Removing the variator Nissan Qashqai - a task that requires not only a set of tools, but also an understanding of design features Jatco continuously variable transmission. Series variators RE0F10A (for 1.6 l engines) and RE0F11A (2.0 L) were installed on models J10 (2007–2013) and J11 (2014–2021), and their dismantling has key differences from classic automatic transmissions. For example, the absence of a torque converter and a specific mounting scheme to the engine.

In this article we will analyze the process of removing the variator, taking into account critical points that 90% of car owners miss: from proper fixation of the crankshaft to the nuances of draining oil from the CVT cooling radiator. The instructions are suitable for self-repair or preparation for replacing the transmission, but it requires strict adherence to the sequence - mistakes here cost thousands of rubles in restoration costs.

Preparing to remove the variator: tools and conditions

Before you begin dismantling, make sure you have:

  • 🔧 Specialized wrench for variator pulley bolt (For example, Nissan 30349-9X000 or equivalent). A regular socket wrench will not work - there is a risk of the edges slipping off.
  • 🛠️ Transmission jack or a lift. The variator weighs ~70 kg, and holding it manually when disconnecting it is dangerous.
  • 🧲 Magnetic tray for collecting metal shavings. In CVTs Qashqai after 100 thousand km, belt wear particles are often detected.
  • 🔥 Gas burner or hair dryer — for heating stuck bolts for securing the pan (especially important for cars with a mileage of >150 thousand km).

In addition to tools, prepare your workspace:

  • 🚗 The car must be parked flat surface with securely fixed wheels (use stops).
  • 🔋 Disable negative battery terminal - this will prevent short circuits when working with variator sensors.
  • 📦 Prepare containers for draining oil in advance: from variator (~6 l) and cooling radiator (~1 l).
⚠️ Attention: If the car was operated in severe frost conditions (below -25°C), before removing the variator be sure to warm up the transmission oil to 40–50°C. Cold liquid thickens, and when drained, up to 1.5 liters of oil may remain in the pan, which will lead to incorrect assembly.
📊 What is the mileage of your Nissan Qashqai?
  • Up to 100 thousand km
  • 100–150 thousand km
  • 150–200 thousand km
  • More than 200 thousand km

Draining the oil and removing the variator pan

The first stage is draining the oil. On Nissan Qashqai this is done in two steps:

  1. Drain from the pan: Unscrew the drain plug (key 19) and let the oil drain into the container. Normally, ~5.5–6 liters should come out. If less, check the level in the radiator.
  2. Radiator drain: Disconnect the lower variator cooling hose (clamps 10 mm) and drain the remaining oil. Use a clear tube to evaluate the color of the liquid: black oil with a burning smell - a sign of critical belt wear.

After draining the oil, proceed to remove the pan:

  1. Unscrew all the pan bolts (10mm wrench) in a criss-cross pattern to avoid deformation.
  2. Carefully pry the pan out with a flathead screwdriver. Be prepared for some of the oil (up to 0.5 l) to remain inside.
  3. Clean any metal shavings from the drip tray magnets. Critical amount of chips (more than 5 g) is a reason to diagnose the condition of the belt and cones.
Sign Norm Deviation Action
Oil color Reddish, transparent Black, cloudy Complete oil change + flush
Smell Neutral Burnt rubber Diagnostics of belt and cones
Magnetic chips Small, up to 2 g Large, >5 g Disassembling the variator
⚠️ Attention: If, when draining the oil, you find aluminum shavings (silver), this indicates wear on the shaft bearings. In this case, the variator requires complete disassembly, not just an oil change.

Disconnecting the variator from the engine: key points

Before disconnecting the variator and engine, you must:

  1. Fix the crankshaft. Use a special clamp (for example, Nissan KV10118000) or a homemade device from a starter. Turning the crankshaft while unscrewing the variator pulley bolt will damage the timing chain!
  2. Disconnect all connectors:
    • 🔌 Speed sensor (located on the variator body on the right).
    • 🔌 Control solenoids (8-pin connector on top of CVT).
    • 🔌 Oil temperature sensor (if installed).
  • Remove the starter — it interferes with the dismantling of the variator. Unscrew the 3 mounting bolts (14mm wrench) and disconnect the terminals.

