ATF Exchange (using the cooling line)

[waypoint]

From my understanding you were suppose to check the level plug with the engine running and not shut off. With the engine off fluid level gets higher which is why you got 2 cups of fluid come out. Someone correct me if am wrong

Well, rats...I believe you're right. I'll pull it back in, pump in another 1/2 quart, and repeat the temp check w/ the engine running. Great catch, thanks!

 

[waypoint]

Well, rats...I believe you're right. I'll pull it back in, pump in another 1/2 quart, and repeat the temp check w/ the engine running. Great catch, thanks!

Update: it was approximately 1.5 quarts low when I re-checked it at 112-115degF...running this time. Big difference. I pumped in a full quart, ran it up to ~105degF, removed the level plug and got nothing. Pumped in another quart and lost around 1/2 quart at the level plug until the discharge tapered off to a trickle.

Thanks again for catching my error and saving me a big problem.

 

[Atlanta_man]

Removing the pan ! That's such a pain... But good.

 

[46runner]

Love how we're watching out for each other. This is a great forum.

 

[summit21]

Excellent write-up. I did mine this weekend, albeit a bit differently. Basically a 4x3 method using Redline ATF. First drain I got exactly 4qts on ramps. Second was 4.5qts. Last drain I put plug back after 3qts drained. I drove it between each drain/fill. The shifting is now noticeably smoother. My old fluid was a brownish red, but still had some transparency to it. About 70K since my last change by the dealer.

 

[t-rex grrr]

With 130,000 miles, I decided to refresh my ATF.
My 2004 SR5 V8 has the automatic 5-SPEED transmission A750F and it uses WS fluid; the 340 transmission uses Type IV fluid. I confirmed at a dealership.
I have the A750F and it holds 11.5 US qts. This is not a drain and refill which only replaces 2-3 qts. This is not a ATF machine flush (ATF Flush) either. I am calling it a manual DIY ATF Exchange. It will replace ~13 qts of ATF. You can also drop the pan and clean the filter and magnets, I decided not to do this.

I just wanted to say thank you very much for providing this detailed write up. It was very easy to use, and I appreciate your time for documenting it.

For those that plan on changing their ATF, this is the best write up. If you want to watch a video, this is also a great tutorial - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TF1EQc4A0Hk&t=3s

Some notes from my exchange:

• The gallon Pennzoil 36671 pump fits perfectly on the Toyota WS quart bottles. I've read that other pumps don't work, but this fits pefectly - http://amzn.to/2x21cYl
• When purchasing your ATF, purchase an other one or two quarts for safe measure
• The 5 gallon buckets from home depot makes a perfect container to dump all of your transmission fluid into

 

[CZ75]

I have a 2006 V8 and the fluid path through the radiator is upward. Tried it the other way and ATF hit the fan. The tranny pump works like a check valve and no fluid can be forced the other direction. It just goes everywhere when the hoses blow apart. The time to change fluid would have been cut in half if I had the flow direction correct.

Used ramps to elevate the front and got almost 4 qts from the pan drain.

Definitely get new crush washers for the drain and inspection plugs. The originals were flattened too much to be reused. Cost me about $3.50 each at the stealership. You can get 10 for $13 on fleabay. I wanted to knock this out and didn't want to wait another week.

Never removed the fill plug and filled as shown in the pic. Used about 1/4 qt more than came out.

Next time I'll use the Valvoline MaxLife Synth from Walmart. Cost $110 for 12 qts of WS this time. Used 11 1/4 qts.

Edit: Accidentally removed the original picture that shows filling the transmission from the transmission radiator. Here's another pic showing the flow direction from the radiator to the tranny.

 

[Atlanta_man]

Would gravity feed work rather than thumb pump ? Maybe with the motor on ?

 

[CZ75]

You could gravity feed as long as you feed it in the right direction, but it will take longer. Pump was fairly quick. Easier to make a connection to the 3/8" tubing too.

Running the engine won't pull fluid towards the tranny when its opened up at the radiator.

 

[Jasonredwood]

GOing to do this this week. Glad I found this thread.

 

[Jasonredwood]

So I drained and pumped in 2 quarts at a time till the fluid ran clean at about 12.5 quarts. The original fluid looked like old motor-oil in color. Added 2 more quarts to top off before doing the trans temp and level check. Nothing came out. Added the 1.5 quarts I had left and checked the level again. Nothing came out still. Ran to the dealership and bought 4 more quarts. Added 2 Quarts more, thats 18 quarts total. I didn't measure what came out when I checked the level but it couldn't have been more than 1/2 quart. Crazy how low the fluid level was. Had to have been the fluid from the factory. So glad to have done this before our first long trip.

 

[bob3dsf]

I have a 2006 V8 and the fluid path through the radiator is upward. Tried it the other way and ATF hit the fan. The tranny pump works like a check valve and no fluid can be forced the other direction. It just goes everywhere when the hoses blow apart. The time to change fluid would have been cut in half if I had the flow direction correct.

This should make it clear:

Used ramps to elevate the front and got almost 4 qts from the pan drain.

