wrong transmission fluid in 2012 quest

[trekker6]

I just bought a 2012 Nissan quest, as a precaution I had the cvt fluid replaced at a Nissan dealer, they found red transmission fluid and said the transmission was damaged, so I called the dealer I bought it from and they are towing it in and going to look at it. it really sucks that they screwed up. I bought insurance from the dealership, hopefuly they can get me a new transmission without paying an arm and a leg.

[PoMansVan]

I wouldn't be so quick to call this a total loss or even a problem Castrol Transmax CVT fluid is red in color and can be used for for this Nissan application: https://msdspds.castrol.com/bpglis/Fusi ... 9RV9FP.pdf

I have not personally used this in a Nissan CVT but have read of folks who have and it's been perfectly fine for them.

[far raf]

If you bought insurance, they want to get paid big $$. This is why they may be saying transmission is damaged even though there is no real damage. Then they will file a claim for very expensive repairs and get paid, and you might get a new transmission as a result. Everyone will be happy, except for those who are paying high insurance premiums to fund this arrangement.

[trekker6]

the dealership I bought it from changed the transmission oil, so I'm sure they would know if they used the Castrol cvt oil, I talked to the insurance guy and he agreed with the damage regular transmission oil will do and said they are not serviceable and that the cvts are very cheap. I bought it from a chevy dealer, not the Nissan dealer and the van is with them.

[trekker6]

That's good info on Castrol.

[trekker6]

The Nissan dealer didn't know I had insurance and when I told them they felt that insurance wouldn't cover it.

[PoMansVan]

Was the van acting like it was having CVT/transmission issues? The 2012 would normally spec Nissan NS-2 fluid which is green. Later models would spec NS-3 fluid that is blue. Once my 2016 Quest is beyond the ~5yrs/105K miles worth of warranty I paid extra for, I'd run Castrol Transmax CVT fluid in it no problem.

[trekker6]

Not really, but I only drove it 150 miles, I've read reports of them burning out after jiffy lube put atf in them, from what I understand it's just a matter of time before they go and you can't flush them out. I have 81000 miles on the van and I'd like to have some reliability in the cvt, not have to worry about it breaking down when I'm a thousand miles away from home.

[PoMansVan]

I know if you search the interwebs, you'll see lots of alleged and many legit issues with CVTs in Nissans, but I haven't read of many (or any?) with 2011+ Quest minivans. Time will tell I guess. 2011 through ~2014 use one version of Jatco CVT while the 2015-16 use another. Hopefully yours doesn't need a total transmission replacement and if so, hopefully at no cost to you because like any transmission, they are NOT cheap. Best case you've got nice fresh fluid in there after they swap that out. If you're into DIY maintenance, draining and refilling the CVT oil is as easy, if not easier than an engine oil change on these. There's no magic. They have an easily accessible drain plug, a dipstick to refill from and a level check plug. Simple.

[trekker6]

Best case scenario is I get a new transmission. The Nissan dealership won't even change my oil, they say it's damaged, how they assumed that, I don't know, but if it is damaged and I drive it for two years and 15000 miles and it blows up I'm screwed.
A new transmission would be nice, but a damaged one is not my first choice.
I would have been happy if they hadn't screwed up.

[far raf]

I bought it from a chevy dealer, not the Nissan dealer and the van is with them.

That might explain wrong oil. Hope in the end you get a fixed vehicle.

[trekker6]

Thanks,
It's just very frustrating, I own a 1986 vw doka army truck which I love, but it broke down too many times and I need a reliable travel which is why I bought the quest, now I have two vehicles in the shop.