ahve just noticed oil leak @ transfer case, loko s like a seal/gasket more than a case carck, going to take a closer look and try fix asap before it gets worse.

 

I was smellin the oil also I ended up went under the mo with camera and flashlight.. found the leak at seal on transfer case on passenger side. dripping on exhaust...
called nissanusa, make sure I'm under warranty, and also found that recall for intake duct not fixed getting that done at same time as well. and loaner for now..

 

dealer called, they siad it's more than leak and they are replacing the whole transfercase. and prob done and pick up thursday.

 

dealer called, they siad it's more than leak and they are replacing the whole transfercase. and prob done and pick up thursday.

Lucky you, well kinda sorta....glad it worked out smoothly for you that you're getting it all replaced under warranty without any hassels.

 

yeah after I posted realized to read this thread..... man I was kinda worry about what's written here.... so I went in checked, called nissan usa ahead checked everything, and so far all good. I checked all factory warranty with lady on the phone etc so I have all info that I needed.
and guy at dealer was pretty cool also.

 

Count us in on another Transfer Case leak on a 2004 SL with nearly 50k on the odometer. I am pretty sure this began 10,000 miles ago as I have smelled oil burn occasionally but don't drive the car enough to confirm (wife's rig).

Brought it in to dealership for maintenance and they confirmed leak. Didn't want to drop $1,800.00 for new t-case seals without researching but mechanic took photo of the t-case and it's fairly greasy. I had them top off the fluid for now and took it home.

After talking to mechanic further he said he would replace all t-case seals, fluid, and CVT fluid during the repair. Can anyone recommend anything else be done? I will probably have my local mechanic take a look and call around for additional quotes, but I want to get this done before the problem gets worse.

Glad it was caught and the transfer case wasn't cracked (i hope), but this pretty much blows.

 

Count us in on another Transfer Case leak on a 2004 SL with nearly 50k on the odometer.

Did you buy this car new or used?

 

Did you buy this car new or used?

We purchased new from the dealership that diagnosed the problem.

It is out of warranty by age (not mileage).

 

got mine back today man it's much quieter too. aaccording to nissan, they test drove heard growling, checked oil seen metel there so replaced the whole t-case.

will see in few days for any leaks though..
thanks god it was still under warranty.

 

thanks god it was still under warranty.

Oh man, don't rub it in.

Talked to Aamco about the job and they quoted me around $900.00 for the labor. Their books tell them it will be about 10.8 hours to remove, refurbish and reinstall the T-case. The seals and replacing the CVT fluid in the tranny should be another $300.00. Oucharooni.

My biggest fears are that once the transfer case is pulled the mechanic will find one of two things, a cracked t-case or worse, some sort of contamination to the CVT fluid.

 

Okay, quick followup on this.

Aamco ended up dismantling and changing out all seals on the transfer case, axles seals and seal between t-case and cv\T. No contamination of the CVT fluid was found but the leak (according to them) was actually between the t-case and CVT.

All fluids were replaced and had one seal fail (axle) which I caught right away and had shop replace it again at their cost.

Totalcost, $1,130.00 I am hopeful everything will stay tight until we unload the vehicle.

In retrospect, I consider this a bad blow to my confidence in the CVT/t-case engineering and won't consider another Murano as our next vehicle.

Our family has always had good luck with our Nissan Vehicles so I would still consider the brand, but I feel that a failure of this type at this mileage is inexcusable.

Hopefully Nissan will step up and consider this a flaw that should be covered under a recall notice so we can recoup this cost.

 

Transfer Case

For those in Canada

Please complete the form on the link below as it will prompt Transport Canada to do an investigation with Nissan Canada.

https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/7/PCDB-BDPP/fc2-cp2.aspx

(copy and paste the link in your browser if you cannot click on the link)

Nissan is aware of the problem and has extended the warranty on the CVT transmission up to 200,000km or 10 years but still refuses to include the transfer case

For those of you who were not made aware of the extended warranty it was only decided the 1st week in February 2010 and letters will be sent out

If you are the second owner of the Murano you may need to contact Nissan Canada to inform them that you are the current owner so that they are able to forward the letter to you attention.

Hope this helps

As I myself is a frustrated 2004 Nissan Murano owner

 

Hi, new to posting on this forum...

I quickly read through most of the pages in this thread the other day. Some things I didn't really see were good pictures of failures. Does anybody have some good pics, or did I miss them?

I have the following Murano, with about 60k miles on it.

