J30 transmission filter compatibility

Post by **Chris Halkides** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 5:13 pm

Hello Everyone,

The filter I ordered from Scottsdale is definitely not identical to the one in my 1997 J30t (54,000 miles). The present filter is half plastic and has a round area where the screen is. The one from Scottsdale is all metal (easily corroded) and has a square area where the screen is. Most importantly, the one from Scottsdale is slightly bigger, and therefore won't fit. It has the correct part number.

My shop tells me that they also had comptatibility issues with a gasket they needed on my recent solenoid replacement. Scottsdale, after multiple times on hold, now wants me to obtain a number found somewhere on the transmission, which cannot be done until tomorrow. Apparently, there are two transmissions for the J30 (a fact of which I was unaware), and mine has the earlier one.

Can anyone clarify the question of the two transmissions for me? Can anyone explain how this situation can be most quickly resolved.

Chris

Post by **NISTECH** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 5:13 pm

there should be either a metal label under your hood usually along the firewall or somewhere on your door label that has the production date. which states your exact trans in your car. I dont memorize these numbers and this number I give you may not be an actual number but it is for visual reffrence only to help identify it when you see it. RF5O4 it will look something like that and be near the VG30DE on the label.

Post by **Chris Halkides** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 5:13 pm

Thanks Nistech,Joe at Scottsdale looked at jpegs of the two filters, and he thinks my transmission is an aftermarket. The (removable) aluminum tag on the transmission says JATCO Corp., 44X18, 6546738C. The model number found on the tag near the firewall says RE4R01A. there is a cryptic note that Joe found by searching using the VIN to the effect that the "AT" was changed at 21,000 miles or so at an Infiniti dealer in Little Rock (I am the third owner, and I only have service records for the owner before me). The filter that Joe sent resembles the one in the drawing found at http://www.atcdg.com/TechBulletins/bull_153.htm. What I need to do is to identify the transmission, and then find a compatible filter.

Post by **NISTECH** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 5:13 pm

they probably stuffed a 300zx trans in there or some other model. but the z seems to be the most compatiable.

Post by **yellaspecV** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 5:13 pm

I worked for Infiniti from 1997 to 2001 in parts and never heard of there being two different trannies?! by the way, why are you changing the filter in the first place? The 'filter' portion of it is a steel mesh screen and can be cleaned with some brake cleaner. As for having a 300Z transmission, if memory serves they are the same regardless and at 21,000 miles it would of been replaced under warrenty and would have to be original to what went in. But it would be a reman.

Post by **yellaspecV** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 5:13 pm

in the four years at Infiniti I NEVER sold a transmission filter and we did transmission services daily. Except for the external filter that was apart of a campaign for the Q45 but that was for like 1990-1993

Post by **NISTECH** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 5:13 pm

at nissan we never change them either. we do the moc trans flush thing. we used to use BG chemicals till the dealership made a "corperate" decision.

Post by **Q45tech** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 5:13 pm

Most people never sell one till they reverse flush one with compressed air/brake cleaner on a paper towel, then cut the filter open and examine the stuck wedged particles with a magnifying glass.10 cans of cleaner won't get them out.

Because a dealer doesn't recommend something is a good reason to conduct scientific testing.

Post by **VimyJ** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 5:13 pm

NISTECH wrote:they probably stuffed a 300zx trans in there or some other model. but the z seems to be the most compatiable.

I thought the J has the same transmission as the 300ZX na.

Post by **maxnix** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 5:13 pm

Q45tech wrote:Most people never sell one till they reverse flush one with compressed air/brake cleaner on a paper towel, then cut the filter open and examine the stuck wedged particles with a magnifying glass.10 cans of cleaner won't get them out.

Because a dealer doesn't recommend something is a good reason to conduct scientific testing.

Also, if you do a search on this board, you will read about documented failures caused by clogged screens like Q45tech describes.

This board saves conscientious owners from ill informed dealers and service technicians.

Post by **Q45tech** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 5:13 pm

What is good for the dealer [and emplyees] and what is the absolute best for the car in the long run are not necessarily the same.

What is good for the majority of new car owners [up to 70k] when the car is traded and 2nd and 3rd owners is obviously different.

Post by **Chris Halkides** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 5:13 pm

Hello and thanks to all, Infiniti's customer support told me to take it to a dealer (who would probably ask why I am changing the filter; that's what the local Nissan people did). In other words, they were not helpful. As to why I would like to change it, besides what Q45tech said, the service bulletin I previously cited also says to change the filter even if it looks good. Unfortunately, I have reached an impasse for now, since I can't obtain a new one.

Does anyone know of a Nissan/Infiniti TSB that covers the clogged filter question? There are jpegs of the two filters side-by-side available upon request. NISTECH, I talked with Parkway Infiniti in Little Rock, and they said that all they changed was the AT indicator relay, not the whole AT. VimyJ, I am pretty sure the J30 transmission is the same one as the 300zx non-Turbo transmission.

Chris

Post by **Chris Halkides** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 5:13 pm

Hello,I found an identical replacement filter from a company called APD transmission parts in Atlanta (part number 69710?). The guy at the transmission shop I bought it from thought that the filter was for an RL-type transmission, as opposed to an RE-type transmission. Does that make sense? The only RL transmissions I know of are the ones for the G20. I did a preliminary examination of the old filter under a microscope. The holes in the filter mesh are nearly perfectly square, and I would guess that the filter is made out of some sort of plastic. Only a few holes were clogged. Is there any point in cutting out the filter to examine it further?

Chris

Post by **Q45tech** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 5:13 pm

The metal screen gets cloggs [if any] under the outlet [covered by metal hoising] not in the open [rectangular port] input.

If you reverse flush with spray brake cleaner paper towel to catch the particals out of the input.

The filters are so inexpensive and quick to change once pan is off it doesn't make sense not to change it.............same with o ring.

Too many people make their living changing and repairing transmissions to ever see a truely bullet proof unit. Remember 100,000 miles [actyally 100,000 shift cyles] is the factory design life required by Nissan anything longer is gravy.

100,000 shift cyles works great for people who do most of their driving on interstates. They may never see this many in 250,000 miles. Commuters in traffic can see this many in 70,000 miles or less.

Shifts per mile is the key.

J30 transmission filter compatibility

J30 transmission filter compatibility

Nissan Forums

Infiniti Forums

Datsun Forums

Technical Forums

Classifieds / Marketplace

Nissan Motorsports

General Forums