CVT transmission leaks CVT fluid into the engine oil and whines?

ALEX STATHAS

MEMBER
2014 NISSAN VERSA
1.6L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
88,000 MILES

Hi, last month I checked the engine oil level and I saw that it was over full even though I never added any oil and in March when I did the oil change at Walmart it was exactly full and I also noticed that the engine oil had a red color at the bottom of the oil level dipstick, is the CVT transmission leaking CVT fluid into the engine oil and if it does will the CVT fluid dilute the engine oil and decrease its lubricating value and damage the engine? I can't check the CVT fluid because it's a sealed system and it doesn't have a transmission fluid dipstick like the older model cars used to have, the CVT transmission also makes a whining noise while operating and has delayed acceleration, how long will it last before it fails completely and no longer drives the car? Thanks in advance for your information, Alex Stathas

Thursday, May 11th, 2023 AT 9:53 AM

1 Reply

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
15,233 POSTS

CVT whine is a bad thing, it means the transmission is already on its way out due to low fluid pressures internally. You can drain and add fluid to that transmission as well as check the level, it's just not as easy as other cars. That is because you need to do it from underneath but with the vehicle level, so you need a flat surface and a way to get the car high enough and level. Then you need the fluid adding and check tool KV311039S0 and a lube pump to push fluid into the transmission.
Now if you can get it level and have the tool handy you run the engine to warm up the transmission, then set the parking brake and hold the brake pedal while you shift from park to low and keep it in low for at least 10 seconds. Shift back into park. Now you need to go underneath and remove the drain plug from the pan and install the tool into the port.
Connect the hose to the tool and pump in approximately 1/2 quart, remove the hose, if fluid drains out the fluid is at the correct level. From your description it may not be.

However, I cannot think of a way that the CVT fluid would get into the crankcase from that transmission as it would need to get out of the transmission front seal then build up in the bellhousing until it had enough pressure to push past the rear main seal on the engine. All that while not leaking out the weep hole at the bottom of the bellhousing or leaking into the starter and shorting it out. Plus, the Nissan CVT Fluid NS-3 that is used in that transmission isn't red, it is blue. So, I would check the CVT fluid and while there do an engine oil change and see if the oil smells like fuel or some other contaminant.

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