Nissan Qashqai CVT: Review and operating tips

Author: Ivan Baranov

When purchasing a vehicle, a motorist is often faced with the choice of transmission. In addition to traditional automatic and manual transmissions, today CVT transmissions are increasingly being installed on cars. You can learn about what a Nissan Qashqai variator is, what its service life is and what kind of breakdowns this unit suffers from from the material presented.

It should immediately be noted that in the Russian and Ukrainian car markets, cars equipped with a CVT system (variable transmission) appeared relatively recently. Accordingly, there are not many specialists in repairing such units at domestic service stations.

Nissan Qashqai 2014 [Hide]

Review

The car was first presented at the Geneva Motor Show in 2004. In 2007, Europe was literally flooded with Qashqai models of the first version. This five-door SUV came with a gasoline engine in two versions: 1.6 and 2.0 liters with 114 and 141 hp. With. respectively. The first generation had either a manual or CVT transmission. The variator on the Nissan Qashqai J10, as well as on other versions of the Qashqai, was installed by Jatco; the first generation was equipped with two different models: JF011e (RE0F10A) and JF015e (RE0F11A). Both boxes were installed with gasoline engines, the first with a volume of 2.0 liters, the second with a volume of 1.6 liters. In this form, the Nissan Qashqai was produced until 2013, taking into account restyling in 2010. Among the first generation, there was also one Nissan Qashqai automatic, on which a Jatco JF613E gearbox and a 2-liter diesel engine were installed.

For the Nissan Qashqai J10, restyling affected not only the appearance of the car, although in this regard the changes were quite significant, especially in the front part. It was after restyling that the engine line was supplemented with a 1.6-liter engine with 117 hp. With. and CVT gearbox JF015e (RE0F11A).

The extended version of the crossover – Nissan Qashqai +2 – was also equipped with a JF011e (RE0F10A) variator, but of a different modification. This is important to consider when buying used spare parts for a Nissan or not knowing exactly what kind of variator it is. Even if the transmissions of Nissan Qashqai and Nissan Qashqai+2 have the same name, their valve bodies are completely different, so these parts are not interchangeable.

The second generation Nissan Qashqai J11 has been produced since 2013; the Nissan Qashqai J11 was restyled in 2016-2017. In the second generation, in addition to engines with a volume of 1.6 and 2 liters, a 1.2 turbo engine appears, thanks to which the model becomes one of the most economical crossovers. You can buy the new second-generation Nissan Qashqai with the same Jatco CVT, but different models are suitable for different engines:

• 2 liters, gasoline (HRA2DDT and H5FT) – Jatco JF015e;
• 2.0 liter petrol (MR20DD) – Jatco JF016e;
• 1.6 liter diesel (R9M) – Jatco JF017e.

Each transmission model involves one or more modifications. A two-liter gasoline engine in a car with front-wheel drive is equipped with a modification of the 31020-3VX2A gearbox, and for an all-wheel drive crossover with the same engine, a variator 31020-3VX2C is provided. The first specified version of the 1.2 turbo engine is equipped with a 31020-X426A transmission, and the second is equipped with a 31020-X426B. At the same time, we should not forget that modifications of the models are not interchangeable, and if repairing the variator is impossible or impractical, you need to choose a new one very carefully.

The easiest option in this regard for owners of a Nissan Qashqai is a second-generation automatic with a 1.6-liter diesel power unit. There is only one variator for this model, modification 31020-3WX1B.

Among the Nissan Qashqai J10 models presented on the Russian used car market, the Nissan Qashqai with a two-liter engine is the most popular. And it’s not even a matter of larger volume - after all, such a volume is more suitable for those who like to press the gas and stomp along the highway, and Nissan is often bought for driving around the city with its traffic jams and traffic lights. But the service life, as well as the reliability, of the JF011e variator is greater than that of the JF015e, which has been installed on a 1.6-liter car since 2011. The second variator turned out to be too small for a rather heavy crossover, so its durability is one and a half to two times less.

