2018 QQ 1.6 dCi Xtronic CVT fluid change?

Forum for Engine, Exhaust, Drivetrain, ECU
OldLadyAndSon
Posts: 18
Joined: Fri Jul 09, 2021 7:21 pm
Location: Norfolk UK
Qashqai Model: Mk.2 Qashqai Facelift - J11b (2017–2021)

Post by OldLadyAndSon »

Hello there.

My Mum has just bought a 2018 QQ 1.6 dCi N-Connecta Xtronic (17,000 miles), and after reading some heartbreaking horror stories regarding catastrophic failures of the CVT 'box, we are now determined to err on the side of caution, 'baby' the car and change the transmission fluid as soon as possible.
It's probably fine at the moment, but not having any knowledge of how the car has been driven in it's past three years, it's probably a wise move.

Pretty sure it hasn't been done - it's a low mileage car, but the vehicle will be used for towing, so we will be taking every precaution we can.

I would like to ask fellow QQ Xtronic forum members if they would recommend going to Nissan to perform the task, or go to an independent specialist?

As I understand it, Nissan are unlikely to perform the work as it is not at a recommended interval, which seems awfully reckless to me, and they are sure to be the most expensive too.

However, would a specialist do the job to the same (or higher) standard, using the correct, high quality fluids?

Also, what would be a reasonable price?
I've read that if Nissan were to do it, they would want over £300 for it!
Seems a bit steep!
Would a specialist be cheaper?

Thoughts and opinions please.

Thanks

OldLadyAndSon.
2018 Qashqai 1.6 dCi N-Connecta Xtronic

Qashowner
Posts: 564
Joined: Wed Apr 17, 2019 10:07 am
Qashqai Model: Mk.2 Qashqai - J11 (2013–2017)

Post by Qashowner »

Had mine done recently at 45000 miles and I also tow a caravan, my local main dealer charges £180 all in and the job takes a couple of hours, mainly waiting for the old fluid to drain. I wouldn't have thought yours needed changing at 17k miles, apart form that, you only hear of the failures. I have had 2 cars with cvt boxes, 112k in my Mercedes B Class and 45k miles in my 1.6 diesel QQ.

Have a look at this thread viewtopic.php?f=32&t=10903
Past cars Mercedes B Class, S Class, E Class Estate, E Class Coupe, G Wagen, 260E interspersed with Peugeot 406 and Audi Coupe.
OldLadyAndSon
Posts: 18
Joined: Fri Jul 09, 2021 7:21 pm
Location: Norfolk UK
Qashqai Model: Mk.2 Qashqai Facelift - J11b (2017–2021)

Post by OldLadyAndSon »

Hi Qashowner, I was hoping you would see my question...I've read some of your posts with interest since you too tow with your QQ Xtronic.
It's reassuring that you have had no issues with yours, especially towing.

I read your post that you linked to also, thanks...that's much more reasonable, hopefully our local main dealer will be similar...perhaps a phone call on Monday.
Indeed, 17K is low mileage, and it's probably fine for a while, furthermore I suspect that Nissan won't do it until it reaches a higher mileage....just a 'belt-and-braces' attitude I guess!!

I wonder if you wouldn't mind sharing some of your experience regarding type of terrain you tow your caravan to?
I understand if you don't want to divulge any info, I'm just curious if you have travelled long distances, and whether you would be comfortable tackling hilly/mountain roads?
Again, I completely understand if you would rather not discuss it here, just thought I'd ask...I will possibly be travelling to Scotland and Wales at some point in the future, and would like to know how the QQ performs as a tow car on these types of roads.

Thanks again.
2018 Qashqai 1.6 dCi N-Connecta Xtronic
Qashowner
Posts: 564
Joined: Wed Apr 17, 2019 10:07 am
Qashqai Model: Mk.2 Qashqai - J11 (2013–2017)

Post by Qashowner »

OldLadyAndSon, didn't clock your handle till now :D

My caravan towing was Bristol to Cornwall, M5 then onto mostly the A30 route but occasionally A38 which is a much more hilly road than A30 usually with a brief stop for coffee and a sandwich.

My old B Class Mercedes, although was a 2 litre diesel only produced 109BHP where the QQ is 128BHP and the difference was very noticeable. Only slight problem with most front wheel drives is pulling away on an incline especially if it's a bit damp you will spin the wheels. I towed a van of 1325kg if that helps.
Past cars Mercedes B Class, S Class, E Class Estate, E Class Coupe, G Wagen, 260E interspersed with Peugeot 406 and Audi Coupe.
OldLadyAndSon
Posts: 18
Joined: Fri Jul 09, 2021 7:21 pm
Location: Norfolk UK
Qashqai Model: Mk.2 Qashqai Facelift - J11b (2017–2021)

Post by OldLadyAndSon »

Hi Qashowner,
...didn't clock your handle till now :D
The name was my Mum's idea! :D

Thank you very much for responding, it's certainly reassuring to read that your QQ handles your 1325kg caravan without issue.
Ours is a little lighter at 1280kg.

Both myself and my Mum are very gentle with our cars (she's in her seventies and I'm fifty), and would most certainly be taking regular breaks on our treks around the UK.
Good to know that it handles hilly roads ok too.
Good point re. FWD grip...back when I was a young'un, we towed with a 2.0 Sierra which was RWD - that thing was pretty solid, but didn't have the power of the QQ either.
Sounds like we'll be fine with gentle trips to Wales and Scotland etc...not that I would consider driving all that way in a day anyway, we'll break it up over two or three maybe.

