Nissan CVT: Teardown and Failure Analysis - Part 1

[@josephdunton3651]

Ivan, I want to thank you so much for your videos regarding the replacement/teardown of the Rogue CVT. My 2008 failed in exactly the same way yours did, at 188k. (Incidentally, I thought you might like to know I changed the fluid every 60k and only got 2k more miles than you did). I tore mine down and overhauled it. I replaced the ball bearings in the variators with hardened dowel pins, rebuilt the main pump with an improved valve by Transgo, and put a new belt in it. Honestly, it was a bit scary but it has been two months/2500 miles and it goes good! Total cost was about $600. Your removal/installation videos were a huge help showing what I was in for! Much appreciated and I love your channel! Keep up the great work!

[@wyattoneable]

You took a chance losing $800 by tearing apart. I for one really appreciate that. It's was interesting to see what failed and why. Well done Ivan. See you again on part two.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Thanks Wyatt! I figured a lot of viewers would be interested to follow along and see what makes this thing tick, and also why it stopped ticking so suddenly :D

[@upallnight888]

When you snap a bike chain you not going anywhere, the same principle applies to a CVT chain.

[@icyuranus404]

WHEW NO FEAR IVAN TEARING THAT DOWN TAKES SOME BALLZ BUT THANKS FOR MAKING IT A LITTLE LESS SCARY. GUESS YOU'LL BE RIDING THE BIKE AROUND FOR A WHILE

[@Ashoud_Anobetah]

how about losing $35k???? thats what i'm in the hole for with 2 failed cvt units on a pathfinder :(

[@Ashoud_Anobetah]

nope. you can still roll home, my pathfinder had to be towed... $35K wasted on a junk car

[@MIKEL843]

I used to work as Nissan tech, Nissan's policy (at least when it comes to warranty) is that no one is allowed to tear down and rebuild CVT transmissions. The belt is what usually fails and failures are quite common, they also can fail at fairly low mileage. I'm really surprised you got that many miles out of it. I know that Nissan had to extend the warranty on certain model years because of the high rate of failures. Nissan overall in terms of quality is nowhere near the automaker they were in the 80s and 90s, things really went downhill when they partnered with Renault. Anything they have built after 02 is quite bad actually, quality standards are very low. Great video btw.

[@blintorzabat5798]

Yeah, if they would make inspection/replacement of the belt a maintenance item, then a lot of people who swear to never buy CVTs would change their minds about that, myself included. (Heck, they are pretty simple, compared to a planetary gear autobox.) Because I have no problem with how they drive, but don't want to have to deal with sudden failure, say in the middle of Death Valley, not LOLing.

[@danielfitzgerald9008]

Is there any way lubricating to try to prevent it. Can you run different fluids something like man said metal can only Flex so much before it snaps. I work at a printing company and I think I pallet straps are thicker than that. Aaw man twisting things back and forth twice and they break. I bought a 61000 mile Nissan Maxima about 3 months ago I wish I knew what I was getting myself into I ain't had any problems yet might be time to trade that sucker back in

[@bryanchaps3647]

Blame the French they suck.

[@jimmyjohn9792]

which is a shame because renault really is amazing. Providing the powerplant for the majority of cars on formula 1 circuits. Too bad they cant take their amazing engineering and put it into passenger cars.

[@bryanchaps3647]

@@agems56 So true.

[@mikeoneill7360]

My first CVT opening.....lasting 180k + plus miles with new technology is not that bad. Improvements in the technology might warrant longer lasting CVT’s. One of the best instructional videos I have ever seen, nice job.....

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Thanks Mike!

[@theoldwizard998]

I actually worked on a product design team on an early prototype metal belt CVT back in the mid-80s. I worked on the electronics and software but new the basics of the mechanical and hydraulic systems. If the belt has seen that kind of damage, the sheaves are likely scored. Tolerances between the sheaves and the little metal wedges that make up the push belt are CRITICAL. Likely the sheaves would have to be replaced. Dark oil is usually a sign of excessive clutch material worn off or excessive temperature. Almost nothing else would cause dark oil My guess is that root cause was failure to properly control the line pressure. This of course controls the force on the sheaves. If there is ANY slippage, it is "game over" !!

[@rjright7373]

I bought a cheap 2010 Cube, the transmission just previously underwent a 'rebuild' attempt (very difficult process since parts are unavailable, especially the secondary pulley!! ) The secondary pulley was damaged and in this model Cube that pulley has an extra sensor on it which was damaged as well, argh!! , the pulley was repaired (attempted @ machine shop) but that didn't work, and this is the point that I purchase the Cube for $600. and start mucking about with it. I'm currently pondering a bit of a conversion Using a transmission from the smaller Nissan car (forget the name...) hoping I found a Non-CVT tranny but no such luck. I bought the transmission for $300 (comes without the 3rd sensor) only to discover (after paying) that it has a bad bearing at one of the output shaft bearing to the drivers side I think it was. I have the Cube transmission out already but It's winter here and I put the project aside until spring perhaps but I was disappointed to see that bad bearing. Obviously I will have to change some electronics like the ECM, and perhaps part of the harness from the donor car for the ignition and computer for it all to work so to trick the Cube into thinking it was the other vehicle without reprogramming anything at a dealer; I was full steam ahead until I saw the bad bearing so Now I have to take that transmission apart and decide what to do... I could relate more about these failures but perhaps not at this particular reply as I've taken up enough space and this area my words will not be seen as much.

[@MrHemi4spd]

better just to torch it for insurance money and walk away

[@rjright7373]

Secondary pulley seal can't take the constant pressure and vibration and especially when the fluid gets hot and dirty like transmission lady lol.