Consequences of ignoring problems

If you do not pay attention to the symptoms indicating the need for repair of the Nissan Qashqai CVT, serious problems may arise:

• The crossover loses power and acceleration dynamics.
• Gears stop shifting.
• Knocks begin to be heard in the gearbox.
• When slowing down and stopping at a traffic light, the car stalls.
• As the driving speed increases, extraneous noise from the continuously variable transmission increases.

Considering the high cost of spare parts, it is beneficial not to cause problems, but to carry out repairs immediately. Delaying repairs will lead to complete failure of the variator.

Service intervals for CVT Nissan Qashqai

According to the regulations, the transmission oil in the first generation Nissan Qashqai CVT must be changed after every 60,000 km. But, given our realities and roads, it is better to reduce the mileage between replacements to 30-40 thousand.

If the JF011e variator can be filled with NS-2 specification oil, the JF015e model only accepts NS-3 oil. CVTs JF016e and JF017e require only clean gear oil, they are very sensitive to this. According to the user manual, replacement is carried out every 90,000 km, but do not forget that the regulations did not take into account the quality of our roads, so the oil needs to be changed more often - once every 50-60 thousand kilometers.

In the JF016e and JF017e variators, instead of the step motors that were once in use, gear shifting is carried out by salesnoids-regulators, which are too easily clogged with chips and dirt. Poor quality oil, as well as changing it too infrequently on these CVT models, can lead to the need to change the entire valve body, the cost of which is almost the same as the cost of the CVT. So if the reverse speed suddenly disappears on a CVT Nissan, then it’s definitely time to change the oil.

When changing the lubricant, do not be lazy about removing the pan - without this, it will not be possible to thoroughly clean the transmission of used oil. It is also important to clean the magnets from metal shavings so that they do not interfere with the normal operation of the variator in the future.

You will need 2 canisters of 4 liters of new oil - the box includes 7.5 liters of lubricant. Please ensure that the oil meets the quality requirements specified by the manufacturer.

It is possible to change the transmission oil yourself, especially if you have the necessary tools and gaskets. But if you don’t have confidence in your abilities or desire to do this business, it’s better to contact the service. They will do everything right, quickly and inexpensively. At the same time, it would be useful to diagnose the variator, because the main problems can only be seen with its help.

CVT Nissan

Why do you need to have your variator repaired at a specialized auto repair shop?

Repairing a variator will cost the owner of a Nissan Qashqai much less than replacing the unit. But if the continuously variable transmission is maintainable, there is no need to skimp on parts and labor, or carry out repairs yourself without preparation.

First of all, car service specialists will carry out diagnostics and identify the cause of the variator failure (and there may be many of them). This will require high-precision equipment and professional skills. And it’s difficult to dismantle the box itself in a private garage - special lifts are needed.

Before the repair begins, the car service technicians will select new original or contract spare parts for each type of variator, since it is difficult for car owners themselves to do this. Installing non-original or low-quality parts will lead to more serious problems and require replacement of the CVT.

The service center provides a guarantee for all work - this is another advantage of service in auto repair shops. After professional repairs, Nissan Qashqai owners will be able to drive without breakdowns for as long as the manufacturer of the continuously variable transmission recommended.

Our car service offers to repair or replace the Nissan Qashqai variator in Moscow. The company's craftsmen regularly undergo training on the lines of the Japanese automaker and guarantee the quality of the work performed. The price is presented on the service station website.

What determines the cost of work?

The price of repairs at a car service depends on many factors:

• type of breakdown;
• types of continuously variable transmission;
• cost of spare parts and consumables;
• the need for accompanying maintenance activities;
• urgency of implementation.

CVT repair involves the following types of work:

• diagnostics;
• dismantling the gearbox;
• replacing transmission oil and filters (cabin, coarse and fine);
• replacement of bearings, belt or chain, oil seals, radiator;
• restoration of valve body functions;
• CVT calibration.

Specialists from the CVT Repair Center No. 1 will help you more accurately determine the cost of repairs by calling: Moscow - 8, St. Petersburg - 8. We accept calls from any region. Consultation with a specialist is free.

