Nissan & Mercedes Knew this Major Factory Defect Would Cost Owners Thousands out of Warranty. 

My milkshake Gets all the parts in the yard, Damn right, More broken than yours, But I'm like, It's better than yours, They can fix it, But they have to charge

To avoid that transmission failure (I suffered a Volvo's one :( ), we need to bypass the radiator cooling and replacing with an external cooler. Cheap and effective!

$7k Strawberry Milkshake only at the drive through. "Is this thing slipping??" Lol

Renault is the cancer that links these two cars together.

This was a very informative and intelligent video. First time viewer and I was so highly impressed with Alex's thorough coverage of this topic. Nice to see super quality videos that give very important information.

Great video as always, Alex. Loved the intro too. It was a lot of fun. I had the pink milkshake on a 3rd Gen 4Runner. It was such a shame too as the trans replacement was more than double the cost of the truck. :( -Chris

Very cool how you tested the strips with different coolant contamination levels. My manual transmission has no use for these! We want a bloopers reel!!!

Just found your channel and I'm hooked. Great content!

Hey I love your videos they are super crazy informative.

I bypassed the radiator's transmission cooler in my Armada to avoid this problem. I installed an external cooler that works in tandem with the truck's factory external cooler to keep temps in check.

I always bypass the factory transmission cooler with an aftermarket one. The transmission runs cooler and I never have to worry about this problem.

Very informative video, love the content, experiments and tips. With some editing and sound quality upgrades this channel could go a long way

Went to Auto Zone brought a trans cooler installed it myself cut lines to radiator and connected trans cooler ,wasn't going to wait for wimpy trans stripes

BYPASS the radiator with a Transmission cooler! Cheap and Effective.

Dude I love you channel, it's very informative I bought my first Mercedes 2 years ago and I've learned so many things about my car because of you and your information.. I just want to say thank you...

I just came across your videos and they're probably some of the best and most informative that I've seen, so great job. I'm not even a Mercedes guy, but your videos have a lot of really interesting content. Just as an add-on to your list, the 1st gen Xterra's (2000-2004) also had this exact same design for the radiator and are also prone to this failure. I bypassed my trans cooler fairly shortly after purchase and luckily never experienced this issue.

This happened to my xterra and I had a warranty and my transmission was hesitating and they rigged my transmission to get me over 100k and if completely went out and cost 6500 to fix! So I called my bank and they agreed to sell the car at auction! Till this day it still pisses me off!

Not surprised by the great content as always

great video! i know that dealership you were just at. glad someone in chi is putting out good content!

Great video Alex, keep the e55 videos coming! You've inspired me to try and buy one in a few months. Another topic might be exhaust manifolds on many cars with built-in cats on them, flex and crack. This is a big problem for Nissan titans and armadas from 04-16 that cause the owners 1200$ per SIDE to replace out of warranty. They've known about the issue for years and refuse to admit it's an issue. My friends shop has many victims come in who bought a cheap nissan titan only to find out it fails a compression test after the previous owner got the cracked manifold, and bits of ceramic were sucked into the cylinders causing engine damage(if you are really unlucky), so they dumped it. I'm pretty sure some other cars suffer from this as well, happened on my buddies ford focus (2010 I think) as well. There is a company that sells a kit to fix it, it's also pricey but at least they spend about half the money than the dealer and it won't happen again. (This is their site, no I don't work for them) www.cajunbpipes.com/

This is a great series, keep it going.

i love ur super informative videos. nice intro too haha i loved the skit

Great videos. As you noted all makes have their problems. Good to have someone out there documenting them, because, as you also noted, not all manufacturers own up to their mistakes.

That video was awesome!! I love these videos you do Alex!

Wow I had no idea my E 55 could be affected by a problem like this. Great video

I was a Nissan dealer tech for 4 years. First thing I did when bringing any 4.0 truck into the shop was rev the engine in neutral to listen for the phantom supercharger (timing chain whine) and pop the cap off the coolant reservoir to check for a red oil slick on the coolant. Next, I listen to the dash for the clicking air mode door actuator. Once on the lift, check for cracked motor mounts, leaking oil cooler seal and front swaybar bushings mushing out of the brackets. If you buy a used 4.0 Nissan truck with an automatic, check the repair history. If the radiator has never been replaced (ask your local dealer to run a "service-comm" on your VIN), replace it. A (non-OEM) radiator is cheap and the labor should be under 2 hours.

