Joined
Sep 29, 2018 · 64 Posts
Discussion Starter · #1 ·
Nov 12, 2018 I was looking over the engine layout and see what I thought looked to be a dipstick into the transmission. Roughly about 1/4 way along from the right hand side of the engine bay when standing in front of the engine. It didn't want to pull out though. Is this the CVT fluid dipstick and how is it retained in the tube? I didn't want to force anything, car only
has 140 miles on it. :smile2: Joined
Aug 21, 2018 · 168 Posts
Even though I have not verified by filling, I believe it's the tube to fill the transmission. There is no dipstick to measure fluid level. Just a filler cap covering the tube. I've been looking into this as well. I ordered a dipstick (31086-4AJ0A) which was for the NV200 Taxi. (Uses the same engine and transmission as the RS) BUT when I inserted it in the
tube, I did not get a fluid reading. This made me a little apprehensive. Must go the dealer and ask questions before I proceed further. (There's another model (31086-3TA1A) which may be the right dip stick.) BTW, the way you remove this cap is to put a small screwdriver in from top and move a little plastic tap inside the cap to the right. Hard to explain but it comes out easy if you do this. I'll do a 3X drain and fill somewhere around 20K mi. I'm really curious what kind of metal shavings
could in the pan/magnets as this is a CVT. A conventional transmission will have a lot of metal shavings on the magnets after 20-30k mi. and you will see fine metal particles in the transmission fluid. Nothing to worry quite yet as our RS only has 5k mi. I'll know more in the future. Hope this helps. Bill Joined Oct 17, 2018 · 41 Posts
That Nissan NS-3 cvt fluid is about $20 per quart. I watched some youtube videos for the changing cvt fluid in an Altima and a Juke and a drain and fill takes about 4-5 quarts. A 3x drain/fill will get pretty pricey. And 20k miles is pretty early. Owners manual only calls for inspection and maybe change at 60k miles (100k km) if necessary. I saw
one youtube suggestion to make a dipstick out of a coat hanger. Snake it down until it hits bottom of pan and mark off top of wire to know total depth from dipstick hole and then mark off at fluid line on the end to figure out baseline. Just have to assume it was properly filled in first place. You can then check the fluid level and quality periodically. The fresh fluid looks blue. As it ages, it gets very dark. I assume if it goes bad, it may smell burnt, but by then there may be damage.
Ours is still too new to worry about it (so says the guy who started a cvt reliabilty thread...). I'll check colour, level and smell periodically. I may do a 50k km (30k miles) change depending upon warranty status. (I like easy to remember OCIs). If there is a defect, i would prefer that it manifest itself during warranty so it can be fixed. A fluid change may mask any problem temporarily. Joined Aug 21, 2018 ·
168 Posts
Without knowing and seeing if the dealer has a service dipstick I'm a little apprehensive now about sticking anything down the filling tube. (The dipstick I bought didn't reach the fluid in the pan.) Next time I'm at the dealer I'll ask about this and if there is a dealer service dipstick I'll compare it (length wise) to the one I bought. From what I've read
on the internet (perhaps on the previous CVT generation) , there's an "overfill" plug as well. If one does a drain and fill, one has to assume the factory put the correct amount in and there was no leakage over time. Last drain and fill I did was on my Golf just under 30k miles. About 9+ Qt total for the 3X drain/fill and I did drop the pan/cleaned the magnets and put in new strainer. I did not realize 4-5 Qts would come out from the CVT. So yes, it will be costly! (Around $11 a qt. from a
Nissan dealer online.) In my situation, since we only put about 5k miles per yr. on the car, this won't be done till the warranty is over. But I would have really liked to have a dipstick now to establish a baseline of the cold/hot reading. I do believe it's best to do an early fluid exchange to get any breaking in particles/shavings out and have fresh new fluid in. Joined Sep 29, 2018 · 64
Posts
Discussion Starter · #5 ·
Nov 14, 2018 Thanks for the responses. I'll take a look at the cap retainer just so I know how it comes off. I've tried in the past on torque convertor transmissions to change the fluid out at 30 to 35K or so. I do have one of these, which may or may not make the job easier if I do it myself when the time comes.
