Hello from Norfolk UK.

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QaiFan
Posts: 675
Joined: Fri Apr 02, 2021 6:33 am
Qashqai Model: Mk.3 Qashqai - J12 (2021+) New Model

Post by QaiFan »

A very long time ago I bought a second hand car with a CVT ... a Volvo 343 DL (with 50000 miles).
It gave me a lot of problems, but NOT the CVT ... the rest of that junk and at 60000 miles my engine broke ... total loss ... but the CVT ... transmission was still OK :-)
I guess it mostly comes down to maintenance and the way the former owner drove the car.
Good Luck with your Qashqai.

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calnorth
Posts: 2719
Joined: Mon Feb 11, 2019 2:01 pm
Qashqai Model: Mk.2 Qashqai Facelift - J11b (2017–2021)

Post by calnorth »

I suspect transmission repair specialists will not be too interested in CVT's because of parts availability. Its nothing like the old days of 4/5 gear manual boxes. And documentation to set CVT's up is likely a closely guarded secret? Add in special tools related to different makers.

CVT's didn't always please as regards auto engine to load adjustments....on the fly. "Ratios" at certain speeds were...just wrong. They disappointed many where auto adjustment was wrong at low speeds and lift off. Enter some complication. Technology advance has thus applied software to correct the continuous ratio feature so that in reality certain fixed "ratios" are selected and seem right? Software needs sensors + electronic controllers and that has been an issue...which also puts off transmission repairers I expect.

I have owned a 1979 Chevrolet Impala with an early simple autobox driven by a 5ltr engine. Not a problem at all. So getting complicated with such boxes now leaves me ...not ever requiring one. Unfortunately, current very loudly heralded vehicle advanced tech...brings a very high price tag. EV of course does bring a major advantage in this context.
Mk2 Qashqai Facelift - J11b (2017–and onward)
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OldLadyAndSon
Posts: 18
Joined: Fri Jul 09, 2021 7:21 pm
Location: Norfolk UK
Qashqai Model: Mk.2 Qashqai Facelift - J11b (2017–2021)

Post by OldLadyAndSon »

Thank you folks for all the encouraging comments.

@QaiFan: I remember those old 343s...also the DAF CVTs too...the DAFs were fragile if I recall correctly, glad to hear that your old 343 CVT was fine...
...sorry to hear that everything else wasn't!

I completely agree, it is all about preventative maintenance, and mechanical sympathy...something we're not sure about, being that the car is 3 years old - but it was an ex-motability vehicle, which one would think has perhaps been driven more sensitively.

Thanks QaiFan.

@calnorth: you're certainly right about CVT specialists being thin on the ground.

I have found one guy in my locale that didn't immediately reject the CVTs, so I've been phoning round some other specialists for pricing of fluid flush/replacement, and wouldn't you know...my local Nissan dealership said that the 'box is a 'sealed-for-life' unit and doesn't need it! No price given...but the correct NS-3 fluid costs £115 for 5 litres from the Nissan spares website.
Seems like they are counting on owners trusting this, and (in the UK) hoping the CVTs fail outside of warranty, and thence huge bills!
I'm not so trusting...I've had problems with a Renault Clio automatic (10 years ago) with a 'sealed-for-life' 4 speed auto, and that failed at 80K miles, needing a replacement - would have cost £1500 for a recon unit, which I never did, opting instead to get rid of it.
As I learned the Renault 'box was an old design which had been modified over the years, and 'bodged' to fit with newer models. Again it all came down to inadequate cooling efficiency and degradation of transmission fluid...I won't be making that mistake again!

I spoke to Jason from Stephens Engineering today (name sourced from here), and he was encouraging, and said that the majority of problems he has seen is primarily with older/higher mileage cars. He also confirmed that a fluid change is an absolute must...maybe even at every 12K miles if it's a towing vehicle...which mine is.

I'm feeling a lot more positive, and looking forward to some nice, gentle trips around the UK.

Thanks once again for all the positive supportive comments folks!

OldLadyAndSon.
2018 Qashqai 1.6 dCi N-Connecta Xtronic
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calnorth
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Qashqai Model: Mk.2 Qashqai Facelift - J11b (2017–2021)

Post by calnorth »

I've seen that oil price elsewhere and add labour. Oils don't last long. Take the engine oil business...annually or else? I used to take them to 30 months (synthetic oil). All boils down to how the car is used I'd say....but age is a latent problem.

And manual gearboxes + rear axle ...almost never changed oil unless leak spotted. Very careless/ignorant? :roll:
Mk2 Qashqai Facelift - J11b (2017–and onward)
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OldLadyAndSon
Posts: 18
Joined: Fri Jul 09, 2021 7:21 pm
Location: Norfolk UK
Qashqai Model: Mk.2 Qashqai Facelift - J11b (2017–2021)

Post by OldLadyAndSon »

@calnorth: yes, that seems to be the 'normal' price for the recommended Nissan product.
Cheapest quote we've had for a flush and refill, is from a local specialist at £150...just hope this is the 'all-in' price including the filter too.

I agree regarding vehicle usage, which is why I'm a little concerned...ours will be a tow vehicle, so will likely be under extra stress, but it will be driven very carefully, with regular cooling stops etc.