We invite you to watch a short video about CVT calibration.

Main problems and breakdowns of the variator

Despite the distrust of such a gearbox and the eternal questions on forums about whether the CVT is reliable, there are not many problems with the transmission on the Nissan Qashqai. And they mainly relate to overheating or untimely oil changes.

To avoid them, first of all, you need to call for a service on time or change the lubricant yourself and clean the transmission from carbon deposits and chips.

Overheating is also easy to avoid if you know what to look for. The operating temperature of the variator is 75-85 degrees, it can withstand 120, but only under short-term loads. But it’s not worth taking risks with the temperature. The transmission is cooled using a radiator, which is located in front of the main radiator that cools the car's engine. Due to its location, the first radiator becomes dirty quite quickly, after which problems with the radiator overheating begin. If you pay attention to the cleanliness of the radiator and remove contamination in a timely manner, you don’t have to worry about too high a temperature.

The main types of variator malfunction in Nissan Qashqai:

1. Oil pump valve stuck. While driving, this results in the car jerking when the gas pedal is pressed smoothly.
2. Poor quality or defective bearing. At the same time, the device emits an unpleasant and noticeable hum. But the same symptom also occurs when driving during testing (if the oil has not been changed for too long), and when the variator overheats. The problem is that you can find out exactly what the reason for the extra sound is only at a service center. Therefore, if changing the transmission oil does not help, you need to urgently contact a specialist workshop.

The question often arises of how to check the variator for breakdowns if nothing hums or jerks in the car. The fact is that damaged parts are visible only when the variator is defective, so the best solution would be periodic diagnostics at a service station. And if with old first-generation models you can still try to go to very handy and knowledgeable garage workers, then with later versions it is better not to risk it: here you will need not only knowledge of how to remove the dipstick, but also special technical and software and the ability to use it correctly all this wealth. So it’s best to leave the maintenance of more recent and delicate modifications to the professionals.

Special attention should be paid to the used CVTs JF016e and JF017e. The calibration value module was not installed in these models. The disk from which the calibration values ​​were loaded at the factory was not given to the owner of the car upon purchase. So is it worth buying a used contract CVT JF016e or JF017e and risk not finding a service capable of calibrating it? It makes sense to make a purchase only for spare parts - if removed from a damaged car without calibration data, it simply will not work.

General information about the variator

The differences between a variator and other types of gearboxes are fundamental. The defining feature is the ability to adapt to the current conditions in which the moving vehicle is located. The box also constantly determines the desired gear ratio. The gear range is limited by the design features of the transmission, but within it the number of variations is almost endless. It is this feature that helps save fuel and optimize energy costs.

There are V-belt and toroidal variators. The first ones are installed on most cars. .

How does a V-belt continuously variable transmission work?

Structurally, the CVT V-belt box is represented by two pulleys - driving and driven. The master is connected to the car engine, the slave is connected to the wheel drives. The shafts are connected using a belt or chain.

Scheme of operation of a V-belt variator

The peculiarity of the pulleys is that they look like two halves of a conical shape, their vertices directed towards each other. The divergence and convergence of the cones changes the diameter of the single structure.

The operation of the CVT is as follows. When the car starts moving, the motor experiences a load. To reduce it, the cones of the drive shaft diverge and the diameter decreases. The opposite changes occur on the driven pulley - the cones converge, the diameter increases. As a result, the number of revolutions of the internal combustion engine becomes optimal.

Scheme of operation of a V-belt variator

An increase in speed has the following effect: the diameter of the drive pulley increases, and the diameter of the driven pulley decreases. The traction force is reduced, the operation of the motor is smooth. The electronic control unit (ECU) is responsible for the convergence/divergence of the bevel pulleys. The simplicity of the design makes the CVT powertrain less expensive than other transmission options.