https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_390306_39030 With that said I've had mixed results in that on some vehicles the flexi tube gets stopped before it reaches the sump whilst on others it will suck the sump 'bone dry'. It's quite a ways off before a transmission fluid change but I just like to educate myself. Hoping for many years reliable service from the new
addition. Thanks! Joined Sep 29, 2018 · 64 Posts
Discussion Starter · #6 ·
Nov 15, 2018 Found this on the net, albeit for Rogue 2016. for the CVT fluid drain....maybe a dealer job....if they can be trusted. Tried to attach the manual but file is too big. They use the overflow plug to put the new fluid in. I'm assuming vehicle will need to be level...so putting it on ramps may not be a good idea. You would have to be certain you could put
back what you drained out, not sure if vehicle angle would affect the replenishment process. Replacement INFOID:0000000012428197 Joined Aug 21, 2018 · 168 Posts
Thanks for posting this Iceflow! From what I can gather from this: (1) Certain temp (2) Shift through gears, P to L (3) car level (4) 2X drain and fill and (5) 3 1/4 Qt. refill and possibly adding another 1/2 qt. to make sure it "drips" through overflow plug. All these steps are important. Having the car on ramps will not be level so checking the overflow plug
will not be accurate. I believe if one assumes the factory put the correct amount in, just put in what comes out whether cold or hot. It is imperative to get an actual dipstick now while the car is new to get a baseline reading on the fluid level. (I'll visit the dealer next week and see what they say and look into that other dipstick I mentioned in previous post. Also, one is assuming a dipstick will reach the fluid in the pan. What if this is not the case?) Quite honestly, I very highly doubt
the dealer will go through that complete procedure. (They may just shift through gears, see about temp and then just drain/refill and check the overflow plug.) My VW had somewhat the same procedure and it is an imprecise measure. Steady stream....slow drip out of overfill plug. VW had refill stove pipe. The key is the temp and shifting through the gears P to L. I don't believe I'm to able to crawl under the car w/o lifting to check this overfill plug, so...build and put down 2" x 12" boards
doubled up on the four corners, drive up on these boards and the car will be higher off the ground to do this check. Use jack stands for safety. No problem at all. This doesn't seem like a too hard of a procedure. Nissan along w/all these other car makers should have installed a dipstick!!! What if you have a small leak? Overtime/miles who knows how much fluid could be lost and you'd never know! (Very unlikely I'm sure but...) There's also a transmission filter! I'm sure this has to be changed
at some point you would think? Our cars will run forever will all this love and attention! (Unless we screw something up... We won't. But if you really trust the dealer and they really use 6-7 Qts of genuine Nissan NS-3 fluid and charge $200-250 that seems reasonable. Will post again after dealer visit. Joined Sep 29, 2018 · 64 Posts
Discussion Starter · #8 ·
Nov 18, 2018 Yes, I would definitely want a dipstick to get a baseline and then just drain whatever comes out of the oil pan and replace that amount through the dipstick tube. Let us know how you go on with the dealer inquiries on a suitable dipstick. I'm also going to email a dealer called Conyers Nissan. They supply a few different oil change kits and also the CVT fluid
on Amazon so maybe they would know about the possibility of getting a dipstick. If the dealer charges 250 that's probably not too bad, but I'd still like to do this myself at a 25K interval. For me though it will depend upon whether I can get a dipstick to set a baseline start point. Did any Rogue Sport model have a dipstick on previous years? Joined Sep 29, 2018 · 64 Posts
Discussion Starter · #9 ·
Nov 18, 2018 I've been poking around on the net for p/n 31086-3TA1A and what I'm seeing are two prices...about $5 or about $17. $5 seems very low for a dip stick and though several $5 sites show it as the complete dipstick on the parts diagram there are others that show it as just the plastic cap. Here's one Amazon is showing a $17 version, no pic unfortunately, with a dealer called "Modern Nissan" . I will email them and ask if this is a real dipstick or just a plastic cap. Joined Sep 29, 2018 · 64
Posts
Discussion Starter · #10 ·
Nov 19, 2018 Hmmm, here's the response from Modern Nissan, they had the $17 'version' on Amazon but it looks like that is just a plastic cap also. I would need a baseline level start point before attempting anything. Unless they have changed the pan profile I would think that a dipstick from a previous 2 litre would work. One other thought....is the 2 litre sold in
other parts of the world....and do they come with dipstick?
