Sanity check for 2009 Nissan Sentra CVT

[hamiltzp]

Hello,

I have a 2009 Nissan Sentra that my son drives. The short version: my dad bought it in 2009 brand new, but passed away within a couple years. I inherited the car, but it hasn't been driven much. It only has 53k original miles.

I know that these transmissions were infamous, so I would like to do what I can to protect it. I'm planning to do a fluid/filter service soon. Also, thanks to these forums, I came across the Nissan kit 21606-ET89B, which contains a new CVT cooler with an updated design, and also includes a transmission radiator that connects to the new CVT cooler. It's supposed to provide more stable temperature control. The trouble is, it's north of $600.

So then I thought of using aftermarket parts to save money, but I know there's a lot of junk on Amazon and Ebay. Trying for the best of both worlds, I found a couple parts on RockAuto that look interesting:

1. Nissens 91293 CVT cooler. My research says that Nissens is an OEM manufacturer for some makes and models, and so their aftermarket parts are pretty good quality.
2. SKP SKTOC103 transmission radiator. This is a direct OEM replacement for the radiator in the Nissan kit, including the bracket design (not a universal radiator). My research says that SKP is hit or miss depending on the application, but should be OK for this.

I was also going to get the car checked to make sure ECU and TCU firmware are up to date, as I heard Nissan made some changes in the ratios to try and fix some of the problems with this transmission.

I know some would say these transmissions aren't worth it, but for the age, mileage, and condition of the car, I feel like it would be irresponsible not to try.

Does this all sound like a solid plan?

Thanks.

 

[Junk]

There are more of these on the road with high miles than you'd believe. I actually have a Rogue with 165K or so miles on the hoist for tomorrow getting basically this exact service other than messing with the cooler: fluid service, external cartridge filter (added on later models) and updates to the ECM and TCM. The earlier ones were more hit and miss, but I think you're on the right track.

 

[D1dad]

My 09 Altima which is probably the same as what’s in your Sentra was replaced at 90k simply because I trusted Nissans manual to “inpect fluid” which was a big mistake, and it never got changed. They covered the replacement which gets serviced every spring with new fluid. 130k later and it’s going strong with no signs of failure. New fluid is the lifeblood of these things. A cooler is great as well but the new fluid can take the heat. It’s when the ad pack is spent that things go wrong. I’ve had a cooler in the box for my 18 rogue and have never got around to installing it.

 

[hamiltzp]

So do you guys think the cooler/radiator modifications are a good idea anyway, or would you skip it?

 

[martinq]

Hello,

I have a 2009 Nissan Sentra that my son drives. The short version: my dad bought it in 2009 brand new, but passed away within a couple years. I inherited the car, but it hasn't been driven much. It only has 53k original miles.

I know that these transmissions were infamous, so I would like to do what I can to protect it. I'm planning to do a fluid/filter service soon. Also, thanks to these forums, I came across the Nissan kit 21606-ET89B, which contains a new CVT cooler with an updated design, and also includes a transmission radiator that connects to the new CVT cooler. It's supposed to provide more stable temperature control. The trouble is, it's north of $600.

So then I thought of using aftermarket parts to save money, but I know there's a lot of junk on Amazon and Ebay. Trying for the best of both worlds, I found a couple parts on RockAuto that look interesting:

1. Nissens 91293 CVT cooler. My research says that Nissens is an OEM manufacturer for some makes and models, and so their aftermarket parts are pretty good quality.
2. SKP SKTOC103 transmission radiator. This is a direct OEM replacement for the radiator in the Nissan kit, including the bracket design (not a universal radiator). My research says that SKP is hit or miss depending on the application, but should be OK for this.

I was also going to get the car checked to make sure ECU and TCU firmware are up to date, as I heard Nissan made some changes in the ratios to try and fix some of the problems with this transmission.

I know some would say these transmissions aren't worth it, but for the age, mileage, and condition of the car, I feel like it would be irresponsible not to try.

Does this all sound like a solid plan?

Thanks.

Spend $30 or so and get a bluetooth OBD adapter and the CVTz50 app. You can read your TCU part number (firmware) and then check in on the Nissan site to see if there's an update.

I think I've told you this before but our 2010 Cube had the CVT replaced under extended warranty but the TCU was NOT updated by the dealer per the TSB instructions. I found a newer version of the TCU on ebay for $100 and swapped that in and saw immediate results on the CVTz50 app and with the driving / slip issues (which have never returned). Currently at 230k km but I need to dig up records to find the mileage when the CVT was replaced in 2017.

