2000 q45 transmission Question

[sanjuandelsur]

Newbie here ... but may be quite active if I buy the 2000 Q45t (100k miles) I recently test drove. When shifting from 2nd to 3rd, the transmission seemed to hesitate slightly. Other gear changes were much smoother - to the point that I felt virtually nothing but could see the tach change. Don't think it has had a transmission flush lately. Is it something a flush might help? Or potentially indicative of a larger issue? Or Am I being too picky?

[elwesso]

You can try a flush with some lubeguard, but this is pretty common with nissan trans..

When I had my AT in the car, mine had a slow 2-3 shift and it didnt really get any worse from 110k to 140k

[sanjuandelsur]

Elwesso - thanks for your quick reply. I have been researching this vehicle fairly extensively ... and your name pops up EVERYWHERE. Your passion is admirable. I had one other question that I forgot to post. Car is being sold by a mechanic for a client. There is a small oil leak which he has identified as valve cover gasket (get a faint smell of oil at idle) I can't stand leaks and want to know what other gaskets I might want to replace in the process that might be the source of a leak.

[elwesso]

thanks for the comment..

The valve cover gaskets are about all youll need to replace, thats really the only place these engines like to leak... Be sure to replace your spark plugs when you're in the neighborhood unless they have been documented recently.

[sanjuandelsur]

that's what i wanted to hear. i'm going to put in an offer today. if it does become my newest child, what plugs do you recommend?

[elwesso]

NGK PFR5G-11 only.

Joe at infiniti of scottsdale has the best prices, info is in my sig.

BTW, welcome to NICO!

[sanjuandelsur]

Link to Joe is broken ...

[paranoidjack]

http://www.everythinginfiniti.com

I have that as well. Mine got much worse at about 150k and now at 180 it's very annoying. Doesn't really happen under hard acceleration, feels much crisper when shifting over 4k.

Slow driving though, it feels like a 5 second shift. I think I'll be putting a new transmission in within a year or so.

I would walk if I were you, at 100k my transmission felt crisp and perfect. There are plenty of those Q's sitting around. I'd even look at an 03 if you can afford it.

[sanjuandelsur]

Now paranoidjack has me ... well ... paranoid. i actually noticed the pause more distinctly under hard acceleration. is yours specifically 2nd to 3rd? or all gears?The pause bothered me enough to second guess the purchase - which is why I originally posted. did you do anything to try to cure the issue - or at least prevent it from getting worse?I'd hate to walk from this one - one owner, immaculately maintained.

[paranoidjack]

Specifically 2nd to 3rd. My car feels pretty smooth at WOT shift, but mind you it has 180k on it so my perceptions have changed since I bought it at 72k.

What I can tell you is at 100k, there was NOTHING that concerned me about the transmission. I am extremely anal and anything like I have now, or that you described, would have been noticed. At 100k my car shifted imperceptibly through all gears. Now I have a big 2nd-3rd lag. This started about 15k ago about about 150-165.

Mind you - at 180k the car still feels GOOD, just the transmission is sloppy. Is it still consistently sloppy and fluids are fine, so they DO last.

[paranoidjack]

Also, the best advice I can give anyone looking to buy a used car.

Go drive 3 of them.

[maxnix]

Review Infiniti dealer performed service history.

After replacing 4 solenoids, shifts are much better. What color is the ATF (white papaer towel test)? PS fluid? Interior of valve train through oil fill hole? Brake fluid?

[sanjuandelsur]

I will check the color of the transmission fluid tomorrow and ask owner about service history. PS reservoir was just replaced, so I can only assume it is clean - but I will check that also. Oil changes were every 3k. How much does solenoid replacement run?

[bullittandy]

I've driven three different 97+ Q45's and they shifted slow between 2nd and 3rd gear. My 97 has been shifting like that for from 194K to 255K miles.

I wouldn't sweat it.

-A

[NightRiderQ45]

I guess that I never notice this 2-3 shift since I let my car warm up in the morning before taking off. To the OP, make sure you see what color the fluid is and anything less than red is a NO! If the owner was doing at least drain & fill every 30k, the fluid would still be red.

The leak is the VC gasket like wess stated earlier. I have 218k and I've never been more happy with a car. There are things that needs to be fixed, but no major items.

[sanjuandelsur]

Thanks for all the replies. I test drove again. I have read so much now that I go from comfortable to paranoid regarding the shifting (I did check fluid - not dirty) What other infinitis/nissans have the RE4R03A? Maybe driving a comparable vehicle will help to see if I am being too demanding of this car's shifting.

[Skibane]

The "lazy" 2-3 upshift is a common complaint. Usually, it's a lot more noticeable in cold weather, after a cold start. The colder the weather is, the "lazier" the upshift gets.

It tends to go away as the transmission warms up to normal operating temperature. If you're still feeling it after the car is fully warmed up (i.e., has been driven for at least 15 minutes), you should be concerned.

[paranoidjack]

Thanks for all the replies. I test drove again. I have read so much now that I go from comfortable to paranoid regarding the shifting (I did check fluid - not dirty) What other infinitis/nissans have the RE4R03A? Maybe driving a comparable vehicle will help to see if I am being too demanding of this car's shifting.

Like I said - go drive 3 of them! Then you'll eliminate variables and see if it's the transmission or you.