off the plates after they absorb the water and coolant and circulate through the transmission- not good at all. I don't think I would waste my money on a flush again, I must have put $200 worth of fluid in it. A local transmission shop is about to rebuild the tranny at a cost of around $2100 including a remanufactured torque converter. This is obviously an engineering or manufacturing problem. The other thing i notice is that most of the affected vehicles are 2005 models.... I think Nissan should take some responsibility here, but it probably isn't going to happen. I think the main reason why Nissan refuses to warranty these transmissions is because they do not manufacture them. The 5 speed auto is actually manufactured by a japanese transmission company called JATCO. Nissan simply buys them and puts them in, and I am sure JATCO is not going to give Nissan a free transmission because their poorly designed radiator/cooler broke. From what I see just on this site alone, this has happened to way too many people.. Can you say class action? Sign me up! If you have one of these vehicles and this has not happened to you YET, have an external transmission cooler installed on your vehicle and make sure the fluid does NOT go through the radiator AND the external cooler. They work better than the factory setup and you will not have worry about this happening to you. At $75 to $100 the external coolers are cheap insurance. |
|
|
My 2005 Pathfinder started to shudder at 40-45 MPH and Monday gave me an error code P1706 which is the PNP switch. 2 days later, it won't start because the computer thinks it's in gear. Now the mechanic tells me that the radiator has ruptured intot he transmission. He told me that there's a lot of this type problem with the Nissan products. I called Nissan Copr Affairs and complained but was told they will not assist in any of the repair cost. I've had at least one Nissan in my driveway for the past 25 years. Never again if this is the treatment from a loyal customer. |
|
|
|
|
HELLO ALL!! I guess i have the same issue as some of you with radiator fluid in transmission. Just found this out because of this page. ThX !!! Had issues with my 05 this past weekend, took in for diagnostic at nissan. Before I called for my results next morning my boss happen to log onto here and was able to tell me about these discussions going on. I then called Nissan and was told " you have tranny issues and there not good". I said "why cause there is fluid in my tranny"? Tech responded "how u know" LOL BUT..Now I have an issue as my warranty has expired and Im getting NO help from my initial conversations with Nissan Corporation , although I'm awaiting a supposed "goodwill" review, but know its all BS. With this not really being wear in tear I dont feel Im responsible. As seen on here Im not the only one dealing with nissan's faulty parts but what can be done without having warranty any longer?????? Has anyone heard anything as far as a possible re-call??? any advice help, appreciate it !! and Let's get Nissan to pay !!! |
|
|
|
|
Replying to: esks (Oct 20, 2008 3:04 pm) |
|
|
|
|
Replying to: roddwhitney (Dec 19, 2008 7:19 pm)
|
|
|
Replying to: sf05finder (Jul 31, 2009 8:34 pm) for those concerned, it seems that corrocion is what is eating the radiator inside so your coolant has to be pure and not worn or diluted over time with heat. you can find online cooltrak test strips.......... this will help everyone determine the purity of their coolant. i have personally flushed my radiator 3 times so far just to be safe. |
|
|
|
|
Replying to: sf05finder (Jul 31, 2009 8:34 pm)
|
|
I have an 06 Pathfinder, seems most or all the transmission/radiator problems listed are 2005 Pathfinders. Are the 06's or later having the same probllem?
|
|
|
|
|
Replying to: jbaumer (Aug 03, 2009 10:07 am) |
|
|
|
|
Replying to: litpat (May 26, 2009 4:48 pm) |
|
You are here:
Forums
SUVs Nissan Pathfinder Nissan Pathfinder Transmission Questions
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
2010 Nissan Pathfinder
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