Basic recommendations for use

Recommendations for using a CVT on a Nissan Qashqai are not very different from the rules for using a conventional automatic transmission:

• despite the fact that the Nissan Qashqai is an SUV, you should not test the strength of the transmission by driving in mud or deep wet snow - this leads to overheating of the transmission and rapid breakdown;
• On a Nissan Qashqai with a CVT, you cannot tow another vehicle or trailer with a large weight - the transmission is simply not designed for such loads.

The reliability of the variator largely depends on the model. As a rule, the resource and belt of the variator are designed for 200,000 km (except for the JF015e, the resource of which can be exhausted after 100,000 km), so when buying a Nissan Qashqai with mileage, you should definitely pay attention to the latter. If the resource of the variator has already been exhausted by 70-80%, you can demand a good discount from the seller, otherwise this part will soon have to be replaced at your own expense. The warranty period ends after 100,000, so when buying a new car you don’t have to worry about this – the variator will definitely go that long.

When choosing a Nissan Qashqai model, you should not ignore the reviews of the owners - it is from them that you can learn about the weak points of the car that you will need to pay attention to during operation. And it’s better to call for service sooner rather than later – when you can get by with an inexpensive repair rather than buying a new part.

Types of CVT repair for Nissan Qashqai

If you undergo timely maintenance, change oils and filters, the continuously variable transmission will last a long time without repair. Otherwise, the gearbox will quickly become unusable and require replacement. After all, its repair may not lead to restoration of operational characteristics.

But after diagnosing the variator in a car service center, technicians may decide to replace the failed parts. You can call in advance by phone: Moscow - 8 (495) 161-49-01, St. Petersburg - 8 (812) 223-49-01, and get a free consultation. We accept calls from any region. Specialists will answer all questions regarding variator maintenance and repair.

Bearing replacement

Statistically, Qashqai has the weakest CVT bearings among all Nissan models. If they start to hum, they need to be replaced (they cannot be repaired). To do this you need:

• unscrew the transfer case;
• remove the power wires from the sensors;
• disconnect the CVT from the engine;
• remove the cover;
• fasten the belt in several places;
• replace all 4 bearings;
• Reinstall the cones and belt.

It is better to choose original parts for replacement. Non-original bearings will quickly fail and you will have to re-dismantle the gearbox and carry out repairs.

We recommend watching a detailed video review about replacing bearings.

Radiator replacement

Most problems with the continuously variable automatic transmission on the Nissan Qashqai arise due to its overheating. Due to time and reagents on the roads, radiators on CVTs become clogged and corrode. The fittings in them rot, and transmission fluid begins to leak out.

At the first sign of a leak, it is better to replace the part:

• remove the radiator grill;
• remove the front bumper;
• dismantle the old one and attach the new radiator to the bumper reinforcement on special brackets;
• connect the tubes to the fittings of the new radiator using hoses and worm-drive clamps.

After assembly, set the fluid level in the variator.

Replacing the filter

Replacing the cabin filter on a Nissan Qashqai is not difficult, but it must be done correctly. For proper installation, you need to remove the pedal assembly and the thermal damper drive, and not just push the filter inside without removing it. Therefore, it is better to carry out repairs in an official car service center.

We invite you to watch a video review about changing filters and oil on a Nissan Qashqai.

Replacing oil seals

The seal of the internal constant velocity joint can be changed without removing the gearbox from the vehicle (only for front-wheel drive models). In the case of all-wheel drive, the gearbox will have to be removed before repair.

First of all, you need to drain the oil from the gearbox housing, and then:

• disconnect the lower ball joint from the steering knuckle;
• unscrew the hub nut;
• remove the inner CV joint;
• remove the old oil seal (using a screwdriver) and install the new one in the reverse order of removal.

Belt replacement

Nissan Qashqai CVTs have V-belt mechanisms. The service life of a pushing belt or chain for a CVT crossover is on average 150-160 thousand kilometers.

Signs of wear on a part can be determined visually - cracks and gaps appear on its surface, and the notches that create adhesion to the pulleys are worn out. The belt begins to slip and does not create the required transmission effect.

