2 Nismos transmission failure after highway driving.

Baddriver · 09-22-2009, 08:22 AM

Ok, we were in a fun run along with 5 other mostly automatic 370s, 4 more GTRs, a wrx and an old lancer (non-evo), and a bunch of euro exotics going at an average of 140- mph. when it's time to pay at the toll gates...

Only the 2 nismos won't go forward. Exact same symptons. Heavy vibrations and loud clunking noise when we try to go forward (or back). No, smell of burnt clutch tho and last symptom, can't be pushed on neutral.

We had to wait 30-40 minutes or more before we can drive it forward again and had to wait a bit longer to let the car cool down.

Anyone else experienced this? Manual/Nismo owners? This is highway driving so shifting is minimal.... only heavy foot. yeah, I did linger on 5th gear a few times but most of the time, I was on 6th.

additional notes:
1. The other Nismo has an HKS oil cooler so engine temp isn't an issue.
2. yes, I did go on limp mode

hehe.... my car limited to 5k for a while but I already let the engine temp revert to 2230ish before we stopped.
3. My friend's Nismo, had the tranny fluid change, then drove the car at 140+ mph again and the same thing happened. mine is still sitting in my garage.
4. cars seem to be fine when driven slowly for now.
5. My evo 9 with intake/exhaust/tune mods never gave me a single problem!!!!!

hehe... any info on other mt users would help!

semtex · 09-22-2009, 08:34 AM

I recall someone else had this happen to them a few months ago, and if I recall correctly, it turned out to be a coolant leak, and the ECU prevented forward motion as a protective mechanism. Have you checked the coolant levels?

Baddriver · 09-22-2009, 08:39 AM

Hey semtex!

coolant leak on 2 brand new nismos seem unlikely. Also, the other one had a oil cooler and he says his temps are ok. (mine went limp mode).

a technician said that a suspect could be the rear diff.
but how could it be when we were going on straight lines?

will have it checked tomorrow.

semtex · 09-22-2009, 08:51 AM

Yes, I agree that it is unlikely. But it's still worth checking just to be sure. However, I just re-read your post and caught the part about loud clunking noises and vibration. A coolant leak isn't going to cause that, so I would agree the technician suspecting the diff. I almost wonder if there is/was an overheating issue with the diff. At those prolonged speeds, the diff might get hot. Perhaps a diff cooler is in order.

Baddriver · 09-22-2009, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by semtex

Yes, I agree that it is unlikely. But it's still worth checking just to be sure. However, I just re-read your post and caught the part about loud clunking noises and vibration. A coolant leak isn't going to cause that, so I would agree the technician suspecting the diff. I almost wonder if there is/was an overheating issue with the diff. At those prolonged speeds, the diff might get hot. Perhaps a diff cooler is in order.

this is ridiculous. now I need an oil cooler, a diff. cooler and maybe even a tranny cooler.

man, my evo underwent worse conditions, longer and harder drives, long track times (I let other people track my evo one time), and yet it's never given me problems even after 3 years.

anyways, I'll update you guys what happens tomorrow.

CrownR426 · 09-22-2009, 10:48 AM

Wow, this is bad news...
Please keep us posted!

CCCLXXZ · 09-22-2009, 10:54 AM

This is the only other documented occurrence other than the Edmund's Test vehicle that had a trans lock up in gear. But it wasn't temperature dependent...

I would be very surprised if it is your diff! Then again I don't have a logical guess to contribute either.

Keep us posted.

Nick J.

Lug · 09-22-2009, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCCLXXZ

This is the only other documented occurrence other than the Edmund's Test vehicle that had a trans lock up in gear. But it wasn't temperature dependent...

I would be very surprised if it is your diff! Then again I don't have a logical guess to contribute either.

Keep us posted.

Nick J.

The differential failed on the first NISMO tested in the States....right before some reporter wrecked it.

Nismo 370Z Differential Failure | Straightline Blog on Edmunds' Inside Line

kdo2milger · 09-22-2009, 12:11 PM

in for updates

kdo2milger · 09-22-2009, 12:13 PM

sounds like the diff issue is specific to nismos...is this correct?

vipor · 09-22-2009, 12:16 PM

Mine has been fine thus far, although I haven't done any driving of that caliber. From about 500-1000 miles the gearbox seemed to get very stiff once the car warmed up, during normal highway driving. I'm at about 1420 now and it feels like it should. I made a post on here about it and someone stated that it would loosen up after some miles and so far they were right. I'll hit the subscribe button on this so I can keep track, keep us posted!

Zeto · 09-22-2009, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdo2milger

in for updates

kdo2milger · 09-22-2009, 01:06 PM

Zeto!

wheres my diy post brotha!

fuct · 09-22-2009, 01:10 PM

very interesting....

Zeto · 09-22-2009, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdo2milger

Zeto!

wheres my diy post brotha!

