SMOD Radiator Bypass

[@heftex8339]

Careful with this. While many have done it, and it does not immediately hurt anything, I would be cautious. The transmission can heat up quite high when towing or under heavy burden at low RPM... easy to do the the VQ40 due to all the low end torque. Summer temperatures do not help either. Add more worry if you have skid plate armor underneath that blocks air flow around the transmission. The vehicle was designed to use the radiator as the primary cooling source. The auxillary trans radiator is just a "helper" and not meant to be the primary cooling source. If SMOD is a worry, it is best to update the radiator to a new KOYORAD A2807 or other quality radiator. Easy DIY project that can be done for a few hundred bucks for the radiator and new coolant.

[@Rythecarguy]

Good thought. Maybe this is the first step if you buy an Xterra. Just to be sure that you're not gunna get SMOD. Then when you can, go buy your new Rad or upgrade to a much bigger aux trans cooler.

[@dylanmeuser6189]

I just ordered my koyorad and I can confirm it's not a good idea to tow even moderate loads under highway speeds with the bypass. I had to stop and let it cool down. There's also changing the coolant and transmission fluid, reservoirs, thermostat etc.

[@Gypsy_ink93]

@@dylanmeuser6189 is the fix as simple as just swapping to the radiator you suggested? I’m looking to get an Xterra and I am honestly not too knowledgeable on vehicle mechanics. Any advice you could give would be awesome.

[@dylanmeuser6189]

@@Gypsy_ink93 not sure I can answer that. For Xterra's before 2012 it might be a good idea to flush the transmission fluid/filter, change the radiator/coolant, it's also not a bad idea considering the age of the vehicles.

[@Gypsy_ink93]

@@dylanmeuser6189 I appreciate the info.

[@gsbadd8240]

I did the SMOD bypass on my '05 Pathfinder back in 2010. 270K miles later, it's still fine. I still have the bypass on it even after doing the VK56 V8 swap on it 4 years ago. The external is a better primary transmission cooler anyway. The transmission fluid running into the radiator can only cool down to the engine temperature.

[@Rythecarguy]

Right on

[@sethberry383]

I've owned a 2005 for about a year and a half, and some form of bypass had been done on it because the inlet/outlet at the bottom of the radiator had been linked with one loop of hose, but I've never checked to see if the rest was done. I also should probably put things back to normal as I dropped in a 2013 X's radiator a few months ago, and have never felt fluid going through that bypass hose on the radiator. Thanks for another informative vid!

[@Rythecarguy]

I would be surprised if they just took all the hoses out. They would have to plumb the trans hoses in a loop too and that would be dumb 😂 the bypass is probably done.

[@Gypsy_ink93]

Most detailed video I’ve been able to find on this. Thanks for all your work!

[@Rythecarguy]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching

[@user-uf7ws1ot9o]

No news is bad news and all news is good news whether it can help you today or next month or five years from now knowledge is something you can always keep so for those of you that take the time like you did to make this video I appreciate it

[@Rythecarguy]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@mikemorgan4670]

Good to see you back Ry

[@Rythecarguy]

Thanks Mike. Life's been nuts lately but I'm making it.

[@charlenemchickey7160]

I just recently purchased a 2014 X terra. I have wanted one for ten years and now I have it. The owner was not sure if the bipass had been done. Here is my question... If I unplug the hose from the main radiator and plug it into the transmission radiator, what do use to plug the original radiator hose inlets? will it drain while I am working on the hose? Looks like an easy job so i might as well fix it myself. By the way your vids are awesome. I am only a very beginner mechanic but I have made this truck a learning project and with the help of your videos I feel I can take care of most things on my own. Keep on keepin on.

[@jakeyoung2092]

This is only necessary on earlier models of the Xterra, and Nissan addressed and fixed the issue well before your model year. I can’t really remember which year it was fixed, likely somewhere around 2009. Your 2014 is totally fine and you don’t need to do anything.

[@mikebailey5497]

Thnx for the post , good to see you back and.....Good stuff as usual. If it hadn't been for your videoss my '08 X would be Yard-Art as the saying goes. I now have an '11 Pathfinder with an after market radiator for some reason. Can't find out much from the part # ... Hoping its up to the task !

[@ErnestoRodriguez-sh1ym]

C'mon guy the car guy!!! We need more!!!

