2011 Transmission radiator leak issues?

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j_p_brooks81
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2011 Transmission radiator leak issues?

Postby j_p_brooks81 » Sat Nov 24, 2018 8:32 am

Hi, I'm planning to purchase a Pathfinder. Originally, I was looking at the 2010's and then learned of all the radiator leaking into transmission SMOD issues. I did some extensive research, and now I'm pretty sure I won't be buying a 2010. I saw the post listing good/bad part #'s, but it still just seems too risky. Now, I'm look at 2011's. Are the 2011's known for having this issue as well, or did Nissan fix the problem in this model? Thanks!


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palmerwmd
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Postby palmerwmd » Sat Nov 24, 2018 2:26 pm

All 2011 have the new part number.
However when you look at a 2010 you cna easily check the part number its right on the radiator.

And if you have an older R51 you like you can just replace the radiator..
yes its a bit of labor but older vehicles can probably do with a new radiator anyway regardless of the threat of SMOD.

:)

j_p_brooks81
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Thanks!

Postby j_p_brooks81 » Thu Nov 29, 2018 4:56 pm

Very good news. Thanks! I'm keeping an eye out for 2011's and 2012's.

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smj999smj
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Postby smj999smj » Fri Nov 30, 2018 2:07 am

It's mostly limited to 2005-2010 models, but I have read posts from three people that have had the radiator fail on 2011 models, two of those being Pathfinders and one being a Frontier. It's very rare in 2011 models.

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Postby j_p_brooks81 » Sun Dec 16, 2018 10:23 am

palmerwmd wrote:All 2011 have the new part number.
However when you look at a 2010 you cna easily check the part number its right on the radiator.

And if you have an older R51 you like you can just replace the radiator..
yes its a bit of labor but older vehicles can probably do with a new radiator anyway regardless of the threat of SMOD.

:)
Palmerwmd, just curious to know if you know much about the Xterras. I'm also interested in the 2011-2012 years and wondering if the Xterras also had the same leaking radiator issues as the pre-2011 pathfinders.

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palmerwmd
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Postby palmerwmd » Sun Dec 16, 2018 11:08 am

j_p_brooks81 wrote:
palmerwmd wrote:All 2011 have the new part number.
However when you look at a 2010 you cna easily check the part number its right on the radiator.

And if you have an older R51 you like you can just replace the radiator..
yes its a bit of labor but older vehicles can probably do with a new radiator anyway regardless of the threat of SMOD.

:)
Palmerwmd, just curious to know if you know much about the Xterras. I'm also interested in the 2011-2012 years and wondering if the Xterras also had the same leaking radiator issues as the pre-2011 pathfinders.
I own(ed) 2005 Xterra, 2011 Xterra and 2012 Pathfinder.
All great vehicles.

yes the Xterras have the exact same of questionable radiator sealant for the 2005 to (some) 2010s.
When I bought my 05 Xterra back in 2016 (last month sold to a good friend) I made the installation of a new radiator a pre condition for the sale.
Last edited by palmerwmd on Sun Dec 16, 2018 11:18 am, edited 3 times in total.

heckler40
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Re: Thanks!

Postby heckler40 » Sun Dec 16, 2018 11:13 am

j_p_brooks81 wrote:Very good news. Thanks! I'm keeping an eye out for 2011's and 2012's.
I have a 2010 R51 and do not have the impacted radiator. 130k+ miles and no issues. Also, do not have the timing chain whine yet (hopefully wont have it). Recommend keeping an eye open for 2010s too as they are solid.

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Postby palmerwmd » Sun Dec 16, 2018 1:07 pm

Good points made by all.

Also in case you missed it...
here is the parts list of impacted radiators.

When you open the hood there is a sticker nissan part number in on the drivers side plastic bezel the top of the radiator.
A aftermarket Rad may not have the sticker.. but the aftermarkets are just as safe/good as the new Nissan parts numbers.

And here is the list of part numbers to look for:
http://www.thenissanpath.com/viewtopic.php?t=17198

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Postby heckler40 » Sun Dec 16, 2018 1:27 pm

Just wanted to post my info and clarify my above post.

I have the rad ending in ZL11A and have not had the issue at 130k miles. Prod date is 4/10.

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Postby smj999smj » Sun Dec 16, 2018 2:49 pm

Not all of the radiators in that range failed...in fact, most of them did not fail...however, there have been a large number of them that have. There is also not a set mileage for the failure and many of them have failed after 100,000 miles. There have been a couple of reports of the -ZL11A radiators failing, although it is rare.
The same goes for the timing chains. The issue was caused by worn tooling during the stamping of the upper chain links. The determination of whether a vehicle will experience the dreaded timing chain whine depends on whether there are improperly stamped links in the vehicle's upper timing chains and also how much wear was on the tooling when they were stamped. The majority will not have any timing chain issues.

jlocal
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Radiator

Postby jlocal » Sun Dec 30, 2018 6:06 pm

Hello guys, new here on this forum, but with all the problems with trans fluid / coolant mixing together, would it make sense to buy new radiator without trans cooling fittings and separate trans cooler. I already have a new trans cooler and now looking for new aluminum radiator. With 90, thousand miles, don't want to take a chance. This way , nothing to cap off on new radiator. Does this make sense, or am I missing something? Thanks

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Re: Radiator

Postby smj999smj » Sun Dec 30, 2018 8:36 pm

jlocal wrote:Hello guys, new here on this forum, but with all the problems with trans fluid / coolant mixing together, would it make sense to buy new radiator without trans cooling fittings and separate trans cooler. I already have a new trans cooler and now looking for new aluminum radiator. With 90, thousand miles, don't want to take a chance. This way , nothing to cap off on new radiator. Does this make sense, or am I missing something? Thanks
The cooler failures haven't been an issue on the replacement radiators, either from Nissan or from the aftermarket. It would probably be hard to find a radiator without the cooler, to be honest, and really, you would be best off to use the integral cooler in the new radiator rather than to bypass it. The bypass only makes sense if you are keeping the failure-prone, original radiator and just want to avoid the potential cooler failure. For an all-aluminum radiator, go to Stillen Motorsports site and you can get a CSF radiator for $350. One tip: if you do get the CSF radiator, cut the spring off of the radiator cap that comes with it or bend the factory cap a little so it will work on the new radiator. The factory cap is not a vented-type radiator cap.

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Postby jlocal » Sun Dec 30, 2018 9:12 pm

Thanks for the reply smj999, I just ordered the CSF Radiator and new trans cooler. That's good to know, I'll now have a piece of mind with a better quality product. I bought the 2009 SE from a dealer with their 128 point inspection. Turns out they missed a leaky lower radiator hose which broke and fried the engine. So that's why I'm trying to be as proactive as possible. Thanks again for the response.

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Postby underworld1001 » Sun Dec 30, 2018 10:29 pm

jlocal wrote:Thanks for the reply smj999, I just ordered the CSF Radiator and new trans cooler. That's good to know, I'll now have a piece of mind with a better quality product. I bought the 2009 SE from a dealer with their 128 point inspection. Turns out they missed a leaky lower radiator hose which broke and fried the engine. So that's why I'm trying to be as proactive as possible. Thanks again for the response.
You won't regret the CSF radiator. I own one and it's been solid since I installed it.


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