[njjoe]

Joyce-

Welcome to the forum.

It is a shame that your first post is about a transfer case failure.

Nissan did a very poor job on the MO's AWD system. The transfer case is the Achilles Heal. It is relatively crude compared to others in it's class.

In the future, to minimize problems, do not engage the AWD LOCK switch. Instead just let the system operate in the automatic mode.

-njjoe

 

[buckerbie]

Well, here we go again. My 2007 SL AWD has a transfer case seal leak again. It was first discovered about a year ago and a couple of attempts were made to repair the problem. In the end the dealer replaced the original transfer case in May 2008. Long story short, after they swapped out the transfer case, they forgot to tighten the brackets supporting the propeller shaft and it fell off last summer in British Columbia during a 3 week road trip.

Since then, I noticed that the CVT makes a chattering sound at low speeds, usually when accelerating from a complete stop. Took MO in for an oil change a couple of weeks ago where they noticed that the seal between the transfer case and CVT was leaking. Dealer attempted yesterday to replace the transfer case seal but decided that the fluid in the transfer case was contaminated and are now in the process of replacing the entire thing again.

Since the leak occurs in the same seal everytime, doesn't it make sense that perhaps the transfer case isn't sitting snug/properly up against the CVT? Could the CVT side be warped or something? And if so, no matter how many transfer cases they install, the leak will persist.

Has anyone had luck pursuing a lemon law buyback on their AWD MO for the transfer case leaks?

 

[njjoe]

Dealer attempted yesterday to replace the transfer case seal but decided that the fluid in the transfer case was contaminated and are now in the process of replacing the entire thing again.

Transfer case oil contaminated?? Contaminated by what?

The transfer case is a sealed unit. There are no other fluids anywhere near it.

Was it contaminated with metal shavings?

-njjoe

 

[Eric L.]

Make sure to file a complaint with NHTSA. If these transfer cases are ticking time bombs, its nice for them to have a record of it for future action.

 

[cliffymiracle]

Sad to see that this issue lingers on without Nissan acknowledging it. Every Murano owner I encounter gets the "have you checked your CVT for leaks" question...9 out of 10 thank me later and tell me that their M is serviced by a dealer...and of course never told about this problem!!!

I'm on the the third set of seals and no leaks after 10k...it's only a matter of time though!!!

 

[buckerbie]

Got MO back from the Dealer last night with transfer case # 3 in 18 months. According to the technician, the reason that they had to replace the entire thing was because the one they put in last year was missing the vent tube. They concluded that the contamination to the TC oil was from the unprotected hole where the vent tube should have been... They were very nice at the Dealer and did go out of their way with customer service. They stated that my experience with the MO has been "very unfortunate"...

So that raises the question of where did the TC vent go? Did it fall off the car in the last 9 months or was it missing to begin with? Did it fall off when the propeller shaft fell down?

I think I will file a complaint with the NHTSA as well as a written complaint to Nissan NA. According to the California lemon law, I guess I have to file a complaint with the manufacturer first before pursuing any legal action.

I'm due for 30K service in a couple of months so I will sit and wait to see if this new TC starts leaking by then and go from there.

 

[njjoe]

buckerbie-

My guess would be that the vent tube either was not installed when the transfer case was replaced or it was removed/displaced when the driveshaft was reinstalled. I doubt very much that it was knocked off by the driveshaft itself.

-njjoe

 

[buckerbie]

Thanks njjoe. According the one of the service advisors at the dealership, the vent tube should be machined on to the TC. So it had to be forcefully removed or was missing to begin with. I'm thinking the latter. Appears that the mechanic at the dealer who installed the first replacement transfer case was a moron...

Anyway, I'd like to keep an eye on the seal between the CVT and TC. Where do I look under the car? Is it more on the passenger side?

Also, I just filed a complaint with the NHTSA. ODI # is 10261804.

 

[njjoe]

According the one of the service advisors at the dealership, the vent tube should be machined on to the TC.

:bsflag: According to the service manual the tube is not machined onto the TC. It is a rubber hose that has one end fitted over a ribbed metal tube and the other end placed into a vent hole. Once again the service advisors talk BS to cover their butts.

The transfer case is mounted onto the passenger side of the transmission. Just look at the drive shaft as it leaves the right-front wheel and follow it towards the center of the car. Where it connects is the transfer case.

By the way, there is not supposed to be any fluid in the void between the transfer case and CVT. Those two assemblies do not share any fluids. If you see oil at the transfer case to CVT joint then the source is one of the two shaft oil seals.