[@Greatdome99]

Dark oil is mostly likely caused by overheating of the oil, not by metal particles.

[@eksine]

@@rjright7373 a bearing is easy, just find a company that can make that bearing or already has it for sale

[@rickj1983]

You amaze me with your knowledge and skill but also the fact you're willing to tear apart an $800 core simply to inform us. That's really cool. Love your videos.

[@christurner6430]

This is telling us to change CVT transmission fluid every 2 years or 25,000 miles !!!!!

[@sarahnicol1668]

The true meaning of COMMUNITY🥲

[@Qusin111]

I call these transmissions "slot machines" because of the wonderful sounds :)

[@georgeswindolljr1980]

Qusin111 that’s awesome!!!! LOL

[@johnnywaffles2482]

@@georgeswindolljr1980 or because sometimes they last 186k miles or they go at 50k. It's a gamble

[@samaanam76]

According to your intensive demonstration, I think the cause of that CVT failure is the wear of guide balls/grooves of the pulley due to the bad fluid. Thank you for your very informative video.

[@Autofixpals]

Nissan Just authized us techs to pull apart the CVTs and replace belt/chain Assemblies under certain failure conditions for the Altima and Pathfinder I believe and this was only about 2 months ago... however you are required to complete a CVT course which requires you to wait your turn. so I won't be pulling a CVT apart for a long time. looking forward to part 2.

[@joshuapk9808]

What do you think about the CVT's used in 7th generation Maximas? A lot of the TSB's that I see specifically mention Altima's but not Maximas.

[@Autofixpals]

Joshua Kramer I have not had to replace any so far and I don't know of any TSBs that apply to the newest Maxima's CVT. Maybe they got it right in the Maxima? Time will tell.

[@terrymaclellan8286]

My 2015 Altima SV is just starting to slip, going up hill, reves go up but no accelleration. What can be done before it goes completly ?

[@rhino6285]

Great Video. That’s why I drive since new a 2009 Mazda 3 s hatchback 2.3, 5 speed auto with 208,000 miles. I have been dumping money lately for suspension parts at all four corners and a trans module. A trans module is not a rebuild. I just got back at the end of a 5000 mile oil change interval from a 2000 mile Marathon trip in 50 hours. Car ran like a champ. Did not burn or leak a drop of synthetic oil.

[@andyfanshawe]

This is a blast from the past! Here in the UK, back in the day, these trans were very popular in a lot of models. Most failures involved exactly this in the video. More often than not, the steel belt would break and shatter the trans housing into big holes! My colleague who worked for Nissan then, moved to a big secondhand car sales place. The bosses told him to remove any nissan CVT's and replace them with a manual stick shift conversion with quality parts from a scrapyard. The reason?......stick shift cars fetched £2000 more when sold. Anyway, good job Ivan. As usual, epic viewing.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Ha! I wish I could make the Rogue a stick shift! That would make it much more reliable and fun to drive...well for me, not the wife lol

[@oveidasinclair982]

Nissan get's all it's CVT and regular transmission from JATCO (Japan automatic transmission company), the same people Subaru, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Honda and I think a domestic US manufacture too. That company builds garbage, the ONLY Cvt transmission anyone should purchase is by Toyota, they make their own and have been building them for over 20 years, they are proven, last hundreds of thousands of miles and are vary reliable. Never buy a car with a JATCO auto trans, always check first.

[@GUITARTIME2024]

Regular automatic transmissions are pretty reliable. Most of us in America drive automatics or CVTs.

[@QuentinQuatermass]

Thank you for this excellent video of a teardown of the Rogue CVT. I liked looking over a great mechanic's shoulder as you dove into this project. Smart to video this, too, you'll have a better shot of getting it back together well enough to get your core charge back!

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Thank you! Got core charge back no questions asked :)

[@haywardsautomotive6156]

Best way to understand failures is tear-down and understanding what failed. Great way to learn Ivan! Belt is actually a great engineering design but with everything mechanical/electrical parts are subject to failure. 175K on a CVT is pretty good and Nissan's are pretty dependable. Maybe the CVT you installed will go even further.

[@johnrickard8512]

That being said 300k+ is not uncommon for the Toyota E-CVT(aka. Hybrid Synergy Drive). To be fair it seems that Toyota, Volkswagen, Honda, Nissan, and Ford seem to be the only car manufacturers that even care about the consumer anymore(The biggest problem I've ever heard of with Volkswagen is people not taking the maintenance schedule seriously - VW seems to precision engineer their cars, so they can break easily if not maintained EXACTLY to the manufacturer spec)

[@John-McAfee]

Ivan, you're the most brilliant mechanic I've seen. It sucks you're not in my state. Pennsylvania is lucky to have someone as good as you.

[@roscoesomeone9764]

Please put those things on a work bench, my knees and ankles are killing me after watching this.

[@imhooks]

Seriously! I saw his head between his knees and my joints began to ache.

[@AngelSkilll]

Stupid comment

[@dil6969]

Ivan is experienced in the art of the slav squat. Russians don't have time for joint pain.

[@kid123ik90ol]

my back ache after watching this

[@markh.6687]

@@dil6969 In Russia, joints pain YOU!

[@SmittySmithsonite]

I called it! In the Part 2 removal vid. Was second guessing myself after someone reminded me that you had lost oil pressure, but the oil pump must drive off the secondary. Having owned snowmobiles and atvs with a much simpler system, the mode of failure sounded exactly the same - no sound, just an instant neutral. This is a great vid! Thanks for taking the time to show all of this. You'll have 100k+ views in no time on this one I'd bet.