Yo love your commentary thorough and clear ,I'm thinking of picking up an e55 amg myself .keep up great vids.

Thanks Bro. My son, in the Air force, not knowing what to do shipped me his neglected c240. It was videos like yours that enabled me to breathe new life back in the car. It’s now a very road worthy daily driver. My daughter is currently using it to shuttle back and forth to college. Point being I was able to perform extensive repairs and service myself saving thousands. A surprisingly easy car to work on

Your videos are excellent. Keep it up.

Another massive factory defects that Mercedes are known for are the balance shaft issues (i think you did a video on this), the PZEV fuel tank leaks (only option is a $3000 replacement fuel tank) but the component its self has a 150k mile pzev warranty that a lot of dealers refuse to honor, and the regular fuel tank leaks that have had a warranty extension on them as well. Additionally Mercedes also have problems with their intake manifolds (tumble flap arms breaking). Volkswagen TSI engines between 2009-2012 suffer from spontaneous timing chain tensioner failure. VW has a TSB for this but will not issue a recall. I think a class action lawsuit may have been started.

Good information and well explained! Thank you so much, Alex!

Thanks a lot for the video. My 2008 Volvo s80 had exactly the same problem, but luckily got it fixed before the radiator fluid damaged the transmission

Very well done video I wish I found it before my trip to AAMCO.

Great video. I'm getting those testing strips! You need to make a video on the real nasty thing of the last decade, the car CVT. So many people are sold it is a better option giving better performance and fuel economy. But the reality is that car type CVTs are designed to expire and need service by their very nature so instead of any savings you pay big time in most cases. Lots of moving parts (hundreds in a steel belt) along with a oil pressurized pulley system that is designed to fail. Nissan and Subaru are some of the highest repair costs and some of these failures will happen many times in the cars life. Nissan doesn't even offer parts for the CVT, you just got to get a new replacement for many thousands. A CVT in a snowmobile as a comparison only costs $150 to service and has no complicated oil pressure system and can be done by the owner in 5 minutes. You can see how the car version is designed to make them lots of money compared this. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-dCIFqXUXJ1w.html

Great job man, these are some of the most interesting car videos out there. You’re kind of like a car detective.

Great, video. Super informative and very well done!

This exact issue happened to me with a 2002 neon, I caught it the very same day it was a drastic failure and was able to flush both systems thoroughly, and replace the radiator and it did not ruin the transmission. I didn’t know this was a common issue I guess you can add that car to your list.

I'm a simple man. I see you post, I hit the thumbs up button. Phenomenal advice from identification to a solution. Love you for the stellar work! You have mentioned FCPEuro a few times, can you get a code from them so that we can help you out some more with some revenue?

Great video as always good job... You help us a lot

Making some room for a VRP secondary heat exchanger I see!! I've had my Nissens radiator for my 03 E55 in the box for 3 weeks now, I'm slapping it on this weekend for sure. Can't wait to see you make your next pass!

Haha that was funny. Informative content as always!

Love the E55 videos! Keep them coming. Hands down best E55 videos on RU-vid.

Great info . Keep up the good work !

You are a good man. Really well informed and keep up the good work.

Your videos are amazing. Do Subaru sti Ringland Failure next

I subscribed to this channel months, maybe a year ago. I hit the notification bell. I never got any. I forgot about the channel (no offense). This video popped up in the Recommended section today. This guy is one of the least annoying car guys out there. Good vid.

Im considering a 2010-2012 Pathfinder and this video will help me avoid a lemon. Awesome content Alex! You have one of the best auto-channels on line!

That is very nice of you to inform other folks about this consumer fraud by Mercedes and Nissan

Good vid! That's one of the reasons I went for the '04 as the issue was corrected by then.

