[tied fly]

So I bought my first Xterra! I love it. I live in the NC/TN mountains and purchased it down toward Charlotte NC. On the way home I ran it a little hard coming up the Mountain and when I got to the top it slipped in the shifting a few times. (Never has it bothered again). I took it to three different mechanics who checked the fluid and felt like it was nothing serious, but each felt like the fluid should be changed along with the filter. So I did that fluid was old but not SMOD. All works well!
Then I joined this forum and the first thing I learned about was SMOD and I am a bit obsessive so I went ahead and ordered a new CFS radiator and started tearing into it this morning and realized someone else already fixed it! There is an external transmission cooler and the lines run back to the transmission. The two lines that run out of the bottom of the radiator have been plugged off. So now I have freshly changed the transmission fluid and I checked the radiator fluid and it is clean. YAY! Right?

 

[zanethan]

Sounds clear to me. Since you have a new radiator you may want to return the trans cooler lines. Liquid to liquid cooling is far superior for heat management than air to liquid (trans cooler).

 

[tied fly]

Sounds clear to me. Since you have a new radiator you may want to return the trans cooler lines. Liquid to liquid cooling is far superior for heat management than air to liquid (trans cooler).

Good point! thanks

 

[Rayraytonto]

I agree put your aftermarket in and rerun your trans lines they bottom of radiator. Fluid to fluid is better. And I’ve seen trans over heat with the bypass and added cooler also the air to fluid just don’t cut it if you tow a lot of off-road

 

[mtnbound]

still doesn't really address why it "slipped a few times" at the top of the mountain. unless what you experienced was it going into limp mode after overheating.

 

[tied fly]

still doesn't really address why it "slipped a few times" at the top of the mountain. unless what you experienced was it going into limp mode after overheating.

That is what I have concluded. I over heated it. I am feeling like I should still put the new radiator in.

 

[SpacemanSpiff]

While you’re replacing the radiator you should also replace the two plastic input fittings in front of the firewall passenger side. If they haven’t been replaced already, they’re probably brittle and ready to go. When my one blew, I ordered the other one and it crumbled in my hand.

 

[tied fly]

Okay I appreciate the input, what do they go to. Or what are they called s I can order them?

 

[mikidymac]

For the one closest to the fender you don't need anything. Just remove the plastic fitting and short hose and connect the long hose directly to the heater core.
For the actual "Tee" that goes bad Dorman makes an all aluminum replacement and is cheapest on Rock Auto. Don't do the brass tee method as the tee is difficult to find and when you buy everything it is the same pride as the complete Dorman one.

 

[CAchief]

For the one closest to the fender you don't need anything. Just remove the plastic fitting and short hose and connect the long hose directly to the heater core.
For the actual "Tee" that goes bad Dorman makes an all aluminum replacement and is cheapest on Rock Auto. Don't do the brass tee method as the tee is difficult to find and when you buy everything it is the same pride as the complete Dorman one.

I need to do this sooner than later, I'm on borrowed time with that Tee. I looked for that aluminum dorman part but couldn't find it... Could you link it if possible?

 

[mikidymac]

I need to do this sooner than later, I'm on borrowed time with that Tee. I looked for that aluminum dorman part but couldn't find it... Could you link it if possible?

Here you go. DORMAN 626598 Heater Hose / Pipe | RockAuto

 

[whatnext]

Here you go. DORMAN 626598 Heater Hose / Pipe | RockAuto

Unless you like to be creative ( and masochistic, lol)