It looks like it could just be leaking from the seal on the rear shaft on the transfer case. Is this the seal that most people find fails? Or is it possible to have a leak from a cracked case up high or internally where you can't see?

The car is immaculate, except for this leak...

 

When I had my TC leak it was coming from 2 spots, one from the right axle seal the the other from the tc seal itself. It was done under warranty. It is a pain to repair from what I hear. Dealer had my car for 3-4 days. Said it was at least a 12 hour job--pro time.

Your pix is similar to what I had before--same location. If you don't have funds yet to fix this, make sure you tap off your tc fluid and cvt fluid. You don't want to be on dangerous low levels on either one. You probably need some fluid now. The leak is usually slow enough so tapping off the fluid should work till you get your funds.

 

I'm not feeling too optimistic with my murano here. I've been to the deal now 4 times to diagnose the noise coming from the front end. The first visit they replaced the right lower control arm. Second visit they replaced the right strut bearing (or something of that nature), 3rd visit they replaced the CVT. 4th visit (2nd road trip with the same mechanic), now he's saying the transfer case and when he spoke with Nissan Canada, they would only do the CVT. For the record, I never thought it was the CVT but since they were doing it I didn't question it. The car drives nicely, smooth etc..., just this humming noise when driving straight. It's almost hard to hear unless I point it out.

They still have yet to get the car on the hoist, but I suspect I need a new TC, so I've now begun to start my deliberations. My gut feeling says to sell as is and move into something else.

I don't know the value of my 04 SL with 111000Km, but, past experience with other cars makes me believe I should get out now while I still can. Do others concur? I really really like the car, but we travel every weekend to the cottage and with a baby and all, I really don't want to be stranded, nor should I. Cars are more or less very reliable and I shouldn't have to take a chance.

 

With all these transfer cases failing, this makes me think that it's really the culprit of the MO's weakness and not the CVT itself. Not to hijack the thread, but I'm really thinking about hopping into something else. Anyone thinks the FX is plagued with that same weakness in X-Case?

 

With all these transfer cases failing, this makes me think that it's really the culprit of the MO's weakness and not the CVT itself. Not to hijack the thread, but I'm really thinking about hopping into something else. Anyone thinks the FX is plagued with that same weakness in X-Case?

I believe fx has traditional trans not sure what type of transfer case been used, but as far as I know fx is FR AWD whrere Murano is FF AWD. so transfercase probably different.

 

I believe fx has traditional trans not sure what type of transfer case been used, but as far as I know fx is FR AWD whrere Murano is FF AWD. so transfercase probably different.

The FX is also based on the Front-midship RWD platform (350Z, G, M, and EX) whereas the Murano is based on the FF (1st gen) or D (2nd gen) platform, both FWD based.

 

Well I just got my 2009 Murano back for a leak with the transfer case. This is the 2nd time it failed. Last time was approx 8,000 miles ago. My MO only has 25,000 on it. Two transfer case leaks already....Needless to say I am not too happy.

 

If you feel the seals are a manufacturers defect, you have to report it to NHTSA in order for enough complaints to be logged for a defect investigation (and subsequently a recall).

 

Already done.

 

TC failure/gears broken

2003 Murano SL AWD Sunlit Copper/ loaded/ no nav/ transfer case differential failure/ gears broken/ 42,000 miles--original owner--vehicle well maintained and in great condition--noise began as a low pitched squeal while driving slowly out of a cemetary--noise ceased then returned as a high pitched whine while driving 25-30 mph then sudden grinding, clunking and crunching noises under front to mid section of car--drove to a stop & flat-bedded to dealership--estimate $5800

 

Failed Transfer case

03 murano burgundy, 131000 miles, however we had been having problems with an oil burning smell and the car refusing to accelerate since 90000. took it to the dealer three times , were told they could not recreate the problem, and therefore couldn't fix it. Transfer case started knocking one day split in half the next morning. 5000.00 to fix it!

 

Mine (2004 SE) blew at around 112,500 mi

No warning, no leaks noticed by servicemen. Sounded like a syncopated drum solo by Ginger Baker when it went, loud thudding beneath my feet (that's where it is.) Estimated $3,500 to replace by Nissan shop. I had just gotten brakes rebuilt, plugs replaced (huge job), so I guess I'll try to get another year or two out of it before I sell it. The car has been great up to this.

 

No warning, no leaks noticed by servicemen. Sounded like a syncopated drum solo by Ginger Baker when it went, loud thudding beneath my feet (that's where it is.) Estimated $3,500 to replace by Nissan shop. I had just gotten brakes rebuilt, plugs replaced (huge job), so I guess I'll try to get another year or two out of it before I sell it. The car has been great up to this.

