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Transmission fluid change

18357 Views 12 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  roastbeef
Recently Ive noticed I get a little whine around 45 mph or so. It sounds like its coming from the front end, I was thinking maybe a wheel bearing (they need to be serviced soon), but was thinking I should change the fluids anyway (whinig might be from tranny?)

The truck only has 52K miles on it, but the only thing ever really changed was oil.

My question is mostly about the "filter" that Ive seen references to. My dealer will only do a power flush, and doesnt change the filter (its actually a screen). Not quite sure I want them to do a power-flush, and Id prefer the screen get replaced as well, so it looks like I might be DIY-ing this.

Any good source for the screen? Or maybe a part number I can buy from the dealer?

Im going to replace the fluid with the standard Nissan-matic thats recommended per the service manual (Amsoil too expensive for 9 qts!!)

Thanks.

-Chris
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if its a screen mesh filter it should last the life of the trans. Also i'd do a drain and refill at 52k. No need for a power flush, unless your fluid is a black color. Most places like to sell power flushes but in reality they just drain and refill it.
if its a screen mesh filter it should last the life of the trans. Also i'd do a drain and refill at 52k. No need for a power flush, unless your fluid is a black color. Most places like to sell power flushes but in reality they just drain and refill it.
Yeah, I actually dont want a powerflush. The problem is I cant depend on someone saying they are going to do it and then just not do it.

If no need to change the filter/screen, Ill just pick up 9 qts of Nissan-matic and do the change myself (I like the tip of just pulling off one of the hoses and running the truck to let the fluid empty itself a little at a time)

Thanks again.

-Chris
you can drain it and drop the pan and clean the magnet off if you want to be really thorough, at 100k, mine was pretty fuzzy looking.
also, the filter is easily replaceable, but from what i understand, you can buy an oem equivalent replacement part at an auto parts store.



that square thing is the filter. i didn't mess with it, but penski knows whats involved in taking it off. looks like just a few bolts to me.
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also for a drain and refill i think you only need like 4qts..
If you decide to remove and replace the filter, take care to also remove the old filter o-ring. If it isn't around the neck of the old filter when you pull the filter out, it's probably still in the inlet.
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also for a drain and refill i think you only need like 4qts..
its a lot more then that.

i used about 8 quarts of redline full synthetic high temp atf fluid. expensive, but it has been great. i also have an aftermarket tranny cooler, but that doesn't add much capacity.
its a lot more then that.

i used about 8 quarts of redline full synthetic high temp atf fluid. expensive, but it has been great. i also have an aftermarket tranny cooler, but that doesn't add much capacity.
really? just by draining the pan? I did service on a pathy and measured the fluid comming out from the pan, and it was like 3.75 qts..
i don't know exactly how much, but it filled what was probably a 6qt container to the brim.
i don't know exactly how much, but it filled what was probably a 6qt container to the brim.
Weird. I've done it twice, with ~4.5qt both times.
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do 4cyl and 6cyl's have the same trannys? maybe i'm off my rocker.
We're both V6; I'm willing to bet the difference is because you're 4x4 and I'm 4x2.

ATF CAPACITY
I4 A/T: 8 3/8 qt
V6 4x2 A/T: 8 3/4 qt
V6 4x4 A/T: 9 qt

There's a side-by-side diagram of the transmissions for the V6 on page AT-164 of the '04 FSM. Looks like we have different torque converters.

If you had the front of your truck jacked up when you pulled the pan, that might also explain why you drained more fluid.
i have a slightly larger capacity because of an aftermarket cooler, plus it may have been slightly overfilled, plus my front is a tiny bit higher then my rear on my custom suspension as it sits in the driveway. so i'm not completely nuts.
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