1996 Pathfinder Transmission Advice

[Wwaterman]

Alright, here's my story:

This is my first time posting! I'm a three-time pathfinder owner. My first pathfinder was given to me by my dad at age 16 and it ran until 300,000 miles. My second pathfinder my dad bought me, a 1999.5 at age 20, and it has run solidly until 214,000 miles (I still have it; here's where the story gets interesting.

I just purchased a 1996 with 160,000 miles on it. The owner just replaced the struts, the serpentine belt, the timing belt, distributor, all belts and hoses, the starter, and the AC is ice cold and the clutch is tight as a drum. My 1999.5 has a mushy clutch with 110,000 miles on it, a timing belt with same, no AC (the compressor died), blown struts, and I simply haven't had the money to put into it. I bought my 1996, a couple of weeks ago, for $2200. I felt this was a good deal in comparison to all of the work that my 1999.5 needed. I'm a nursing student and I work full-time. I've been able to do minimal things on my 1999.5 myself; plugs and wires, changed all the fluid in my transmission, differentials and transfer case.

Okay, so a week into owning my 1996, I notice the transmission is popping out of third gear. UH OH. I also noticed that the shifting wasn't as smooth as my 1999.5. I ruminated over extensively until today. I had a buyer for my 1999.5 on his way from the Sedona area, en route, when I made the decision to keep my 1999.5. What if I need the transmission out of my 1999.5 to get some solid years out of my new 1996? He was 1.5 hours into a 2 hour drive. I felt terrible.

So basically, my friend has a good mechanic that charges less than the average, stick-it-in-you shop that I normally go to. He's going to swap the transmission for $900 and I'm then going to scrap my 1999.5 for $315. Overall damage equals $585.

Any advice to be given? Am I making a mistake? Is the popping out of third not THAT big of a deal? Honestly, the 1996 I just purchased is in great shape: Flowmaster exhuast (I think my 1999.5 had a catalytic converter going), cruise control, power windows, alarm; the hydraulics on the rear window even KEEP IT UP (my 1999.5 failed years ago).

Any plan-altering advice would be appreciated. I still feel like I've come out ahead, as I'd only be $2785 in the hole, with a great pathfinder to carry me through some years to come.

Thanks --- WILL.

[Towncivilian]

Welcome to NICO!

How is the level and smell of the transmission fluid? To check it properly, follow these steps:

1. Drive around for 10 minutes in the city after the transmission is at operating temperature.
2. Park on a level surface and apply the parking brake.
3. With P selected, shift through every gear and return to P.
4. Pull the transmission dipstick with the engine idling, wipe it clean, reinsert it completely, and read the level. It must be within the notched area labeled "HOT". Check for fluid contamination after wiping on a paper towel.



The fluid should be red, and not smell burnt.

[Wwaterman]

Thanks for the reply. It is a manual transmission, BTW. I'm leaning toward changing the transmission fluid (which I've done before) and just crossing my fingers that the transmission doesn't get any worse; therefore, I'm going to sell my other Pfinder and pocket the cash.

This sounds like a common problem, but I can't find anyone who will tell me what I want to hear: "Yes, this is a common problem, it probably won't get any worse for the lifetime of the vehicle." That's what I want to hear, LOL.

Anymore input would be greatly appreciated. It does it very occasionally at the right RPM's while coasting (third gear pop out).

[Towncivilian]

Hehe, whoops. I agree that a fluid change would be a good start. Be sure to use a GL-4 rated fluid only, not a GL-5 or a dual-rated GL-4 or GL-5 fluid. Amsoil MTG and Redline MT90 are good options for the manual trans fluid.

[Wwaterman]

Well, so I replaced the fluid. The transmission feels a whole lot better. It hasn't popped out of third yet since I changed the fluid and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it doesn't.

Cheers. The fluid looked bad and smelled worse.

[Baguaboxer]

I know that this is an old post but my truck is doing the exact same thing. Has the problem recurred for you since changing the fluid? I just bought my truck a month ago and the clutch was supposedly changed recently so it has to have new fluid? Every time that I coast in 3rd gear it pops out.

[doode]

I have a 99.5 with a 5 speed as well.

Bought used at 248k and noticed 3rd gear kept popping out.

Changed out transmission fluid with bargain basement gear oil GL-5 , didn't buy enough so i topped out with royal purple 75w140.

It was perfect. Never popped out once, no complaints. Went for over 20k.

After doing some research, realized that GL-5 is not recommended due to the brass sycros so i spent the big $$ got Red Line MT-90 gear oil ( $18 a bottle )

After doing the oil swap, the transmission is now popping out of gear again. I know it's got worn syncros and the thicker gear oil is what helps it stay in gear.

I drained about 750ml, filled it with 85w140 gear oil and now it's decent but not perfect. Still pops out of gear. In hind sight i should have left it.

Truck has 280k on it now running a mix of GL4 and GL5.

I'll take my chances.

[Baguaboxer]

I have some Red Line MT-90 sitting on my shelf from my last car, I might try that?
I was wondering if a worn out or broken transmission or motor mount could make it pop out of gear too?

[doode]

I have some Red Line MT-90 sitting on my shelf from my last car, I might try that?
I was wondering if a worn out or broken transmission or motor mount could make it pop out of gear too?

Same thought i have had, mind you i never bothered to check

In my truck you can see the shifter physically move fore and aft almost 2 inches sometimes when you get on / let off the gas

could be a bad motor mount ...next time i do an oil change i should check

[Baguaboxer]

I have noticed the back and forth movement too. That is what made me think that it was possibly a bad mount.
It is also worse when going down a hill when the weight of the engine and transmission is forward instead of centered.
It is wet and cold here and I don't have space to do it in my garage or else I would check.