So, with ours being at 17k miles, perhaps a fluid change now might be premature...we'll probably consider doing it at 20k, and fingers crossed we'll get as good a deal as you did.
I'll phone round a few specialists next week though.

Thanks again Qashowner.
2018 Qashqai 1.6 dCi N-Connecta Xtronic
OldLadyAndSon
Posts: 18
Joined: Fri Jul 09, 2021 7:21 pm
Location: Norfolk UK
Qashqai Model: Mk.2 Qashqai Facelift - J11b (2017–2021)

Post by OldLadyAndSon »

Just spoken to Stephens Engineering, and also a local transmission specialist in my area, and they both confirm that there is little to worry about, since it is a low mileage, newish car.
Our own research seems to confirm this also, newer cars don't seem to have many issues with the CVT itself...but there could be a possible electrical issue - evidently some of the wiring can rub against engine bay bodywork, and cause some electrical problems.

The local specialist has quoted me £150 for a fluid replacement (with correct Nissan NS-3 fluid), which sounds reasonable.
Especially considering that my local Nissan dealership seem reluctant to give a price at all for the job.
They say it's a 'sealed-for-life' unit, which shouldn't need the fluid changing!
Call me old fashioned, but I'm not going to take their word for that, so I'll be going elsewhere, and provided I can get the correct fluid, and check the wiring, I'll be happy.

OldLadyAndSon.
2018 Qashqai 1.6 dCi N-Connecta Xtronic
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gloucester
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Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2016 7:04 am
Location: Gloucestershire, England
Qashqai Model: Mk.2 Qashqai - J11 (2013–2017)

Post by gloucester »

Useful info thanks
(2015 Nissan Qashqai Tekna DIG-T 1.2 sold 15/6/18) ~ 2018 Suzuki Ignis SZ5 - 2018 Yamaha MT-07 ~ (2024 Volvo EX30 ordered)
OldLadyAndSon
Posts: 18
Joined: Fri Jul 09, 2021 7:21 pm
Location: Norfolk UK
Qashqai Model: Mk.2 Qashqai Facelift - J11b (2017–2021)

Post by OldLadyAndSon »

Had some ups and downs again recently - psychologically speaking...nothing to do with the car!

It seems that the auto specialists in my local area are willing to perform the fluid change, and quote reasonable prices ranging from £126+VAT to £300+VAT
However...(and it's a big 'however'), none of them seem to acknowledge the filters.

Through researching I've found that the CVT unit fitted to my car is the JATCO JF015E CVT7 transmission.
There are two filters, one in the transmission pan and a 'secret', hidden one further up the 'box - a cylindrical, pleated, paper type, that's a bit fiddly to access.

The only specialist who knew about these (including the 'secret' one), were Stephens Engineering, and their price would be £280+VAT.
They don't recommend flushing the unit either, which I agree with now, since from my own research I discovered that the flushing fluids could damage seals/friction surfaces etc...and could also void warranties....food for thought for sure.
When I mentioned these filters to one local specialist, he said "...oh, we don't do that....they're buried inside the transmission, and cannot be reached."
Guess I won't be using his services then!!

For information purposes, the filter kits are available out there on the usual auction sites....see link below for an Ebay listing which includes a 4 litre can of the correct NS-3 fluid:

Genuine Nissan CVT JF015E automatic gearbox Kit NS-3 fluid 4L, gasket, 2 filters

The same company sell the kit without the fluid - filter and gasket only, see link below:

Nissan CVT JF015E automatic gearbox gasket and 2 filters

I haven't had a crawl about underneath mine yet, but I will probably do it today, just to verify that mine is indeed the JF015E unit.

Incidentally, the dipstick (which I didn't even know existed until yesterday) is fiddly, but accessible, and is a sure-fire way of verifying the condition of the fluid.
Dark, mucky looking fluid....change it!

There's an excellent Youtube video of an Aussie Mechanic performing the fluid and filter service on a JATCO JF015E unit...it's not a Qashqai (it's a 2015 Pulsar), but the 'box is the same...link below:



I'm not sure if I'm brave enough to do this....it seems fairly straightforward, and no special tools are needed, but I just thought I'd post the info here, so at least there's some kind of record for anyone who is doing their own research....but mainly it's so that I can refer back if necessary! :D

OldLadyAndSon.
2018 Qashqai 1.6 dCi N-Connecta Xtronic
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gloucester
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Post by gloucester »

Logically unless you get a Nissan dealer to do a fluid change, you'll be running the risk of Nissan washing their hands of it should a future problem come to light?
(2015 Nissan Qashqai Tekna DIG-T 1.2 sold 15/6/18) ~ 2018 Suzuki Ignis SZ5 - 2018 Yamaha MT-07 ~ (2024 Volvo EX30 ordered)
Qashowner
Posts: 564
Joined: Wed Apr 17, 2019 10:07 am
Qashqai Model: Mk.2 Qashqai - J11 (2013–2017)

Post by Qashowner »

Had a good look at my engine bay, having just had a new condenser fixed and noted that the gearbox dip stick is alongside the battery which makes me think the job could be easier as access for refilling is much higher up than where it is shown in the video. I would also imagine therefor that there is not an "overflow" in the sump and looking at the Jatco site https://www.jatco.co.jp/wp-jatco/wp-con ... ucts_e.pdf I see it was previously referred to as a CV7 and does not show the pipe in the sump. It could of course be my eyesight :D
Past cars Mercedes B Class, S Class, E Class Estate, E Class Coupe, G Wagen, 260E interspersed with Peugeot 406 and Audi Coupe.
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