$225 FIX COOLANT IN TRANSMISSION FLUID 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER XTERRA contamination with Radiator

UPDATE AUG 2020 - from my friend Dave - Be sure to remove & clean TCM - transmission control module! Save $800 more! This fix lasted 2 years & 20k miles & a few drops of water on top of this module corroded electrical connections in the module & vehicle didn't know what gear it was in & would not start. Purchased rebuilt TCM from place in Florida & problem solved. Should have cleaned it when I flushed the fluid. He also mentioned too there was no way to flush torque convertor that he knew of. So he wonders if there might still be water in the torque convertor. Made a mistake it was not a 2002 it was a 2007 Telling how my friend Dave fixed his 2007 Pathfinder transmission that had coolant contamination for $225. When quoted around $5500 by a shop.
Update: July 2021: Yes it is still running good, although if I'm driving in town I sometimes turn of the OD. It shutters going into OD when I'm putting around at 40-45 mph. It also sometimes it downshifts hard when going from OD to 3rd.
I put a rebuild TCM into it. It was around $800 for the unit. It wouldn't start or turn over, it had a blown TCM fuse. It had gotten antifreeze up on the connectors and eventually shorted out.

[@felixFPVDrone]

You have made an excellent point, everyone who’s video I have watched has talked about the same maintenance issue. The internal radiator transmission cooler fails exposing the tranny to the dreaded deadly engine coolant/tranny oil mixture without many solid solutions. For shade tree mechanics like us to correct this costly problem. Your posting makes senses and at a cost of around $18 - $20 per gallon of transmission fluid it is worth the experimentation! I have a 2005 Nissan Titan with 294,000 original miles and haven’t had any issues with it. I have done my best to keep up with the maintenance of my truck. That ‘s why I tried to follow as many of this type of postings as I can. Thank you!

[@fveloso6720]

payed a transmission shop $250.00 to do a bypass on my 06 pathfinder now everything is always nice and clean ...

[@danasixty4012]

It's the seals in the Radiator that hold the trans lines that fail , I simply installed an external trans cooler rerouted the trans lines . disconnect the trans lines from the radiator , and your problem will be solved , or as the Mechanic says , You can pay me Now or Pay me Later .

[@Jjstafford08]

I really appreciate your knowledge. I was about to sell my car but something inside and he told me I need to do exactly what you just said so thank you.

[@bruinjer]

I LOVED my 2006 Nissan Frontier, until this very same issue occurred. I ended up trading it in because I blew through two transmissions. I wish I would have known this, I could have avoided so many problems. I may consider buying another one... replacing the radiator of course!!

[@m.r.3576]

Here is how you fix it. Fix the transmission lines by getting a transmission cooler sperate from the radiator. If ur cheap and dont want to replace the radiator flush it good and refill then run a hose from one side to the other were the transmission cooling lines ran in and then completely flush the trans til whats coming out is what your putting in same color. Took me 10 gallons to flush it. Once thats done drain the pan and remove it to replace the valve body(12 specific bolts on the valve body need to be removed look at other videos to find out) the replacement valve body will run at $600 preprogrammed from street smart transmission. You will need to follow additional steps after you install the valve body and before you drive. The instructions will come with it. This worked for me and my 08 pathfinder runs great not to mention the 2500 i saved having the shop do it.

[@anasalwash]

does the transmission cooler have the same cooling efficiency as the original situation? and will it affect the efficiency of ac cooling being installed in front ? thank you for the tips.

[@jamesofalltrades4359]

Yesssssss. This is my issues. Thank you so much. I just ordered my radiator.

[@DieselsMuddie]

Would love to know if it worked for you - mine is doing it today...

[@jamesofalltrades4359]

Ute Gilbert easy fix pumped tons of transmission fluid through the system flushing out coolant. (Ps it will look just like strawberry milk) Changed the radiator and flush the cooling system and done..... no. For some reason the system keeps pushing coolant out of the reservoir overflow hole. I have changed the thermostat/hoses upper and lower/water pump/fan clutch. After 40 min in idle it pumps up coolant. My heat is working great with no issues. I burped the system too. Please help me

[@livenfree]

@@jamesofalltrades4359 what did you find caused this? My guess bad radiator cap or bad headgasket?