    • Now you can begin to unscrew the bolts securing the variator to the engine. There are several nuances here:

    • 🔩 The bolts are fastened according to the “star” pattern - first loosen the outer ones, then the central ones. Use a 14 mm socket wrench with an extension.
    • 🔧 CVT pulley bolt (central, at 19) unscrews only counterclockwise with a fixed crankshaft. Tightening torque during assembly - 120–140 Nm.
    • 🛑 After removing the last bolt, the variator may “fall” forward - use a transmission jack or an assistant for support.

    Battery terminal disconnected|

    Crankshaft fixed|

    Oil drained from variator and radiator|

    All electrical connectors are disconnected|

    Starter removed ->

    Removing the variator: step-by-step instructions with photos

    When all preparations are completed, proceed to dismantling:

    1. Loosen the engine and gearbox mounts:
      • Right support (closer to the radiator) - 2 x 14 bolts.
      • Rear support (under the variator) - 1 bolt for 17 + 2 nuts for 14.

      Raise the engine with a jack (through a wooden spacer under the oil scraper) by 3–5 cm - this will give access to the lower bolts of the variator.

    2. Unscrew the remaining mounting bolts (there are 8–10 of them in total, depending on the year of manufacture). On models J11 after 2017, an additional bolt was added near the oil filter.
    3. Carefully slide the variator back 5–7 cm to separate it from the engine. Make sure that the input shaft did not touch the flywheel - this may damage the needle bearing.
    4. Lower the variator onto the transmission jack or floor. In this case:
      • 🔹 Do not pull the sensor wires - they are fragile.
      • 🔹 Control the position of the cooling hoses - they must not be bent.

    At this stage, the variator is completely separated from the car. If you plan to disassemble it, Place the CVT on a clean surface with the shaft facing upto prevent dirt from getting inside.

    What to do if the variator is “stuck” to the engine?

    If after unscrewing all the bolts the variator does not separate, do not hit it with a hammer! Use a pry bar with a plastic tip, resting it on the special bosses on the CVT body (they are marked in the diagram in the manual). Applying force to the aluminum housing will cause cracks.

    Disassembling the variator: when is it necessary?

    A removed variator does not always require complete disassembly. Here are the cases when you can’t do without it:

    • 🔧 Noise or vibration when driving - indicates bearing wear or belt deformation.
    • 🔥 Slipping (revolutions increase, but the car does not accelerate) - a sign of wear on the belt or cones.
    • 🛑 Загорается "Check Engine" с кодом P0776 (pressure solenoid malfunction) - requires replacement of valve body valves.
    • 💧 Oil leak through the seals - it is necessary to replace the seals and check the shaft for runout.

    If you decide to disassemble the variator yourself, keep in mind:

    • 🔹 Hydraulic unit (valve plate) contains springs and balls - use organized parts containers when disassembling.
    • 🔹 Variator belt cannot be removed without a special puller - there is a risk of damage to the cones.
    • 🔹 Bearings The primary and secondary shafts require a press fit - they cannot be replaced without a hydraulic press.
    ⚠️ Attention: When disassembling the variator Nissan Qashqai do not use wire brushes to clean cones. Even micro scratches on the surface will lead to accelerated wear of the belt. For cleaning, use plastic scrapers and special solvents (for example, Liqui Moly CVT Reiniger).
    💡

    Before disassembling the variator, photograph the location of all springs and valves in the valve body. This will save hours on assembly and prevent errors in the operation of the solenoids.