In order for the continuously variable transmission on the Nissan Qashqai to work for a long time and without problems in the future, it is better to contact a car service specialist with the problem of replacing the belt, rather than doing the repairs yourself.

They will diagnose the unit, select an original drive belt, install it correctly and give a guarantee (up to 100 thousand km).

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  Belt variator

• 
  CVT chain

How to understand that a CVT replacement is required in a Nissan Qashqai

The CVT supplier for the Nissan Qashqai is a subsidiary of Jatco. It indicates that all components produced by it operate without interruption for an average of 120 thousand km. But practice shows that CVTs are as convenient in operation as they are finicky.

The continuously variable transmission prefers quiet driving, and extreme driving aggravates the wear of the parts that transmit speed from the engine to the wheels.

If the driver begins to notice behavior unusual for the car (hum, noise, grinding noise from the gearbox area, stopping while driving, jerking during acceleration and driving, slipping), it is necessary to immediately undergo diagnostics at a service station.

After checking the operation of the CVT, the technicians will tell you whether the unit requires replacement or whether it is possible to carry out a partial repair.

Scheduled maintenance

Most malfunctions are associated with untimely maintenance of the Qashqai variator box. Timely oil changes, flushing the lubricant radiator and changing filters help to avoid breakdowns. It is also necessary to remove the tray and clean the magnets from chips. At service stations, such work is not always carried out in full, so it makes sense to do the work yourself. See the link above to the article on how to do it correctly.

According to the manufacturer's recommendations, a change is made every 2 years or after 60 thousand trips. In practice, in order to avoid problems, they change it after 30-40 thousand journeys. You only need to use special CVT fluids; oils from other gearboxes are unsuitable. Ignoring the recommendations will result in expensive repairs that are difficult to carry out on your own.

Signs of breakdown

If it seems that there are breakdowns in the gearbox, it has started to work strangely, then self-diagnosis of the automatic transmission is necessary. There are the most common signs of a variator malfunction:

1. There were a lot of slippages.
2. A signal has been detected on the instrument panel, which indicates an emergency mode of the automatic transmission.
3. Some drivers o. In this case, you also need to check the pillows.
4. Jerks began to appear when shifting down or up in any gear. The car began to jerk both hot and cold.
5. I began to feel some knocks in the transmission when the car was running. Kicks frequently or does not stop kicking at all.
6. Braking often occurs, the transmission is “stupid”, clicks and makes noise.

Be sure to ask how to check the box. Diagnostics should be regular, at least you need to change the oil and filter on time, and sometimes you need to flush the valve body. And don’t forget that you need to check the oil level in the box yourself regularly, since overhauling it is not a cheap operation.

We do not recommend using a contract variator, that is, a used one, since it is a “pig in a poke”: you may get a good one, or maybe “barely alive”.

conclusions

X-Tronic is quite comfortable to drive, provides sufficient dynamics and modest fuel consumption. With proper care and a calm driving style, the variator can serve up to 150,000 km.

CVT is a kind of gearbox, you need to get used to it. In addition, the transmission may not behave very confidently in icy conditions, and when climbing uphill, slipping, or dynamic driving, it overheats, which can lead to failure of the electronics. The CVT gearbox is demanding on oil quality, so it is quite expensive to maintain.

Soon we will prepare a material in which we will definitely consider the issue of overheating of this transmission, whether it is possible to smooth out this negative point and how to properly change the oil in this transmission so that you enjoy driving your car and spend less time on repairing this transmission.

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Service

You should not neglect scheduled maintenance of your Nissan Qashqai 2.0, as this will help avoid possible problems in the future.

Planned maintenance consists of the following operations:

1. Checking the external oil filter cartridge. If necessary, it is worth replacing, and this is done after 30–50 thousand km.
2. Checking the oil level and itself. If necessary, it must be replaced, and the need for this occurs after 60–100 thousand km.

There is also work in the form of unscheduled maintenance. It is very difficult to make them with your own hands; you need to have good knowledge in this matter. Therefore, you should only list the work that can be carried out on your car. Basically it's replacing something: