LadyRenegade

My '97 Pathfinder with about 96K on it is right now at the dealer having the timing belt changed (also the water pump and cam seals while they are at it). I told them it has a whine/whistle noise at neutral but it goes away as soon as the auto trans engages. I just got a call from them saying it is NOT the trans (and will remain a mystery noise unless I wish to make another appt for them to hunt it down. Not likely.)

ANYway, they said they checked the transmission fluid and it appears to have been in there longer than 30K miles. For this reason, they say do not service it as all the higher-viscosity old fluid will not be removed and the remainder will be thinned by new fluid and this could kill the tranny within 5K. They don't even recommend a full flush! The guy thinks I could go another 50K with it untouched until it siezes.

I don't like to abuse a transmission, and always service one at regular intervals, but I bought this Pathfinder used/abused a few months ago.No service history was available. It runs fine, but the plugs were way worn, the PCV valve was gooey, etc.

What do you guys think of the dealer's recommendation?

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1997 Pathfinder SE auto 4x4
the green machine

Zilverado

Now there's a piece of advice for ya.

I am by no means a tranny expert, but it sounds more like they want you to have them do a $4000 tranny replacement 2 years from now rather than a $100 flush/refill now. I understand that tranny fluid can not be completely drained, resulting in mixing of the old and the new, but this advice sounds a little fishy. Even if you did a couple of complete flushes/refills to try and eliminate most of the old fluid, it's still WAAAYYY cheaper that their suggested alternative.

See what others say, but that's what I think...

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Zilverado
1992 Pathfinder V6-SE 4wd

lewisnc100

You should be fine doing a drain and fill, or a flush. Unless they found quite a bit of material in the fluid or the pan magnet I wouldn't worry about it.

Also mixing old and new fluid is not a bad thing, in fact that is Nissan's standard maintenance called for in the FSM, just a drain and fill. And after the 1st drain and fill they check if the ATF is still dirty, if so drain and fill again.

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1997 Pathfinder XE
Air Lift Air Bags, Warn Hubs

Fred Sanford

The same thing happened when I brought my '91 pathy to the dealer to get the tranny fluid flushed and filled. They didn't want to do the job. They told me that older cars shouldn't have the fluid flushed if it hasn't been flushed regularly because any particulate matter could be helping the transmission to function. They said that flushing it may hurt it.

I thought they were full of crap and I drained and refilled the fluid and added an external tranny cooler and an external fluid filter. The tranny shifts fine and everything is working out well. In only 2 years of dealing with the Nissan dealer, I've learned that they are basically full of crap, over priced, and lazy!

Although, I may have to yield to their expertise in order to change my timing belt, water pump, and seals in a few months. I'm fast approaching 120K.

Zilverado

If you are taking it somewhere to do the work, might I suggest you ask around and find a good "independant" mechanic in your area - - don't patronise a poor dealer unless you have to. The work you're describing is nothing that a competant mechanic can't handle. So unless you are forced to deal with this dealer - DON'T.

This is just my opinion. Fortunately, I have the benefit of having a few good mechanics to choose from in my area. This, of course, is only when the job gets too big for me (I try to do most of my maintenance work myself).

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Zilverado
1992 Pathfinder V6-SE 4wd