Transmission Fluid (tricky situation) (muddy fluid) - Page 2 - Toyota 4Runner Forum

brillo_76 · 10-31-2020, 09:22 PM

Lots of threads on here about atm fluid.
Search the forum if interested.

My theory and what I seen in 30 years of hobby mechanic on Toyota.

I exchanged mine at 215k from the PO. Pulled pan cleaned magnets put pan gasket on it with a new screen. My rig now has 270k on it. I exchange it again at 300k.

People are scared to change atm fluid. It's their rigs and their choice.

No longer red.

No longer lubricating and your magnets will be covered along with your screen filter clogging.

Filter clogs enough the fluid cant flow and the transmission starved for fluid and melts down.

All your doing is sand blasting your transmission with dirty fluid though as the fluid holds the particles with it.

The damage is already done and will slip etc if its damaged. [ not changing it wont prevent this]

Clean fluid filter and magnets and properly working solenoids make for a happy well functioning transmission.

Sent from my SM-J337V using Tapatalk

Captsolo · 10-31-2020, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hairpin

Hey all -- I can anticipate the types of responses I'm going to get based on the title. But I rely on everyone's really good advice on this forum. So appreciate the advice in advance.

My 02' limited is in great shape. But the transmission fluid is a greyish/oil color. That can't be good because I know it's supposed to be red.

When I bought this thing from the PO last year, I took it to Toyota to get a recall on the suspension done, and had them change the oil. I also asked my tech about the transmission fluid, anticipating I would have them flush and fill the transmission.

He actually advised against flushing. He told me that overtime, friction material from the transmission break-up, and get mixed into the fluid. When you flush, he said I would be losing all of those friction particles, which could actually cause the transmission to slip (and even die). I asked him about just changing the fluid, and he told me to wait. That was 5k miles ago.

For the first time, I was entering the highway (not towing/no snow) and I got an A/T hot temp. light. When I pulled over at a gas station and turned the car back on, it went away. It hasn't come on since.

My question for all of you is, should I just get the fluid replaced (no flush) just a drain and fill?

I don't like the temperature light for the AT coming on. I'd change the fluid. Maybe even change it all.
Wonder if you got water in it some how?

Fluid would not be red but black or gray after 50,000 miles of driving.

I own a 2005 4runner purchased it new. Never had any warning lights on the dash in 15 years of driving and 150,000 miles.

I had the dealer do a 5 quart DF two years ago for the tranny - at 105,000 miles..

I will do that again in another 30,000 miles

Shifts perfect. Almost afraid to touch it.

As long as yours shifts ok, a 5 quart DF is what I would do first.

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