Definitely get new crush washers for the drain and inspection plugs. The originals were flattened too much to be reused. Cost me about $3.50 each at the stealership. You can get 10 for $13 on fleabay. I wanted to knock this out and didn't want to wait another week.

Never removed the fill plug and filled as shown in the pic. Used about 1/4 qt more than came out.

Next time I'll use the Valvoline MaxLife Synth from Walmart. Cost $110 for 12 qts of WS this time. Used 11 1/4 qts.

Interesting. I'll have to look closer at my cooling lines for the return FROM the radiator. I have the v6 and no aux granny cooler (been thinking about adding one, recommendations from those who have added such, are welcomed[emoji41]) . I did my last flush using the cooling line and that was much better than successive drains/fills, BUT crawling under to pump in the new fluid was a real PITA, since my fluid pump grenaded on me, I couldn't prevent a minor mess... [emoji35]. Oh and I'll state that you cannot gravity feed down through the engine bay into the fill port. Tried it feeling clever, just doesn't work.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[Jasonredwood]

Took the 4runner on a 700 mile camping trip this last weekend. MPG went from 16mpg up to 19.9. Calculated with a Scangauge. Thats with the rack the inside full of camping gear and the fam.

 

[Supersonic]

Have to tell you my gravity pour worked, although instead of going through the engine bay, the right side splash shield was missing. I ran 3/8 clear tubing out to a step ladder that I clipped the funnel and tube to, high enough to let it flow. Only could have used bigger tubing for a better flow rate. I think a 1/2 inch tube would fit/fill best.

Exhaust was cool so I was also able to clip the tube inserted to the transmission to the exhaust shield to ensure it stayed put. When completed the tube had a little fluid below the fill level so tube had to be raised to drain the remaining into the transmission.

Did the differentials and transfer case the same way. Menard's had the most cost effective clear tube, 20 feet of 1/2 inch for about $7.

 

[trdsport]

Its a Great write up !! Obviously more so for the later 4th gen where there is no dip stick. But IMO an electric pump connected to Vehicle 12v and to the tranny cooler lines would do the job faster & never have to go under the truck so many times...check the link blw for the pump sold in amazon, as a video of a guy doing it from 4.41min it does work amazing..i have done it too. TIME SAVER!!

https://www.amazon.ca/YaeTek-Extrac...1508969108&sr=8-3&keywords=oil+extractor+pump

Video :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WngXE_7vg-Q

 

[vastano]

has anyone attempted using a flexible funnel to fill with? This would be easier/less timely than using a hand pump:

https://www.amazon.com/Allstar-Performance-ALL40107-Flexible-Extension/dp/B003C0189M/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1509632972&sr=8-4&keywords=transmission+funnel

 

[keakar]

has anyone attempted using a flexible funnel to fill with? This would be easier/less timely than using a hand pump:

https://www.amazon.com/Allstar-Performance-ALL40107-Flexible-Extension/dp/B003C0189M/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1509632972&sr=8-4&keywords=transmission+funnel

thats not the issue, the issue is its hard to get the fluid to go through the line quickly when trying to add it. the long hose and gravity feed of a funnel means it drains very slow taking probably a good 2-3 minutes to put a quart in where a pump pushes the fluid in fast and cuts this down to a minute or less.

the pumps are just finding a way to get it to go in faster and using the funnel with long hose isnt really any different then attaching a funnel to the return line, although to be honest the hose is a "little" bigger then the return line so using this to run into the tranny fill hole will be a "little" faster but how much is likely marginable

 

[Miranthis]

Just did a poll of the 4 major Toyota stealerships in my area (KC Metro) + 1 in Lawrence KS for this service to see if it was worth doing myself. The 5 quoted prices, all for the same full flush and refill using the machine were:

$299.95,
$289.99,
$269.00,
$236 and
$179.98.

Ebay still shows something like $109 or so for 12 quarts of WS ATF. So, that is between $71 and $190.95 for the labor and supplies. I can knock out both my 2008 4Runner v6 and my brother's 2009 Tacoma V6 in the same afternoon (and with two of us we can skip the under-car to in the car changes of position) so I think i will be worth it. He has an obdii program that will let us monitor AT temp easily so that will be good.

thanks all for the info...again.

Jeff-in-KC

 

[kingofthehill]

To start I have 118k miles and mine has never had a transmission fluid change. I really don't want to attempt a flush myself and I do not have a trusted mechanic at this time to do it for me. I want to go to Amsoil. Should I just do a drain and fill with amsoil several times or just do a drain and fill with Toyota WS?

BTW, before i got the vehicle it was owned by an older couple and from what I can tell it was driven more during the winter and never towed. I bought it partially due to the towing capacity but I dont tow frequently, maybe once or twice a year.

 

[mastee]

Do a full flush and be done for another 100K plus miles, esp. using something as nice as Amisol. It is extremely easy, I used a soap dispenser type pump from ORielys, extended it with some 3/8 clear tube and did not spill a drop.
You would need 12 plus quarts before you will see new fluid.