GSS123

I plan to change ATF in my 1994 XLE V-6 with automatic transmission. It looks like I have two options. One is just drain and replace with new fluid. The other is to drain, drop pan and pull tansmission screen and then replace all parts and fill. The question I have is that I don't know the total history for this car. So is just draining the changing the fluild the way to go. Or go the more envolved route by dropping pan, cleaning or replacing screen?

If I drop the pan should this screen be cleaned or replaced with a new one? The Haynes manual says this is a screen that can be cleaned with new ATF fluid prior to reinstallation. This is a new one for me. On GM vechicals I would purchased a new transmission filter and replaced it. But Haynes calls this a "screen"

Any recommendations between the use of regular ATF or synthetic ATF?

What do you pros do for customer service at dealerships?

Brian R.

There are more options. Draining the pan and replacing the fluid only replaces a percentage of the fluid. To really change the fluid, you need to flush the torque converter, as well as the transmission.

As far as dino vs synthetic ATF. I would use dino unless you have problems with transmission overheating - for example you tow alot or live in really hilly country, and you haven't had time to install a more efficient transmission cooler.

If you need synthetic fluid because of overheating, the first thing you should do is install a more efficient tranmission cooler.

YMMV

GSS123

I guess this would take some specialize equipment to drain torque converter and transmission?

I can live with regular ATF

What is your recommendation for transmission servie?

Brian R.

Follow Toyota's recommendations for filter change. Flush the tranmission at a transmission shop or Toyota dealer. There are procedures on the internet for flushing the transmission without a machine. I don't know how well they work. Since I have to pay $150 to get my transmission flushed, I am going to figure out a way to do it without a machine.

I bought a peristaltic pump at Home Depot that pumps fluid through tubing - you power it with a variable-speed drill. I plan on unhooking the transmission cooler at the output (return line to transmission) and allowing the engine to idle and pump out the old transmission fluid into gallon milk jugs through plastic tubing attached to the output of the cooler.

As the old fluid is filling the gallon jugs, I plan on replacing what comes out with new fluid by pumping it with the peristaltic pump into the return line to the transmission. Once the fluid coming out is new-looking, I will stop. The only possible problem I see is if it requires too much pressure to pump the fluid into the tranmission for the pump to handle.

Toyrolla

Hi Brian,

I hope all is well with you.

The procedure I recall on the internet was from one of the Celica forums.

From the way I understood it; you first remove the EFI fuse from the fusebox to keep the engine from actually turning on.

Next, you disconnect the output hose and put it to a pan to collect the old fluid.

Then when you turn the key and the car tries to turn over, the rest of the fluid pumps out.

With given consideration on you post, perhaps you might not even need the pump. Instead maybe you might want to have 2 gallon jugs in place; one with new fluid to pump into the tranny, and one empty to pump out the bad fluid.

Once the output turns red (as you stated earlier) then you know that the new fluid has made it's way through the system and you can stop.

I'm thinking this way to eliminate the pressure concern you have regarding the external pump. In this scenario, you let the car do the pumping for you.

What do you think?
Just an idea, so any feedback to my response is of course welcome.

__________________
Regards,



Nobody can break it better than me.

88 I4 Slushie, 89 I4 5Sp, 89 V6 5Sp, 82 Corolla, 72 510, 88 Minitruck.

Brian R.

That is how the transmission shops to it. The connect the input and output hoses to a central reservoir separated by a piston. The pressure from the transmission output pushes the piston and the piston in turn pushes the new fluid out into the transmission. In the transmission shops, they let the engine idle.

There is a certain amount of pressure needed to push the fluid into the transmission through the return line. I don't know how much. That is the $64,000 question.

The two-gallon jug picture you had is a good idea if you connect the jugs with a hose, and the pressure build-up from the displaced air in the first jug pushes out the fluid in the second jug. The air from the first (dirty fluid) jug pushes out the new ATF into the transmission. That may be better.

The only possible problem would be a lag between the output into the dirty jug and the input into the tranny from the clean jug. There would always be a low fluid level in the tranny. Maybe not significant. Something to think about. Thanks for your input.

Toyrolla

Hmmm....

What if you hold on place the right funnel (those long auto tranny funnels) into the tranny dipstick shaft full of fluid, have the output hose in a jug, then (with the EFI fuse out), turn the car over to move the fluid. Then once the output becomes red, then you stop?

I don't know, just taking a shot in the dark....

...just....trying...to....find a way, Spock. The answer is somewhere...out there....

__________________
Regards,



Nobody can break it better than me.

88 I4 Slushie, 89 I4 5Sp, 89 V6 5Sp, 82 Corolla, 72 510, 88 Minitruck.

Brian R.

Well, for one thing, there is alot of ATF to be pumped out. I think either your starter or your battery will give out before you're done if you don't idle the engine.

As far as the funnel goes, there is a method I've seen where someone fills ATF through the dipstick tube at around the same rate as it is pumped out. They didn't seal it though, they just poured it as fast as it came out the output tube.

BTW, the method I described above that is used by transmission shops is only one machine of many different designs. You can pay anywhere from $500-$5000 for one of those things, or so I've heard.

GSS123

We need a group buy some of this ATF changing equipment? I also look forward to the success of your experiment Brian.

Brian R.

Thank you, I am still thinking about it. I have about 10k more miles to go before I have to make a decision.

GSS123

I thought I would bring this thread back. The local Toyota dealership sent out several service coupons to our home. I just took advantage of the Automatic transmission flush and check-over for $52.95 plus sales tax. I sat and drank their coffee and eat danish for 60 minutes and drove back to the office. Service people were friendly and helpfull.

This price is at the dealership in Ames, IA. I was wondering what some of you pay for a tranny flush at your dealership?

Brian R.

$170 in Maryland + tax and waste disposal charges.

Jiffy Lube wants $100 + tax

You can see why I'm motivated to figure out a way of doing this myself.

300+

All alot of work. My fluid has never been flushed.
It has only had the pan off once. This year.
300,000 miles. Drained fluid 2x before that.
If it looks good. Drain then take off pan.
Clean pan, swap filter/screen put on new seal and your done. Screen and filter come as one part. ~$15.
You can do that a lot of times for $150.

Bmaintz

A word of caution... If the tranny has a LOT of miles on it & has NEVER been serviced... It will have a build up of sludge & varnish, new fluid has detergent in it & will tear loose all of the gunk in your tranny... The result may be a clogged filter & burnt tranny... Always take off the pan & put in a new filter before you flush... If the pan has a lot of trash & smells like old gas then I would make a 2nd filter change a week or so later.... I have 2 Camrys that I need to flush & will be using the Amsoil ATF fluid.... QUESTION..??.. The output of the tranny cooler hose, where does it dump the fluid??? Into the pan??, if so then you could pour in the fluid through the dipstick pipe with a funnel as the tranny pumps out the old fluid... Bob

Brian R.

What you suggested (filling through the dipstick tube) is one way of performing the fluid change that was published on the internet.