I haven't tried to install a CVT cooler yet but fluid temperature (monitored using CVTz50 app) is only an issue in the hot summer days on long trips and even then it's not really a "problem", just concerning. I was also looking at the replacement CVT cooler part numbers to find a lower cost install but it might difficult on the Cube. Note that the CVT cooler has an internal thermostat which is very valuable.

Currently using Amsoil CVT fluid and am about to drop to pan to clean & inspect (I've added about 5 more magnets) and top-up with same fluid. I found a clearance deal on a local CVT fluid so I'll be using that going forward as I believe the issues have been addressed and the CVT system is now fully broken in and fairly clean (extra magnets help). I will not be replacing the internal filter going forward, only cleaning / inspecting the intake screen.

Feel free to post questions here or PM me. Seems like you're on the right track.

 

[martinq]

My 09 Altima which is probably the same as what’s in your Sentra was replaced at 90k simply because I trusted Nissans manual to “inpect fluid” which was a big mistake, and it never got changed. They covered the replacement which gets serviced every spring with new fluid. 130k later and it’s going strong with no signs of failure. New fluid is the lifeblood of these things. A cooler is great as well but the new fluid can take the heat. It’s when the ad pack is spent that things go wrong. I’ve had a cooler in the box for my 18 rogue and have never got around to installing it.

Do you know if the TCU in your car was updated or checked? As I mentioned in the previous post you can check the firmware yourself using a proper OBD scanner or the $5 CVTz50 app and entering that number on the Nissan tech site.

 

[hamiltzp]

Do you know if the TCU in your car was updated or checked? As I mentioned in the previous post you can check the firmware yourself using a proper OBD scanner or the $5 CVTz50 app and entering that number on the Nissan tech site.

No, but it's on my radar. Will the CVTz50 software check the firmware on both the ECU and TCU? And all I need is a cheap ELM327 compatible dongle, right?

 

[D1dad]

Do you know if the TCU in your car was updated or checked? As I mentioned in the previous post you can check the firmware yourself using a proper OBD scanner or the $5 CVTz50 app and entering that number on the Nissan tech site.

It was updated when they installed the new transmission. Before that, I have no clue. I took the car in for the push button recall at around 60k and asked them about cvt service since I was new to the whole setup. They came back with some test that showed the fluid was still in good shape. @90k it started whining on a trip back from St. Louis in July and they replaced it, luckily under warranty.

 

[jghall00]

I think you can skip the upgraded cooler and go with more frequent fluid swaps. A good quality synthetic fluid should be fine if you change it every 30K. The vast majority of failures I've seen mentioned on these CVTs result from owners not changing the fluid. In the dozens of posts I've seen regarding CVT failure, one person said they changed the fluid. Yes, heat will degrade the fluid more quickly, but if you're changing it regularly it should not be an issue. With 60K on it, just drain and fill 2X with a short interval between to dilute the old fluid. Spend the $$$ for hardware upgrades on more fluid. At current prices, $600 is like 24 fluid changes with Castrol Transmax.

 

[SC Maintenance]

That particular variant of the Xtronic is a problem child, but I do know people that have gotten very long lift out of them, including a good friend that got 180K mostly city in his Rogue, and my niece that has a high mile Murano which I think has the same or similar transmission.

I agree changing the fluid frequently is a good idea, frequently being like every 20K or so.

Nissan added a cooler in 2013. I would say it definitely will not hurt. I am not apposed to aftermarket parts but what all does the OEM kit include? As long as the aftermarket kits have all the parts there likely fine also. If its just a cooler and some hoses I would definatley just go cheap. Plenty of people can make a finned radiator for cheap.

You can get the OEM kit online for a discounted amount (plus shipping plus tax). Occasionally parts.nissanusa.com has discounted shipping - like now until end of April. I own 3 Nissans now and haven't been to an actual dealer for parts in at least a decade and won't go. Just keep changing the dealer online using other zip codes until you get one that discounts. I have ordered stuff from all over the country.

 

[martinq]

No, but it's on my radar. Will the CVTz50 software check the firmware on both the ECU and TCU? And all I need is a cheap ELM327 compatible dongle, right?

It won't read the ECU from my experience (2010 Cube) but that could differ by platform. There is a free demo to download and the author was fairly quick to respond to my questions.

You can also physically read the firmware / part-number off the actual ECU / TCU label, that's how I was able to buy a TCU off eBay with up to date firmware.