Still waiting on my guy bro! He said he's swapped with WRX hood cuts now

09-22-2009, 08:22 AM	#1 (permalink)
Baddriver Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Manila, Philippines Posts: 89 Drives: Evo ix, Nismo 370z Rep Power: 263	2 Nismos transmission failure after highway driving. Ok, we were in a fun run along with 5 other mostly automatic 370s, 4 more GTRs, a wrx and an old lancer (non-evo), and a bunch of euro exotics going at an average of 140- mph. when it's time to pay at the toll gates... Only the 2 nismos won't go forward. Exact same symptons. Heavy vibrations and loud clunking noise when we try to go forward (or back). No, smell of burnt clutch tho and last symptom, can't be pushed on neutral. We had to wait 30-40 minutes or more before we can drive it forward again and had to wait a bit longer to let the car cool down. Anyone else experienced this? Manual/Nismo owners? This is highway driving so shifting is minimal.... only heavy foot. yeah, I did linger on 5th gear a few times but most of the time, I was on 6th. additional notes: 1. The other Nismo has an HKS oil cooler so engine temp isn't an issue. 2. yes, I did go on limp mode hehe.... my car limited to 5k for a while but I already let the engine temp revert to 2230ish before we stopped. 3. My friend's Nismo, had the tranny fluid change, then drove the car at 140+ mph again and the same thing happened. mine is still sitting in my garage. 4. cars seem to be fine when driven slowly for now. 5. My evo 9 with intake/exhaust/tune mods never gave me a single problem!!!!! hehe... any info on other mt users would help! Last edited by Baddriver; 09-22-2009 at 08:40 AM.

09-22-2009, 08:34 AM	#2 (permalink)
semtex A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Behind enemy lines Age: 53 Posts: 5,995 Drives: People to drink Rep Power: 32	I recall someone else had this happen to them a few months ago, and if I recall correctly, it turned out to be a coolant leak, and the ECU prevented forward motion as a protective mechanism. Have you checked the coolant levels? __________________ "There are no small accidents on this circuit." -- Ayrton Senna 316.8whp & 248 ft/lbs (Dyno Dynamics) \| 319whp & 256 ft/lbs (DynoJet) (04/23/10) Stillen G3 CAI, CBE, Pulley / F.I. LTH / GTSpec Ladder Brace / Setrab Oil Cooler / UpRev-tuned by Forged Perf.

09-22-2009, 08:51 AM	#4 (permalink)
semtex A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Behind enemy lines Age: 53 Posts: 5,995 Drives: People to drink Rep Power: 32	Yes, I agree that it is unlikely. But it's still worth checking just to be sure. However, I just re-read your post and caught the part about loud clunking noises and vibration. A coolant leak isn't going to cause that, so I would agree the technician suspecting the diff. I almost wonder if there is/was an overheating issue with the diff. At those prolonged speeds, the diff might get hot. Perhaps a diff cooler is in order. __________________ "There are no small accidents on this circuit." -- Ayrton Senna 316.8whp & 248 ft/lbs (Dyno Dynamics) \| 319whp & 256 ft/lbs (DynoJet) (04/23/10) Stillen G3 CAI, CBE, Pulley / F.I. LTH / GTSpec Ladder Brace / Setrab Oil Cooler / UpRev-tuned by Forged Perf.

09-22-2009, 10:48 AM	#6 (permalink)
CrownR426 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: South Korea Posts: 4,676 Drives: Manual Rep Power: 847	Wow, this is bad news... Please keep us posted! __________________ Love + Hardwork + Passion RIP SVTRacer

09-22-2009, 10:54 AM	#7 (permalink)
CCCLXXZ Base Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chicago Suburbs Posts: 164 Drives: T/S/MB/6 370z Rep Power: 400	This is the only other documented occurrence other than the Edmund's Test vehicle that had a trans lock up in gear. But it wasn't temperature dependent... I would be very surprised if it is your diff! Then again I don't have a logical guess to contribute either. Keep us posted. Nick J. __________________ Mods - Maxim Works Exhaust Manifold, FI HFC, Mines Y-Pipe, Saclam Silencer

09-22-2009, 08:39 AM	#3 (permalink)
Baddriver Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Manila, Philippines Posts: 89 Drives: Evo ix, Nismo 370z Rep Power: 263	Hey semtex! coolant leak on 2 brand new nismos seem unlikely. Also, the other one had a oil cooler and he says his temps are ok. (mine went limp mode). a technician said that a suspect could be the rear diff. but how could it be when we were going on straight lines? will have it checked tomorrow.

09-22-2009, 12:11 PM	#9 (permalink)
kdo2milger OG Priesthood Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Fargo, ND Posts: 17,859 Drives: NISMO T Rep Power: 59	in for updates __________________ Project *NISMO*

09-22-2009, 12:13 PM	#10 (permalink)
kdo2milger OG Priesthood Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Fargo, ND Posts: 17,859 Drives: NISMO T Rep Power: 59	sounds like the diff issue is specific to nismos...is this correct? __________________ Project *NISMO*

09-22-2009, 12:16 PM	#11 (permalink)
vipor A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Euless, TX [ DFW ] Age: 41 Posts: 13,531 Drives: Nismo 09-0183 QAB Rep Power: 48	Mine has been fine thus far, although I haven't done any driving of that caliber. From about 500-1000 miles the gearbox seemed to get very stiff once the car warmed up, during normal highway driving. I'm at about 1420 now and it feels like it should. I made a post on here about it and someone stated that it would loosen up after some miles and so far they were right. I'll hit the subscribe button on this so I can keep track, keep us posted! __________________ 2009 NISMO # 0193 \| QAB \| Albums! \| 05.04.10 (Dynojet) 291.94hp/248.28tq Oil Cooler (DIY) \| Custom Headlights \| GTSPEC Braces \| F.I. Long Tube Headers

09-22-2009, 01:06 PM	#13 (permalink)
kdo2milger OG Priesthood Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Fargo, ND Posts: 17,859 Drives: NISMO T Rep Power: 59	Zeto! wheres my diy post brotha! __________________ Project *NISMO*

09-22-2009, 01:10 PM	#14 (permalink)
fuct A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sugar Land Posts: 3,692 Drives: 97' Ranger :) Rep Power: 23	very interesting....

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