The Nissan Path

We LOVE it so far. We've had a 2001 Max, a 2012 Altima, and now this Pathfinder. We're also in the market for a newer Max too...

Anyway! I've been reading a lot about this transmission problem with the radiator fluid and all that. I was wondering: do all trucks with a tow hitch have a tow package? Meaning, can I do the bypass? Or is there another option?

What if the transmission was already replaced? Did Nissan have a fix for this? Or did they just replace everything for it to happen again?

Doodooshootooo wrote:We LOVE it so far. We've had a 2001 Max, a 2012 Altima, and now this Pathfinder. We're also in the market for a newer Max too...

Anyway! I've been reading a lot about this transmission problem with the radiator fluid and all that. I was wondering: do all trucks with a tow hitch have a tow package? Meaning, can I do the bypass? Or is there another option?

What if the transmission was already replaced? Did Nissan have a fix for this? Or did they just replace everything for it to happen again?

all US model R51 Pathfinders have the tow package
currently, the extended warranty includes a new/updated radiator, and any subsequent damage repaired that is caused by the radiator/transmission cooler failure
here is more info on the extended warranty:
http://www.nissanassist.com/web/Radiato ... hp?menu=21
as we do not know the service history of your particular truck, your last question is difficult to answer

eieio wrote:

Doodooshootooo wrote:We LOVE it so far. We've had a 2001 Max, a 2012 Altima, and now this Pathfinder. We're also in the market for a newer Max too...

Anyway! I've been reading a lot about this transmission problem with the radiator fluid and all that. I was wondering: do all trucks with a tow hitch have a tow package? Meaning, can I do the bypass? Or is there another option?

What if the transmission was already replaced? Did Nissan have a fix for this? Or did they just replace everything for it to happen again?

all US model R51 Pathfinders have the tow package
currently, the extended warranty includes a new/updated radiator, and any subsequent damage repaired that is caused by the radiator/transmission cooler failure
here is more info on the extended warranty:
http://www.nissanassist.com/web/Radiato ... hp?menu=21
as we do not know the service history of your particular truck, your last question is difficult to answer

We're at 109k miles, so that would put us out of the extended warranty anyway

Also, if I'm understanding this correctly... The fix would be as simple as capping off the inner radiator? Just bypassing it, correct?

Doodooshootooo wrote:

eieio wrote:

Doodooshootooo wrote:We LOVE it so far. We've had a 2001 Max, a 2012 Altima, and now this Pathfinder. We're also in the market for a newer Max too...

Anyway! I've been reading a lot about this transmission problem with the radiator fluid and all that. I was wondering: do all trucks with a tow hitch have a tow package? Meaning, can I do the bypass? Or is there another option?

What if the transmission was already replaced? Did Nissan have a fix for this? Or did they just replace everything for it to happen again?

all US model R51 Pathfinders have the tow package
currently, the extended warranty includes a new/updated radiator, and any subsequent damage repaired that is caused by the radiator/transmission cooler failure
here is more info on the extended warranty:
http://www.nissanassist.com/web/Radiato ... hp?menu=21
as we do not know the service history of your particular truck, your last question is difficult to answer

We're at 109k miles, so that would put us out of the extended warranty anyway

do some searches at this forum on the by-pass procedure
i'd recommend doing the by-pass, especially at your mileage, unless you can somehow determine if you have an updated radiator

eieio wrote:

Doodooshootooo wrote:

eieio wrote: all US model R51 Pathfinders have the tow package
currently, the extended warranty includes a new/updated radiator, and any subsequent damage repaired that is caused by the radiator/transmission cooler failure
here is more info on the extended warranty:
http://www.nissanassist.com/web/Radiato ... hp?menu=21
as we do not know the service history of your particular truck, your last question is difficult to answer

We're at 109k miles, so that would put us out of the extended warranty anyway

do some searches at this forum on the by-pass procedure
i'd recommend doing the by-pass, especially at your mileage, unless you can somehow determine if you have an updated radiator

I'm assuming the dealership would be able to tell?

I'm assuming the dealership would be able to tell?

don't know, and wouldn't assume anything
there may be a thread here on this forum indicating the difference between new and old, maybe by part number

eieio wrote:

I'm assuming the dealership would be able to tell?

don't know, and wouldn't assume anything
there may be a thread here on this forum indicating the difference between new and old, maybe by part number

Alright, I'll get to it! Thanks for your help!

Doodooshootooo wrote:

eieio wrote:

I'm assuming the dealership would be able to tell?

don't know, and wouldn't assume anything
there may be a thread here on this forum indicating the difference between new and old, maybe by part number

Alright, I'll get to it! Thanks for your help!

the by-pass is very quick & easy to do
it takes about 45 minutes max and requires no additional parts or materials
it is just as easily reversible
you might want to consider doing it until you get the rest of the details sorted out
i would
the radiator failure/trans damage is a disaster, better to avoid it

Genuine Nissan radiators will usually have "Nissan" molded in the upper tank, along with a Calsonic sticker on the driver's side of the radiator cap with a part #. If the last part of the 10-digit part # is "-EA215" or "-EA265," you have the original radiator in it. If the last part is "-9CA2E," your '05 has had the radiator replaced with a Nissan unit, but it "may" or "may not" be the updated unit, depending on when it was installed. The update seems to have been done during the "-9CA2E" range, but some have reported the early ones failing, so it's no guarantee. Aftermarket radiators will not have the Nissan sticker nor "Nissan" molded into the top tank. The also might have a different petcock. The Nissan petcock will be flat and have the "+" slotted in it, whereas an aftermarket "may" have a tab for one to grab onto and turn it as opposed to using a screwdriver.

I'll be doing the bypass tomorrow. Is there a place locally (Auto Zone, Pep Boys, etc) that will have the male-male hose attachment and nipples so I don't have to order them online and wait 2 days?

Doodooshootooo wrote:I'll be doing the bypass tomorrow. Is there a place locally (Auto Zone, Pep Boys, etc) that will have the male-male hose attachment and nipples so I don't have to order them online and wait 2 days?

Did you confirm what radiator you have? smj's info should make it pretty quick to determine if you have a nissan or aftermarket. If it's aftermarket you don't need to do the bypass.

AZ_Path wrote:

Doodooshootooo wrote:I'll be doing the bypass tomorrow. Is there a place locally (Auto Zone, Pep Boys, etc) that will have the male-male hose attachment and nipples so I don't have to order them online and wait 2 days?

Did you confirm what radiator you have? smj's info should make it pretty quick to determine if you have a nissan or aftermarket. If it's aftermarket you don't need to do the bypass.

It's EA265

Doodooshootooo wrote:I'll be doing the bypass tomorrow. Is there a place locally (Auto Zone, Pep Boys, etc) that will have the male-male hose attachment and nipples so I don't have to order them online and wait 2 days?

from my post above:

eieio wrote: it takes about 45 minutes max and requires no additional parts or materials

eieio wrote:

Doodooshootooo wrote:I'll be doing the bypass tomorrow. Is there a place locally (Auto Zone, Pep Boys, etc) that will have the male-male hose attachment and nipples so I don't have to order them online and wait 2 days?

from my post above:

eieio wrote: it takes about 45 minutes max and requires no additional parts or materials

Weird! I swear the one I read the other day had you connecting two hoses. I can't find it though. This is what I do though, right? Just swap hoses like here?

http://www.thenewx.org/forum/showthread ... pics/25955