"It is just the plastic cap. A lot of the newer CVT transmissions do not have dipsticks."
Joined Aug 21, 2018 · 168 Posts
Thanks for investigating and info Iceflow. The MR20 has been around for many years. The question is whether the length of the transmission fill tube is the same in the different models. The dipstick I bought which was for the NV200 Taxi did not reach the fluid. (OR....the fluid is low from the factory. I doubt this but you never know?) I would assume on our
Rogue Sport that if the dipstick was long enough, it would reach the fluid directly in the pan. If I was 100% absolutely certain it would, coming up w/a solution would be easy. One way to be absolutely certain would be to drop the pan and see if a wire etc., would come through the hole. (This is something I'm not going to do now while under warranty.) It would be interesting to know if this transmission has as much metal fuzz/shavings on the magnets as a conventional transmission has after 30K
mi. +/-? It would be absolutely wonderful and no doubt prolong transmission life if an early 2X drain and fill was done. I'll report back after I visit the dealer's service adviser and perhaps talk to a service tech. From my past experience doing pan drops/changing out strainers/filters and adding new fluid, it has made a noticeable improvement and well worth the effort. Let's be grateful our Sports' are not overly too techie and complex! No turbo, intake carbon build-up and braking/lane
sensor's, LED headlights, overly large back-up screen etc. that will fail in time and cost a small fortune to fix! I guess I'm "old" school in thought. Joined Oct 17, 2018 · 41 Posts
I posted on the uk qashqai site to try and get some responses. So far, only one owner from the Czech republic gave a link to his post in a czech forum showing his cvt fluid change: J11 - Vymena kvapaliny CVT
prevodovky - Qashqai J11 - Fórum - Nissan klub I used google translate and it does look like the oil gets pretty dirty and there is a filter to be cleaned. So it does seem prudent to do a regular fluid change as a preventative measure and not assume that the fluid is "lifetime". No response on the uk site about the dipstick. When i searched further, one owner ordered a dipstick all the way from Dubai and it turned out to be the same locking fill cap without any stick. As
i said before, one youtuber just suggested using a wire like a coat hanger to establish the baselineand marking the wire. As long as you insert carefully, i cant see it harming anything. Joined Aug 21, 2018 · 168 Posts
Today was a good day! This morning got an email from Subaru dealer (located right next to Nissan) that they were giving away door prizes to celebrate a new Subaru model. Received a really nice Subaru blanket! Went to Nissan dealer. Service writer there was of absolutely no help and his "canned" responses to my questions made me want to puke. BUT, there was a
very knowledgeable parts person working this day. I explained what we trying to do and we needed a dipstick. He said about 3 wks. ago a service bulletin was issued and there is a "service" dipstick available! Was told it had adjustable lengths for various models. I was given a model # for the part but I'm not sure whom the manufacturer is. He told me he'd call me w/a price. (I'm not going to post this # till I (hopefully) get this part.) WOW, I hope this pans out and I don't get a call that it's
only available to dealers! (When you think about this, the dealer MUST have a service dipstick if someone comes in complaining about a transmission issue. How are they going to check the level to make sure the level is not the reason for the complaint?) Also, since the transmission fill tube leads into the pan, the proper dipstick length can be made (assuming the factory put the correct amount in.) Hopefully this will be successful! BTW, "lifetime fluid" no such thing. It's best to remove any
break-in fluid early as not to recirculate. This is something I'll most definitely do between 20-30K miles! Joined Sep 29, 2018 · 64 Posts
Discussion Starter · #14 · Nov 21, 2018 Today was a good day! This morning got an email from Subaru dealer (located right next to Nissan) that they were giving away door prizes to celebrate a new Subaru model. Received a really nice Subaru blanket! Went to Nissan dealer. Service writer there was of absolutely no help and his "canned" responses to my questions made me want to
puke. BUT, there was a very knowledgeable parts person working this day. I explained what we trying to do and we needed a dipstick. He said about 3 wks. ago a service bulletin was issued and there is a "service" dipstick available! Was told it had adjustable lengths for various models. I was given a model # for the part but I'm not sure whom the manufacturer is. He told me he'd call me w/a price. (I'm not going to post this # till I (hopefully) get this part.) WOW, I hope this pans out and I
don't get a call that it's only available to dealers! (When you think about this, the dealer MUST have a service dipstick if someone comes in complaining about a transmission issue. How are they going to check the level to make sure the level is not the reason for the complaint?) Also, since the transmission fill tube leads into the pan, the proper dipstick length can be made (assuming the factory put the correct amount in.) Hopefully this will be successful! BTW, "lifetime fluid" no such thing.
