Original tranny fluid at 205k miles: would you change it? - Page 4 - Toyota 4Runner Forum

Primetime4370 · 08-03-2019, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheUltimateBohab

THANKS FOR RESPONDING SO QUICKLY MAN!! that's what the RockAuto part I ordered was but the one I actually got says 98 to 03 4 speed but it is 20 holes so I'm just going to assume that they didn't change them between the four and five speed.... and thanks for allowing me to thread hijack I figured I didn't want to post a new thread for this one single question and you were talking about transmission anyway so it felt like it fit....

Does it also list that part number on the box/package?

blangys · 08-03-2019, 07:57 PM

I had the shudder issue from 140k to 190K miles. I did the fluid swap by draining the pan, refilling with the exact amount, and doing it again another 3 times. My issue went away. I realize that wasn't a full swap but apparently it was enough to fix the issue. Go for it!

rwh963 · 08-03-2019, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheUltimateBohab

The dealer shafts you for real they charge you $200 to exchange what is in the transmission only so like 3 quarts worst rip-off in the world I would not worry about it if you want to change it do it I changed my car Lexus ES330 with 200,000 miles original transmission oil no issues at all and I did my 3rd gen 4Runner with 450,000 miles (unknown if it had been done before but it was very dark) with no issues at all so I think you'll be fine I would much rather have clean fluid in there then Super all black nasty stuff that's been in there from the factory.....

I'm sorry guy I don't mean to thread hijack but does anyone know the transmission pan gasket part number? I got one from RockAuto part number TOS 18736. It says Toyota truck 4 Speed 98 through 03. I assume it is not the correct one but maybe they didn't change them....

actually, the exchange replaces at least 10 quarts of fluid. just the pan would be about 3 quarts.

rwh963 · 08-03-2019, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Primetime4370

So, here's my dilemma. Leaving on the 13th for a 1300+ mile road trip. Should I leave my trans alone (no known issues, shifts fine), do a fluid exchange or, drain and fill? AFAIK it is still on og fluid.

*Edit to add.
203k+ miles. Getting oil changed (it's due anyway) and getting radiator replaced (had for a while and just been putting of since it is a minor leak).

go ahead and do a full exchange. mine went fine, no negatives so far.

TheUltimateBohab · 08-03-2019, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwh963

actually, the exchange replaces at least 10 quarts of fluid. just the pan would be about 3 quarts.

My local dealership quoted me just the pan drain and fill for $178 when I called because I felt lazy and didn't want to do it. I haven't got around to it but I'm just going to do it myself I don't trust anyone else touching my vehicles anyway.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Primetime4370

Does it also list that part number on the box/package?

Fel-pro tos 18736 the part number on the package and the part number on the listing are the same but the description are different from RockAuto

rwh963 · 08-03-2019, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheUltimateBohab

My local dealership quoted me just the pan drain and fill for $178 when I called because I felt lazy and didn't want to do it. I haven't got around to it but I'm just going to do it myself I don't trust anyone else touching my vehicles anyway.

Fel-pro tos 18736 the part number on the package and the part number on the listing are the same but the description are different from RockAuto

one of my local dealers also quoted me something like that for the pan drain/fill. they did not have the equipment for the full exchange (i.e. flush). but another dealer did, so i got it done there.

probably won't need to get it done for another 100k, so worth the extra hundred for the labor.

Primetime4370 · 08-07-2019, 12:05 AM

Went ahead and had the fluid exchange done. New radiator installed with Toyota coolant. Oil changed with Toyota filter. Also had them rotate tires even though they only have a couple thousand miles on them. Also have a new air filter and cabin flter to throw on. Should be good to go for our trip.

rwh963 · 08-22-2019, 12:17 PM

update: transmission operating without issue. feels smooth. have not added the shudder fix yet.

62caster · 08-23-2019, 04:09 PM

Did mine for the first time at 186k. No problems whatsoever (currently at 215k).

2003-4x4runner · 08-24-2019, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwh963

update: transmission operating without issue. feels smooth. have not added the shudder fix yet.

WOW! Who knew that by changing the "Old Burnt Out Transmission Fluid" would help get rid of the shudder!
Change out that Transmission Fluid people!

Thanks for the update rwh963 Hopefully this thread will help out other people.

pahaf91 · 08-25-2019, 04:39 AM

original fluid at 195k. swapped it out with Valvoline max life atf. 199k now. no issues.l

rwh963 · 08-25-2019, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2003-4x4runner

WOW! Who knew that by changing the "Old Burnt Out Transmission Fluid" would help get rid of the shudder!
Change out that Transmission Fluid people!

Thanks for the update rwh963 Hopefully this thread will help out other people.

a quick reply:

i was experiencing the typical "shudder". however, it seemed to disappear after doing an engine oil change in which i switched from a lifetime of conventional oil to synthetic. i didn't expect this change to impact the shudder, but it did not return.

there seems to be different opinions about doing transmission fluid changes on trannys with old fluid. some say "if it ain't broke don't fix it", others worry about dislodging stuff in the transmission, others are torn between doing multiple pan changes vs. full exchange. then there is the whole 'WS vs. alternative fluid" debate.

i decided to roll the dice and do a full exchange, but i let the dealer do it in case anything crept up afterwards. and the original WS fluid lasted a long time, so why not stick to it.

Bluesky 07 · 08-25-2019, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwh963

a quick reply:

i was experiencing the typical "shudder". however, it seemed to disappear after doing an engine oil change in which i switched from a lifetime of conventional oil to synthetic. i didn't expect this change to impact the shudder, but it did not return.

there seems to be different opinions about doing transmission fluid changes on trannys with old fluid. some say "if it ain't broke don't fix it", others worry about dislodging stuff in the transmission, others are torn between doing multiple pan changes vs. full exchange. then there is the whole 'WS vs. alternative fluid" debate.

i decided to roll the dice and do a full exchange, but i let the dealer do it in case anything crept up afterwards. and the original WS fluid lasted a long time, so why not stick to it.

This. The fluid is critical to an essential component that is very expensive to repair or replace, often prohibitively so in trucks as old as some 4th Gens. I’ll choose a known Toyota product over an “it’s supposed to work” substitute every time, especially given that Maxlife claims to replace so many other fluids.

asarvep · 10-18-2021, 02:05 PM

I have a 2002 4Runner with about 265k on it. I still have the original fluid in there. I am curious on whether I should get it changed or just go with it. My mechanic is pretty pushy about getting it changed.

SurferUK · 10-18-2021, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asarvep

I have a 2002 4Runner with about 265k on it. I still have the original fluid in there. I am curious on whether I should get it changed or just go with it. My mechanic is pretty pushy about getting it changed.

If he is going to do it via the cooling lines as described here, I don't see how it could hurt.

I know the stories about transmissions breaking after a flush (Which is why I would do it via the cooling lines, just to be safe) but logic dictates they were more likely to fail having not had their fluid changed in hundreds of thousands of miles.

I've never had a hydraulic system fail from having old, crappy fluid flushed out. No one second guesses changing old, original PAS fluid, and that is ATF.

Fresh fluid good, old worn fluid bad!

Just my 0.015 Pound sterling

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