This problem is common on the 2001 volvo s80 t6 also as well as numerous volvos in the early 2000s, engine oil an trans fluid mixing with coolant, there is a TSB on ALLDATA about it

Great video ALEX I am a owner of a 2008 trailblazer SS and have heard discussions of bad oiling starvation Wondering u could cover this problem especially with the all-wheel-drive set up that Chevrolet did in this SUV. Keep up the great work enjoy your videos and project

Great video bud. My w211 e500 also with a similar M113 motor suffered the same issue years back. I was one of the guys that had to pay the price

Fantastic video & thanks for shoutout! - FCP Euro CEO

BMW has no dipstick 😩

This is exactly why I tend to try and find out as much as I can about a car before buying. It's also why I invested in an aftermarket transmission cooler and bypassed the radiator's cooler in some of my trucks.

Great content. Super useful info. Thanks. Love your videos man!

I installed a used radiator once when I was 21. I did it because my car was old enough that OE radiators were unavailable, and I happened to find one that still worked (the donor car was running before I took the radiator and a few other parts). Long story mode short: the used radiator exploded before my car warmed it up for the first time. I laughed at how stupid that was, and never bought a used radiator again.

You should do a video on the ford 5.4 triton engines in the f150 model years of 2004 to 2007, just be warned it’s a f***ing rabbit hole, here is just a short list of some things that can/will go wrong with this engine. 1. Spark plugs break when attempting to remove from engine leaving porcelain debris inside of cylinder. 2. Ironically spark plugs have also been known to become loose over time, increasing the risk of a spark plug ejecting from the engine and completely stripping the threading of the aluminum head. 3. Faulty oil pump, the oil pump that comes stock on these engines have been known to to not provide the engine with an adequate amount of oil, which leads us to... 4. The timing chain in the engine becomes locked into an “over retarded state” due to the lack of oil needed to keep the timing chain lubricated, the biggest symptom of this is that the engine will produce more low end torque but loses torque/power in higher RPMs, which leads us to... 5. If the issue of number 4 is left untreated for too long then one of the two cam phasers (usually the left camphaser) begins to rip it self apart, it can be difficult to diagnose this issue but it is most commonly associated with a ticking noise that can easily be mistaken for bad valves or a cracked exhaust manifold but unfortunately if it is your camphaser then you are looking at a repair cost of 2,000-3,000 dollars or more, depending on the extent of the damage, sorry but unfortunately it doesn’t even end there. 6. If you happen to be like myself and the owner prior to myself and decide to spend the money on repairing issue 5, you will be completely wasting your time because your timing chain and camphaser will repeat the exact same issue until you address issue 3 (faulty oil pump) but by that point you would be better off getting rid of truck all together and avoiding anything with a 5.4 triton V8.

Happy new year, and thanks for another brilliant video 😃✌🏻

Very educational, thanks. Never experienced this but it is interesting to learn about it (don't own a Mercedes or Nissan or the other vehicles you mentioned in your Google doc).

Something similar happened to my 2007 Cadillac CTS. The transmission cooler lines corroded over time and all of the sudden ripped out of the cooler/radiator as I was driving down the road one day. Lost my fluid and lost all of my transmission gears except park and neutral. The dealer had to replace the transmission lines and the radiator. Apparently I got lucky because the transmission was able to be saved. I sold the car a couple months later and bought a manual.

Hey Alex love the vids i have a 2008 Lexus gs350 with a shuttering trans and it’s sealed so I don’t know how I can test it I’ve been told it might be the torque converter do you think maybe it just needs the trans fluid changed or strawberry milkshake of doom

We need more individuals like yourself sir, fantastic teacher. Kudos!👍

Thanks for posting, very informative as usual

Subaru heads, ringlands, cambelts, Jeep/Nissan/Mitsubishi CVT, Hyundai/Kia 4speed automatic failures, Ford Focus Powershift failures..

😁😁 your ether putting the secondary heat exchanger in that area from VRP, or the killer chiller system??

Ha ha Alex ... I know that skokie area very well and I had the same exact issue with a 2003 E500 I bought.... your intro was my reality spot on... I was quoted 10,000 for the repair. I ended up giving the car back and then repurchased an 2004 AWD and again more problems.

