There are a lot of rumors about the operation of Jatco CVTs. Someone was lucky with the purchase of a car, and someone after several tens of thousands was forced to change the box under warranty. What determines the endurance of this node? What is the actual CVT resource on the Nissan X-Trail?
CVT model RE0F10A
Since 2007, Nissan has decided to equip the X-Trail SUVs with variable-speed gearboxes. The first generation T31 body was equipped with a Jatco RE0F10A CVT (aka CVT-7).
Its power is designed for engine displacement from 1.6 to 2.5 liters. Such data is provided by dealerships. However, on the Jatco website, slightly different volumes are indicated - from 1.6 to 1.8 liters. If the CVT-7 is really designed for small cars, it becomes clear why it is so difficult for him to work out his resource without breakdowns.
The torque of small cars reaches a maximum of 180 Nm, while engines with a volume of 2 l or more give out from 200 Nm. The variator does not cope with such a load.
Aggressive riding creates the need for a sharp switch between gears, and since the design of the variator has a lot of rubbing joints, its wear is accelerated several times. So much depends on how the car owner uses the CVT on the Nissan X-Trail.
Weak spots
What elements of the CVT on the Nissan X-Trail T31 depend on its service life?
The main load when shifting the gear is carried by the pulley bearings, the pulleys themselves and the transmission belt of rotation from the shaft leading to the driven. The nuance is that these pulleys are absolutely smooth, and traction is only due to friction.
According to the owners, the CVT on the Nissan X-Trail of the T31 generation makes itself felt after 80,000-100,000 km, although the promised resource is 200,000.
The bearings wear out first, starting to publish a characteristic rumble. The belt tension depends on them. If the bearing does not cope with its function, the belt tension decreases, it begins to slip, not giving the shafts a signal to change gears. At the first stage of the malfunction, the CVT box on the Nissan X-Trail “troit” (jerks appear). This is because the pulleys, turning idle, are deformed, getting scuffs and scuffs.
There is an element on the valve body that controls the gear ratio - this is a step motor. He "monitors" the position of the accelerator pedal and the driving mode. Information is transmitted to the moving elements of the pulleys due to the foot of the step motor, which is quite fragile and quickly wears out, which leads to the operation of the variator at only one speed.
Repairing the CVT on the Nissan X-Trail T31 is quite problematic: if there are replacement parts, their price will be unpleasantly high. The service can carry out troubleshooting and make an estimate. But if the warranty is still valid, experts recommend replacing the variator with the Nissan X-Trail.
Model RE0F10D (CVT-8)
The refinement of the CVT-8 CVT-8 CVT type on the Nissan X-Trail allowed to increase its resource and endurance to an aggressive driving style.
The weight of the new transmission was reduced, the oil pump was made more compact. They reduced the friction force of the belt on the pulleys by 40%, thereby reducing the pressure on them. To save fuel, the gear ratio was made stepwise.
According to the owners about the CVT-8 CVT-8 CVT-Nissan CVT, it can be considered that it lasts longer. Its resource is designed for 250,000 km of operation.
Features of operation of Jatco variators
The variator is fundamentally different from the box "automatic" or "robot". It has no gears, due to which the load on the engine is reduced.
How to use the CVT on the Nissan X-Trail, and what driving style to adhere to the box last longer?
- During warming up the car, do not press the gas pedal, trying to speed up the process. The box responds to the accelerator even in the neutral position of the selector.
- A sharp start gives a huge load on the belt and pulleys, repeatedly increasing their wear.
- Cross-country driving negatively affects the condition of the variator.
- A vehicle with a CVT cannot be towed or attempted to start by turning the wheels ("from the pusher").
- Towing vehicles other than a car trailer is not recommended.
Owner reviews about the variator on the Nissan X-Trail, its features, boil down to the fact that this unit was created for a leisurely ride on flat roads.
Oil change and maintenance
According to the manufacturer’s regulations, the variator must be serviced every 60,000 km of operation. For reinsurance, car owners try to go through MOT more often - through 40,000-50,000.
Changing the oil in the variator to the Nissan X-Trail can be carried out both at the service station and on its own.
To replace the transmission fluid in the variator, you must have:
- oil;
- strainer and oil cooler filter;
- gaskets for the pan and oil cooler;
- waste oil tank.
CVT oil
Considering which CVT is installed on the Nissan X-Trail, transmission fluid is also selected. NS2 oil was released for the T31 body, NS3 for the T32 body.
NS3 oil is designed for non-radiating variators and operation at higher temperatures. It has a reduced viscosity, and, according to the developers, is suitable for both CVT-8 and CVT-7. However, owners feedback on the Nissan X-Trail CVT-7 gearbox running on the NS3 suggests that extraneous noise may occur due to a lack of a lubricating oil layer.
CVT-7 CVT Transmission Fluid Replacement
You need to start the procedure by warming up the engine and CVT gearbox on the Nissan X-Trail. Then:
- We drive the car to the overpass. An observation pit is also suitable.