It's best to remove any break-in fluid early as not to recirculate. This is something I'll most definitely do between 20-30K miles! Good work! please keep us updated. That makes sense about a service dipstick for the techs. :wink2: I did find this reference to a Dorman universal. Ok so after looking around online a bit I found that Dorman makes a "universal dipstick" it actually
looks a bit junkie. It comes with an adjustable stopper for its intended use. I intend to look for it at the cheapest price I can get it and take it, measure, mark and cut it to the length I need it and use the stock plug to make the new handle. that is the plan at least. The item is Dorman 65116 Misc. Dipstick.
TheScarletRogue Posts: 14Joined: Wed Feb 28, 2018 4:29 amCar: 2015 Nissan Rogue, Cayenne red Re: Possibility of a quick and easy CVT drain and fill? Postby TheScarletRogue » Fri Mar 30, 2018 3:48 pm {Make a note means measure from bottom to the spot the fluid is at and @ what temp} Than on another day (when I can get use of a IR thermometer) bring it up to temp and check it again (see how much of a diff it is) and set that for the FULL mark, make note in the note book. Let it cool over night and get a reading w/engine running (cold) and make a note of where it is. {get cold and "@ temp" dialed in} then experiment, eventually do a test starting at the lowest hot temp the 95F and check it at the highest hot temp 113f maybe add a mark for the lower hot temp if there is a big enough diff to notice. I am currently also looking for an ELM 327 and the app CVTz50 to check the readed temp of the fluid and compare it to the IR thermometer reading and see how far, if any they, differ. (unless some one has already
done so and can enlighten me with the results?) . for now I think this is it, if I stumble across and issue with any of this I will come back here and let every one know. Joined Sep 29, 2018 · 64 Posts Joined Aug 21, 2018 · 168 Posts
The Red Baron shot Snoopy down! Just got the call from Nissan dealer. Their cost, my price is $275!!! Iceflow, when you receive the Dorman please post the your findings. The dipstick which I bought is aprx. 22 1/2" fully seated in transmission fill tube. (22 1/8" cold reading and 21 3/4" to hot reading. Fully inserted in tube.) The Dorman, according to Amazon,
is 30" long. Like I said earlier, my dipstick did not get a reading. I think next week I'll call Nate back @ Nissan and ask if they have one of these service dipstick and see if I could get a measurement of the length needed for a Rogue Sport. Wow, this is way overly complex! Why would Nissan care after warranty how a owner assumes care of their vehicle after warranty? Iceflow, once you get a reading, at least I can get a baseline to making my dipstick the right length. (BTW, the part # for the
Nissan service dipstick is: J-51155.) Joined Sep 29, 2018 · 64 Posts
Discussion Starter · #17 · Nov 22, 2018 OK will do. It shipped today. There is a slight wrinkle in that I won't be able to get any baselines until Christmas as my daughter is having the vehicle for a replacement for our Ford Focus and she will be away at college. Long story....but stay away from the Focus automatics, see Focus Fanatics forum re: the dreaded DCT transmissions. Anyway, enough of
that. Great idea on getting the actual Rogue Sport length from the dealer.That will help immensely. I think we should be able to come up with something that is reliable, it will be also interesting to compare the levels between same vehicles. Thanks Joined Aug 21, 2018 · 168 Posts
After your daughter drives the Sport, you may not get it back! Sorry to hear about the dreaded DCT Ford transmission. Criminal of Ford! We own a 2005 ZX5 which was my wife's car until the Rogue Sport. Now it's our winter car w/Michelin X-Ice tires. (Since the Sport is FWD, my wife will use the Ford when there's bad weather. She really loves her Rogue Sport!)
