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Comments
if nissan will not do a re-call, then we can begin to determine what manufacturing date the problem began at.
Now my question....I understand a number of 05-08 pathy's have had to replace trannys as the radiator leaks into the tranny cooler and wrecks it all.
Mine is still fine as my fluid is not contaminated, but I'm considering installing an aftermarket tranny cooler and bypassing the stock one entirely to avoid any possible contamination. I live in Alberta, Canada which can get some really COLD winters. Dealership recommended i NOT install one as the winters are too cold and would not allow the ATF to flow properly. They suggested changing coolant every 50,000kms so that it doesn't eat away at the stock cooler in the radiator
Anyone install an aftermarket??? Anyone know what I'm talking about???
Also, how major is it to replace a timing chain. I need to get this done (under warranty), but am just wondering what my truck has to go through and if there are any long term risks.
With the warranty soon up, I'm getting worried!
running and warm on level ground.You have a timing belt, not a chain, unless I am seriously mistaken. If you don't get the belt changed and it breaks, you can damage valves and/or heads. If the belt needs to be changed, (see manual on belt change interval)
might as well change the water pump. I can't stress this enough, changing the water pump is cheap insurance! If your water pump leaks on your new belt, it will ruin it. (It will make it prone to drying out causing it to break.) :shades:
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.
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.
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 !!!
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.
if you want to keep the Pathfinder, rebuild the transmission. Two wheel drive transmissions in these things are a cinch to remove if you have any mechanical knowledge. ( you never said two or four wheel) Four wheel drive transmissions are much harder to remove, but it can be done. At 235,000 miles, your transmission probably needs rebuilding anyway.I bought the manual for it on e-bay. Good luck! :shades:
David
"So, I did not have the failed radiator issue and since my rig only has 57,200 miles on it Nissan is replacing the transmission for me at their expense under the original factory warrantee. I should note that I am the second owner on this rig, I’m glad that Nissan’s warrantees follow the vehicle and not ownership. "
Guess what? Over the past week the rig developed a heavy shudder when at low RPM and driving on a slight incline, typically when the cruise control was active and running between 35-45 MPH.
I took it back to the dealer service department and they have determined that the replacement transmission is bad, good thing it was still under the 12 month / 12,000 mile replacement warrantee. Get this - the radiator is leaking into the transmission fluid now (!!!) the dealer is covering the transmission but now wants me to pay $663 to replace the radiator (sigh). This is the original issue that I presented to them as my primary concern back in April.
Once I get the rig back I'm going to drive it for another 12-18 months then get something else (Non-Nissan!) before the problem re-develops and have to to pay for it myself out of pocket.
Anyone at Nissan paying attention? You are losing formerly happy customers due to this obvious issue!
Is there anyone out there still driving an 2005 Pathfinder that hasn't developed any transmission issues (hard shifting, shuddering, lurching)? I strongly suggest that you might consider moving on to a new rig sooner than later.
Thank you.
David
It doesn't seem to do as much anymore, but I still notice it now and again. It feels as though for a brief moment something is slipping somewhere. I'm wondering, is it possibly the transmission?
Hopefully others will do the same.... Thanks...