[@stuzman52]

Fantastic video series Ivan! Although there was a lot of work involved in getting the transmission in and out, you saved yourself a lot of money. And what a mess inside that transmission! 👍

[@PrinceRafa2024]

I learned so much from watching this video compared to the animated videos that use them technical words in a computer generated voice. Thanks for uploading this. I love it.

[@riblets1968]

What's truly appalling about CVTs is not the fact that they can break, but rather the lack of serviceability. Ivan is correct that it's an inherent design flaw but only if it cannot be easily and reasonably cheaply changed out, which is the case today for virtually all CVTs. In a world closer to ideal, changing out a belt and pulley set would take a couple hundred (US) bucks and a couple of hours, and be performed perhaps every 80,000 miles or so. This is no worse than an engine timing belt in terms of downtime and expense. Most people could live with that. Moreover, the fuel savings realized by a CVT could pay for this maintenance several times over! But what the fuel savings cannot even begin to make a dent is having to swap out a $6,000 transmission in a car whose depreciated value cannot justify such an expense. Welcome to disposable car culture. I could even live with disposable cars if they weren't so damned expensive! Gee whiz!

[@chrisbentleywalkingandrambling]

I'll preface this with 'I'm not a mechanic' but I'm amazed by your knowledge and how you approach each job. This tear down is enthralling. To me it's like you are sneaking another language but I really love how you explain everything to people with my level of knowledge. Great video Ivan.

[@somerandomguy3868]

what we have here is the standard drive belt falure this part performed as designed up to and including falure I know what's waiting and still won't miss part 2 as always lvan great video

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Not quite :) You will see very soon!

[@foxprogt]

Excellent tear down! Im driving a 07 Nissan Murano and i hope to at-least get to 150k before the cvt goes out. Gives me a good visual of what will go wrong if it ever does. Thanks for posting this.

[@speedmon6581]

Yes we pull them apart and rebuild. And fluid change 30 or 40 thou is important

[@siiioxide]

this man has made talking to yourself out loud in your garage profitable 🎉❤

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

😂👍

[@ripcordres]

180,000 miles on a CVT with no fluid changes I think this thing had a very long life

[@ItsNotJustinMarcelo]

Ripcord_res happy to hear that. Usually life of a car is 300,000 miles but whenever I see it someone’s car made past 150,000 miles, I’m already happy with it. Cars are meant to last a lifetime but sometimes it’s not reality.

[@therealist5680]

We don’t know whether it’s the original or replacement CVT.

[@Iridiumcosmos]

The Realist it still has some decent mileage on it regardless if it was a replacement or original one. Mines is coming up on 106K miles and still running strong.

[@08mario08]

My cvt on 08 Nissan Altima made it to 240k miles, switch to Toyota now.

[@generaldistrust]

@@08mario08 so you're about to switch to the superior AISIN transmission

[@shadowtheguarddog]

So Ivan, It has been 4+ years since you created this series. I have to say that your videos were great as they relate to the average DIY guy who has a little confidence in doing stuff like this. I’m one of those guys. I may have to work on a 2016 Rogue and you made it seem very doable. So thank you so much. One thing I might have done while you were in there is to replace the starter. I’m glad you did not pursue the pickle fork on the CVT axel. Not a cheap part! BTW, you two are a cute couple.Happy New Year 21/22.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Happy new year!

[@Rookie_DIY]

Awesome work Ivan. Its cool to see it getting teared down. Great cliffhanger. Cheers!

[@bobbyfuller3118]

What an amazing piece of engineering. I have a 2013 Nissan Maxima 2.5 lit V6 mated to the 2nd gen Nissan CVT. A pleasure to drive and use. No issues what so ever. Change the fluid every 30,000 kilometres.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

2.5 V6? What country are you in? In the US I think the V6 is 3.5L

[@jasonrobbind231]

I have three Nissan's all have cvts all have 240,000 miles and going strong I drive them all practically and got them serviced every 30000 zero problems.

[@MrCuddle1979]

Like many other commenters, thanks for taking this apart at risk of the $800 core charge. I have a 2011 Altima with 126k on it. Planing to upgrade in a year or so but hoping mine lasts at least as long as yours did. I know many others haven’t been lucky enough to make even 100k.

[@testosteroneinc.3800]

This is why I will buy nothing but manual transmissions. There are till plenty of new car models made today with a manual transmissions... Just have to be willing to travel and pick one up. You might have to settle for something smaller, but its better than dealing with this later down the road. Good luck though Ivan on the new trans. You are in my top 5 favorite techs in YT. No drama, just get right to it.

[@JVerschueren]

I don't know Aristotle, I personally prefer a manual as well, but synchro's wear out, the constant mesh gears basically work harden and spall, linkages develop slop, etc... All replacable and it's unlikely to leave you without any sort of drive on the side of the road, but not really cheap to have repaired either.

[@5Dale65]

President Donald Trump But hey Donald, they say presidents are not allowed to drive cars themselves ;)

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

President Putin, I thought you drove a 1970's ZAZ968 on the weekends: ;)

[@baddriversofnorthtexas6850]

But i bet you dont have a big nasty

[@InsideOfMyOwnMind]

Bad Drivers of Hurst Euless Bedford The main thing you need is a good shop press, maybe a set of mics, a manual and the discipline to not cut a single corner... ANYWHERE along the way or you WILL be redoing it.

[@danielfitzgerald9008]

Awe man part 2??? Wth i was getting in to this. You got one more subscriber tonight buddy great work!! This is the best video I think I've ever seen on KZbin

[@reuveng1960]

After seeing this video I appreciate the dealer that gave me life time transmission warranty as long as I own my 2015 Nissan Rouge...

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

LIFETIME WARRANTY?? How did you get that?? That is amazing!