Uh oh, I have an 04 SE too, but mine only has 60K miles. Just curious, did you buy yours new?

If you got over 110K on the original brakes, you did fantastic. I replaced my pads at 65K, but they were super easy and only cost $50 to do all 4 wheels. I know plugs are expensive, but they last 100K and even a dealer should only get around $400 to replace them.

 

2003 AWD SL Murano; Second owner since Jul 2007.



I was having constant roar/humming noise upon acceleration with sluggish response for over an year now and recently heard some metal clunking noises from under the hood. Local mechanic diagnosed as a broken cat conv. Took it to the dealership today and it is infact diagnosed as a broken transfer case. Car has 67000 miles on it. Dealer told me that the tc damage may have caused damage to the CVT also. Total cost $6800 to replace bot tc and CVT. If CVT is covered under warranty, which is possible in this case, then total cost will be $2000. He was selling $2000 as a great deal. Thank you very much !!!



Overall issues since owning this 03 AWD fully loaded piece of junk:

1. Purchased Jul 07

2. Three fuel injectors replaced Jun 08. Cost : $1300

3. Electrical short Jun09. Cost $400

4. Tensioner/pulley replaced Dec09. Cost $300

5. Dec 09: Complained to Dealership about the sluggish response/ roaring noise problem. He diagnosed it as "a variety of small things" causing it and kinda scared me by saying we can start solving problems one by one. Clearly told me that transmission was OK.

6. Dec09: Called Nissan North America and pursued this matter of "constant issues" with their customer satisfaction team. They were very responsive but did not agree that Nissan will pay for anything. Simple told me that given the age of car, these problems occur. I was persistent and took the matter to regional head of service and still the same response. Eventually gave up.

7. Jun10: Now for the same problem, the dealer says tc is out and probably CVT as well. Best case looking at $2000 from my pocket.



Lessons learnt:



1. Never buy the first model year of any car.

2. Never buy a CVT or other fancy replacement of a critical component until its proven out.

3. Never buy a Nissan.

 

2003 AWD SL Murano; Second owner since Jul 2007.

As is the case with all used cars, no one truly knows how yours was treated the first 4 years of its life, scho. But, sad to say, we've seen in this forum time and time again how many Mos are erroneously considered to be SUV's or worse yet trucks, and were driven as such by their original owners.

To lose the transfer case at only 67K miles, my (educated) guess is that this is what you are experiencing now with your car. Those of us happily driving our Mos and other nissans year after year with few problems feel for you for sure. But, as with all used cars, it's always buyer beware.

 

I am very sorry to hear about your situation. In addition, I agree with you that the design of the transfer case is not a good thing. Obviously this thread goes a long way in making that clear, but its not the only one out there either.

The answer in my mind is to simply avoid the AWD version of the Murano all together. Which is exactly what I did.

 

I'm sorry for your issues, but the CVT is not to blame. Blame the TC, since it's proven to be the weakest link in the drivetrain. It cracked and in turn damaged the CVT, not the other way around. Hopefully they cover the tranny repair, but knowing Nissan they'll probably claim the non-warrantied TC caused the warrantied CVT to be damaged; thus neither will be covered. Unfortunately, you might have to fight this one.

 

It's easy to blame the previous owner; dealer's do it all the time because they know as the 2nd+ owner you have no proof otherwise (of course when they sold the used vehicle to you, it was a completely different story; the previous owner was a car collector who took meticulous care of the vehicle! But I'm digressing...). It may even be true that the original owner abused the vehicle when you consider all of the other issues it's had (we'll never know). But you have to admit TC problems are popular topics on this forum. And because the TC is married to the tranny, it can reek havoc on the drivetrain and become very expensive for the owner. Nissan extended the tranny warranty only, and I have a sneaking suspicion that any damage to the CVT deemed by Nissan to be caused by the TC (or any other component for that matter) will NOT be covered under the tranny warranty.

I should also mention that my TC was found to be leaking at 40K miles; who knows how long it had been leaking undetected. My mechanic only looked because of my request (thanks to this forum). Yes, I'm a second owner and when I bring it to Nissan, I'm sure they'll insist the previous owner must have raced it in the Baja1000 to cause the TC to leak! And so the battle begins. But had I not known to look for a leak in the first place, it might have dried up on me too, putting me in the same helpless boat as so many other MO owners. The weak link in the drivetrain is not the CVT, but the TC. Nissan knows it; unfortunately the majority of owners are left in the dark.

Patrick