| Eric L. |
Given my recent run-in with a leaking axle seal off the transmission, I thought I'd post this information of how to check for leaks for other Murano owners to catch the problem early and avoid a potentially catastrophic failure of the very expensive CVT or AWD transfer case.
Basically, there are axle seals coming from the transmission and transfer case. On FWD models, both front axle halfshafts come out of the transmission, but on AWD models, the drivers side axle comes out of the transmission and the passengers side axle comes out of the AWD transfer case. This thread will show where to look for a leak on the drivers side to see if you have a leak at that axle seal, which presumably applies also for FWD Muranos.
Here is are two pictures of the leak on my Murano - notice the gear oil (in this case CVT fluid) has gotten all over the axle boot and suspension crossmember, as well as the underside of the transmission/transfer case.
 
Here is a picture from jaak's Murano, of the leaking drivers side axle seal. In his case, the problem was so severe the transfer case actually cracked I believe, which led to a major leak and failure.
So, keep an eye out for these types of leaks - they do not necessarily leak onto the floor, since they can be either very slow and/or burn off from the nearby hot exhaust components (some have complained about a burning smell after parking the car). If you catch it early enough, it is likely there will be no damage to the CVT or transfer case. Too late, and you are looking at a $5000 out of warranty repair bill.
Hopefully the pictures are self explanatory, but if you are unsure, just look underneath the vehicle, it should look approximately the same. |
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| Mr3Putt |
Very useful Eric!
I'll be crawling under the MO tonight. (wearing my 21 led headlight found in the steals and deals thread) |
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| jkster107 |
I love that headlamp!
I've been smelling the occasional burning smell. I wondered if it might be expected from a new engine during it's break-in period, but since I caught a whiff of it in the garage when we pulled in last night I might as well crawl under and take a look.
Thanks so much for the great pictures. |
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| pcdc518 |
| I just had my transmission REPLACED in July of this year!! And now it is leaking like you describe. Did the dealer not do it right or am I looking at a loose seal or gasket?? |
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| Eric L. |
quote:
Originally posted by pcdc518
I just had my transmission REPLACED in July of this year!! And now it is leaking like you describe. Did the dealer not do it right or am I looking at a loose seal or gasket??
Take it back and have them look at it. Hopefully it is just a bad seal, which can be replaced quickly. |
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| mgthe3 |
quote:
Originally posted by jkster107
I love that headlamp!
I've been smelling the occasional burning smell. I wondered if it might be expected from a new engine during it's break-in period, but since I caught a whiff of it in the garage when we pulled in last night I might as well crawl under and take a look.
Thanks so much for the great pictures.
A lot of times that is the rubber hangers for the exhaust "burning in".
It did it on my 04 and my 07.
Once it is broken in, I imagine I will smell it some more after spirited drives, it goes away.
:) |
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| Zooropa |
Eric
Thanks for the pics. I am very close to 60,000 miles and last night I looked under my Mo and saw some disturbing leaks. I'm goona print your pics and see if they are coming from the same place.
I had my transfer case replaced already under warranty. Should I take it to the dealer and say "Replace my transfer case again?"
In your first pic, is that a crack in the metal I see? |
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| Eric L. |
quote:
Originally posted by Zooropa
Eric
Thanks for the pics. I am very close to 60,000 miles and last night I looked under my Mo and saw some disturbing leaks. I'm goona print your pics and see if they are coming from the same place.
I had my transfer case replaced already under warranty. Should I take it to the dealer and say "Replace my transfer case again?"
In your first pic, is that a crack in the metal I see?
I think it is just a fluid stain, not a crack. If it cracked, it would have leaked a lot more! |
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| Corin |
| I'll chime in here as well to say "Thanks." I've been PLANNING to check this for a long time now. Hopefully this will push me over the edge to do it this weekend. |
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| cliffymiracle |
Hey gents,
I was checking my Murano after having tires put on and noticed that my driver's / passenger's side output shafts are lightly coated, no drips, minimal road grime. The trans case does not appear to have as much of a coating on it as the shaft does. I've had issues with other vehicles and each time I had them inspected, the service guy always said "seepage, it's normal". So, that in mind, should there be a slight coating on the output shafts?
Thanks,
I'm still under extended warranty...
*OOOPS, I just saw Corin's thread...* |
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| BikerJohn |
Eric; thanks for posting the photos.