[@reuveng1960]

Yes, if you log to their website - it's there on the top: "Home of Lifetime Powertrain Warranty"... www.royalmoorenissan.com/

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

They seem to charge $4k over other dealers...wonder why xD

[@throttlebottle5906]

lifetime warranty, that you pay for :))

[@timewa851]

would expect a two year old car to still be in warranty. Guess you will find out if the trans warranty is still good in 2019?

[@civilcitizen3586]

Awesome to see inside these CVT's! We just bought a new car. During the research and shopping process I was hearing noise about this trans design. After looking at the functionality, I decided to stay away from them. We were actually sold on buying the 2018 Honda Civic; ready to buy until I happened to ask if it had a CVT: yes it does. In the end we opted for the 2018 Hyundai Elantra Sport. So far we are extremely happy with it! It has the Dual Clutch unit, not at all without it's own set of challenges under certain conditions like low speed creep in traffic up hills.... but the car has a GREAT Warranty on this part. Final thought: I just won't buy a car with a CVT. The tried and tested automatics out on the market are simply getting the jobs done. Saving pennies on gas millage is. IMO, just not worth the headache from breakdown potentials. Beside this, we are all going "Electric" sooner or later...

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Thanks for the comment Dwayne! I'm not a fan of dual clutch either...I'm a traditionalist haha

[@timothybarney7257]

Remember Ivan, per that Weber CVT belt video, there are 423 parts in that belt (assuming the 24 bands are intact)! Make sure you count them all!

[@timothybarney7257]

Oh, and New Pig is only 30 minutes down the road from you if you need stuff to clean up your mess.

[@buildfixbreak7947]

I spoke at length with the owner of my local TSI Transmission shop regarding Nissan CVT transmissions. He said that they've examined failed internals and tried replacing what they thought it needed and it doesn't turn out. Over many cars and months, they set out to become masters of this and came to the final result that it is only reliably fixed by replacing the whole transmission or the entire guts at once.

[@johntran1831]

So you are saying this cvt transmission can't be rebuild? But to buy a new one...?

[@edvinnelius8213]

Nissan should walk away from cvt transmissions and use regular 6 speed automatic or 8 speed auto

[@danielfitzgerald9008]

Edvin Nelius but they lose money that way

[@aliabdallah102]

@better soc the new Camry has an 8 speed.

[@jimmyjohn9792]

new ford trucks 10 speed auto. even crazier the corvettes have 7 speed manuals now. cant imaging shifting again after 6th.

[@oveidasinclair982]

Nissan get's all it's CVT and regular transmission from JATCO (Japan automatic transmission company), the same people Subaru, Mazda, Mitsubishi, honda and I think a domestic US manufacture too. That company builds garbage, the ONLY Cvt transmission anyone should purchase is by Toyota, they make their own and have been building them for over 20 years, they are proven, last hundreds of thousands of miles and are vary reliable. Never buy a car with a JATCO auto thrans, always check first.

[@knightrider1545]

no sir some people want to do nothing but speed limit so 2 and 3 cylinders are future for ice

[@ssevier1149]

Thanks for doing this; it was really cool to see how this all went to heck in a handbasket; couldn't believe the amount of metal you found in the oil pan

[@danekeeper1]

Yeah ...Material science.. FTW!. Pulling the valve body sounded like you won some change in the local casino

[@adventureoflinkmk2]

More like the old school casinos... they all now go to these paper tickets

[@unclemarksdiyauto]

Ivan, have a friend has a 2016 pathfinder with the CVT and 170,000 kms (106,250 miles) Glad to hear oil change probably would not have helped your customer. Will watch part II and see if any other maintenance suggestions but I think word on the street is these have design flaws, and you just have to prepare to live with it and pay, or dump it sooner than later.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Response to T59: Thanks so much for sharing. Yes, it this case the belt did snap, but as I found out digging further, it was not the belt's fault! I wonder if this was the case in the lower mileage CVTs too, and what the driving style was. Based on the findings in Part 2, I would say that harsh stop-and-go driving would kill this transmission very fast.

[@oveidasinclair982]

Nissan get's all it's CVT and regular transmission from JATCO (Japan automatic transmission company), the same people Subaru, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Honda and I think a domestic US manufacture too. That company builds garbage, the ONLY Cvt transmission anyone should purchase is by Toyota, they make their own and have been building them for over 20 years, they are proven, last hundreds of thousands of miles and are vary reliable. Never buy a car with a JATCO auto trans, always check first.

[@johnd5805]

@@oveidasinclair982 I've had to buy three vehicles lately due to accidents. Pass up all cvts. Your saying that a correct move? I don't trust cvts to last 200,000 miles.

[@johnd5805]

So stay away from cvt transmission

[@dil6969]

Interesting. Makes sense it would be the main belt. It is under the greatest amount of stress. Still pretty impressed yours made it to nearly 200k. Seeing lots of videos of Nissan CVTs with similar failures well under 60k miles. I can certainly understand you taking this risk with your core charge. I did transmission tear down and rebuilding in tech school and it was super fun. Failure analysis is fascinating to do, as it gives you a better understanding of how it works and the typical failure mode.

[@FordTechMakuloco]

Oh course you fade to black for part 2 just as we open it up to see the destruction! What, did you learn that from Eric O.??? As always great videos Ivan I like to see what the other manufacturers are up to.

[@roadkill5333]

FordTechMakuloco Ivan has learned a lot from Eric O. He learned some video tips from him, and next week Eric is gonna rip off his shirt for a lube and oil change, that you're not gonna wanna miss!!!

[@zoidberg444]

FordTechMakuloco Ivans a lucky sod he has also been under the instruction of the guru himself. Keith from Staten Island!

[@dattape2828]

apparently he's pretty greedy to try to charge viewers money for watching part II. next.

