Dealership Transmission Flush

[3xpert]

I change my own engine, Transfer case and diff oils.
But did not want to mess with a transmission.
Dealer did a transmission flush, on the sales order it says a "machine flush".
looking at the tranny, Filler, drain and fluid level plugs look untouched.
Pan was not removed either.
Can this be done without removing any plugs?
Or did the dealer flush me?

 

[Whippersnapper02]

They more than likely just tapped into the cooler lines. You can do the same at home to exchange the fluid.

 

[1jzgte]

but shouldnt they have removed the drain plug to adjust to proper fluid level?

 

[3xpert]

but shouldnt they have removed the drain plug to adjust to proper fluid level?

I did talk with the service manager,
They do tap into the lines with a machine that only a dealer would have.
Don't need to check the level, Whatever was flushed out was added.
Just made a 1000 mile trip, no issues.

 

[djeepin]

I did talk with the service manager,
They do tap into the lines with a machine that only a dealer would have.
Don't need to check the level, Whatever was flushed out was added.
Just made a 1000 mile trip, no issues.

please check fluid level yourself. most tranny issues not immediately visible.

 

[MarkinArk!]

I had this done by a dealership I really trusted. Within a couple of weeks I developed a serious shudder when shifting. Ended up with another dealer helping me out. The machine left my transmission about 2/3 of a quart low on fluid. Second dealer added the needed fluid and I have had no issues since.

According to the second dealer, the technician performing the flush has to pay close attention to the refill process as it is easy to leave the transmission low.

It sounds like your transmission is functioning just fine. But you may want to check the fluid level yourself to make sure.

Mark

 

[Bmnorm2]

The machine they use to flush is a closed system that prevents any air from entering. Since ATF is incompressible, whatever volume is pushed in, must be pushed out. Fluid level remains the same.

[MENTION=151583]3xpert[/MENTION] - if you don’t mind me asking, what did the flush cost you? I do most of the work myself as well, but may prefer to have dealership do the flush. A drain and refill is a waste of time and fluid.

 

[3xpert]

The machine they use to flush is a closed system that prevents any air from entering. Since ATF is incompressible, whatever volume is pushed in, must be pushed out. Fluid level remains the same.

[MENTION=151583]3xpert[/MENTION] - if you don’t mind me asking, what did the flush cost you? I do most of the work myself as well, but may prefer to have dealership do the flush. A drain and refill is a waste of time and fluid.

Thanks to everyone for responding.

I did not want to mess with this, if they screw it up it's on them.
If I screw it up then I pay.
Watched a few you tube vids on this, everyone seemed to do it differently,
Plus I did not want to buy the needed tools to use once.

Labor $199 Parts $222 8qts 18.99each Trans service $70 $422 total. Plus tax 23.21 $445.02

 

[TrailRunnin14]

Thanks to everyone for responding.

I did not want to mess with this, if they screw it up it's on them.
If I screw it up then I pay.
Watched a few you tube vids on this, everyone seemed to do it differently,
Plus I did not want to buy the needed tools to use once.

Labor $199 Parts $222 8qts 18.99each Trans service $70 $422 total. Plus tax 23.21 $445.02

Has the cost gone up lately? I had a flush done at the dealership about 2-3 years ago for $199. This included labor and fluid. $445 seems outrageous.


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[3xpert]

Has the cost gone up lately? I had a flush done at the dealership about 2-3 years ago for $199. This included labor and fluid. $445 seems outrageous.


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I think everything has been doubled in price.
Avoid the dealer if you know you can do it yourself.

 

[DaddySteve]

I had this done @ 50k. $199 with a $50 off coupon. I figured it was worth it @ that price. Knowing what I know now I would not do this service to any of my Toyota vehicles. Drain and Fill is the way to go. Scan tool and measuring container is all you need. Plenty of videos out there. Very easy task on the 4runner.


How To Make Your Toyota Last Over 300,000 Miles Part 3 : Transmission - YouTube

 

[flyrv9]

So how is the fluid level checked with no dipstick?

 

[DaddySteve]

So how is the fluid level checked with no dipstick?

Scan tool showing Trans Temp When the Stand pipe goes from running to Dribbles it is correct.

 

[Rocko9999]

Toilets get flushed, transmissions are drain and fill. Check your level, it's not hard to do.

 

[honda250xtitan]

Has the cost gone up lately?

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you been under a rock since covid started?

 

[Fareastplaza]

I do remember when I do this, I bought a new filter. Shouldn't they put in a new filter in? And to do so, they need to open the pan for sure.

 

[TrailRunnin14]

you been under a rock since covid started?

My point was I paid $199, 2-3 years ago for this service. There is no way, at least where I live, that this is now $450 at my dealership. That just seems absorb.


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[DougR]

I do remember when I do this, I bought a new filter. Shouldn't they put in a new filter in? And to do so, they need to open the pan for sure.

Toyota labels this part "valve body oil strainer". It's not like an engine oil filter. It's a fine screen and I don't change it. To my knowledge, Toyota doesn't recommend replacing it. I would inspect the screen if and only if the transmission is known to have an issue.

 

[seatia]

Thanks to everyone for responding.

I did not want to mess with this, if they screw it up it's on them.
If I screw it up then I pay.
Watched a few you tube vids on this, everyone seemed to do it differently,
Plus I did not want to buy the needed tools to use once.

Labor $199 Parts $222 8qts 18.99each Trans service $70 $422 total. Plus tax 23.21 $445.02

Did this about a year ago
Toyota dealer charged me about $8 bucks a quart for the WS fluid.
I bought 12 of them with plans of doing it myself.
The parts guy then told me that if you buy the parts from them they will install them for a 25% discount.
Sure enough they wanted $95 bucks to do the fluid exchange, not a flush
Really is a no brainer, they did it.

 

[djeepin]

there are couple contaminants in trans fluid:
steel dust from metal gears, fiber dust from plates, bronze dust from synchronizers - all of them go thru strainer freely. Only steel particles stuck on magnets; fibers and bronze actually good. Main reason to remove pan is to clean magnets from steel shavings that not need for normal operation. strainer need to stop some really big shavings (from break-in) or contaminants, that may clog valves and passages of transmission.