noisy torque converter

[mikedrouillard]

OK I have a '03 xterra SE 4x4 with auto tranny. I noticed starting at about 10,000 kilometers (im canadian eh!) and it keeps gettin worse (its one year old now and im at 23,000 k's) there is this odd resonating noise that I suspect has something to do with my torque converter and im wondering how nervous I should be and wether or not it should be under warranty.

It seems to be like a howling/resonating noise commign from the front of the vehicle. It starts at about 60kmh and gets the loudest between 100-110 kph and at like 112kph it just stops all together. If I let off the gas and let it coast the noise stops and if I accelerate harder the noise isn't so noticeable but im not sure if it stops alltogether or if its just masked by the sound of the engine winding up. I suspect that it has to do with the torque converter and since the vehicle is one year old I am thinking this isnt normal.

I took it to the dealer because it shifts hard into reverse and hard from 2nd to 3rd gear (around 40kph) and they said that the fluid was burnt which I think is wierd. Anyway they drained the fluid to check for filings and said that it was clean and suggested a tranny flush and refil to the tune of 120 bucks (this is after they said they would fix the tranny for free cause of the warranty) anyway the sound is still back and I wanna know if its normal or if I should start swinging.... any suggestions are welcome.

Mike.