I might need a tranny replaced and was just curious about a few things.

My 2004 (purchased May 2004) just started grinding in 5th (last 4 wks). It has 47k on it and I purchased Royal Purple fluids for the tranny and diff. since it's near 50k miles, I wanted to change the fluids out. I made the appointment with Nissan to change these fluids last Thursday (Nov 16th) and check all my belts, hoses. I told them about the grind and my suspecting the clutch.

After the fluid change the guy took the car out with, me in it, and tried to replicate the grind. It was a positive...he felt & heard the notchy shifting/grinding, and suggested that it was not the clutch, as I suspected, but the transmission. He also stated that I was out of warrenty for the replacement.

I am unable to locate the TSB for this specific grinding and want to know a few things...

1. Owers manual says 60mo/60k on powertrain, this does include clutch/tranny correct?

2. Does changing the fluid to a synthetic GL4 void this warrenty as the service tech informed me?

 

should fall under the powertrain part of your warranty

 

TSB info
http://www.nissanhelp.com/Bulletins/350Z/2004/1.htm

 

1) yes

2) no

If they can tell the difference between a dino and synthetic oil by inspection, then my hats off. Chances are, they'll have no Idea what kind of oil it is. Just don't tell them. Besides, as long as you didn't go with an unapproved viscosity, you don't void your warranty by going synthetic. (Once again, keep your mouth shut on this one. Unless they have engineers on staff, they won't be able to tell what viscosity you're running.)

BUT, if you have any engine mods, you are boned. They will claim the issue is a result of those modifications as they hand you the bill. Well, maybe. some dealerships are better than others. Just be warned.

Most likely, it's your 5th gear syncro going out. The syncros on the nissan transmission are notoriously weak from what I've heard on the forums. Does it pop out of 5th from time to time?

Sorry to hear about this, thats a bummer, man.

 

Try rev matching before going into 5th. if it doesn't grind when you do this, it is probably the syncros. This has nothing to do with the clutch. its the transmission itself.

 

I have the same problem but mine is 03 model, over 60k miles does this mean they wont replace the transmission even though it is a TSB problem? Many 03 models have been replaced no questions asked. Should I take it to nissan? Sync is expensive to replace.

 

all depends on the dealer. some dealers will replace no questions asked some will b!tch and moan, but do it and some will refuse. If one says no, go to another until you find one that will.

 

double clutch till you get it fixed if its the syncro

 

Thanks for the link and info, however, I was not able to locate anything specific for grinding/transmission, I'll keep looking...

 

Thanks for the info. I called my local dealership today and they informed me that they are not setup for this here (no one trained?The town is small...etc.), I had already placed a call to the dealership in Tampa/Brandon, Fla, where I purchased the car, and the service manager stated that this probelm is handled under warrenty, I am covered, the fluids are compatable, and that if they balked bring it to Tampa and they would take care of it!!
So Santa is bringing it for Christmas...I'm getting a new tranny!! YEAH!

Thanks everyone for your help and kindness!

My Z shall be grind free!!


Oh, I'm a ZChick by the way...

 

I have this problem on a 04.5 roadster at 38k miles. I hope changing the fluids will help.

You should be covered with your mileage or find a mod friendly dealer. At least the tech will admit it cause it's such a PITA getting them to replicate the problem. Hopefully he will tell who ever is servicing it.

 

Don't bother; if you're covered under warranty, get it in now. 9/10 times this is synchros wearing out prematurely in 3rd and/or 5th. Once the grinding starts changing fluids may make it sound less of a problem, but all you will likely do is prolong the time it takes to fail and lower miles always better for warranty claim. This is a weak point for some reason; I doubt this is the first your dealer will have seen.

Most dealers will just order the replacement transmission - they have no interest (or experience) in rebuild/repair, for warranty replacement they just swap out the entire unit. The economics are in their favor to spend a few hours pulling and replacing the trans vs. many hours even if comp'ed hrs opening it up for any reason.

I saw quite a few cases of this in the 2003 model year, esp. the early Q3/Q4 2002 builds. People who built their engines up early on with stupid power especially found this to be an issue...

Go to the place you bought it, get it resolved ASAP. Fluid is not the answer (other than getting it changed at or before intervals spec'd and using the right grade fluid). Brand is not specified, just GL4.

 

^Is there a TSB number or something? I haven't replicated the problem recently and this will be difficult for them to do so.

 

Update:

Had the tranny replaced Dec 27th in Tampa, Florida. They replaced the clutch plate as required and I've had no further problems with my tranny. The clutch got smoother though. I was very surprised at how hard it use to be compared to the lightness of this one!!

JWT clutch is next as Nissan tried to tell me I needed their $1400.00 one that day!

 

I have no owner manual or anything so i'm going to go out on a limp to ask this. How does the 60k/60months warrenty work? do you have to buy the car from the dealer in order for them to work on it or do you just bring it in regardless of where you got it from? thanks.

 

I don't think your warranty from aspect in the US is different, so for what it's worth, 60k warranty is 60k warranty, might have been 5 owners before you.

 

how was the service at the brandon nissan dealership? i know they are cool and have the meet at the end of the run, but does their service match up? i have the 5th gear grind (on my second tranny) and am hoping to get it replaced soon. unfortunately, the palm beach dealership that sponsors sfzcc is too far from gville for me to drop it off there.

 

have not seen a TSB on this - only cases I knew of prior were very early in the miles and Nissan seemed to be aware of an issue based on the ease of getting a new trans at the time (late 2003-ish)

search elsewhere, I remember this problem vaguely on this forum in 2002/2003.

hth

 

I had no problems at all. Ask for Dan, the service manager, and tell him you're associated with the 350Z Club of Florida (join already okay!! lol) They treat us all very well and know we support them by buying from them and bringing in new customers!

The number is 813-623-1148 (I-75 to exit . It's only 2 hrs from you and well worth the invested time.

 

That's cool you got taken care of. My 04.5 base started grinding 5th around 30k... I'm at 35k now.... it doesn't do it all the time and it's really not that bad... but it's still kind of annoying when it happens. I don't know if I should start skipping 5th when I can, or just abuse the hell out of it. A flush obviously did not help it at all. If it gets any worse I'll probably have my tranny replaced before the warranty is up. I'm not real excited about that but what can you do.