[@adventureoflinkmk2]

Naw, if he would've learned from Eric O., he would've been all like THERE'S YER PROBLEM LADY!!!! as he tore this down and found the shredded metal belt

[@sprydo7113]

sorry for your Foot...guy. Thank your very much for your video..., i own a 2004 350z roadster with CVT...it maybe little different in design but, now after looking what you did taking it apart, i have a much better understanding generally how it works. so thanks!

[@sethc758]

Look up the ATSG JF011E repair manual book it covers those jatco cvts. Probably $30 on Amazon.

[@triiton4443]

OMG, I just bought one! Payments for 4 years. Thank God I have an extended warranty. Looks like I'm gonna need it someday soon .

[@MegaGrahamo]

as soon as i knew about the problems with nissan cvt i sold my car with only 30,000 miles on it i heard about some cars having these problems with a lot fewer miles

[@danielfitzgerald9008]

MegaGrahamo you're not for Pennsylvania are ya lol

[@MainMite06]

just Graham What car did you own? Why would you sell off a car with 30k miles and no reported issues?

[@wolfmanrebel874]

I'm glad someone made a video of how transmissions should not be designed, it definitely ain't built like a C6

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

:)

[@nononsenseBennett]

The weakest link, literally! The engineers dropped the ball on this design

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Actually there is much more to this failure than a broken belt...I'll have Part 2 up soon :)

[@iam1smiley1]

Automotive maker - "Let's put a snowmobile clutch in cars, they are cheap to make". .....the nightmare began. Thanks for chancing your core charge to teach us!

[@ScottClevelandmi]

Don't think I would want to re-belt this unit...I personally would be afraid of a "Rogue"(pun intended) metal chunk floating around. Thanks for making this, my wife has a 2010 Maxima...always wondering how this worked.

[@kbatzler]

I talked my parents out of purchasing anything with a CVT transmission for the very reason this video exposes. All makes and models with CVT transmissions are susceptible to the same failures. On their contender list was the Rogue, Honda CRV and the Hyundai Sante Fe Sport. Ultimately the bought the Hyundai as it was the only vehicle with a proven normal automatic. Crisis averted...

[@steevee1945]

The CVT concept looks good on paper but is inherently self destructive. I will never buy a vehicle that has one.

[@yohanathandowns9057]

They're all self destructive...... anything with a clutch pack is too

[@davidcox2197]

You hit the nail on the head with "self destructive", these transmissions are very poor engineering.

[@jimtyrrell1]

Great video! Thanks for showing us a transmission that I have always been curious about wanted to see what makes it tic. Great photography and narrative.

[@flc2009]

186k without fluid change phenomenal, that's a lifetime.

[@Mabeylater293]

That’s nothing. Toyota Sienna 300,000 miles original fluid. No issues.

[@donovanfahrbach2493]

TruAgape1234 We’re talking about a cvts lifetime here ...The Toyota minivan has a 6A ...

[@NoName-gv6nm]

@@Mabeylater293 both situations are pure luck

[@ginsoakedbeau]

I am the 2nd owner of a 2011 Nissan Murano SL AWD 132,0000 miles, always serviced at rec intervals, etc, no towing, no crazy stuff, no severe stress on transmission. Live in suburbs of Portland Oregon. Owned it for 2 years and put 30,000 miles on it. CVT is now making a VERY loud buzzing sound (like a super angry hornet inside a tin can with a microphone next to it), especially on cold start up and appears cvt is about to give out. two local shops said the front pump/valve is failing and not distributing cvt fluid properly and only a matter of time before it fails and the only prudent fix is to replace the entire cvt, at $2740 for the Nissan Certified re-manufactured cvt +14 - 18hrs shop time at $90 - 150 an hour to uninstall and reinstall for a total of $4,500 - 5,500 which is outlandish for so many hours needed to uninstall and re-install a remanufactured cvt that maybe will last another 40,000 - 60,000, which is about the average for remanufactured 2nd gen nissan cvt. I'm so bummed. I knew about the cvt issues but I thought the 2nd gen cvt had been much improved over 1st gen and I failed to get a Nissan extended warranty and from 2011 Nissan did not offer the extended powertrain warranty to sad sack owners of 06-2010 Nissan's with notoriously bad 1st gen cvt.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Such is life...

[@eldoradony]

Nissan knows they have a problem with these units. A customer of mine who is a used car dealer regularly buys Altimas at the auction. About half have CVT problems. He takes them back to the local Nissan dealer and gets them fixed under warranty. There was no recall but Nissan extended the coverage and if the owner pushes the issue they will repair under warranty. Maybe that's the 120,000 coverage you mentioned on an earlier video. GM also had a big problem with the Saturn View CVT. Extended warranty, failures at 30,000 miles, and no update with the repair. Hopefully the industry has found the solution by now.

[@danielfitzgerald9008]

eldoradony I got 60 thousand on mine with a hundred thousand mile warranty so should I run it hard and drive it like I stole it or bring it in there and say Excuse me sir can you look at my transmission belt Either way that makes no logical sense

[@oveidasinclair982]

Nissan get's all it's CVT and regular transmission from JATCO (Japan automatic transmission company), the same people Subaru, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Honda and I think a domestic US manufacture too. That company builds garbage, the ONLY Cvt transmission anyone should purchase is by Toyota, they make their own and have been building them for over 20 years, they are proven, last hundreds of thousands of miles and are vary reliable. Never buy a car with a JATCO auto trans, always check first.

[@oveidasinclair982]

@thesix107 I like Scotty's channel

[@dnoll4759]

Good Report, CVT is just a glorified snow machine clutch, we always carried a spare belt.

