I plan to perform this over the coming weekend assuming weather is nice. Correct me if I"m wrong, but doing the 3x drain/refill method I plan to purchase 4x 1 gallon jugs of Valvoline MaxLife (https://www.walmart.com/ip/Valvoline...?selected=true).

What pump should I use to make the job easiest? I already own this that was great for filling the differentials and transfer case:
However, wondering if it would be best to purchase this pump? https://www.harborfreight.com/multi-...ump-63144.html

Finally, what exact bearings and tubing size should I purchase? I tried following along this huge thread but seeing different bearing and tubing sizes used but I think that is based on the various pumps people are using?

Thanks!

 

I would use Matic S ATF fluid strait from Infiniti if I were you. It’s just made Specifically for our transmissions and thats what the owners manual says to use. I wouldn’t want to risk damaging anything by using the incorrect fluid. That’s just my opinion though. I’m gonna be doing a transmission “flush” on my g37 soon and I’m not doing the traditional 3x drain and refill. If you read the previous like 10 or so comments on this thread between me and the other user this’ll make more sense but there’s hoses that go from the tranny to the radiator and then back to the tranny. These are used for cooling the ATF fluid but you can disconnect the hoses and put the one that pushes the ATF fluid to the radiator into a bucket and stick the one the flows ATF fluid into the tranny in a new bottle of ATF fluid and just run the car. Watch the bucket until you see a flow of fresh fluid coming out and this will drain all the old fluid out of the tranny and get all new fluid in pretty much in one go. This eliminates the need to start stop and run the car. To get a pump and hoses and a refill adapter and to repeat the process three times. It’s way easier all you need is the new fluid and a bucket. And you can pretty much get it all done in one go. No need to drain and refill then drain and refill. It also gets cleaner fluid in and ensures all the old fluid is out. Once you see fresh fluid coming from the tube into the bucket you know all new fluid is in. And because it’s all in one go it prevents the new fluid from mixing with the old fluid that’s left in there when you do the traditional drain the pan and refill. These are just my thoughts but I will never do a 3x drain and refill. This process is way easier and more efficient. Now of course I’ll be draining the pan so I can drop it and clean it really good but that’s because my fluid hasn’t been changed in a really long time. It’s probably good to always clean the pan but if you swap the ATF fluid regularly it’s not always necessary. And as far as oil and power steering and coolant and stuff fluid brands don’t matter too much but with the transmission that’s one thing you don’t wanna cheap out on always use Infiniti recommended Matic S.

 

Thanks for your response. I understand your concern for using Matic-S only and I was on the same boat however numerous people in this thread used the Valvoline, which specifically states it is compatible with Matc-S, plus it is fully synthetic while Matic-S is not. The main proof is that people have used the Valvoline over 5 years ago when this thread was first created and they are still having no issues and all stated that car shifted better afterwards, even at 50-60k intervals. On top of that, Infiniti dealerships do not even use Matc-S themselves as they use BG transmission fluid. If Infiniti dealer themselves are using BG and charging $250+ for transmission flush then I'm confident with the Valvoline.

Do you happen to have pictures of where the line is when it goes to the intercooler? Also, what barb sizes and pipe sizes would I need? This does sound much easier to do, although I am tempted to drop the pan just to move the metalic bits at the bottom and to clean it up the inital time then do the return line method going forward.

 

I do not have pictures. Sorry about that. I’m honestly pretty new to this stuff but I heard about that method a few times other places and it was confirmed on this thread so I’m definitely doing that method as well as dropping the pan to clean it. Thanks for your input man, you may have actually changed my mind about using Matic S. Synthetic fluids hold up way better under high temps and last much longer it’s crazy that Matic S isn’t fully synthetic.

 

This is the fill adapter -
This is the fill tank with cut-off valve -
There's a DIY thread on how to make the fill tank for a fraction of the price from Assenmacher if you want to save money.

 

What is the full tank used for?

 

The Fill Tank is a device that you can use to put fluid into the transmission.

You fill the Fill Tank with the transmission fluid, connect it to the Fill Port of the transmission with the Shut-Off Valve closed, pump up the pressure in the Fill Tank, open the Shut-Off Valve, the pressure will then force the fluid out of the Fill Tank and into the transmission. Once the pressure has dropped and there isn't any fluid being forced into the transmission, close the Shut-Off Valve, open the Fill Tank, add more transmission fluid and repeat until you have filled the transmission to the required amount.

 

I plan to finally do this over the coming weekend since I'm at 61k miles.

I feel I always have bad luck with rust as my car originally was a NYC car. How many extra bolts do you think I should order for removing the pan?

Also, looking here for the part number of the bolt for the pan: https://www.infinitipartsdeal.com/pa..._case,,31390AA

Can someone please confirm if the proper bolt part number is: 31377-41X60?

Thanks!

 

I thought the same thing when I dropped my pan at 40k after going through 5 Midwest winters. To my surprise all bolts came out easy with no issue at all. Most aren't exposed so don't have a chance to rust. If you wanna be extra cautious, spray some penetrating lubricant around the pan bolts the night before. Just be easy on them and they should come out without a problem.

 

Hey Guys what fluid should I use? I’ve always heard only Matic S so I was originally gonna use that but it’s kind of expensive and regardless of price I don’t think it’s the best performance. I’ve heard valvoline is good, and amsoil as well as a few other brands that claim to be Matic S replacements. I also found that Motul has an ATF Matic S Replacement. Apparently its made shifting real smooth in some tranny’s and I’ve heard only good things about Motul. I’ve used their engine oil and I plan to use their gear oil for my rear diff so I’m leaning towards Motul for my tranny. Should I follow the owners manual and use Matic S only like Infiniti says or is Motul a solid option? Infiniti claims “Damage” to your tranny if you don’t use Matic S so I don’t make wanna make the wrong decision. What do you guys think?

 

I used the oem matic-s on my first 3x drain/fill @ 60k miles. It was expensive for sure.
I think any synthetic oil that satisfies the matic-s rating can be used. I'd say Valvoline is the best price and I'll be using that for my next flush.

 

Curious if anyone has removed the transmission filter as part of this, either to clean or replace it. Am considering doing that while I am in there but cannot find torque values for the bolts. Searched through the 2011 FSM but they do not appear to be given.

 

If they're not specifically given, then follow the standard torque specs for the bolt size. See GI-20 of the FSM. Probably the ”with lubricant" table b/c you probably will get transmission fluid on the bolts

 

So I'm about to do this, but the problem is it feels like my trans might be down on fluid. Not sure what's going to happen yet, but I'm wondering if theres an easy way to tell the level and if it's proper. I intend on installing a dipstick like the other DIY, but if that doesn't happen in time, what are my options?

 

There is no need for a dipstick because the fill hole on tranny fluid pan has a welded tube on it and the length of the tube corresponds with the required level of tranny fluid. Get yourself CTA Tools 7425 ATF Filler Adapter available on Amazon for 20 bucks screw on the filler hole on tranny pan connect your fluid pump and pump ATF until is going to spill from the filler adapter, remove the adapter, level your car and let ATF drain until its stop,screw drain plug on the filler hole and you done with. That how dealers change ATF on our G.