Variator for Nissan X-Trail: feedback from owners about operation

There are many rumors about the operation of Jatco variators. Someone was lucky with the purchase of a car, and someone already after a few tens of thousands is forced to change the box under the guarantee. What does the endurance of this knot depend on? What is actually the resource of the variator on the Nissan X-Trail?

Model variator RE0F10A

Since 2007, the company "Nissan" has decided to complete off-road vehicles "X-Trail" boxes of variator type. The body of the T31 of the first generation was equipped with the Jatco RE0F10A variator (also the CVT-7).

Its power is calculated on the volume of the engine from 1.6 to 2.5 liters. Such data is provided by dealer centers. However, the site of the company Jatco indicated slightly different volumes - from 1.6 to 1.8 liters. If the CVT-7 really is designed for small cars, it becomes clear why it is so difficult to work out its resource without breakages.

The torque of the small cars reaches a maximum of 180 Nm, while engines with a volume of 2 liters and more give out 200 Nm. Variator does not cope with such a load.

Aggressive driving creates the need for a sharp switch between gears, and since the construction of the variator has many friction joints, its wear is accelerated at times. So much depends on how the variator uses the "Nissan X-Trail" car owner.

Weak spots

From the work of what elements of the variator on the "Nissan X-Trail" T31 depends on its service life?

The main load when shifting gears is borne by the pulley bearings, the pulleys themselves and the transmission belt of rotation from the drive shaft to the slave. Nuance is that these pulleys are absolutely smooth, and the grip is only due to friction.

According to the owners, the variator on the "Nissan X-Trail" generation T31 makes itself felt after 80 000-100 000 km, although the promised resource is 200 000.

The bearings wear off first, starting to emit a characteristic buzz. It depends on them the belt tension. If the bearing does not cope with its function - the tension of the belt decreases, it starts to slip, preventing the shafts from signaling a change in gear. At the first stage of the malfunction box variator on the "Nissan X-Trail" "troits" (jerks appear). This is because the pulleys, turning idle, are deformed, getting scuffed and rubbed.

There is an element on the hydraulic unit that regulates the gear ratio - it is a step-motor. He "watches" the position of the accelerator pedal and the driving mode. The transfer of information goes to the movable elements of the pulleys due to the step-motor foot, which is quite fragile and wears out quickly, which results in the operation of the variator only at one speed.

Repair of the variator on the "Nissan X-Trail" T31 is quite problematic: if there are replacement parts, their price will be unpleasantly high. The service can carry out a defect and make an estimate. But if the warranty is still valid, experts recommend the replacement of the variator on the "Nissan X-Trail."

Model RE0F10D (CVT-8)

Improvement of the variator type on the "Nissan X-Trail" CVT-8 allowed to increase its life and endurance to an aggressive manner of driving.

The weight of the new transmission has been reduced, making the oil pump more compact. Reduced the force of friction of the belt on the pulleys by 40%, thereby reducing the pressure on them. To save fuel, the change in gear ratio was made stepped.

According to owners of the CVT-8 on the CVT-8, we can assume that it lasts longer. Its resource is designed for 250,000 km of operation.

Features of the Jatco variators

Variator cardinally differs from the box "automatic" or "robot". There are no transmissions in it, due to what the load on the engine is reduced.

How to properly use the variator on the "Nissan X-Trail", and what manner of riding to adhere to the box lasted longer?

1. When warming up the car, do not press the accelerator pedal, trying to speed up the process. The box reacts to the accelerator even in the neutral position of the selector.
2. A sharp start gives a huge load on the belt and pulleys, repeatedly increasing their wear and tear.
3. Driving on a rough terrain adversely affects the condition of the variator.
4. The car with the variator gearbox can not be towed or attempted to start with the rotation of the wheels ("from the pusher").
5. It is not recommended to tow another vehicle, except the car trailer.

The owners' comments on the variator on the Nissan X-Trail, its features, boil down to the fact that this unit was created for unhurried driving along flat tracks.

Oil and service change

According to the manufacturer's regulations, maintenance of the variator must be carried out every 60,000 km of operation. For reinsurance, car owners try to pass TO more often - through 40 000-50 000.

Oil change in the variator on the "Nissan X-Trail" can be carried out, both on SRT, and himself.

To replace the transmission fluid in the variator, you must have:

• butter;
• Strainer and filter for oil cooler;
• Gaskets for the pallet and oil cooler;
• Waste oil tank.

Oil for variators

Considering which variator is on the Nissan X-Trail, the transmission fluid is selected. For the body of the T31, NS2 oil is produced, for the body of the T32 - NS3.

Oil NS3 is designed for radiator variators and work at higher temperatures. It has a reduced viscosity, and, according to the developers, is suitable for both CVT-8 and CVT-7. However, owners' feedback on the variator on the Nissan X-Trail with the CVT-7 box, which works on the NS3, suggests that there may be extraneous noise due to a lack of a lubricating oil layer.