Great info!!! Well done 👍🏻

Another idea for a video I think would be the Nissan's CVT transmissions and the power steering pumps

Good theme for a channel. Just subscribed though I have no intention of ever replacing my '98 LS400 even after almost 20 years of great service. It's still a joy.

Very informative, keep up the great work.

Great idea for a series. Keep up the great work.

Alex...you are definitely at the top of the food chain of RU-vid informative auto mechanic’s channel...👍

This is why I like to buy older cars that have been proven to be reliable. Pretty much everything on my 92 civic has broken but the motor/transmission lol

If you bypass the transmission cooler in your radiator, I would suggest adding a thermostat in line with the transmission fluid. The reasoning behind this is that it's also not good for the transmission fluid to be too cool. The transmission cooler in a radiator, especially in a system that also has an external cooler from the factory, acts as a temperature regulator as well.

Thanks so much Alex! I bought a 2017 GLS 550 and occasionally smell the that sweet smell of anti-freeze burning so I'm concerned. I've always bought BMWs in the past and never had a problem with them as daily drivers. My 2015 Boxter runs flawlessly and I've also had no issues with my 2010 Quattroporte.

Great video, really sucks about Merc, I expect more from them...

Have you heard about the newest issue in the 2015-2016 Porsche 911 GT3's, that involves the 3.8 liter flat 6's hydraulic valve lifters causing a catastrophic engine failure? This issue sounds familiar to the dreaded IMS bearing issue in the 996 and early 997.1 model 911's and caymans, does it not? Can you please do a story about this? That would rock!

New to channel! Amazing content! First video was the focus RS BECAUZE I HAD BEEN INTERESTED IN BUYING.. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTENT! IVE BEEN A MECHANIC 18 YRS ANS THOSE DAMN S class radiators with that terrible design. I've I installed so many radiators due to this garbage design. Thanks for everything! Subbed and liked!

Great videos! Have you ever thought of doing a few on the issues with BMW’s troublesome N62 V8? I’ve had quite a bit of experience with them and I can say the list of troubles they embody is lengthy...

You should do a video on the stupid claims ATF being "sealed for life"

Do u recommend that i buy a used 2005 e55 with 50k miles on it that was used in a hot climate were the summer top degrees is 50C ? For 12000$ it looks very clean but I haven’t inspected it yet

New to the channel but I like this kind of content. Keep it up man!

Another fantastic and very informative video! I'm sure you've saved some people from spending allot of money.....rock on brother...

Mario Mercedes.... LMAO

Bet that car never felt like it pulled so hard in that 10 degree air. 👍🏻

GREAT VIDEO, I have a 2005 Nisan pathfinder there was no leaking issue as you recommended i changed the rad about 2 years ago and no issues so far. the pathfinder has this engine from the 2005-2012 models.

Same thing happened to me on my 2005 Nissan pathfinder. This cost me $2,500 i sold the pathfinder right after i fixed the transmission. Great video thanks!

Ford F150 Ecoboost Engine destroys timing chains. Mine stretched under normal use at 45K miles. Covered under warranty and dealer knew right away when I came in. Apparently a known issue.

Can you do some Videos of the weird , funny and interesting crap you've seen as a Mercedes tech?

Thanks for all the informative videos!

My 2007 Nissan Pathfinder developed this problem at 120k and needed new trans and radiator. I was furious when found out it was a known defect and could have been prevented with a simple external trans cooler. Thanks for making this video !!

Can you also review cars pls. We really need someone reviewing cars that knows what he is talking about.

Subaru head gasket / Ringland failure haha

Great video and explaintion of topic. Subscribed.

You should do a video on the notorious wrx/sti ringland and oil pickup failures. Maybe even the new FA vs the old EJ? Love the concept of this series, keep it up!

LMFAOOOOOOOOOOOOOO AGAIN WITH THE HILARIOUS NAMES 😂

IMS bearing video next?

Great video. Volvo s80 first generation had the same issue. Check regularly your transmission fluid and replace every other year specially if the car is driven in the city and/or towing a caravan.

great videos man, keep'em going