Moderator: volvite
that's the MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION!jspitz wrote:This and other stories really make me think the solution is a better built replacement radiator, but the question is what should we buy?
Contamination? None that I could see. The tran fluid was clear and blood red.eieio wrote:has the truck ever had a coolant/trans contamination problem, or was it by-passed before anything happened?
where was your ATF oil leaking from (specifically: hose, connection, aftermarket cooler)?
how much oil did you lose from the leak (how much did it take to adjust back to the proper level)?
also curious as to what aftermarket cooler was installed, and where.....
Directly behind the existing cooler.eieio wrote:still curious, where did you mount the Derale cooler?
I'd get that trans fluid out quick, And I mean quick. Like this weekend. This anit my first PF. Go to the stealership and buy the 10 bucks a quart trans fluid. If the mixing doesnt get you, the Non-Nissan trans fluid will.jrjohn77 wrote:Directly behind the existing cooler.eieio wrote:still curious, where did you mount the Derale cooler?
UPDATE: So, I drove home tonight from work(only 3 miles) as easily as I could to reduce shifts. I leave the PF running in the driveway and I pull the transmission dip stick and it still shows full. I leave the dipstick out and let the PF sit, running, for about 10 minutes. I return, re-insert the dip stick, pull it back out and it's dry as a bone. I check again and again to make sure I'm not crazy. I check all tubes and and around the PF for leaks and everything is clean.
I head straight to Pep Boys and I buy their recommended 6 quarts of Castrol's Transmax transmission fluid. I drain the transmission so I know it's empty before adding fluid back in. I pour in the six quarts let the PF sit for a few more minutes and then take it for a spin. The downshifting problem now seems to be gone.
Now, I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
The Castrol Transmax fluid meets the specs of the Nissan fluid and it even states it is specifically designed for Nissan, Toyota and Honda.bakerbaker wrote:I'd get that trans fluid out quick, And I mean quick. Like this weekend. This anit my first PF. Go to the stealership and buy the 10 bucks a quart trans fluid. If the mixing doesnt get you, the Non-Nissan trans fluid will.jrjohn77 wrote:I head straight to Pep Boys and I buy their recommended 6 quarts of Castrol's Transmax transmission fluid.
You dont have to believe anything, You get to select which theory you like best. I called the local stealership and they said any fluid that is compatible would not void the warranty. So use whatever fluid you like. I use Nissan trans fluid. Lets leave it at that.FLiPMaRC wrote:I'm sorry, but I don't believe Nissan made transmissions to only work with Nissan brand fluids.
There is a label under the hood of our pathfinders that says to use only genuine Nissan fluid. Having heard many stories about Nissans, Hondas, and certain GMs that need specific factory fill trans fluid, I am inclined to beleive them!bakerbaker wrote:You dont have to believe anything, You get to select which theory you like best. I called the local stealership and they said any fluid that is compatible would not void the warranty. So use whatever fluid you like. I use Nissan trans fluid. Lets leave it at that.FLiPMaRC wrote:I'm sorry, but I don't believe Nissan made transmissions to only work with Nissan brand fluids.
My wife has an 05 SE that I know has the ability to be a timebomb so since I did the oil today I found you guys and did the bypass today. I did the rerout also, no connectors, etc.bellwilliam wrote:just did the bypass. easier done than describing it. but I did not use any additional parts. no coupler, no hose clamp (reuse original), no zip tie.
you have 2 hoses -
hose A - from external transmission cooler to radiator (passenger side)
hose B - from radiator (driver side) to engine block.
take hose A off radiator (passenger side) and plug into engine block
take hose B off engine block and plug into radiator (passenger side), forming a loop within.
reuse all the old hose and clamp. length is perfect.
Before
After