[@williamallen2817]

Thank you for video, looking fwd. to #2 ! You may of found a gold mine, in re-manufacturing push belts !

[@rooprada]

Hello!! I have a question. The torque converter is damage if a hold the brake when I stopped in traffic lights in D position,for example? or it's better to put Neutral when I stopped in traffic lights?

[@nater3113]

Honda did a cvt in the 5th gen prelude... typtronic shift 5 speed auto. They fail around 160k and 200k

[@grandiora]

I personally have a Nissan with CVT. Very low milage and pretty new still so a bit worried now. Did you get your CVT transmission serviced every 30,000 miles with NS3 fluid? I actually thought if I always get the fluid changed over, this would not be a problem. But seeing how mechanically minded you are, I'm assuming you serviced it and yet it still failed?

[@adikhan6913]

The root cause of broken CVT belts in nissan’s CVTs is the week oil pump which wont work under stress and the pressure drops which wont allow sheaves to open and close at the time of acceleration and de acceleration and those sheaves break the belt.

[@jordanleslie3385]

Eddy Khan amen

[@GrifFungin]

Question: My wife has a 2015 Rogue SL FWD, which we bought new and it currently has 42,000 miles. I am about to do a CVT fluid drain and fill times two like the service manual suggests. So far we haven’t had any issues with the CVT, but I’m leery of keeping the vehicle beyond say 80,000 miles due to concerns of CVT failure. What’s your opinion of the CVT in the 2015 year model Rogue and would you keep it beyond 80-100k mikes or sell it before CVT issues arise? Thanks for any advice you care to offer.

[@pcno2832]

I don't see why Nissan didn't just put the belt in a separate chamber, so the "kibbles & bits" wouldn't get into all the hydraulics. There is no reason why the belt couldn't be a maintenance item.

[@ningen1980]

They do it as a money grab. Cheaper to replace the entire trans, than spend money on labor hours replacing the kibbles and bits.

[@oveidasinclair982]

Nissan get's all it's CVT and regular transmission from JATCO (Japan automatic transmission company), the same people Subaru, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Honda and I think a domestic US manufacture too. That company builds garbage, the ONLY Cvt transmission anyone should purchase is by Toyota, they make their own and have been building them for over 20 years, they are proven, last hundreds of thousands of miles and are vary reliable. Never buy a car with a JATCO auto trans, always check first.

[@DiMo28]

Wrong! Toyota has issues with their CVT's too. It's just not a durable design.

[@jblyon2]

@@DiMo28 The funny thing is CVTs actually drive pretty well with a powerful engine behind them...they can't take the power and fail! I'm still amazed to see Nissan putting them behind a V6 when they're still failing prematurely behind a 4 cylinder. I had a 2014 Corolla for just over a year, but not long enough for any long-term reliability data (got rid of it after a major accident repair). The CVT was at least a lot more responsive than any unit from JATCO I've experienced. I still miss the instant kickdown, just not the weak engine. Wish my V6 Camry could jump down a couple gears that fast.

[@curelable]

It is on my side by side utility vehicle.

[@carters2]

CVT belts are made of steel which typically has a fatigue limit of about half of its tensile strength. For example 0.3% carbon steel has a tensile strength of 540 psi and a fatigue limit of 270 psi. This means you can cycle that piece of steel up to 270 psi indefinitely and it will never break. Other metals such as aluminum do not have fatigue limits so they will always eventually break even if only applying a fraction of the total tensile strength. Granted this would take more time than anybody has in most cases when parts made from aluminum are designed properly.

[@twinsonic65]

Nissan CVT: Teardown and Failure Analysis is the title, but the alternate title is: Why did the Nissan Rogue Transmission went Rogue? Or the Missus was doing major neutral drops.......

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

LOL I am trying to imagine my wife doing a neutral drop and chirping all 4 tires! I don't think she knows what a neutral drop is haha

[@oveidasinclair982]

Nissan get's all it's CVT and regular transmission from JATCO (Japan automatic transmission company), the same people Subaru, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Honda and I think a domestic US manufacture too. That company builds garbage, the ONLY Cvt transmission anyone should purchase is by Toyota, they make their own and have been building them for over 20 years, they are proven, last hundreds of thousands of miles and are vary reliable. Never buy a car with a JATCO auto trans, always check first.

[@dakotamorgan6594]

@@oveidasinclair982 this is the second time I have seen this completely incorrect comment.... Subaru, Honda, Toyota, AND Mitsubishi make their own CVT transmissions. On top of that Mazda doesn't even have a modern car with a CVT (in the US market anyway) stop spreading this.

[@Iridiumcosmos]

Dakota Morgan You’re actually the one who is incorrect here. JATCO was the transmission division of Nissan for quite sometime, as decades passed. They eventually started producing transmissions for the following manufacturers: Nissan, Mazda, Subaru, Isuzu, Suzuki, BMW, Volkswagen, MG Rover Group and Land Rover. They eventually broke off and became an independent company that spread their production to other manufacturers. Honda and Toyota rely on their transmission divisions for their transmission. Toyota uses AISIN for example. Btw, Mitsubishi has used JATCO transmissions in the past before going with INVECS.

[@daviddonne7333]

@@oveidasinclair982 this is your third bullshit post

[@phprofYT]

I had a CVT in a 2008 Jeep Patriot for 9.5 years before trading for a Ram. Never had any problems with the engine or transmission. Control arms, bushings, tie rod ends, calipers, speed sensors and rear shocks/struts. Those all died (some several times) but the CVT was fun to drive.

[@deepsquat600]

"Well there's your problem Lady!"

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Could not be a more fitting time to say that. dammit I forgot to use that line!!

