Can't find an answer. Flushed trans w/ an aftermarket Castrol 'compatible to matic J' fliud. After 400 miles, now notice a very slight torque converter shudder upon lock-up. I must flush again ASAP. Work at a Toyota dealer. Is toyotas WS(world standard) trans fluid an acceptable substitute to Nissans Matic J (now S)? The nissan fluid is $10.82/qt. vs my cost of $0 for toyotas WS.
'05 Pathfinder 4.0L/auto trans fluid?
- Thread starter snakerupa
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I couldnt tell you on the toyota fluid, but if I remember correctly, Valvoline Maxlife ATF said it meets Matic J specs.
It is a good quality synthetic fluid.
It is a good quality synthetic fluid.
After further investigating, I have been informed of a documented problem with the radiators internal trans fluid cooler leaking, sending coolant into the trans. I will be bypassing the radiators internal trans cooler with an auxillary cooler. Any suggestions on where to purchase one? Thanks for the replies.
JTK
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Should be a Jatco AT in that Pathy. Valvoline Maxlife or that Castrol Import/Universal should be ideal ATFs for it. Is your level OK? How many miles on the unit?
Joel
Joel
I would stay far away from these super thin WS/DexVI kind of fluids for a tranny that is speced for a higher visocity fluid.
Yeah, according to Amsoil's lookup guide your Pathfinder should use their Dex III compatible ATF.
http://www.amsoil.com/mygarage/vehiclelookup.aspx?url2=2005+NISSAN/DATSUN+PATHFINDER+3
http://www.amsoil.com/mygarage/vehiclelookup.aspx?url2=2005+NISSAN/DATSUN+PATHFINDER+3
Originally Posted By: snakerupa
Is toyotas WS(world standard) trans fluid an acceptable substitute to Nissans Matic J (now S)? The nissan fluid is $10.82/qt. vs my cost of $0 for toyotas WS.
No.
Quote:
Use Genuine NISSAN Matic S transmission fluid. If NISSAN
Matic S transmission fluid is not available use NISSAN Matic
J fluid, or equivalent.
Amsoil ATF LINK
Is toyotas WS(world standard) trans fluid an acceptable substitute to Nissans Matic J (now S)? The nissan fluid is $10.82/qt. vs my cost of $0 for toyotas WS.
No.
Quote:
Use Genuine NISSAN Matic S transmission fluid. If NISSAN
Matic S transmission fluid is not available use NISSAN Matic
J fluid, or equivalent.
Amsoil ATF LINK
MolaKule
Staff member
Quote:
After further investigating, I have been informed of a documented problem with the radiators internal trans fluid cooler leaking, sending coolant into the trans. I will be bypassing the radiators internal trans cooler with an auxillary cooler. Any suggestions on where to purchase one? Thanks for the replies.
I would have ATF fluid analyzed right now in order to make any claims to Nissan if that is what you may decide to do.
After further investigating, I have been informed of a documented problem with the radiators internal trans fluid cooler leaking, sending coolant into the trans. I will be bypassing the radiators internal trans cooler with an auxillary cooler. Any suggestions on where to purchase one? Thanks for the replies.
I would have ATF fluid analyzed right now in order to make any claims to Nissan if that is what you may decide to do.
I have 98K on the Pathy. No extended warranty. Even w/ an extended powertrain warranty, Nissan is claiming the transmissions are failing as a result of a malfunctioning radiator, therefore is not covered under a powertrain warranty. There are numorous complaints (1000+) to NTSB and nissan about this. I have purchased Nissan Matic S fluid today and have just completed the flush, not drain and re-fill. After road test, I felt 1 very slight shudder during the 10 mile test. Am going to do another flush w/in 1 week. I have also bypassed the rad. trans cooler and am using the factory aux. cooler only.
I beg to understand how coolant can make it into the ATF. Isn't the copper tubing one piece over which the radiator plastic is molded on both ends. I am getting lost!!
My understanding is the ATF resevoir is at the bottom of the radiator, which is a molded plastic part with internal dividers that keep ATF from coolant. The divider developes a leak. The coolant has a higher operating pressure than the ATF therefore coolant is forced into the ATF. These radiators were redesigned for the '04+ pathys and frontiers w/the 4.0L auto. The radiator provides minimal cooling of the ATF so it is bypassed to the factory ATF cooler(which is rather large). Believe me, I am a die-hard Nissan fan, only wish this problem would be addressed by Nissan.
I've seen a lot of vehicles with failed transmissions caused by the coolant. After 10 years or so of usage, most factory radiators are iffy at best and might even be considered a 'maintenance replacement'. The earliest I've seen was a 6 month old Mazda. But, its pretty common for any automaker if the rad makes it a decade. All the heat cycles cracking the seal!
If you can monitor the ATF temp, than an ATF cooler big enough to bypass the radiator is a smart move. But, you'll need a thermostat on the ATF cooler to make sure the ATF gets up to the proper temp range.
BTW, its not just Nissan. Pretty common but spread out across the automakers. Have replaced numerous Mazda and Toyota radiators for the same issue.
More and more parts are engineered to fail! Sludge, stripped spark plugs or head bolts, bad intake gasket or head gaskets, brakes, and numerous other "superbly OE engineered" components, makes you wonder. Every brand has their issues!
If you can monitor the ATF temp, than an ATF cooler big enough to bypass the radiator is a smart move. But, you'll need a thermostat on the ATF cooler to make sure the ATF gets up to the proper temp range.
BTW, its not just Nissan. Pretty common but spread out across the automakers. Have replaced numerous Mazda and Toyota radiators for the same issue.
More and more parts are engineered to fail! Sludge, stripped spark plugs or head bolts, bad intake gasket or head gaskets, brakes, and numerous other "superbly OE engineered" components, makes you wonder. Every brand has their issues!
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