I would recommend staying away from generic adapters and go with a known brand. I've used VeePeak VP11 ($20) and OBDLink MX+ (~$140)

https://cvtz50.info/en/elm327/

https://veepeak.com/products/obdcheck-vp11

https://www.obdlink.com/products/obdlink-mxp/

 

[martinq]

I think you can skip the upgraded cooler and go with more frequent fluid swaps. A good quality synthetic fluid should be fine if you change it every 30K. The vast majority of failures I've seen mentioned on these CVTs result from owners not changing the fluid. In the dozens of posts I've seen regarding CVT failure, one person said they changed the fluid. Yes, heat will degrade the fluid more quickly, but if you're changing it regularly it should not be an issue. With 60K on it, just drain and fill 2X with a short interval between to dilute the old fluid. Spend the $$$ for hardware upgrades on more fluid. At current prices, $600 is like 24 fluid changes with Castrol Transmax.

The "bad" Nissan firmware will shred the CVT in fairly short order (~100k miles?) but I would expect that keeping the fluid & CVT clean would help. There is no fluid that can fix the firmware unfortunately.

 

[SC Maintenance]

I would recommend staying away from generic adapters and go with a known brand. I've used VeePeak VP11 ($20) and OBDLink MX+ (~$140)

How does the OBDLink MX+ work with your Cube? I am assuming it would work similarly with my Nissan's approximately the same Vintage?

Will it read all systems including transmission?

Is there any 2 way or is it read only? I already have a 2 way Foxwell for ABS and Airbag, so its not a huge issue. What I am really looking for is something to read transmissionmission. Fortunately I have never had a transmission code so knock on wood.

 

[martinq]

How does the OBDLink MX+ work with your Cube? I am assuming it would work similarly with my Nissan's approximately the same Vintage?

Will it read all systems including transmission?

Is there any 2 way or is it read only? I already have a 2 way Foxwell for ABS and Airbag, so its not a huge issue. What I am really looking for is something to read transmissionmission. Fortunately I have never had a transmission code so knock on wood.

I'm really disappointed in the OBDLink software from a data monitoring / diagnostic perspective. The adapter works very well but the only app I use regularly is CVTz50 which works almost as well with (same as?) the $20 VP11.

TLDR: I have three bluetooth OBD adapters and several apps but CVTz50 + VP11 is the only thing I found worthwhile so far.

 

[hamiltzp]

I'm really disappointed in the OBDLink software from a data monitoring / diagnostic perspective. The adapter works very well but the only app I use regularly is CVTz50 which works almost as well with (same as?) the $20 VP11.

TLDR: I have three bluetooth OBD adapters and several apps but CVTz50 + VP11 is the only thing I found worthwhile so far.

That surprises me, because my research was leading me to believe that the OBDLink MX+ was the Cadillac of OBD dongles. I was also looking at the Veepeak VP11 and Veepeak BLE.

I'm also interested in alfaOBD for my Grand Caravan, and they recommend the OBDLink MX+.

 

[jghall00]

That surprises me, because my research was leading me to believe that the OBDLink MX+ was the Cadillac of OBD dongles. I was also looking at the Veepeak VP11 and Veepeak BLE.

I'm also interested in alfaOBD for my Grand Caravan, and they recommend the OBDLink MX+.

The Veepeak BLE+ works on my 2012 Altima with Torque, CVTz50, and Carscanner. I use it on my Niro EV, Expedition, and Blazer EV as well.

 

[hamiltzp]

The Veepeak BLE+ works on my 2012 Altima with Torque, CVTz50, and Carscanner. I use it on my Niro EV, Expedition, and Blazer EV as well.

That's good to know because the BLE+ is a lot more affordable. I know CVTz50 is specifically for Nissan Transmisisons. What's the difference between Torque Pro and Carscanner?

 

[jghall00]

That's good to know because the BLE+ is a lot more affordable. I know CVTz50 is specifically for Nissan Transmisisons. What's the difference between Torque Pro and Carscanner?

I have and use both, but personally I think Carscanner is more feature rich, but also more complicated. I started with Torque for gauges while towing and reading codes. Then I added Carscanner when I started purchasing EVs because it has more preconfigured profiles for various electric profiles and can read the battery module and health info.

I recently got CVTz50 because I decided to tackle the CVT fluid changes myself instead of taking the car to the dealership and wanted fluid temp info. I wasn't sure if Carscanner or Torque could get the CVT info and CVTz50 was cheap enough that I didn't care to learn how to do it with the other apps. I used the BLE+ with all of them successfully. I actually have two of them because my Blazer EV OBD port is hard to access and I got tired of swapping it out.

 

[Revving2Redline]

So do you guys think the cooler/radiator modifications are a good idea anyway, or would you skip it?

Use high end CVT from High Performance Lubricants, Redline or Amsoil and change it every 10k.

 

[D1dad]

So do you guys think the cooler/radiator modifications are a good idea anyway, or would you skip it?

My understanding is that’s more of a warmer than a cooler. This is what you want if you wanna install an actual cooler.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073Q6WQKG?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2