[@freebird1ification]

right on man but you need 3-4 good big flat head screw drivers to make taking those case covers apart works like a champ man

[@mikeeustice4452]

great video Ivan the new unit whining is most likely fluid check your repair info u have to use a scan tool and check the level at a specific temp and with the engine running put the fluid level between the lines not at the bottom or the top and the wine should be gone best of luck

[@rodden1953]

Mine is starting to whistle or high pitch wine .im concerned

[@stu01565]

Great tear down video. My sister just bought a used Maxima with cvt and 110K miles. I see this repair in my brother in laws future. Thanks for sharing and potentially eating $800

[@Cumminslife]

Thanks the the video Ivan! Can't wait for part 2

[@1blisslife]

I also found out that the Valve body holds a set of very tiny strainer/filters. Kind of like the mesh ones you find in most kitchen sinks. Might want to clean those out when doing a transmission flush.

[@jameshart5302]

I will never buy a car with a CVT ever again

[@hughujkbkilhhhfbhgyre6436]

James Hart All new cars are all cvt

[@fermi3294]

@@hughujkbkilhhhfbhgyre6436 He never said he'd buy a new car.

[@prevost8686]

Hughujkb Kilhhhfbhgyre And they’re all garbage.

[@mattyb7736]

@@hughujkbkilhhhfbhgyre6436 nahh, still plenty of manual and "standard" auto's out there in brand new vehicles.

[@lexburen5932]

@@mattyb7736 Most new bmw's went backt to normal automatics with a torque converter, because they had to many problems with cvt's. The new bmw 6 speed autos are pretty good, you can even shift them manually.

[@alward9901]

A very enjoyable video , I say keep on trucking . With tenacity and research there no reason you can't refurbish this transmission , looking forward to parts 2. 3. And maybe 4 . Thanks from Canada.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

2 parts will be enough for this series :)

[@MaynardGKrebs-gv4vy]

Any used car guy will tell you: NEVER buy a used car with a CVT and never buy a new car with a CVT.

[@MainMite06]

Maynard G. Krebs Elaboration: Never buy a used CVT car-*whose CVT isnt functioning* (or unless you *want* to replace the transmission someway) *whose CVT hasnt been flushed yet* (or otherwise failure will follow) Never buy a new car with CVT- *whose manufacturer or dealer isnt willing to offer nor obey a/the powertrain warranty* (the real spawn of the CVT controversy stems from Nissan refusing to repair nor replace premature CVT failures)

[@markh.6687]

Used car lots buy them all the time; see them all over Chicagoland area lots. I just know better than to buy them, except in the last 2-3 model years.

[@brandonmitchell9837]

What did it run you at the dealership for a new transmission? I plan on doing the swap myself also. Thanks

[@B0xlife1]

Wow that fluid was DIRTY.

[@dricklorenz9340]

A big thumb's up for risking your core charge rejection for our benefit

[@FordTechMakuloco]

Ah I see that CVT got you one last time!

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

lol that hurt!

[@canocano5480]

Seems to be Avery bad design. I just bought a Altima. If I would have known of the issues these transmission have. I never would have bought it.

[@playharder1435]

It's not a "design fllaw". Jatco and Nissan actually ''designed'' the belts to fail so that people can BUY ANOTHER NISSAN. The belts have a finite (and defined/engineered) life-span; by plan.

[@TGsrao1989]

Reminds me of Hiram Gutierrez! top work Ivan!

[@AP9311]

Eddie Martinez Hiram does yes.

[@satamanschmidt3428]

I like Ivan but Hiram is DA MAN!!! Maybe in 10 years he will equal the transmission Jedi Master but it's going to take awhile. Hiram could have done this blindfolded.

[@AP9311]

Eddie Martinez Idk. ask Hiram. I think he gets supplies from special supplier. I'm not sure, I never asked 😅

[@martiniversen4898]

I have a 2009 maxima sv with 108000 miles. Has no transmission issues yet, should I expect it to fail? I dont drive it very hard. Should I have the tranny fluid checked? Should I just look for another vehicle? Are the maxima cvts same as the rogue, or Altima? Any info would be appreciated. Great video.

[@wearevergold6478]

Did you text your wife a pic of carnage with the text of "Well there's your problem lady!"?

[@josephkeeling6331]

wearever gold medalist

[@adventureoflinkmk2]

LMFAO I would've.. I straight up showed my dad how his brake pads wore when I did a full brake job on his journey and i was all like, with these pads worn the way they were (edit: and they were worn at an angle, forgot to mention that), and it was making metal on metal noise when driving... there's yer problem, dad!!!

[@Chand_G.]

Always was curious oh how CVTs self destructed. Thanks man!

[@pp312]

I'm just glad CVTs have fewer parts than a standard auto, otherwise this vid would be 13 hours long.

[@MainMite06]

pp312 Do you agree that everyone preferring hydro-matics are ignoring that belted CVTs can last 200k miles & easily be fixed with the right parts? Where as, hydro-matics can fail at any mileage & are next-to- impossible to repair...

[@pp312]

@@MainMite06 Not familiar with "hyrdo-matics". I presume you mean "hydro-matics, which I only know as a kind of auto used on GM cars in the past. In any case I own a Nissan CVT and am very pleased with it. Will it last? Don't know, but it's clearly the way of the future once reliability in some models is sorted out.

[@MainMite06]

pp312 When I say "Hydro-matic" Im trying to say: *conventional, planetary-hydraulic automatic transmission* The "normal AT that everyone wants & Yes GM was the first to sell automatic transmissions.

[@MainMite06]

pp312 Like I said, it should last 200k miles as long as you perform CVT fluid flushes at the dealer every 25-50k mile interval. Nissan already revised the CVT design in 2013 so you should be just fine Btw: *what car do you own* ?