Yes, it will good to compare and there's absolutely no rush. Safe and Happy Holidays to one and all! Bill Joined Aug 21, 2018 · 168 Posts
Today I modified (Lengthen) the Nissan #31086-4AJ0A dipstick I bought. Turns outs it was about 3/4" to short. This is the readings w/the car level and not being driven today. 50 degree F. The total length of steel band is 22 5/8". (23 1/2" all the way pushed in the fill tube.) Cold reading was just above the lower notch on the "HOT" side of the dipstick. (Just
in the checked box.) I'll post a "warm" reading after the engine is warmed up and has been parked for about 30 min. later.) Assuming the factory put in the correct amount this is MY baseline. The fluid was clean. Let us know your findings ICEFLOW when known...Happy New Year to one and all. Joined Aug 21, 2018 · 168 Posts
I apologize for not getting back sooner but the weather has been quite cold and I had to modify the dipstick. This is my baseline reading for a "hot" engine. (Car driven 25 minutes then parked level, engine running, shifted and held in "R" "N" and "D" for 10 secs. 40 degree F outside temp. 5.6k mi on vechicle.) The dipstick was lengthen to 24" in order to get
the hot fluid mark on the upper notch, 2/3 up in the cross cut section. When I got my "cold" reading on the shorter dipstick it did not even register a "hot" reading on the dipstick because the fluid was now in the torque converter and passages of the transmission. Haven't done a cold reading yet w/the new dipstick but it will be much, much higher. (This was the same way w/my daughter's Rav 4.) So, this is the length dipstick I needed. Not sure if a Nissan dipstick is available in this length as
I have found no lengths were ever given on any OEM dipstick. One final note: I've seen a few videos on "U Tube" saying just replace what comes out. This will not be quite accurate if hot fluid is replaced w/fluid not the same temp. because of fluid expansion. (I suppose on a cold engine w/the NS-3 quart containers @ the same temp. will be extremely close.) I'm now confident I can do a drain and fill and get the right amount of fluid in the transmission. (Naturally, this assumes the factory put
the correct amount in.) After the warranty is over, our car should have less than 30K mi., and I will do a pan drop, clean the magnets and change the filter and strainer. I hope this has been helpful and these are MY results for our Rogue Sport. This may be overkill, but I want the car to last a very long time and run as new or better. How do you check the transmission fluid on a 2021 Nissan Rogue?Wipe off the dipstick with a clean rag, just as you would do when checking the engine oil. Reinsert the dipstick, then remove the dipstick again to check the fluid level. If you need to top it off, be sure to use the recommended transmission fluid.
How do you check the transmission fluid on a Nissan Rogue?Turn on the engine to warm up your vehicle for a few minutes, and then put your car in park. Open up the hood and locate the transmission fluid dipstick. If you're having trouble finding it, consult your owner's manual. Once you find the dipstick, remove it and touch the fluid to get a look at it.
Where is the dipstick for the transmission on a Nissan?If, for example, you drive a vehicle with an inline engine and rear-wheel drive, your dipstick will be behind your engine, sticking out of the automatic transmission. If you own a front-wheel drive vehicle, your dipstick will usually be located in the transaxle, in the front of the engine compartment.
Why is there no transmission dipstick?If you have a late-model car, it may not have a dipstick for checking the transmission fluid. Not only does this make it difficult to check fluid level and condition, it also eliminates the dipstick tube or opening through that fluid is normally added to an automatic transmission.
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