Indeed, what little I know about auto transmission fluid suggests that heat and age are very bad....so maybe an external transmission cooler could be a wise investment.
Had a quote of around £200 to fit one, but this is a ballpark figure, and without looking at the vehicle, the specialist said he couldn't be more specific than that.
Still...seems reasonable for some extra piece of mind.
And manual gearboxes + rear axle ...almost never changed oil unless leak spotted. Very careless/ignorant? :roll:
Yep...and by then it could be too late!

Thanks calnorth

OldLadyAndSon.
2018 Qashqai 1.6 dCi N-Connecta Xtronic
mrugby
Posts: 69
Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2020 1:26 am
Qashqai Model: Mk.2 Qashqai Facelift - J11b (2017–2021)

Post by mrugby »

Before Christmas 2020, I too came across the CVT issue while researching a 2016/17 Qashqai purchase.
I telephoned a handful of gearbox specialists only to be informed of similar news to yourselves.
Yes, the more frequent oil changes were recommended, but more importantly was the solution of modifying the bush bearing that causes the issue due to it disintegrating and spreading it's shrapnel around the gearbox.
I am not sure of the costs involved, but if it were of a reasonable price would it be worth having the modification embodied early with the knowledge that your CVT would be future proofed against the inherent fault that these gearboxes posses.
I opted for the newer DCT auto gearbox in the end which I am pleased to report is working very well.

Welcome to Qashqai,
mrugby.
OldLadyAndSon
Posts: 18
Joined: Fri Jul 09, 2021 7:21 pm
Location: Norfolk UK
Qashqai Model: Mk.2 Qashqai Facelift - J11b (2017–2021)

Post by OldLadyAndSon »

Hi mrugby,

I too read about the bearing failures...the main cause being overheating which affects the case hardening on the bearing leading to catastrophic failure, and as you correctly said, the shrapnel flying around inside, causes complete destruction of the transmission.
It certainly is frightening to read!

I haven't yet sought advice on this issue yet, so likewise I have no idea of how much this bearing modification/upgrade would cost, but I can't see it being cheap....sounds like a full teardown and rebuild....which I would think would be well into 4 figures! :shock:

We are on a budget, and have accepted that flushing/replacing the CVT fluid is first thing we'll do in the near future...possibly followed by some kind of external/upgraded transmission cooling, but I'm not sure we could stretch to a rebuild.

Most of the specialists I've spoken too have been mostly reassuring, in that these catastrophic failures are happening to older vehicles with much higher mileage, and while I haven't been able to find out if there have been any bearing modifications applied to these JATCO CVT units at the factory, it seems that we may be ok.

Of course this is just speculation, but it would seem logical to me that Nissan would investigate the failures, and implement a modification/upgrade to these bearings at the factory.
Wishful thinking?
Indeed!
I'm hanging on to any positive I can! :D

Thanks for chiming in mrugby.

OldLadyAndSon.
2018 Qashqai 1.6 dCi N-Connecta Xtronic
QaiFan
Posts: 675
Joined: Fri Apr 02, 2021 6:33 am
Qashqai Model: Mk.3 Qashqai - J12 (2021+) New Model

Post by QaiFan »

Hi again OldLadyAndSon.
Really ... please don't worry !
I am quite sure (after reading how old your car is) you will have many years with your QQ before some things might go really wrong and I can assure you that if it is serviced by a (good) Nissan dealer and if you tell those people you want to make sure the CVT oil is replaced in time (and you hold them accountable on that fact!) then you have little to worry about.
But nevertheless, we *all* worry ... needlessly ... count me in :-)
[BTW It's not like you are going to pull that caravan each and every day because then you would probably appreciate a complete different -far more powerfull- car.]
OldLadyAndSon
Posts: 18
Joined: Fri Jul 09, 2021 7:21 pm
Location: Norfolk UK
Qashqai Model: Mk.2 Qashqai Facelift - J11b (2017–2021)

Post by OldLadyAndSon »

Hi again QaiFan.

Thanks for your reassuring comment....means a lot!!

Yes...both my Mum and I could worry for England!! :D

We were starting to spiral into a panic over the weekend...even thought of returning the car and taking a hit on the value!!

I think we're both in a better frame of mind now, thankfully.
Indeed, we won't be towing every day, moreover we chose this particular car carefully so as to comply with the licensing restrictions; to wit catergory B, 3500KG MTPLM.
And for sure, a fluid change is at the top of the 'to-do' list.
We just became scared when we read everything about the CVT problems, but now we're calming down now, and I think we'll be fine.

We do love the car...it's perfect in every way, and has more gizmos and gadgets than we know what to do with!!

So thank you again QaiFan, we both appreciate the support.

OldLadyAndSon.
2018 Qashqai 1.6 dCi N-Connecta Xtronic
QaiFan
Posts: 675
Joined: Fri Apr 02, 2021 6:33 am
Qashqai Model: Mk.3 Qashqai - J12 (2021+) New Model

Post by QaiFan »

CVT fluid change seems to be the exact same issue with a.o. Toyota cars.
Seems, at least from what I have read around this matter, the exact type of oil (and maintenance) is *very* important too.
BTW in the past +40 years I had my car engine (not-CVT) oil changes every ... 2000-3000 miles (real crazy according to people in the know!).
A technician once told me ... I could easily re-use the oil from your car in other cars and customers would never notice :-)
But according to my un-scientific reasoning ... better safe than sorry.
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