-njjoe

 

[muranoBART]

transfer case

2005 SL AWD 70k transfer case failure last night.Car towed to dealer.

 

[milgrad]

2009 Nissan Murano with Transfer Case leak...replaced seal still leaking..they are replacing the transfer case now...ugh

 

[StreetScream]

Mr

My transfer case was replaced with another used one under warranty. They said it was "loose". Then the catalytic converter fell apart when they were putting it back together. Strange considering I just had my catalytic converter replace in December.

 

[njjoe]

Re: Mr

My transfer case was replaced with another used one under warranty.

Was it a used or rebuilt transfer case?? There is a big difference between the two.

Although I would prefer a new transfer case, I would accept a factory-rebuilt unit. However, I most certainly would not accept a "used" unit.

-njjoe

 

[StreetScream]

I'm not 100% sure... but he assured me it was still covered under my warranty if it were to break.

 

[mth412]

2004 Murano SL, transfer case trashed

While driving the car to a lacrosse game (20 miles, mixed Highway and local) heard a slight noise followed by a sound like a tire going flat. Slowed to check tires, when noise stopped. Continued to destination without another occurrence. Car sat for approximately 2 hours, then we returned home, again mixed highway and local roads. No noises or indicator lights on dashboard.

Upon exiting highway, heard a VERY loud bang from the front end, similar to driving through a deep pothole. There were no potholes on the highway ramp. Limped to home (approximately 1 mile from end of ramp), car was smoking and there was some noise from front end, but it could still be driven. Upon arriving home, saw that the car was leaking clear fluid from the front center-right of the vehicle. Had car flat bedded to local service shop for diagnosis and repair.

Shop found that the transfer case (differential) had failed, could not repair. Flat bedded to dealer. Replaced transfer case.

NISSAN USA will not cover any cost since vehicle has 70K miles. Last NISSAN that I will ever own.

Have any of you been able to get Nissan to own up to this obvious design flaw????

 

[Eric L.]

Re: 2004 Murano SL, transfer case trashed

The transfer cases have a history of mechanical breakdown especially if there has been a slow undetected fluid leak from a bad seal. I don't suppose you knew of any fluid leak or inspected the transfer case before this happened?

While driving the car to a lacrosse game (20 miles, mixed Highway and local) heard a slight noise followed by a sound like a tire going flat. Slowed to check tires, when noise stopped. Continued to destination without another occurrence. Car sat for approximately 2 hours, then we returned home, again mixed highway and local roads. No noises or indicator lights on dashboard.

Upon exiting highway, heard a VERY loud bang from the front end, similar to driving through a deep pothole. There were no potholes on the highway ramp. Limped to home (approximately 1 mile from end of ramp), car was smoking and there was some noise from front end, but it could still be driven. Upon arriving home, saw that the car was leaking clear fluid from the front center-right of the vehicle. Had car flat bedded to local service shop for diagnosis and repair.

Shop found that the transfer case (differential) had failed, could not repair. Flat bedded to dealer. Replaced transfer case.

NISSAN USA will not cover any cost since vehicle has 70K miles. Last NISSAN that I will ever own.

Have any of you been able to get Nissan to own up to this obvious design flaw????

 

[mth412]

No, no indication of leakage of any type. Driveway and garage floor were clean. Transfer case cracked. My mechanic is appalled!! Says the quality of the metal used is sub-standard.

I am upset because there was NO indication that anything was going wrong, no noise, no vibration, no problem driving, then BANG and dead.

 

[sid6581]

The annoying thing about transfer case leaks on the MO is that you probably won't see any fluid on the ground because it either burns off the exhaust or leaks slowly enough to just coat the housing with dirty oil. Very frustrating.

I make it a point to inspect the underside of my MO at every oil change... for the very reason that I don't care to spend the money getting it fixed again.

 

[Eric L.]

The annoying thing about transfer case leaks on the MO is that you probably won't see any fluid on the ground because it either burns off the exhaust or leaks slowly enough to just coat the housing with dirty oil. Very frustrating.

I make it a point to inspect the underside of my MO at every oil change... for the very reason that I don't care to spend the money getting it fixed again.

Exactly. The leak is a very slow leak, and doesn't usually drip on the ground - it kind of creeps out and coats the underside of the transfer case or transmission, and cannot be seen unless you crawl underneath there and purposely look for it.

 

[mth412]

Well, this seems to be a design or manufacturing failure, and should be covered, regardless of the warranty status.