overheating x-trail

Karen,

Does it have an Auto Transmission cooler fitted??

I think the Transmission will be part of the problem if it doesn't, as X-Trails don't like to tow.

Cheers Kev

Yes it has a auto transmission cooler at the bottom of the radiator but no external cooler fitted. But the radiator is only 12mm wide i believe and there were so many X-trails towing vans and way bigger (some inapproriately sized) than ours. Karen.

Hi Karen,

Good to hear you had a great trip.

At 85 to 90 the car is not overheating, it is running hot but is not overheating.

I am not familiar with the auto trans cooler set up in X Trail, the following is 'generic' advice. It is likely that the auto cooler uses the radiator as its heat exchanger, therefore passing heat it generates into the engines cooling system.

This is a normal means of cooling auto transmissions. What you can do is add an oil to air style cooler, ie a mini radiator to the trans cooler system as an aid. This is common practice in many applications.

Depending on the transmission set-up in the car you can assist by ensuring that when towing and on anything approaching a hill or head wind then ensure the transmission is manually selected to a direct drive gear, ie 4th, not 'Drive' if it is a 5 speed auto.

As noted generic rather than specific advice and I hope is of help.

Rgds,

Rob.

Common problem with the xtrails when towing or on sand. I have witnessed myself an auto box self destruct on an xtrail on Stockton Beach, this was due to the driver not bothering to stop and let it cool down when the warning light for the transmission come on (his own fault) they are also known when you have it locked 50/50 when on the beach and over heat to refer back to 2wd, nissan no this is a problem with the xtrail. Best advice I could give is to fit an external transmission cooler (biggest that will fit but also not block radiator) I would ring a few auto transmission places and gets some quotes. It is common so they would know the best one to suit. But ring around as prices vary considerably. Other then that issue they are a great all rounder with plenty of power. I have seen plenty of xtrails towing quit big vans so the heating issue must be able to be rectified. Obviously you wernt in overdrive with it reving at 3g at 80k. As mentioned 85/90 is not overheating you will find most late model vehicles thermostats dont even open till 90, but you would know yourself if its running hotter then normal driving without towing. Also make sure that your electric fans are operating, let it sit there and idle and make sure they come on (keep an eye on the guage incase they dont) Some people are under the impression that electric fans or coupling fans dont activate when crusing along, they do, if its not getting enough cool air to cool down then the fans will activate wether sitting in traffic or cruising at 100k. Also make sure when you turn the aircon on that they come on. Not sure with nissan but I know for sure Toyota have a two stage speed on the electric fans, will just be turning fairly quitly but will boost up to maximum if needed. Regards Steve

Another thing comes to mind with my '06 X Trail. There is a sensor which, I think was recalled in some models.Mine kept indicating overheating. Costs a bit to be replaced but the radiator etc, were all fine. Check with Nissan.

Try here for your answerhttp://baustralianxtrail.runboard.com/
May help

We had an 05 Auto X Trail up till a few mths ago and towed a 1200kg Windsor van to Perth and back, from Melbourne.
The next year we upgraded the van and took our 1600kg Jayco to Brisbane/Millmerran and back home to Melb.
The only evidence of o/heating was in head winds across the Nullabor in 37c Temps.
Slowed down, had a few more rest breaks and all was good,
Never had a problem on the trip north.
There was no extra, non standard cooling for the radiator.

That was a great vehicle, just worked a bit hard on the bigger van so we moved into a Pajero for future trips.

Just to clarify, you say your eXy was weighed at 1.1ton (1100kgs)
As far as I know, X Trails weigh in at 1540kgs. (approx)

Karen,
The Xtrails changed over in 2007. Was yours the earlier T30 with the standard auto transmission, or was it the current T31 with a CVT??

I'd suggest you follow the link that Cuffs has given above to get reports from people who have actually owned Xtrails and towed with them - there are many useful threads on towing with Xtrails there.

A common theme I see is that if the non-genuine coolant gets used, then radiator blockage is more likely.

Cheers
phil