Has anyone actually done the work on their own? |
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| cliffymiracle |
quote:
Originally posted by BikerJohn
Eric; thanks for posting the photos.
Has anyone actually done the work on their own?
In speaking with my dealer (which I hate to do), he kinda indicated that Nissan is aware of the problem and was willing to fix it even if my Murano was out of warranty. I would try calling Nissan corporate first to see what they say about it...complain, what have you got to lose?
So I'm happy to say, the seals were covered under my extended warranty and the dealer gave me a tad of BS because I do all of the maintenance myself. After showing my meticulous documnetation, there wasn't very much of an argument. My THANKS to the site again... |
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| cliffymiracle |
UPDATE:
After having the seals replaced, I thought everything was OK, NOT!!!
After one week of driving, I kept smelling a burning oil smell. A check of the CVT revealed a WORSE LEAK. Prior to the repair, there was only seepage, now there is DRIPPING!!!
I inspected the seal on the passenger's side and it looks like its leaking from the seal and drain plug area. I cleaned the area twice only to find it wet and dripping of NS2 the next day. I'll let you know how it goes at the dealership...I am not happy. So, for anyone else who has had the work done, check it again. Just in case.
Results: 2 days later I get a call sayin that the seal was defective??? So again, re-check them just in case!!! |
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| gatr09 |
Uhh Ohh
I have about 4,500 miles left on my 48 mo/48k mile extended warranty. Let’s see if the stealership gives me crap about it.
I never have a burning smell, though. |
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| njjoe |
gatr09-
There is no doubt about it, you have bona-fide oil leak.
Let us know what your dealer says.
-njjoe |
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| gatr09 |
quote:
Originally posted by njjoe
gatr09-
There is no doubt about it, you have bona-fide oil leak.
Let us know what your dealer says.
-njjoe
Great... |
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| njjoe |
quote:
Originally posted by gatr09
Great...
Hey, look on the bright side. Better now then 4,501 miles from now. :4:
-njjoe |
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| gatr09 |
quote:
Originally posted by njjoe
Hey, look on the bright side. Better now then 4,501 miles from now. :4:
-njjoe
True.
How do you repair this?
Open it up and just replace the seal?
Would they/should they drain my CVT fluid then? |
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| njjoe |
quote:
Originally posted by gatr09
How do you repair this?
It all depends on the source of the leak.
If it is leaking from the output seals then they can replace the seals. There have been reports of mixed success with this approach. I few members have reported new seal leaks soon after the seals are replaced.
If the leak is where the housing segments are joined, the dealer will replace the entire CVT. Nissan does not rebuild the CVT nor the transfer case.
-njjoe |
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| gatr09 |
quote:
Originally posted by njjoe
gatr09-
There is no doubt about it, you have bona-fide oil leak.
Let us know what your dealer says.
-njjoe
It’s not my transfer case that’s leaking, it’s my Transmission Oil Cooler, which is apparently “in the same general area as the CVT/Transfer Case which is why the leak has appeared on and below it,” as the customer service rep at Ardmore Nissan so confidently put it.
We’ll see what happens. It’s covered under the extended warranty along with the Axle Bearing and Hub Assembly that need to be replaced and are the cause of the vibrations at 20 mph and up.
I’m heading over to pick up my MO. I have to wait for the parts to come in and I can’t be without my ride. I’ll let you all know what happens after they install ‘em.
Wish me luck. |
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| njjoe |
quote:
Originally posted by gatr09
It’s not my transfer case that’s leaking, it’s my Transmission Oil Cooler,
gatr09-
Did they (or you) check the CVT fluid level? Regardless of the source of the leak, the result is the same if too much fluid leaks from the assembly.
-njjoe |
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| gatr09 |
quote:
Originally posted by njjoe
gatr09-
Did they (or you) check the CVT fluid level? Regardless of the source of the leak, the result is the same if too much fluid leaks from the assembly.
-njjoe
I did not. Don't know if they did either.
Thanks for the heads up. |
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| gatr09 |
I'm good to go!
Transmission Oil Cooler leak was fixed and the Axle Bearing and Hub Assembly were replaced. She rides as smooth and as quiet as ever and there is no drip on my driveway now.
Total cost to me = $0 All fell under the extended warranty.
Unreal, my first positive experience at a stealership.
Let's see how long that lasts. |
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| BikerJohn |
| :claphead: :claphead: :claphead: :claphead: |
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