[@jamesofalltrades4359]

Michigander the system took about 2hr of running to burp all the air out completely. While using the burp cup I had to rev the engine to about 3000-3500 rpm every 20 min. The coolant would rise the then air would come out. I did that for 2 hr till the cup was empty. Fix? One month later.... Nope bc the damages was already done. The coolant system was clean but the water that got in the trans fried the valve body computer. So the car wouldn’t start bc the computer wasn’t communicating with the ecu. Now valve bodies by them self cost $800. You need to find one NeW and have it programmed to the car VIN. Lucky I found someone ( of all places) on eBay that sold nothing but valve bodies and knew my issue. I had to give him my VIN to program the VB to my car. Removed the old and installed the new starter the key and it’s been running for 6 months ever since. Now under a normal issue like this simply flushing will work. But bc I continue to drive the car I fried the computer. The key is flush as soon as this happens and keep flushing. Drop the valve body clean it and then put a filter. I would say get 30 bottles of cheap trans fluid just for flushing.

[@robertredfern9287]

@@jamesofalltrades4359 After I did the hose bypass, I had the same issue with the coolant system overheating. What I found was that I had inadvertently swapped the coolant reservoir cap with the radiator cap. The coolant reservoir cap is the stepped cap and the radiator cap is the flat. Once I realized what I had done, I swapped them back and haven't had any issues since.

[@Vic-kv1rg]

I have a 2005 pathfinder and I did the bypass myself two years ago, this affects 2005-2010 pathfinder, xterras, frontiers in America , look on the top of the radiator for EA215 which were the ones affected, some reported on EA265, Nissan never put out an official recall, this is my last Nissan for sure

[@conquerorhowie]

I have a '08 Pathfinder with 150,000 miles. After reading your post I decided to check and what do you know? I have the EA215 radiator. 🤦‍♂️

[@elonsus9747]

@@conquerorhowie I have an 2008 as well with 152,000 miles. My transmission was replaced by the previous owner thankfully. I'm just concerned about my timing chain now...

[@Mabeylater293]

Yes. Avoid Nissan. They are nothing but money pits. You can thank Carlos Ghosn and the French for that.

[@yardmansurfer]

Thanks you I am having the same problem and I am going to try this.

[@michaelyoung422]

Thanks bro. I just bought a 2006 Xterra and heard about this problem. Gonna look into the bypass option for it that I've seen on KZbin. Not sure if it's a kit or what. But if it breaks before I can do that, I'll try this. Thanks. I feel less worried about it since I travel a long way for work.

[@Adam12SD]

The bypass isn't a kit. You can literally do it with a pair of pliers. It WILL save your transmission. Do it, if you haven't already. Just switching two hoses.

[@sergioquezada9785]

@@Adam12SD Good idea , only i live where is really cold in winter. I just swiching i will see what happen.

[@robc9108]

only works if you catch it in time, if he had fail solenoid code then tcm is done. but he must have got lucky

[@georgecollins2345]

Thank you. My 2010 Pathfinder isn't having transmission issues but I see the milky junk in the coolant overflow. I'm going to flush the transmission and replace the radiator. I'm also going to install an external transmission cooler rather than use the internal cooler.

[@joseavega2012]

defenety helpfull im going to try that ..

[@jamesofalltrades4359]

i need your help bro...... easy fix pumped tons of transmission fluid through the system flushing out coolant. (Ps it will look just like strawberry milk) Changed the radiator and flush the cooling system and done..... no. For some reason the system keeps pushing coolant out of the reservoir overflow hole. I have changed the thermostat/hoses upper and lower/water pump/fan clutch. After 40 min in idle it pumps up coolant. My heat is working great with no issues. I burped the system too. Please help me

[@livenfree]

Sounds like symptom of a blown head gasket. I would Google those exact words

[@TheDogKenshin]

2007 Pathfinder, changed the radiator and replaced transmission filter and oil. Worked for about a month, it rev up but gears stop working, thinking the oil heating up and suddenly stop working, when cool it works, once running it stops.

[@livenfree]

That's a bummer. My friends is still running strong.

[@livenfree]

Ask a transmission repair mechanic and or a Nissan Pathfinder fb group for input perhaps.

[@luuissantos2384]

IAM CONFUSE ANY HELP BE GREAT IF SWITCHING THE LINES FROM THE RADIATOR THAN WHATS GONNA COOL THE TRANSMISION???????????

