2001 Pathfinder Transmission

[KDenise]

I have a 2001 LE with 271,000 miles. No major repairs as second owner for the past 8 years. After having the master brake cylinder replaced and a bad coil and a tune-up about a month ago, plus new tires a couple of weeks before that, I noticed a drastic drop in fuel economy. Had been getting 350-365 per tank steadily forever, it suddenly was only getting barely 300 miles to the tank, so more than 3 gallons per fillup were just gone. I took it back to the shop thinking it may be a leak, but they saw nothing wrong and recommended a transmission place. They called saying my converter is definitely slipping, and to even get to it would be an entire transmission replacement.
So, the dilemma. I love this truck. And, I love not having a car payment! I would love to get a lot more miles out of her, but is this the beginning of the end? Is it worth replacing the transmission? And if so, how long can I drive her before I really start to notice problems? I have tried searching on the fuel economy issue but don't see many relating to the transmission - I think I have just caught early because of the gas consumption. I don't even feel any slippage or anything. The shop I took it to tells me $1800 for the trans.

[Buzzman]

Couple of thoughts.

First, I'd get a second opinion on the transmission thing.
Find another reputable shop, or even the dealership, and get another tech to look at it.
The transmission may not be the problem.

Secondly, the hair in the back of my neck stands up every time I hear or see the words "tune-up".
With the technology we have today, the traditional tune up is a thing of the past.
If a garage still advertises tuneups, and does one on your truck, then you've probably wasted your money.
I'd find out what they did on your truck when they tuned it up.
The poor gas mileage may be a result of something they did.

[fleurys]

I agree.... First, if you never changed the trans oil, then go ahead.. it is not lost money.. I personally change mine every 2 to 3 off road trip if I go 3 feet deep in water... It is not a big job.

Then check if the oil is red or if it is dark red/browning and smell like burned... if so you may have a trans that is slipping...

What usually affect greatly the mileage is the maf...but usually this comes with a check engine code...

And if it ends up being the trans, if it was my truck , I would do it if the the rest of truck is not consumed by rust.

S.

[4xq]

Since you have had brake work done, it would be worth it I think to get the truck up on a rack and see if your brakes are dragging. Sometimes people mess up adjusting the e brake, etc.

Torque converters can be replaced without replacing the transmission, but you do have to pull the transmission out to get to it. The shop probably just wants to do the whole transmission given you have 271k, which is quite a few mles.

But yes, I would get a couple more opinions given you have not had any shifting issues with the transmission. And fresh fluid would be a good idea, as suggested.

[KDenise]

Thanks for all the advice! The tune-up wasn't really a "tune-up". They did replace all the crappy spark plugs. I had a bad coil that was replaced.

I get the oil changed religiously every 3,000 (at a different shop) and they have sounded no alarms. And the only check engine code I had was the bad coil a month ago - the drop in gas mileage was immediate after I had the repairs done.

Thanks for the mention on the brakes. And yes, they told me that about the torque converter but also said that's the only thing it *might* be since it is revving a little higher when it shifts (I think he said between 2nd and 3rd). And that pulling the transmission it would make sense to put it back in with new gaskets and seals.

So, I am gonna do what I can - no rust, body is great, engine is clean, and I hope to get quite a few more miles on her so I will definitely get a third opinion!

[CanuckQx4]

I dont get where the mileage drop comes into play

I get barely 240 miles to a tank, which works out to 17mpg or so, I didnt know people got so much more!!

I dont get how it would affect mpg's that much

[Towncivilian]

^^^

Date - Mileage On Tank - Fill Qty - Brand - Octane - MPG - Ethanol content - price per gallon - total price



2WD Pathfinder, spark plugs replaced ~30k ago, air filter ~20k ago, tires ~15k ago (stock size), ~32 PSI, M1 75W-90 in the diff...

Starting this year I've been doing a lot of highway driving, perhaps evident by the increased mileage. I found that 87 (regular) really sucks for performance, while 89 offers acceptable performance. Infrequent A/C use increases MPG by 1-2 MPG generally. I use cruise wherever possible, 75MPH on the highway max. Typically I fill when the gas light turns on, anywhere between 240 - 290 miles per tank depending on driving style during that tank.

I also recommend a transmission fluid service if it has never been done. Also think about servicing the differential(s), transfer case (if equipped), power steering fluid, brake fluid... just about anything if those haven't been done within the past 3-4 years tops.

[4xq]

Interesting that you get your worst mileage on Sunoco 93 octane premium. Otherwise, they seem like decent numbers.

[KDenise]

Confused... Canuck: 240 miles to the tank? For an 18 gallon tank that only works out to about 13 miles to the gallon on my calculator.
And TownCivilian I love the chart but those numbers make me sad.

I bought my 2001 used with 67,000 miles on it and so 210,000 of these miles are all me in the last 8 years. I drive a combination of street and highway daily as my round trip commute is at minimum 50 miles daily from house to sitter to work to sitter to home, and have driven that route all 8 years. Every fillup I hit the odometer and get 250 per tank. I only ever put the cheapest gas in. Once I got 380 on a highway trip, and was ecstatic. My gas light comes on at about 290 every time and by the time I get to 350 it is at E, so I get a good 60-65 miles once the light flares. Until a month ago.
I guess I shouldn't be too sad that my truck is now getting the same mileage as others always have, though it will eat into my budget and I will still be getting another opinion on why.

[CanuckQx4]

Confused... Canuck: 240 miles to the tank? For an 18 gallon tank that only works out to about 13 miles to the gallon on my calculator.
And TownCivilian I love the chart but those numbers make me sad.

I dont run below 1/8th tank, so its never really close to 18 gallons

I just did spark plugs/fuel filter/air filter so that will probably help some.