Post by: Pete112288 on February 12, 2017, 07:07:32 AM
I understand a regular transmission fluid change only removes so much of the fluid while a transmission flush will literally flush it all out by pumping new fluid while letting the old drain off. I have heard a lot of people say that a transmission flush is bad and can actually damage the transmission and that they rarely include dropping the pan and putting in a new gasket and filter. However I dont want any residual coolant in there to cause huge issues in the long run. My dad said he was always told a tranny flush is bad. He said just to drop the pan, replace the filter and fluid, and then just do it again in 6 months or so to get it cleaned out more.
I dont know how much a tranny flush would cost anyhow. Oil can Henry's and Jiffy Lube have sketchy reviews on tranny flushes and I heard they dont replace the filter.
Opinions please?
Experiences?
Post by: brush hunter on February 12, 2017, 07:25:51 AM
Second question: How many miles.
Post by: Pete112288 on February 12, 2017, 07:34:19 AM
Post by: Magnum_Willys on February 12, 2017, 07:47:07 AM
Post by: netcoyote on February 12, 2017, 07:50:13 AM
Your dad's advice sounds like what I would do if it were my vehicle.
Post by: Dhoey07 on February 12, 2017, 08:07:56 AM
Post by: dontgetcrabs on February 12, 2017, 08:15:31 AM
Post by: Sandberm on February 12, 2017, 08:29:18 AM
How is it even possible to get transmission fluid in the cooling system or vice versa?
Because the transmision cooler is "in" the radiator. Its all one unit so when the "wall"(so to speak) deteriorates between the transmision fluid and the engine coolant...they mix, so you get transmission fluid in the engine coolant and coolant in the transmission...very bad.
How do I know this? We have a 05 Nissan Pathfinder that is famous for this. I stumbled upon something on the internet about it BEFORE our radiator went bad and purchased and installed an after market radiator. My wife ran into a woman at the market who had the same vehicle and her fluids mixed and she had to get a new tranny.
Id drop the pan and change the filter at least twice. Do it, drive it a few miles going through all the gears and then do it again, inspecting the oil each time for signs of coolant. If on the second time you see signs of coolant Id do it a third time. Then, every day for a awhile Id pull the dipstick for the transmission and check for signs of froth or water, bubbles is what you are looking for I think.
Post by: jackelope on February 12, 2017, 08:38:00 AM
I'd at least drop the pan and make sure there's no sign of coolant in the transmission. If there is, I'd flush it completely out. I wouldn't do it at jiffy lube. I've replaced more than one transmission because a cooler line popped off after a jiffy lube type shop's flush job.
Post by: dontgetcrabs on February 12, 2017, 08:42:26 AM
How is it even possible to get transmission fluid in the cooling system or vice versa?
Because the transmision cooler is "in" the radiator. Its all one unit so when the "wall"(so to speak) deteriorates between the transmision fluid and the engine coolant...they mix, so you get transmission fluid in the engine coolant and coolant in the transmission...very bad.
Interesting. All the autos I've owned the radiators had the tranny cooler on the bottom part of the radiator and if it sprung a leak it would just leak onto the ground no way to get into the coolant. But I've never owned an import.
Post by: Sandberm on February 12, 2017, 09:01:47 AM
"The transmissions of some 2005–2010 Nissan vehicles are under attack … from radiators. Cracked radiators are leaking coolant into the transmission, and when it mixes with the transmission fluid it creates a toxic hell stew that irreversibly damages everything around it."
Two years later for this guy and his transmission failing
What Owners are Saying
“Like so many others my Xterra had a leak from the radiator that ruined the transmission. I initially had the radiator replaced and the transmission fluid flushed. This was only a bandaid however, and did not fix the problem. I am now about 2 years post radiator replacement and my vehicle is having serious transmission problems. I have been recommended to have a transmission rebuilt but don’t want to spend the money.” – 2005 Xterra owner"
Post by: eastsidemallard74 on February 12, 2017, 10:24:55 AM
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on February 12, 2017, 10:32:27 AM
Post by: Pete112288 on February 12, 2017, 10:39:49 AM
I think I am just going to drop the pan, new filter and fluids, and then repeat over time depending on how much discoloration or froth or anything I see in the tranny fluid.
There are a couple reasons for this decision.
We were already planning on getting a new car for my wife to replace this one sometime in the next month or tow. Then this will be my beater/daily driver. And I drive crappy, steep, un-maintained DNR roads that just beat the crap out of vehicles. Daily to and from work. And I will still have my pickup so if the car dies we are not down on transportation.
That all combined with that this car has a Blue Book value of like $1300 or so makes me not so willing to sink money into it beyond a certain point.
Post by: jackelope on February 12, 2017, 11:40:04 AM
Those are auxiliary transmission coolers. Not uncommon, foreign or domestic, to have the transmission cooler be part of the radiator. Probably more common actually.How is it even possible to get transmission fluid in the cooling system or vice versa?
Because the transmision cooler is "in" the radiator. Its all one unit so when the "wall"(so to speak) deteriorates between the transmision fluid and the engine coolant...they mix, so you get transmission fluid in the engine coolant and coolant in the transmission...very bad.
Interesting. All the autos I've owned the radiators had the tranny cooler on the bottom part of the radiator and if it sprung a leak it would just leak onto the ground no way to get into the coolant. But I've never owned an import.
I just replaced the AC condenser on my Jeep because the transmission cooler was leaking. So there's that....
Post by: Night goat on February 15, 2017, 05:54:23 PM
Post by: garrett89 on February 15, 2017, 06:56:02 PM