- We turn off the engine protection and remove the left wheel.
- The liner must not be removed completely, only half.
- We place the capacity for the spent liquid under the drain hole and unscrew the plug.
- You have to wait about half an hour until all the liquid drains.
- Oil is also collected in the pan. Remove it and drain the oil residue.
- If the strainer can still be washed with diesel fuel or carburetor cleaning liquid, then you can save money, if not, you will have to change the filter.
- Magnets and crankcase are thoroughly washed.
- We insert the mesh filter (washed or new).
- We install a new gasket in the pallet and return it to its place.
- We remove the battery and shift the air filter to the side. Now there is access to the oil cooler filter. We remove it.
- Install a new filter and cooler gasket.
- We return everything to its place.
- Fill a new transmission fluid.
- Check the oil level with a dipstick.
CVT-8 CVT Oil Change
A feature of the CVT-8 is that it does not have a factory probe. You can check the level by adding new oil or contact a service station. There is a dipstick that is inserted into the neck for filling.
To change the oil you will need:
- washer for drain plug;
- gasket;
- coarse filter and a ring to it;
- transmission fluid (5 l - for partial replacement, 12 l - for full with pallet removal);
- fine filter ring and himself;
- ring for level control plugs.
As with the CVT-7 oil change, the machine must be parked on a lift or inspection hole. In this case, you need an assistant and a diagnostic scanner. If there is no scanner, it can be replaced with a thermometer (necessarily a digital one) on the pallet.
To gain access to the bottom, we drive the car into a pit or a lift. Further:
- Unscrew the drain plug. Up to 5 liters of oil should leak.
- Remove the pan and the coarse filter, rinse them.
- We put everything in place. If the filter is not subject to further operation, we replace it with a new one.
- If a partial replacement is needed, then fill in the oil, set its level, and this is the end of the procedure.
- For a complete replacement, fill 3 liters of transmission fluid through the hole on top (the one in which the probe used to be).
- We start the engine and go through the selector in all positions of the box, stopping at each for 5 seconds.
- Drain the oil and repeat the process.
- We are waiting for the temperature of the box to be 35 ° C.
- Here you need an assistant who will start the car.
- Unscrew the plug Overflow Plug. Fill the oil until a leak appears from the neck.
- We start the car and go through the lever across all ranges with a delay of 5 seconds. We fix the lever in position "P".
- Fill the oil again until it starts to pour over the edge. We twist the cork into place.
A complete replacement of the transmission fluid has been completed. Now you can reset the counter value.
Symptoms of a variator failure
Timely replacement of filters and liquids in the box, proper operation, of course, extend the life of the variator. However, the appearance of breakdowns can still occur. Today, some service stations undertake to carry out both partial and capital repairs of this unit, and even give a guarantee for their work.
Here are some signs that should immediately be addressed to them:
- slipping even when smoothly pressing the gas pedal;
- The gearbox goes into emergency mode (an indicator appears on the dashboard);
- vibration;
- jerks or bumps when switching between any gears, both on a warm machine and on a cold one;
- transmissions are missing or not turning on;
- inhibited reaction to a change in speed;
- extraneous noise;
In reviews of the variator on the Nissan X-Trail, it is often mentioned that such symptoms can still be corrected in many cases without resorting to replacing the entire gearbox.
Question about replacing a variator
Dealers, unlike service stations, do not repair. They immediately send the variator to the Nissan X-Trail in replacement. If it is warranty, it will not require costs. If not, the new unit will cost a large amount.
Before you give in to the mercy of car dealers, you can independently diagnose the CVT. You will need tools:
- a set of keys (cap and carob);
- screwdrivers with a hammer;
- clamps.
Before starting work, it is worth photographing the design. This can help in its further assembly. Boxes and jars for unscrewed nuts and bolts are also useful.
Visual diagnosis of the variator
After examining each element of the PPC, you can understand why it does not work correctly:
- Remove the side cover and the pallet. On the pallet there are special magnets that keep debris and metal chips from the variator. If there are a lot of magnets on it, then you can limit yourself to replacing fine and coarse filters.
- Shafts and pulleys. First, remove the shafts, then the belt. We evaluate his condition. If it is worn, then its replacement is necessary. This is much less expensive than the new variator. If the cones are without burrs, then the problem may lie in the bearings.
- The hum in the operation of the variator appears just the same because of the play in the bearing. It can be removed from the unit with a special puller. Replace with a new one is not difficult.
- The fuel pump is located under the converter cover. There is also a differential and transmission pair, which must be removed to remove the pump. If it is changed, then together with the drive chain.
- Before reassembling, rinse and dry all removed items. Rubber parts are best replaced immediately with new ones.
- The elements must be assembled strictly in the reverse order, follow the correct position of the box lock pins.
After assembly, check the gearbox:
- start the engine;
- check the inclusion of each range;
- make a check.
If everything is installed correctly, the variator should work without extraneous noise and jerking.