CVT Fluid Level

dkfchan · Jul 10, 2007

How can owner check if CVT has enough fluid? There is no reference of CVT fluid checking in the user manual.

There is some transmission fluid leak and the dealer will fix it next week. I personally would like to make sure the fluid level is fine after the fix.

Thanks,
David

njjoe · Jul 10, 2007

dkfchan-

The following is from the Service Manual.

-njjoe

Gonzo · Jul 10, 2007

njjoe, you are fast!

dkfchan · Jul 10, 2007

Thanks for your replay. Where is the CVT gauge?

njjoe · Jul 11, 2007

dkfchan said:
Where is the CVT gauge?

Under the hood... the dipstick marked with "USE ONLY NISSAN CVT FLUID". :1pat:

-njjoe

BlueSteW8 · Jul 14, 2007

I did look around a little bit, but does anybody know the torque spec for the CVT drain plug?

Getting ready to change the fluid later today, and that would be good to know.
Picked up the fluid this morning (6 quarts @ 15.98 each), and a new copper drain plug washer.

Thanks,
Stewart

njjoe · Jul 15, 2007

BlueSteW8 said:
I did look around a little bit, but does anybody know the torque spec for the CVT drain plug?

Getting ready to change the fluid later today, and that would be good to know.

Thanks,
Stewart

Stewart-

According to the service manual you do not use that plug to drain the CVT fluid. Instead it indicates you are to use the CVT fluid cooler hose. See below.

-njjoe

BlueSteW8 · Jul 15, 2007

Thanks Joe,

I was going by Eric's DIY, however, so I only purchased 6 qts of fluid.
If I use the "correct" procedure I'll be about 5 qts shy - and at 15.98/qt, that adds a bit to the budget.
Here in MN dealerships are closed, by law I think, on Sundays so I can't get more today anyway.

I'm guessing the procedure outlined above is for the full CVT "flush"?

Eric L. · Jul 15, 2007

You can drain it from the plug and its just like any other automatic transmission fluid change. I did that and it works for me, and I would be surprised if dealers don't also do that way (to be lazy). The cooler tube method is another way that drains more fluid out but its also more work. As for torque specs on the plug, its the same size thread and width as the oil pan plug (the nut might be larger though, but the thread is identical since the copper washer is the same), so as with oil changes, I would "hand tighten" with a wrench.

BlueSteW8 · Jul 15, 2007

Eric,
I did the hand tight method with a new copper crush washer, and I wiped everything down good to spot any leaks.
At 60k miles, the fluid was pretty brown, but didn't smell "burnt".
5.5 quarts later, the dipstick came out looking very clean!

Thanks again for humoring me - I'm used to working on my VW, and the Germans torque spec EVERYTHING. Even screws holding on plastic trim pieces.

Stewart

Eric L. · Jul 15, 2007

BlueSteW8 said:
Eric,
I did the hand tight method with a new copper crush washer, and I wiped everything down good to spot any leaks.
At 60k miles, the fluid was pretty brown, but didn't smell "burnt".
5.5 quarts later, the dipstick came out looking very clean!

Thanks again for humoring me - I'm used to working on my VW, and the Germans torque spec EVERYTHING. Even screws holding on plastic trim pieces.

Stewart

Great to hear! Enjoy the ride (and the smooooth CVT).

lovesvg · Oct 26, 2007

Looking for the CVT Drain Plug

Hello Everyone,

I am planning to go under the Murano this weekend to drain the CVT fluid. I've read the posting on CVT DIY Fluid drain, and I am new at this. Can anyone tell me if this is the CVT drain plug??? Took this snapshot underneath the vehicle, under the driver side, by the left wheel.

Thanks in advance!!!

Eric L. · Oct 26, 2007

Re: Looking for the CVT Drain Plug

lovesvg said:
Hello Everyone,

I am planning to go under the Murano this weekend to drain the CVT fluid. I've read the posting on CVT DIY Fluid drain, and I am new at this. Can anyone tell me if this is the CVT drain plug??? Took this snapshot underneath the vehicle, under the driver side, by the left wheel.

Thanks in advance!!!

Yes I think thats it, but I also emailed you earlier with pictures from underneath my MO, and specific pictures of the drainplug. Mine does not have the allen hex bolt pattern, just a normal big six sided bolt.

Gonzo · Oct 26, 2007

Can anyone post a picture of the CVT fluid cooler hose (return side)? I see it in the service manual but can't determine for sure where it is in the engine compartment.

Eric L. · Oct 26, 2007

Gonzo said:
Can anyone post a picture of the CVT fluid cooler hose (return side)? I see it in the service manual but can't determine for sure where it is in the engine compartment.

It should be on the opposite side of the transmission cooler, unless the cooler tube makes a U-turn and the outlet comes back near where the inlet starts.

Essentially it is like this:

CVT -> cooler inlet -> cooler outlet -> CVT

njjoe · Oct 26, 2007

Gonzo said:
Can anyone post a picture of the CVT fluid cooler hose (return side)? I see it in the service manual but can't determine for sure where it is in the engine compartment.

G-

Which one are you referring to? There are two cooling circuits - one that goes to a remote heat exchanger and the other to the heat exchanger embedded in the radiator.

-njjoe

ekaxel · Oct 26, 2007

Why are WE (sic) changing our fluid? Thought you didn't have to do that unless you were doing some serious HD towing???

njjoe · Oct 26, 2007

ekaxel said:
Why are WE (sic) changing our fluid? Thought you didn't have to do that unless you were doing some serious HD towing???

Paranoia, fear of the unknown, old habits, reluctance in accepting new technology (chemistry)... take your pick.

-njjoe

Kris · Oct 26, 2007

I would add: mistrust....

Eric L. · Oct 26, 2007

Probably a little bit of overcautiousness on my part, but because I enjoy working on my car. The way I see it, even if it doesn't do anything, it certainly can't hurt anything either.

CVT Fluid Level

dkfchan

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BlueSteW8

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