Replacing the transmission fluid in CVT-7

Begin the procedure with the engine warming up and the variator box on the Nissan X-Trail. Then:

1. The car is driven to the flyover. Also an inspection pit is suitable.
2. Unscrew the engine protection and remove the left wheel.
3. The fender can not be removed completely, only half.
4. The container for the used liquid is inserted under the drain hole and unscrew the plug.
5. We'll have to wait about half an hour until all the liquid drains off.
6. Oil is also collected in the pan. We remove it and merge the oil residues.
7. If the strainer can still be cleaned with diesel or carburetor cleaning fluid, you will save, if not - then you have to change the filter.
8. Magnets and the bottom of the crankcase are thoroughly rinsed.
9. We insert the mesh filter (washed or new).
10. In the pallet we install a new gasket and return it to its place.
11. Remove the battery and shift the air filter to the side. Now there is access to the oil cooler filter. We remove it.
12. We install a new filter and a coolant gasket.
13. We return everything to its places.
14. Fill a new transmission fluid.
15. Check the oil level with a feeler gauge.

Oil change in CVT-8

The peculiarity of CVT-8 is that it does not have a factory feeler. Check the level by refilling the new oil or contact the workshop. There is a probe, which is inserted into the neck for pouring.

To change the oil you will need:

• Washer for drain plug;
• Gasket;
• A coarse filter and a ring to it;
• Transmission fluid (5 liters - for partial replacement, 12 liters - for full with removal of the pallet);
• A ring for a fine filter and he himself;
• Ring for level control plug.

As in the case of the replacement of oil on the CVT-7, the machine must be placed on a hoist or inspection pit. In this case, you need an assistant and a diagnostic scanner. If there is no scanner, it can be replaced with a thermometer (necessarily digital) on a pallet.

To gain access to the bottom, we drive the car onto a pit or a hoist. Further:

1. Unscrew the drain plug. Must emit up to 5 liters of oil.
2. Remove the pallet and the coarse filter, wash them.
3. We fix everything in place. If the filter is not to be further operated - we change it to a new one.
4. If you need a partial replacement, then fill in the oil, expose its level, and this completes the procedure.
5. For a complete replacement, fill 3 liters of transmission fluid through the hole from the top (the one in which the dipstick used to be).
6. We start the engine and pass the selector on all positions of the box, stopping at each for 5 seconds.
7. We merge the oil and repeat the process.
8. We wait, when the temperature of the box will be 35С ^о .
   
9. Here you need an assistant who will start the car.
10. Unscrew the Overflow Plug. Fill with oil until the leak from the neck.
11. We start the car and pass the lever on all ranges with a delay of 5 seconds. Fix the lever in the "P" position.
12. Oil is poured again until it overflows. We tighten the plug in place.

Complete replacement of the transmission fluid is carried out. Now you can reset the counter value.

Symptoms of a variator failure

Timely replacement of filters and liquid in the box, proper operation, of course, extend the life of the variator. However, the occurrence of breakdowns can still take place. To date, some SRTs undertake to conduct both partial and capital repairs of this node, and even give a guarantee for their work.

Here are a few of the signs, because of which it is worth immediately contacting them:

• Slip even when the gas pedal is pressed gently;
• The gearbox switches to emergency mode (an indicator appears on the instrument panel);
• vibration;
• Jerks or strokes when switching between any gears, both on a warm machine and on a cold one;
• The transmission is lost or not included;
• Slowed reaction to the change of speed;
• Extraneous noise;

In response to the variator on the Nissan X-Trail, it is often mentioned that in many cases such symptoms can still be corrected without resorting to replacing the entire checkpoint.

The question of replacing the variator

Dealers, unlike SRT, do not repair. They immediately send the variator to the "Nissan X-Trail" in replacement. If it is a warranty one, it will not require any expenses. If not - the new unit will cost a large amount.

Before surrendering to the mercy of auto dealers, you can independently carry out diagnostics of the variator box. You will need tools:

• A set of keys (hinges and horns);
• Screwdriver with a hammer;
• Clamps.

Before you start, you should take a picture of the structure. This can help in the further assembly. Boxes and jars for untwisted nuts and bolts are also useful.

Visual diagnostics of variator

Having studied each element of the checkpoint, one can understand why it does not work correctly:

1. Remove the side cover and the pallet. On the pallet there are special magnets that keep rubbish and metal shavings from the operation of the variator. If there are a lot of magnets on the magnets, then you can confine yourself to replacing the fine and coarse filters.
2. Shafts and pulleys. First remove the shafts, then the belt. We estimate its condition. If it is worn out, then its replacement is necessary. This is much less expensive than the new variator. If the cones without scoring, the problem can be covered in bearings.
3. The hum in the variator appears just the same because of the play in the bearing operation. It can be removed from the unit by a special puller. It will not be difficult to replace it with a new one.
4. The fuel pump is located under the converter cover. There is also installed a differential and a transfer pair, which must be removed in order to remove the pump. If it is changed, then together with the drive chain.
5. Before reassembling, all the removed elements must be rinsed and dried. Rubber spare parts should be replaced immediately with new ones.
6. Collect the elements strictly in the reverse order, follow the correct position of the locking pins of the box.

After assembly, check the gearbox:

• We start the engine;
• Check the inclusion of each range;
• We make check-in.

If everything is set correctly, the variator should work without any extraneous noise or jerks.