Repair variator "Nissan X-Trail" with their own hands: description, technology and reviews

Variator gearbox for Nissan X-Trail -this has been the subject of motorist controversy for many years. Someone drives his car, only passing a routine maintenance, and someone has become a frequent visitor to the SRT and dreams of quickly getting rid of a constantly breaking machine. Why is this happening? When the repair of the variator on the "Nissan X-Trail" becomes a necessity?

A bit about the Japanese CVT

On the car "Nissan X-Trail" in the body of the T31 wasThe CVT-7 variator of Jatco is installed. In general, the transmissions of this company are considered reliable. They have proven themselves in many foreign cars, for example, such as BMW and Volkswagen. Automatic CAT for some time installed on domestic "Lada Kalina" and "Lada Grant".

In addition to their reliability, they attract moderatecost for automakers, however, according to the manufacturer, variator boxes are not repaired, but only to be replaced. When the checkpoint is under warranty, it is quite actual: just replace the broken unit with a new one, but if the guarantee has already expired, the private person will have to spend a lot to buy a new box and install it.

In this regard, domestic SRT "learned"repair variators for the joy of car owners. Carrying out the diagnostics, maintenance and repair of the variator on the "Nissan X-Trail" in Yekaterinburg is available in the same way as in other regions.

Principle of the variator box

The main components of the variator are pulleysand a belt. There is a driving pulley that responds to the depressing of the gas pedal, and a slave that communicates with the torque converter and through it transfers the force to the engine. Rotation from the master is transmitted to the driven pulley by means of a belt.

The peculiarity of the variator box is thatthe transfer of force between the pulleys occurs only due to the frictional force between them and the belt. That is why any overload of such a gearbox can lead to the appearance of defects on individual elements or breakdown of the entire structure.

The tension of the variator belt is controlledbearing. If it is defective, there is a rumble, over time, the belt tension becomes smaller and it starts to slip systematically along the pulleys. The box raises the gear ratio with delay, or even stops reacting to the driver's attempt to increase the speed.

Step-motor regulates the gear ratio.It is located in the hydroblock and monitors the driving mode and the position of the gas pedal. It is he who tells the driving pulley how fast it needs to rotate. This happens with the help of a special foot of this stepper motor. It is fragile and prone to wear. If the box is "frozen" at the same speed, then the information from the step-motor to it no longer arrives. Most likely, the foot is broken.

Causes of the variator failure

It seems that the owner himself remains the main and only culprit of the repair of the variator for the "Nissan X-Trail" T31. After all, the variator is a fragile thing, it requires special care and treatment.

Here are the most common mistakes that drivers who do not read the user's manual:

1. Warming up the car with a systematic subassembly.Even in the neutral position of the selector, the variator reacts to the gas pedal. In the unheated box, the belt slips on the pulleys, leaving scuffs on them, and in the box, metal shavings from them. In this case, the price of repair of the variator on the "Nissan X-Trail" will be low. It is enough to replace the transmission fluid in time and clean the filters.
2. "Gas to the floor" from the start.Fans of aggressive driving and racing races can safely surrender to mechanics after 50 000-70 000 km of run. And it is good, if it does not reach the break of the belt in the variator. Such sharp starts are fraught with the stretching of the belt and its rupture. The failure of pulleys and bearings. Here, the cost of repairing the variator on the "Nissan X-Trail" will be much higher. Simple THAT does not get off.
3. Riding over bumps and bumps.Imminent slippage in the rough terrain leads to overheating of the variator box. And overheating of any node leads to its failure. In this case, only the diagnostics will show which part of the variator will eventually have to be changed.
4. Towing another vehicle.A gentle variator is not designed for two cars. Most likely, it will overheat, respectively, and the time to the next maintenance will be reduced. The only thing that the variator gearbox will master is the car trailer.
5. Towing the car with a variator. In the operating manual, it is recommended that you still fully load the tow truck.

Scheduled maintenance and repair of variator

Time passed TO and competent useVariable gearbox make its service life almost eternal. The manufacturer recommends the replacement of transmission fluid every 60 000 km, respectively, and filters, too.

