Nissan CVT replacement

2 1/2 years ago, we were gifted a free 2013 Pathfinder (from a relative ). It came with a stack of dealer service receipts for every scheduled and recommended service since new. It's been a great vehicle for my son. It also came with a CVT "judder" but it has never worsened so I elected to just send it. Told the kid to baby it and hope for the best.

The CVT shake has started to get worse recently as my kid uses the car for pizza delivery this summer. It's right at 120k miles  

With an investment of zero I'm not opposed to sourcing a reman CVT which is about $2,600. I understand it'll cost at least that much again in labor and fluids, misc parts. That'd yield a car with known history but cost probably 5-6k. I'm thinking that may be less risky than buying a replacement car in a similar price point - though a Prius hatchback might be better for a lot of reasons.

WWGRMD? Has anyone got direct experience with these and any recommendations? I am thinking about an immediate dump and fill of the fluid just to see what happens. The receipts show a couple of those in the past...

edit: looks like fluid was changed at 30k and 75k

In some cases a service can help with judder. Be absolutely ceratin to use Nissan fluid and NOTHING else (no additives) service interval on early CVTs should be no more than 30k. You'll need a capable scan tool to monitor trans temp while filling. 

How F'd are you? Is your judder fault a P17F0, P17F1, or P17F2? 

Upon installing a reman trans (again Nissan only is your best bet here) plan on an immediate tow to the dealer for programming. Commanding the "please keep moving" line pressures of a worn trans to a new one will burn it up before you make it to the dealer. Please provide the CD you'll get with the trans to the dealer. 

I did this on a nissan sentra.  The job itself isn't bad. Used trans from LKQ for $400, $200 in special cvt fluid.  And a weekend.

If pizza delivery is going to continue, a Gen2s Prius is your jam. 

Was wondering how "baby it" translates to "pizza delivery vehicle?"

My BIL is living with a Nissan Rogue with a failing CVT, and no money to fix it. His is the all wheel drive version to boot. Best quote to replace so far is at a Nissan dealer for over $5K - he paid less than that for the car 6 months ago.....

No idea what to do at this point, he's not able to DIY it.

For the OP's kid, I would stick with the Pathfinder......

1988RedT2 said:

Was wondering how "baby it" translates to "pizza delivery vehicle?"

LOL - I definitely see the irony.

I mean things like don't put it in park on a hill, don't neutral drop the dang thing. Don't put it in drive while it is rolling backwards. 

John Welsh said:

If pizza delivery is going to continue, a Gen2s Prius is your jam. 

That is a summer job - back to college in the fall.

I am shocked John at your suggestion. 😂

Byrneon27 said:

In some cases a service can help with judder. Be absolutely ceratin to use Nissan fluid and NOTHING else (no additives) service interval on early CVTs should be no more than 30k. You'll need a capable scan tool to monitor trans temp while filling. 

How F'd are you? Is your judder fault a P17F0, P17F1, or P17F2? 

Upon installing a reman trans (again Nissan only is your best bet here) plan on an immediate tow to the dealer for programming. Commanding the "please keep moving" line pressures of a worn trans to a new one will burn it up before you make it to the dealer. Please provide the CD you'll get with the trans to the dealer. 

I scanned the codes when we got it and haven't looked again since. Will check asap and reply back.

I think I will roll the dice on a fluid dump and fill at the Nissan dealer. I am also going to read the receipts again to see if I missed a service since it had two fairly early. 

camopaint0707 said:

I did this on a nissan sentra.  The job itself isn't bad. Used trans from LKQ for $400, $200 in special cvt fluid.  And a weekend.

I'm very curious about doing this but I suspect sub-frames will have to be dropped. Until now that's been my line in the sand..

I had an oh-S moment after replacing the CVT fluid in one.  No reverse after driving the vehicle.

Long story short, I had to reset all of the adaptives and do some relearn procedures, which didn't take the first three times I tried.  Then it was fine.

Never had to deal with that before...

Nissan perfected the truly disposable vehicle with those Jatco transmissions. Every time I total a Versa or a Rogue with one I feel like the owners should give me a tip.

ddavidv said:

Nissan perfected the truly disposable vehicle with those Jatco transmissions. Every time I total a Versa or a Rogue with one I feel like the owners should give me a tip.

I laughed because it's true, haha.  My cousin's rogue can't even get out of lease span without one... pretty crazy to think about. 

P17F0 was the code 18 months ago.

Today no code at all on my home scanner but I took it to the local Nissan dealer service dept and they did a PPI type inspection and are recommending CVT replacement for $6,900  (and about eight grand worth of other things including six hundred for spark plugs) for a car that may be worth $4,500 in running condition. 

I'm gonna probably drive it myself until is screams and then donate to NPR for a tax deduction. 

Time to start a "what car" thread.