[@eastcoastbrushworks6327]

SMOD... Strawberry Milkshake Of Death. Most common in 2nd Gen Xterras.

[@g2r2666]

Wow !!! I have a Nissan Pathfinder 2007 LE , and right now I am having these problem , radiator is leaking with creamy coolant , I'll put a fresh new coolant and it will turn it to like a creamy latte coolant , OMG !!! SOS !!! But thanks for this video , We will give it a shot , we will buy and put a new Radiator and Flush the tranmission fluid and put a new one .

[@sergioquezada9785]

When you said buy a new radiator what you mean?

[@g2r2666]

@@sergioquezada9785 Radiator is old , it was the original radiator when I bought the car 11 years ago

[@4cashTony]

Hell ya

[@gacastillo21]

Did he install a cooler to cool the ATF? I need to to this to my mothers xterra, hope this works. Thank you.

[@livenfree]

gacastillo21 - he didn't add an additional one as some people do. He just purchased a new radiator that had the cooler built in just like came with it. But i assume it's updated so the same issue doesn't happen again.

[@teelynnofficial]

+Michigander hey I don't know if u remember me. but I finally got that coolant leak fixed on my Chevy Malibu 2012. ended up taking it to the dealer for $600

[@teelynnofficial]

+Michigander it was the water pump

[@livenfree]

Tim Petry - oh ya u had commented on my Malibu water pump leaking video?

[@teelynnofficial]

+Michigander yessir I finally got the leak fixed from the dealer. Now it's giving me a whining sound... Oh and let me tell you that the Senior Advisor at the Chevy dealer told me the tech messed up on the job. So I had to bring it back in... What do u think is wrong. There trying to say it's my water-pump that I bought from somewhere's e to cut cost and not there's. Is it a result from them not doing it right?

[@robc9108]

timing chains guide wear out from lack of oils from oil change. and makes a whining noise. 6hr or more to do the job

[@Mabeylater293]

Nope it was due to Renault Nissan using cost cutting parts like plastic timing chain guides. Oil changes won’t fix poor design, hence the upgrade to a better part and no more issues.

[@mrfitba]

Great info Michigander. See Norman No Mates KZbin. I fit a new “Trans cooler install “ and by pass the radiator. It was easy and has stopped me worrying about the thought of this happening. Also I watched Sebastian Balos”Nissan Transmission, is it toast” video. He saves his exactly how you explained.

[@iamthatsomebody]

My Xterra wouldn't crank or turn over at all. They told me I had this fluid mixture problem. Said it would cost me $5000 + . Anybody else car wouldn't crank at all?

[@musasalh9893]

Tcm is fried. Also have ur alternator looked at, can go bad from sitting. Try to find tcm at junk yard, red fluid is good fluid. Junk yard won’t charge u over 100$ tops any state. Change radiator and cooler. Get a oil change. At this stage also the Nissan needs tune up, check ignition coils for white marks and plugs for bleeding on the white part. Catty might set off e check don’t have to replace it, can add spacers and just clean it with a fluid. My most expensive part of this project was the ATF. Was still pretty cheap at Walmart tho 18$ for a gallon

[@musasalh9893]

Tcm is fried. Also have ur alternator looked at, can go bad from sitting. Try to find tcm at junk yard, red fluid is good fluid. Junk yard won’t charge u over 100$ tops any state. Change radiator and cooler. Get a oil change. At this stage also the Nissan needs tune up, check ignition coils for white marks and plugs for bleeding on the white part. Catty might set off e check don’t have to replace it, can add spacers and just clean it with a fluid. My most expensive part of this project was the ATF. Was still pretty cheap at Walmart tho 18$ for a gallon

[@Adam12SD]

Yeah the SMOD wouldn't cause the no crank/no start. I would diagnose everything. Throw a scanner on it, and see what pops up. Easiest stuff first, battery, fuses, etc. My Xterra just had a faulty camshaft position sensor. Replace both, along with the crankshaft position sensor as they go bad around 90 to 110k.

[@sergioquezada9785]

@@Adam12SD I have x terra 2007 and i have creamy cooland and i switching two hoses for now. Will see what happen.

[@johnarnold2104]

you should rub your beard some more, thats great

[@livenfree]

Hahaha good advice! :}

[@MrRandallleeeubank]

Ill try it thats my prob.also

[@robc9108]

make sure you don't have a tcm solenoid codes first