    Typical mistakes when removing a variator and how to avoid them

    Even experienced craftsmen make mistakes, which then cost a lot of money. Here are the most common:

    1. Non-fixed crankshaft when unscrewing the variator pulley bolt. Consequences: jumped timing marks or circuit break. Always use a retainer!
    2. Kink in cooling hoses when removing the variator. This leads to radiator clogging and oil overheating. The hoses must remain straight.
    3. Using a percussion instrument for unscrewing the pallet bolts. The aluminum housing of the variator cracks and the entire body has to be replaced.
    4. Incomplete oil drain from the radiator. The remaining old oil will mix with the new one, which will reduce the CVT life by 30–40%.
    5. Installing a variator without centering. Even a minimal displacement (1–2 mm) will lead to vibrations and accelerated belt wear.

    To avoid these mistakes, follow a simple rule: if the instructions require a special tool, don’t improvise. For example, to center the variator during installation you need Nissan KV101190S00 (or its analogue), and not “improvised means”.

    💡

    The most common cause of variator failure after self-removal is incorrect fixation of the crankshaft. This leads to valve timing failure and costly engine repairs.

    Installing the variator back: nuances and tightening torques

    Assembling a variator is a process no less important than dismantling it. Here are the key points:

    1. Surface cleaning:
      • 🧹 Remove the old gasket from the engine block and variator. Use a plastic or copper scraper.
      • 🧴 Degrease surfaces with a solvent (for example, WD-40 Specialist).
    2. Installing a new gasket:
      • 🔹 The gasket must be original (Nissan 31397-4M000 for J10 or 31397-4M010 for J11).
      • 🔹 Apply a thin layer of sealant (Loctite 574) on the corners of the gasket to prevent leakage.
    3. CVT alignment:
      • 🎯 Use a centering shaft (Nissan KV101190S00) for a precise fit.
      • 🔧 Tighten the fastening bolts in 3 stages: first by hand, then with torque 40 Nm,finally 70 Nm.
    4. Filling oil:
      • 🛢️ Use only original oil NS-3 (KE908-99932) or its certified analogues (Idemitsu CVTF, Ravenol CVT).
      • 🔄 After filling, do variator adaptation procedure via a diagnostic scanner (for example, Launch X431).

    After installing the variator be sure to check:

    • 🔹 Oil level (must be between the marks HOT on the probe at a temperature of 50–60°C).
    • 🔹 No leakage from under the gasket and seals.
    • 🔹 Operation of all gears (smooth shifting, no jerking).

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions about removing the variator on a Nissan Qashqai

    Is it possible to remove the variator without a pit or lift?

    Technically yes, but it is extremely inconvenient and dangerous. The variator weighs ~70 kg, and holding it suspended when disconnected from the engine risks falling and damaging the case. Minimum conditions - transmission jack + wheel chocks. If they are not there, contact service.

    What oil should I fill in after removing the variator?

    Only NS-3 (article KE908-99932) or its certified analogues with approval Jatco CVT Fluid NS-3. Use of type oils Dexron VI or ATF will lead to belt slipping and CVT failure within 10–15 thousand km.

    Is it necessary to change the oil in the variator after removal if it is clean?

    Yes, necessarily. During dismantling, air and microparticles from wear of the gaskets enter the oil. In addition, when installing the variator back, some of the oil remains in the radiator, and mixing old and new worsens the properties of the fluid.

    Is it possible to drive with the CVT removed (for example, for engine repairs)?

    No. Without CVT the input shaft and flywheel remain unprotected, which will lead to dust and damage to surfaces. If you need to temporarily move your car, use plug for crankshaft (For example, Nissan SST KV10118000).

    How much does it cost to remove a variator at a service center?

    The cost of work varies:

    • 🔧 Removal/installation - from 8,000 to 15,000 rubles (depending on the region).
    • 🔧 Disassembly/assembly of the variator - from 15,000 to 30,000 rubles.
    • 🔧 Diagnostics with adaptation - ~5,000 rubles.
    Advice: If you are planning a CVT repair, check in advance whether it is included in the price. radiator flushing — many services charge for it separately (~3,000 rubles).