Some drivers find it convenient to give the car to a car service, and some try to make a planned service on their own, saving a little.

If carrying out the maintenance work with one's own hands is a process in whichin general, simple, the diagnosis, repair and replacement of parts - a painstaking work. What are the signs of the fault in the variator box? Is it worth to undertake the repair of the variator on the "Nissan x-Trail" with their own hands?

Signs of breakdowns in the variator

Determining what's wrong with the transmission is quite simple. You just need to listen to it:

• Auto slips even when the accelerator pedal is pressed gently;
• the corresponding icon on the panel lights up, and the variator turns on the emergency mode (holds a certain gear ratio - does not allow the car to accelerate or even to move from the place)
• there are vibrations in the selector;
• the smoothness of acceleration and braking disappears, as if a belt or pulleys interfere with something, jerks or jerks appear;
• untimely change of the gear ratio (the variator does not seem to have time to maneuver the driver);
• the appearance of noise: hum, crunching, rustling.

Diagnostics

Carrying out of diagnostics on HUNDRED is an optimumoption. The specialist will determine the breakdown, will make an estimate. After all, the problem can be not only in mechanics, but also in the electrical: a wire break, a malfunction of the connector or, moreover, the control unit. With such faults, the best qualified electrician is best.

For example, in Saratov repair of a variator on "Nissan X-Trail" are engaged in more than 30 service centers. The car owner can choose the one that suits both the customers' reviews and the price category.

How to find the malfunction yourself

To carry out independent diagnostics it is possible only visually, having disassembled the unit. Before proceeding, it is necessary to prepare a set of screwdrivers and containers for parts.

1. Remove the lid and the pallet. On it there are special magnets that attract metal shavings. We clean the pallet and change the coarse filter.
2. We remove the pulleys and evaluate their condition.They should be perfectly smooth. Scuffs and scratches indicate the wrong operation of the variator (hence, the belt did not have time to turn the shafts, and slipped on them).
3. Remove the strap. If the pulleys are scratched, the belt will also be defective. It is best to replace it, too. Otherwise, it may break at the most unfortunate moment.
4. We remove bearings with a special puller and study them. They should not have backlash. If the variator is buzzing during its operation, it means the bearing has to be changed.
5. All rubber parts should be replaced immediately.

Actually, these are the main problems that can be solved.determine visually and independently eliminate. Many prefer a budget repair CVTs to Nissan X-Trail CVT box replacement or repair stations.

Change of oil

As well as diagnosis, the replacement transmissionthe liquid does not make much effort. To the joy of car owners, the CVT-7 variator has a factory dipstick to check the oil level, which makes it easier to replace it.

1. The work is carried out on a trestle or inspection pit.
2. We warm up the motor and the variator.
3. We remove the engine protection and the front left wheel (in the direction of travel).
4. Half remove the wheel arch liner.
5. On the left side of the variator there is a special hole for draining the used liquid. Under it we put the container and unscrew the stopper.
6. We are waiting about half an hour. The oil is drained.
7. We merge oil from the pallet.
8. The strainer must be removed and tried to wash (diesel for example). If it succeeded, then we will save on buying a new one.
9. The bottom of the crankcase is washed and cleaned of metal shavings.
10. Return the filter to its place.
11. In the pallet we insert a new gasket and put it back on the variator.
12. We lift the battery and the air filter. We throw out the old oil cooler filter. We install a new one.
13. Return the battery and air filter.
14. Fill with a fresh transmission fluid.
15. Checking the instruction manual, we check the oil level.

Checking the operation of the variator

After any disassembly of the variator box:whether it is oil change, diagnosis or repair, it is necessary to check the unit for operability. No one cancels the human factor and the error in the assembly.

You must set the selector to neutralposition and start the engine. Then pass the lever across all ranges. The switching must be smooth, without the use of additional force. If everything is in order, you can start a test run.

Care should be taken to move gently, only slightly pressing the accelerator pedal. If all faults are identified and eliminated, and the oil has been replaced correctly, then no noise and jerks should not be.