Diagnostics Doctor

Your diagnostic-related queries answered.

I have recently bought a 12-plate Infiniti FX 3.0d auto 4WD with the V9X diesel engine. It has been fully serviced every 10-12k miles by last owner and is due a full service in 3000 miles according to the service trip computer.

There is not a lot of information on these Infiniti FX SUVS on the internet. I want to change the antifreeze as it has the blue antifreeze in and would like to put five-year red antifreeze in; I know both have different properties but I cannot find any info on this – it simply advises me to get in touch with a dealer. Is there a bleeding nipple on the coolant system or is it self-bleed?

I also cannot find any info on the internet giving the location of the fuel filter; the handbook just says ‘under vehicle’. I have looked and cannot see it, so any info on this would be helpful.

According to the handbook the V9X 3.0 diesel engine takes approximately five litres of oil (Renault ACEA C4 low-ash 5W-30), including the filter. I have found the correct oil but want to make sure it needs only five litres as this does seem a small amount for big 3.0 diesel engine.

I'm looking to change all the fluids in: 1 Automatic gearbox. According to the handbook it’s Infiniti genuine Matic S ATF (*4). Is there an alternative to this? 2 Transfer box fluid. Should be INFINITI

Genuine Matic ATF (*5). Again, is there

an alternative to this?

3 Differential gear oil. Front: Hypoid Super GL-5 80W-90 or API GL-5 (*2). Rear: Hypoid Super-s GL-5 75W-90.

Any info on these would be most helpful. Do you know if there is a manual or download on this vehicle? I’d also like to know if there are garages that deal with this vehicle in the North East of England. I know there is an Infiniti dealer in Newcastle-upon-tyne, but as Infiniti is an off-shoot of Nissan I’d like to find an independent specialist that deals with Nissan in my area.

Steve Anderson

As you have discovered, information on the Infiniti range of vehicles is quite difficult to access. When looking for the position of the fuel filter, matters become confusing. I found listed two different variants: one an inline filter and the other the standard under-bonnet type screw-on filter which can be drained. Many of the filter manufacturers do not even list a filter for this vehicle.

As you have mentioned there is an Infiniti service partner near you, listed as INFINITI CENTRE, Middle Engine Lane, Silverlink Business Park, Newcastle NE28 9NZ. Tel: 0191 295 8686. Unfortunately I am unsure of any suitable independent specialist garages in the area.

From the data I have the correct coolant is blue and this is Nissan ‘Long Life’. Cooling systems are not generally self-bleeding and the system would need to be run with the expansion cap off to ensure all the air is evacuated from the system. From the limited data I have there does not appear to be a bleed screw in the cooling system. The engine oil capacity is 5.4 litres and it requires 5W-30 low ash fully-synthetic.

The automatic gearbox fluid I can see listed is Nissan Matic-s and the dry-fill capacity is 9.2 litres, although the drain and refill amount will not be this much. According to Comma, their MVATF1L fluid can be used for this application.

The method of changing the gearbox oil to ensure the maximum amount of oil is replaced is as follows:

 Ensure the gearbox temperature is not above 40°C. Remove the drain plug and drain out the ATF. Refit drain plug.  Remove the level plug and fill the transmission with three litres of fluid. Fit the level plug and run the engine for three minutes.

 Now drain down again and repeat the previous steps. Finally drain for a third time, and this time replace the drain bung with a new drain plug.

 Refill with three litres of fluid and then run the engine until the gearbox oil temperature is 40°C. Select each gear in turn returning to P. Remove the level plug and allow the excess to drain off; if no excess drains out, top-up with a further 0.5 litres of oil and recheck. The front differential oil grade listing I have is the same as you have described, with a capacity of 0.7 litres. The rear is also as you have listed, with a capacity of 1.8 litres.

Unfortunately, I can find no manual or download available for the Infiniti.