Hello All,

I have 97Runner with 110K miles. Last transmission oil was done at 60K and now the fluid is brownish. I like to do the oil change myself to save cost.

Are there any pictures available to guide me how to change the oil?

How much oil is needed?

what parts need to be changerd?

The dealership tells me 12 qts and filter. I am supposed to have metal filter. I like to know how much additional oil is needed to get all the dirty oil out.

Any guidelins will be very helpful.

Thanks,
Jimm

Folks,

Am I in the wrong forum? or my question is not the right question? Can anyone point me to right forum where I can get transmission questions?

Thanks

I pulled the pan on my 2000 4runner and drained the transmission fluid and changed the filter. I did not do a flush like what you are talking about doing. I believe I only lost about 3 or 4 quarts of fluid when I filled it back up.

Couple things here, you don't need a new filter, your truck uses a metal screen which can be cleaned w/ brake cleaner and then reinstalled. Some do buy a new one as they seem fairly cheap, but not needed. To access the filter you will need to drop the pan, while in there you might as well remove and clean the magnets, make sure you put them back in though. While dropping the pan you will need to split the dipstick tube in half, half stays with the pan half comes off, there is a rubber o ring holding them together and it can be a PIA to split them, make sure you remove the dipstick first. To reassemble all you will need is some RTV sealant as the tranny pan does not use a gasket per se and new fluid. Be careful torqueing the pan bolts, they go into aluminum and will strip easily.

Now if you want to purge all the fluid you will either bring it to someone w/ a flush machine or you will locate the lines running to and from the cooler, which is in the lower radiator. Then you will simply take the line running to the cooler, dirty fluid, and put it in a empty bucket, take the return line and put it into fresh fluid then run the truck. You will see old fluid go into the bucket and new fluid will get pulled into the tranny. Do that until it comes out bright red.
Either way I recomend pulling the pan and cleaning the filter and magnets. For a drain and fill w/ pan drop I was able to get 5-6 quarts, just plug 4-5 complete flush IIRC is more than 12, closer to 15 plus a little extra to run through.

Just wanted to add that synthetic fluid is great and would recommend it. I had a flush done with synthetic at 62k miles and was told it was good for 90k miles. At 120k miles the fluid was still bright red so I plan on taking it to 150k. The pan and drain plug are easy to find though. It's straight back from the oil plug and you will see the rectangular aluminum pan. If you crawl under the car from the driver side door it should be just about straight up. Any doubts, just remove a bolt and see if it bleeds red, or your case maybe a brownish red

004GUNNER, what brand syn tranny oil did you use? Need to do mine pretty soon.

I had it flushed at a meineke (I know, I know) but a friend recommended one of the guys there because he was straight up and would tell you when something was not needed. They used BG fluids and I am definitely impressed with it. I think it is only available commercially though so my next change will be Mobil 1.

according to my owners manual the fluid level for a drain and fill on a 2wd is
"Up to 1.7 qt"

Info about tranny fluid int the owners manual is incorrect. research this you will need anywhere between 3-4 quarts to drain/fill.