Auto Transmission worked fine and now it doesn;t

[Slartibartfast]

Yeah, I thought it looked a little funny and googled it, turned out it was out of a GM, and was the result of mixing different types of antifreeze. I'm not sure why I thought it was a trans cooler. Sorry about any confusion.

 

You're right, a straight-up clog would completely disable the trans. My understanding is that the cooler only partially clogs, resulting in reduced line pressure and incomplete clutch engagement, leading to accelerated wear. Then by the time somebody thinks to test the cooler, the clutches are buggered and the cooler's properly mucked up. (Plus they probably don't check for flow with ATF at full line pressure.)

 

Of course, the trans is probably on its way out anyway if there's enough clutch material in the fluid to bugger the cooler. Either way I'm happy my trans cooler/radiator got replaced with the timing belt.

[Precise1]

Again, this is why an inline filter is a very good idea!

 

B

[silverton]

There aren't any facts that the cooler gets clogged either. Just countless trucks that end up with no reverse, has anyone actually torn apart a radiator to cut open the cooler to see what's in there?

 

When i replaced the transmission in my truck I ran a can of carb cleaner through my radiator transmission cooler, in one port, and the other was in to a bucket. The only thing that cam out was carb cleaner that was slightly reddened by the minimal amount of transmission fluid that was still in there.

 

It's a transmission problem that was fixed with the (W)D22 series. Even R50's are finally starting to pop up with failed automatics.

Edited December 6, 2012 by silverton

[Precise1]

So you are basing your statements on your experience with 2 pathfinders and a can of carb cleaner?

Just a year ago you are talking about how coolers clog yourself. Which is it, man?

http://www.nissanpathfinders.net/forum/topic/31556-catastrophic-at-failure/#entry595965

 

Then there is the small fact of Nissan's TSB on the need to flush the cooler to get rid of contaminants and... blockage and/or restricted flow!

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/pathfinder/TSB/NTB00-056b%20-%201988%20AND%20LATER%20NISSAN%20VEHICLES%20AUTOMATIC%20TRANSMISSION%20OIL%20COOLER%20CLEANING.pdf

 

Nissan wouldn't issue a TSB unless this was a proven issue, and quite frankly, I suspect they know far more than you do. I'll stand by my statement that the coolers are prone to clogging (be it partially or completely) and insist you do not post blatant misinformation.

 

B

[silverton]

So you are basing your statements on your experience with 2 pathfinders and a can of carb cleaner?

Just a year ago you are talking about how coolers clog yourself. Which is it, man?

http://www.nissanpathfinders.net/forum/topic/31556-catastrophic-at-failure/#entry595965

 

Then there is the small fact of Nissan's TSB on the need to flush the cooler to get rid of contaminants and... blockage and/or restricted flow!

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/pathfinder/TSB/NTB00-056b%20-%201988%20AND%20LATER%20NISSAN%20VEHICLES%20AUTOMATIC%20TRANSMISSION%20OIL%20COOLER%20CLEANING.pdf

 

Nissan wouldn't issue a TSB unless this was a proven issue, and quite frankly, I suspect they know far more than you do. I'll stand by my statement that the coolers are prone to clogging (be it partially or completely) and insist you do not post blatant misinformation.

 

B

 

I was still relatively new then and was just going by what I had read on the forum.

 

Even people who have meticulously cared for their trucks with proper transmission oil changes have failed transmissions. The one I dumped a can of carb cleaner through had only been failed for less than 1000 miles when I acquired it, I would expect some sort of debris to come out of the cooler.

 

Just saying, there might be a TSB about it, but it's probably because of all the reports they had of failed transmissions, so what could a service bulletin about cleaning out the cooler hurt? Nissan, like most companies, was probably just trying to cover themselves by saying they did _something_ about it, but when really, they didn't.

 

No rock solid proof that it clogs or reduces flow, or otherwise, it's all heresay to me and we've just come to a conclusion to fault the cooler.

 

My two cents, that same transmission is in several other RWD models, and they don't have issues, I'm guessing it's the extra 1000 pounds over the other heaviest model (300zx) that carried the same transmission, it wasn't up to the task to haul around the Pathfinder, which is why they made it stronger in the WD22 series.

[Towncivilian]

I think it is standard practice for any dealer or shop to clean out a transmission cooler when doing a rebuild or replace of a transmission, to help prevent any old debris from damaging the new/rebuilt transmission. If the cooler can not be cleaned sufficiently, it is supposed to be replaced. See the TSB Precise1 linked above.

 

Hell, it wouldn't hurt to clean the cooler every 100k miles or so, or when doing a full fluid exchange or something... and it would definitely be a great idea to do if you plan on retaining the stock cooler when installing an auxiliary cooler.

Edited December 7, 2012 by Towncivilian

[Precise1]

Just saying, there might be a TSB about it, but it's probably because of all the reports they had of failed transmissions, so what could a service bulletin about cleaning out the cooler hurt? Nissan, like most companies, was probably just trying to cover themselves by saying they did _something_ about it, but when really, they didn't.

 

No rock solid proof that it clogs or reduces flow, or otherwise, it's all heresay to me and we've just come to a conclusion to fault the cooler.

 

My two cents, that same transmission is in several other RWD models, and they don't have issues, I'm guessing it's the extra 1000 pounds over the other heaviest model (300zx) that carried the same transmission, it wasn't up to the task to haul around the Pathfinder, which is why they made it stronger in the WD22 series.

Ok, back to supposition. Your shakey surmising is far less supported than what I have offered as evidence. Again what do you base your belief on other than guesswork? That transmissions fail eventually? Really? Please...

I'm not trying to convince you, believe what ever you wish. I'm just trying to keep you from misleading others.

 

B

[Kingman]

My two cents, that same transmission is in several other RWD models, and they don't have issues, I'm guessing it's the extra 1000 pounds over the other heaviest model (300zx) that carried the same transmission, it wasn't up to the task to haul around the Pathfinder, which is why they made it stronger in the WD22 series.

 

The Z31s used an (E)4N71B not an RE4. They fail too. The RE4 is used in the Mazda MPVs and the Subaru SVXs. And yes, they have issues.

[nunya]

Just trying to get my footnotes here in order from the recent activity. A given issue (the factory cooler) is being speculated as being a fraud over someone else speculation. ​No facts, just theory being fought for as fact without backup though the original issue at hand had factory confessed design flaw (the TSB for example) and people who have done things about this flaw (external coolers and bypassing the factory one) seem to have been able to prolong life of scarred transmissions and/or not had issues afterwards (from my observations around here over my time spent on the boards). Don't get me wrong, it don't exactly affect me as I have 3 pedals under my dash... just reading up on a little drama I ain't part of for some reason. I'm sad I wasn't invited quite honestly