[@Rythecarguy]

😄

[@bjchang000]

I purchased an '05 OR last May with 160K miles. I've done a coolant flush and it doesn't seem to have any sign of SMOD. I am not sure if the previous owner(s) have ever changed the radiator. There isn't the typical part number sticker on the top of the radiator. Is there an easy way to determine if it is the original radiator or not? Thanks for all your videos. I've relied on so many of them in this great journey of the Xterra. I've learned so much from you! Thanks in advance!!

[@ErnestoRodriguez-sh1ym]

Glad to see you back!!! Stay with us buddy!!! Enjoy some beer on me🍻!!!

[@Rythecarguy]

I appreciate you!! Thanks so much man. It will be touch and go for a while but I'll be around

[@diamondboy3456]

Im going to do this on my silverado but idk if im supposed to plug up where the old trans lines connect to the radiator no one states if they need to be plugged or not i just dont want to fudge up

[@AlienBmxican]

Been thinking of doing this and adding a heat gauge to the dash since i blew my trans last month on my 06 pathfinder.

[@Rythecarguy]

Ohhhh that would be a fun video, I would love to add a heat gauge

[@Adjustvolume]

Sweet stache

[@Rythecarguy]

Thx bro 😎

[@ErnestoRodriguez-sh1ym]

Thanks!

[@Rythecarguy]

Wow! Thank you!! 🙏🏻

[@danielcabrera4463]

Hey Ry, I’ve got a base model 2010 X and have been wanting to add powered mirrors. Do you have any experience or advice for this?

[@ian_humphrey]

Well, that's another way of doing it. 👍

[@Rythecarguy]

How did you do it?

[@JohnDoe-qz1ql]

Theres another way?

[@PaulHenreid]

My 07 Xterra six speed manual transmission is leaking coolant internally somewhere. Does SMOD apply to manual transmissions?

[@tonwhelan]

No, only autos.

[@paduchiu]

What if you live in a cold climate, wouldn’t this keep your transmission too cold? Maybe a stupid question, but oh well…

[@Rythecarguy]

Not a stupid question. I live in Michigan and they have driven in the winter just fine.

[@Constabruity]

My Titan has the radiator bypassed into an additional aux cooler and I shove a slice of cardboard in front in the winter. Seems to work just fine.

[@brunnie]

You didn't mention it but SMOD only affected certain years, '05 to '10 I believe, at least by 2011 the radiator problem had been taken care of.

[@Rythecarguy]

Yeah, good point I can put that in the comments

[@ryanjewell9832]

While this may be mostly true, I got smod on my 2014, but I also have 300,000 miles on it.

[@JohnDoe-qz1ql]

Allegedly!! Some have reported the some issue in newer models!

[@TheMamonti1]

Do the titans have this smod issue?

[@Rythecarguy]

My understanding is that they do not

[@dmoten2238]

I believe there were a few titans and pathfinders with this issue..mainly 04-06 titans....i did bypass on my 07 titan to be on safe side..got 260k on factory rad

[@TheMamonti1]

thanks,,,, I just picked up a 2007....145,000.... maybe better safe than sorry...@@dmoten2238

[@bexo34]

So my son's Xterra died and we have moved on. Gonna need you to grab a 2015 Subaru Outback 3.6 Limited and take it apart, put it back together and show us how to mod it. LOL

[@Rythecarguy]

Hahaha I'll look into it 😀

[@chatnavz]

You have another xterra project

[@Rythecarguy]

Yeaaaaaa but i don't really want it lol

[@mclehed77]

Wait how much for the x?

[@Rythecarguy]

1k but the body is a disaster and the trans won't shift right. Engine is fantastic though. It's one that I bought from Brennan from driven desire. Right around 130-140k miles on it.

[@mclehed77]

@@Rythecarguy ok thanks

[@jpadilla0515]

Id plug the radiator cooler lines together just in case the radiador part fails, and coolant goes bye bye

[@Rythecarguy]

Good thought!

[@detroy1234]

Laughs in Manual

[@crazybobc1]

I have a 2008 Frontier, automatic with the 4 cylinder engine with 131K miles on it. Do I need to do this or is it just a 6 cylinder problem? Thanks.

[@Rythecarguy]

My understanding is that it's just the 6 cylinder

[@crazybobc1]

@@Rythecarguy I hope so! I found no definite answer online. I will check my radiator numbers today to see what I have. Thank you!