[@pp312]

@@MainMite06 Unfortunately mine is a 2013 Pulsar (Versa in the States). Probably I got the old version. However it runs like a dream and only has 50,000 kilometres on it. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, but the Internet seems to be full of Nissan CVT horror stories. Probably best not to read them.

[@honestone490]

It's suspected that a problem with Nissan's cooling system is making the CVT transmission unreasonably sensitive to heat. The temperature of the cars transmission fluid is controlled by a small cooler as opposed to a radiator and it's not regulating the temperature of the fluid responsible for lubricating the parts in the transmission. Should a car overheat and go into "fluid protection mode" transmission performance will be reduced and as a result the driver may experience trouble accelerating, vehicle shaking or jerking and or complete failure of the CVT. What are you're feelings on this subject?

[@scottykilmer7348]

I would have done this whole whole series in 4.5 minutes. Ivan Uncle ScOtty is dissatisfied.

[@zoneb609]

I think is fine how he did it, because there might be people that have a lot of questions of procedures not seen in the video, and just a quick summary won't answer that. Loved that series.

[@stevevarholy2011]

It's spoof account making fun of Scotty Kilmer. Uncle Scotty has crank windows "TOO MUCH TO GO WRONG!"

[@zoneb609]

Steve Varholy I didn't realize until now!

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Scotty's next video: "why NOT to buy a Nissan" ;)

[@zoneb609]

LOL

[@cja7964]

Did you change the oil or have them change it? 186k is pretty good use honestly

[@mharradine57]

Lots of cvts out there running fine. You only hear about the bad. Odd that faith healing works the opposite way!

[@Ivan-ht3jg]

I got 220,000 miles on my 08 maxima. No problems at all

[@UncoordinatedPixie]

Tell that to my tranny.

[@zeke937]

What's your opinion of the transmissions on the 4th gen Nissan Altimas (2007-2012). I have a 2009 Nissan Altima 2.5s which has around 137k miles on it, but will get rid of it for another car if the transmissions are build poorly from a design perspective. I've done my CVT Fluid changes as well.

[@BloodStainedTear]

I have a feeling you said more than ahhh when that torque convertor fell on your foot

[@SeaJay_Oceans]

Nissan should interview people like you that get their hands in there and discover the design flaws and failures. A little redesign on the next year's CVT to make it more durable would be a good thing for Nissan.

[@Bunkysworkshop]

NO..........This is painful too wait......Teaser Teaser Teaser LOL

[@gatchaman76]

Thanks for the sacrifice of the core charge. This was very interesting and helpful.

[@cklinejr]

That jutco cvt is such a piece of crap. My wife's Jeep Patriot has the same trans and its constantly over heating (even with Aux cooler) and putting itself in limp mode.

[@throttlebottle5906]

they are rather critical on fluid type/level, maybe someone finger-funked with it ;)

[@jermallaroda5747]

Change the thomostats

[@adventureoflinkmk2]

@@jermallaroda5747 I didn't know transmissions had thermostats...

[@igotstaknow]

The fluid is dark. Why didn't you replace the fluid? If there is no drain, why didn't you suck out fluid with a small hose through the check tube and refill every year?

[@theoldwizard998]

I disagree with your comment on band metal fatigue. As long as the metal is not deformed further than its yield strength (at which time it will have a permanent "kink") it should be able to go through an infinite number of bends.

[@jannepo]

All bending will eventually destroy the structure of steel and cause a fatigue crack. That is one of the reasons (aluminium) air frames on planes have a end of life after nnnn hours / cycles (takeoff + landing). In high stress use, the stress cycle SN-Curve (Wöhler curve) is usually used. Amount for force has negative logarithmic response to number of cycles metal will last before failure. Anything exceeding the tensile strength of metal will lead quick and inevitable fatigue crack.

[@swallowinn4410]

Hello Theoldwizard998 I have to disagee with you Ivan has the basics correct. I have extensive experience in the metal finishing industry as well as Inspection. Non destructive testing and some destructive testing. Keep in mind we are talking about a componant that is constantly in motion during service. All metals depending on there formulation have a failure point. Repeated flexing and heating and cooling affect the structure. Work hardening of the material or in some cases( softening) takes place. Eventually the unit will fail. The job of the engineering department is to come up with a suitable componant design that will last the expected life of the unit it is installed in. I do agree that in the case of the CVT there is an unacceptable ammount of premature failure. In Ivan's case with over 180,000 miles it is not uncommon for any automotive drive system to experience some type of failure. Improvement are being made all the time and I expect that the CVT will in future be more reliable just as automatic transmissions are today. Without knowing the actual design specs. for the failed unit it is almost impossible to tell if the unit failed prematurely or not. In any case I am enjpying the teardown video and will be very interested to see if Ivan elects to repair or reassemble and return the unit for the core charge. How about you? Brian & Shotty.

[@38911bytefree]

I was about to point the same. As had a life spam due stress and built up corrosion where the main fuselage sections join. They wont break appart but they are not longer safe at least for aerocomercial standards. There are some old plane there flying, you can see the vids here but pilots WONT CLIMB to its expected FL anymore, the a wont handle the required presurization level

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

It took me 5 years of hard riding to crack my previous hard tail aluminum mountain bike frame. Actually every mountain bike I have owned the frame eventually cracked from fatigue...even steel!

[@lightningsmokerXx]

Perhaps time for Bamboo?

[@krakenwoodfloorservicemcma5975]

Thank you for the carnage. If there is one thing I miss about locomotive repair, it’s the high voltage carnage. High amperage and heat do amazing things. A lot of mechanical carnage on those beasts as well, but it didn’t have the same excitement for me as an exploding dynamic braking grid.