Transfer Case Fluid

[Vesker]

Hi all,

I've been referred by a few members here and hope some of you can share your experiences and help me out. Currently doing the service on a R32 GTS4. I'd like to service the transfer case but I'm having a hard time finding a fair price on some fluids (transfer case). I've done my research (yes I've used the search function) and the majority of people either say

Nissan OEM

Redline equivalent

Problem is the Nissan is extremely price (I don't have a trade account so they ask me to pay RRP, full RRP) and Redline is also quite pricey. Given my car has no power mods is there any equivalent anyone has used, even if for a short term solution. I have some transmax Z leftover (it's from another project).

Also just to confirm as this car is my first AWD, transfer case fill point is red and drain point is blue, right (can't be transmission as that's to the left)??

Edited April 9, 2014 by Vesker

[Vesker]

Can anyone else confirm whether any special tricks are required or is it a simple top up and fill. I've searched around and get conflicting information, (bleeding the system at the rear of the car).

[KiwiRS4T]

If you are poor you can use the cheapest ATF you can find - I like synthetic or semi synthetic - no point in paying silly prices for Nissan branded stuff. Transmax Z would be fine.

I take it you have found the reservoir in the boot? Don't know where it is in a Skyline - I have a Stagea and its on the RHS just in front of the tail light cluster behind a flap.

There is a complicated bleed procedure involving a switch inside the drivers kick panel but what most people do is just leave the motor running and crack open the bleed nipple at the back of the transfer case. If you look really hard you will find another above the rear diff but a lot of people probably don't even know its there but if you're keen crack that open and shut a few times as well.

If its more convenient you can fill up by pulling out the gear lever (so they say - never done it myself but apparently a fewpeople have come unstuck thinking that's how you top up the gearbox!)

If you do a Google search on "Nissan Attesa" system you will get lots of info and some pics

[XKLABA]

Drop the blue bung and then red bung, let the oil out, reinstall blue bung then fill red hole till the oil starts coming out then reinstall red bung - done

The transfer case and ATTESA are two completely different things

Transmax Z or equivalent is fine for transfer case, as for the ATTESA system I use the genuine Nissan special bleed

[MrStabby]

For full synthetic fluids (the Nissan certifications are in brackets);

Nulon Synth ATF (C D J K) 66.50/4L = $16.60perL
Valvo Synth ATF (D J K) 49.95/5L = $10.00perL
Transmax Z ATF (D only) 76.50/4L = $19.10perL

I use the Valvoline since its priced much better.

[Vesker]

Thanks all. Just to update. I ended up using Transmax Z and am currently having no issue, negative or positive. I'm going to do a review down the line as well (long term update).

Cheers for all the suggestions.