ATF Exchange (using the cooling line)

[acronin2]

Just completed the ATF exchange this afternoon after work. All in all things went pretty well. Just wanted to add some things that I learned while doing the exchange.

1. To make it easier to get under my truck to access transmission drain plug and skid plates bolts, I jacked up the front end of my truck. On the initial drain of the transmission pan I got just under 6.5 qts. I was a little surprised because most ppl said that they got 2-3 qts. I would assume that this had to do with jacking the front end up. The ATF that was in there was pretty dark. Brown with a slight tint of red. Maroon in color. (127,000 mi and original ATF as far as I know, bought the truck used with 91k)

2. I did not use a torque wrench to tighten the drain plug. Just tightened it til it was snug with a ratchet and then did an addition quarter turn. I was afraid to over tighten it. I will monitor over the next couple days. Hopefully there wont be any issues with this.

3. I have a 2004 Sport V6 with Dip Stick. I carefully (multiple times) followed the top line coming out of the passenger side of transmission towards the front of the truck/radiator. I disconnected the top line right where the short rubber section meets the metal piping again. I then connected the vinyl tubing 3/8 ID to the metal piping and routed the vinyl tubing into the milk jug. I had my helper start the engine and to my surprise ATF fluid started squirting out of the rubber hose and onto the tarp/driveway (not the metal piping connected to my vinyl tubing > milk jug)? I am assuming that this was the oil cooler inlet tube as the flow of the ATF was coming from the transmission towards the radiator instead of from the radiator back towards the transmission like I was expecting. After cleaning up the mess (luckly I only lost about 1/4 qt) I reconnected the rubber hose to the metal piping and disconnected the lower line in the same place. This time the ATF came flowing out of the metal piping > vinyl hose >into milk jug as I was expecting to happen the first time (ie. the flow of ATF was coming from the radiator back towards the transmission). So I guess my question is: Are the cooler outlet tube and inlet tube reversed on a 2004 V6 (ie. top line is actually oil cooler inlet tube so oil is pumped out of transmission towards radiator and the bottom line is the oil cooler outlet tube so fluid returns to the transmission in this line)???

 

[Jas2171617]

I like this, I will do this for my T4R 2007 had 70000 miles on it. One question, when pump 2 qt old fluid out, need to tigth back the refill plug or no?

 

[WRENCHHEAD]

I like this, I will do this for my T4R 2007 had 70000 miles on it. One question, when pump 2 qt old fluid out, need to tigth back the refill plug or no?

after the first draining from the pan you will retorque the drain plug. the rest of the fluid draining will be from the cooling line return.

 

[Jas2171617]

Yes that part I got it, the question is the refill plug use 24 mm plug to pump new fluid into the transmission, do I need to titgh it upon the starting the car for pump out the old fluid going by the cool line?

 

[WRENCHHEAD]

Yes that part I got it, the question is the refill plug use 24 mm plug to pump new fluid into the transmission, do I need to titgh it upon the starting the car for pump out the old fluid going by the cool line?

no, no need to even put the plug back in at anytime during the process. i left mines open the whole time with the hose hanging out of it that i was using to refill, i zip tied the clear hose to a bracket near the refill hole so it wouldn't slide out during the pumping in new fluid period. just make sure the hose is not touching any of the exhuast piping.

 

[Jas2171617]

I did the ATF flush using cool line return, with valvaline Maxlife ATF, i test drive for 20 mile, i saw with AC on, gear shifting is at higher RPM. On the freeway, at 70 MPH has 2K RPM, so this one is normal.
I drive in D mode on automatic transmission. Anyone had experience likewise or only me?

 

[NeilC]

I haven't checked specifically about mph at 70 but it sounds about right. What was your rpms at 70 prior to the change?

 

[NeilC]

Meant rpms at 70 in my first sentence

 

[ben550]

Do you all shift through the gears somewhere in the middle of the procedure or does that not matter to get all the old fluid out?

 

[NeilC]

I have been doing the drain and fill method. I drain 3 to 3 and half then fill with 4 quarts. I button everything up and drive it for 10 minutes then pull the overflow plug while it is idling in my driveway.

 

[fdbyrne]

Do you all shift through the gears somewhere in the middle of the procedure or does that not matter to get all the old fluid out?

I did shift through all of the gears. I've only done this once though, so I can't say for sure whether it makes a difference or not because I have no point of comparison.

 

[Jas2171617]

Before the flush, it is still about 2k RPM for 70 MPH. What it is now i see to accelarate to 70 MPH, it would go from low gear to high gear transition, that push rpm is higher. After the flush, driving on D mode, the higher rpm to shifting gear seem like a bit more than before the flush.
FYI, i did install Hayden 679, tranny cooler also with the flush. It seem do its jobs like 3 to 5 degree F lower than before on the transmission oil pan.

 

[Jas2171617]

A few drop ATF on overfill plug on park overnigth or at work, I titgh it with stop and I force 1/8 turn more. Is the drip normal?

 

[NeilC]

Change the gasket if you haven't. Do not over tighten it

 

[ben550]

I tried looking for it but cant find it on here (Ive seen it here before). Anyone able to find the picture of of the V8 external transmission fluid cooler? Which line is return line the top one correct?

 

[46runner]

Ben550. That pic is in my original post.

 

[Walkenvol]

Hopefully there are no dumb questions....what is the purpose of the ATF temperature check?

 

[RPS13]

Hopefully there are no dumb questions....what is the purpose of the ATF temperature check?

That's how you know what the proper level of the ATF is to use the "check level" port.

It expands as it gets hotter and vice versa.

 

[46runner]

I dropped my pan and changed my gasket but if you are only performing this per the interval, and not have any shifting issues, I'd say dropping the pan isn't necessary. Also I don't think changing the filter is really needed (although it is pretty easy). I know blackworks had stated that there is no maint. interval listed for the filter, so officially it's not a regular maint. step to be performed. Putting the pan back on wasn't hard, but the whole time I was nervous that I'd find a leak once all was said and done (and then wish I had left it alone). BUT, it went fine. I'd say make SURE you don't over tighten those bolts. They don't take much torque at all. I'm sure you're SOL if you strip/snap one

bob when you did this, was there a gasket on the drain pan? Did you replace it?

 

[bob3dsf]

bob when you did this, was there a gasket on the drain pan? Did you replace it?

Hey, sorry for late response. Yes there was a gasket and I replaced it. It came off really easy and looked in good condition.