98 transmission question

[dmays]

Hey folks, just found this forum and I think it is great. I have a '98 camry 4cyl that I bought 3 years ago. Has 57975 miles on it. I haven't changed transmission fluid since I bought it, so went to Aamco for power purge. Was told that shifting is fine, but rpms seemed way to high. Occassionally it will RPM up to around 4000, but will immediately go back down, this is in normal city driving. Anyway they dropped the pan and said that some metal was found and suggested that I get a full transmission overhaul for around $1100. I think this is excessive, but not sure if I can take it for a long drive. They wouldn't flush the transmission stating that this could cause more problems. Would appreciate your help.

[Mike Gerber]

dmays,

Get a second opinion before doing anything. This sounds fishy to me. Even if the trans fluid was never changed I wouldn't think of doing something that drastic to your pocket book at the mileage you have. How do the car seem to shift to you?

Mike

[dmays]

Thanks Mike, I sounded pretty fishy to me too. The car feels fine to me, no vibrations, knocks, pings, stalling, etc. I haven't taken it on the highway in a while though, so can't tell at higher speeds. Still, makes me angry that they tried to rip me off this way. I am going to an indie shop for the flush and see what they say.

[Brian R.]

At least for an opinion, I would bring it to Toyota. You aren't obliged to get it fixed there. Might be your fluid level is low. Did you check it before you brought it to Aamco?

[dmays]

Hey Brian,

The fluid level is okay, but thought it could use a good flush and replacement since I hadn't done it before. I am just wondering if I should go ahead with the flush anyway, despite what Aamco said.

[Brian R.]

If your fluid is pretty good, go ahead. If it is really muddy or smells really bad, don't do it. You might cause big trouble. (It's probably ok at your mileage unless it got contaminated)

[dmays]

Thanks Brian.

[phisigbrotha]

one thing i always do when confronted with a shop saying stuff like that is ask to take a look at it myself while its still at the shop. most shops should show u the damage when its something that big.

luther

[Bossman]

DMays,
One time I took my 92 Camry in for normal auto transmission service and they also told me that I had metal in the pan and that it would cost me "at least" $1,500 to repair. I really didn't like the "at least" part so I declined and just had them do the regular service. That was three years ago and the car, which I sold recently, is still running fine. I did have the auto trans service performed every 15,000 miles and at only $29.95, it was very inexpensive maintenance. By the way, I never had to have the trans flushed, just normal drain, clean the screen, replace the pan gasket and refill. Piece 'o cake! (I guess I should have taken a magnet with me to see if there really were pieces of metal in the pan.)

[dmays]

Thanks for all the feedback. I am just going to take it in for the routine trans service for the time being and take it to Toyota for a flush later on. I just got an owners manual on eBay, but I would like to know what is the recommended mileage for a trans flush.

[Brian R.]

Look up maintenance schedules here:

http://www.edmunds.com/maintenance/M...g.feature..4.*

[mrtwo]

Originally Posted by Brian R.

If your fluid is pretty good, go ahead. If it is really muddy or smells really bad, don't do it. You might cause big trouble. (It's probably ok at your mileage unless it got contaminated)

Why? Can u give a little detail, Brian? My tranny is a little rough sometimes. My mechanic told me I can either do drain and fill for $50 or machine flush for $110. I opted for the cheaper one. What is the difference after all?

My 100th post

[Brian R.]

Drain and fill only changes the fluid in the pan. The torque converter and valve body are not emptied by this method and holds the majority of your transmission fluid. Flush empties these and changes the majority of the fluid. Much better system.

In response to your "why" question, I have heard that putting clean fluid in the transmission when it is barely held together and kept from leaking by crud, will cause it to fail totally. I have not seen this, but it makes sense. Some people have 150k on their car and have never changed the fluid.

[mrtwo]

So it might be a good idea to just do the drain and fill which will add only a small portion of transmission fluid. Also i guess some ppl never do scheduled maintainance since the fluid will be changed every 30k.

[300+]

As far as metal in the pan. All trannies, gear boxes, etc. will have it. Thats why there are magnets in there. They collect normal wear. Mine has 300,000 miles and was never flushed never in for any service. Fluid changed 2xs. Pan off once at 300,000 miles.