DIY Transmission flush...who's tried it?

[willbgood]

What is the reasoning behind using a stand-alone pump instead of using the transmission to pump it?

I'm about to replace my shift solenoids tomorrow and flush the juice out using the transmission as a pump.

watch the first video...the trans won't pump it with out an assist.

I tried just using the trans, and it did not pump it...I suppose it might of over time, but I was worried about the trans not having enough fluid during the process, and I don't like to wait...

 

[OffRoadGuy]

You guys going to laugh at me, but this is what I used and it only took 3 mins. Change ATF every 15-20k and yes, it does shift crisper every time its change. Keep the reddish pinkish color is key.



1st - Do a drain and fill. New ATF in the pan.
2nd - Remove spray nozzle and replace with 1/4" shutoff valve to return line.
3rd - Send line drain into 2 gallon bucket.
4th - Fill up sprayer bottle with 1 gallon ATF. Start pumping to add pressure.
5th - Start engine, open valve to return line, keep on pumping until clean ATF.
6th - Turn off engine. reattach hoses, check dipstick. Usually about 1/2 qt shy. Add and you're good to go.

 

[diverscale]

What is the reasoning behind using a stand-alone pump instead of using the transmission to pump it?

I'm about to replace my shift solenoids tomorrow and flush the juice out using the transmission as a pump.

I did not use a pump for my flush, even though I have one. I feel this is a safer way to do it, as the tranny have no chance to have a oil starvation.

-graduate a transparent container, put a line where 2 quarts of liquid in the container is located. I took an empty windshield washer gallon.

-empty tranmission pan, calculate how much you have drained, and put the same amount of new oil back into the pan (3 quarts)

-Disconnect inlet outlet hose (left, from driver'S view), attach your own (preferably transparent) hose to radiator outlet.

-route hose to the previously mentioned container

-start engine, drain untill 2 quarts MAXIMUM are in the container, stop engine

-refill transmission with new oil, 2 quarts

-start engine, drain 2 quarts, stop engine..... and you go like this for about 12 quarts.

-put back hoses on radiator outlet

- adjust transmission fluid hot level.

Transmission flush will not damage your transmission if correctly done, and I feel this way is simpler and safer.

 

[OleMissRunner]

Another Oxford T4R member huh? Small world!

For what it's worth, I used the drain and fill method every few months and replaced the filter/cleaned all the magnets till I was satisfied with how the fluid looked. Can't tell you how much better she shifted after even the first drain and fill. Picked fluid up at the dealer here for $8/quart.

 

[St Runner]

I have done the 12 quart flush using the transmission pump a couple times. Once to clean out the burnt fluid when I first bought and then to synthetic when I put on a trans cooler. I never dropped the pan but I was having no issues with it despite the condition of the fluid. I can understand why toyota will not do a transmission flush and it is because by the time someone wants it done it is already showing symptoms and flushing it is not going to make it better just more liable for toyota. And a word of caution, if you use the trans to pump the fluid, roll down a window. The auto lock kicked in on mine and I stood there for a second watching the lifeblood running out of my trans with no way to shut it off. After a mad scramble into the house for my spare key I shut it off just at the 2 quart mark

 

[Drcoffee]

And a word of caution, if you use the trans to pump the fluid, roll down a window. The auto lock kicked in on mine and I stood there for a second watching the lifeblood running out of my trans with no way to shut it off. After a mad scramble into the house for my spare key I shut it off just at the 2 quart mark

ound:

I disabled my autolock. What a stupid feature to have on a vehicle.

 

[oxfordethan]

Looks like there are quite a few ways of replacing the fluid. Thanks for everyone's input. I'll have some time off over Christmas and plan on tackling this . I'll try to post what and how I did it.

Another Oxford T4R member huh? Small world!

I've seen your rig (and T4r.org sticker)! University Trails? Hotty Toddy.

 

[willbgood]

I guess if it has never been changed then the flush might make the most sense. Maybe depends on what you see when you drop pan and change filter. Are you going to save the old fluid when you drop the pan and put back in the old before you flush it? Otherwise you are just going to waste 4-5 qts of the stuff....but I am not sure I like the idea of putting in a clean filter and then running all the 'dirty' fluid through it.

This is partly why I just try to stay up on it and change out a portion each year.

How do you put in a clean filter? Isn't it just a cleanable screen and magnets in the pan?

Someone else mentioned that flushing can destroy the trans. This is not true. If changing the fluid cause the trans to die, the trans was terminal and all you did is a mercy killing that saved you the cost of a tow.

I would not bother opening the trans or cleaning the interior screen. Flush, add a Magnafine filter and pray the lack of proper maintenance is not going to force you to remove and replace the tranny. after a few thousand miles, remove and replace the Magnafine filter and you should be good.

 

[ben550]

I have done a complete transmission fluid flush three times now (04 4Runner, 09 Accord, 06 4Runner). Every time I buy a vehicle with an unknown history, I'll do a full flush using the return line method. Once it is all new fluid I do a drain and fill once a year or every 15-20k miles.

Never had an issue. Seems to aid in transmission longevity. Most times it was performed on a vehicle with high mileage. Most recently 167k miles...

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/diy-full-flush-for-automatic-transmission.68462/

This is the method I used.

It is nice watching the transmission fluid change from brownish red to bright reddish pink.

 

[SilvFx]

How do you put in a clean filter? Isn't it just a cleanable screen and magnets in the pan?

Someone else mentioned that flushing can destroy the trans. This is not true. If changing the fluid cause the trans to die, the trans was terminal and all you did is a mercy killing that saved you the cost of a tow.

I would not bother opening the trans or cleaning the interior screen. Flush, add a Magnafine filter and pray the lack of proper maintenance is not going to force you to remove and replace the tranny. after a few thousand miles, remove and replace the Magnafine filter and you should be good.

I haven't actually pulled apart the "filter" to see if there is any filtering element. Perhaps you are correct in that the 3rd gen 4Runner automatic is similar to my 2010 FJ Cruiser where the "filter" is just a screen that will filter out any large chunks of metal or other debris. I feel it is worth the effort to drop the pan to see what is on the magnets or in the bottom of the pan especially if it is a new to you vehicle or it has been a long time since the last fluid change.

 

[willbgood]

I haven't actually pulled apart the "filter" to see if there is any filtering element. Perhaps you are correct in that the 3rd gen 4Runner automatic is similar to my 2010 FJ Cruiser where the "filter" is just a screen that will filter out any large chunks of metal or other debris. I feel it is worth the effort to drop the pan to see what is on the magnets or in the bottom of the pan especially if it is a new to you vehicle or it has been a long time since the last fluid change.

Checking the magnets is probably a good thing, but my tranny was working well and I see no reason to check. The filter is just a screen, if it was clogged, it would reveal itself ass clogged. I see no reason to go to the expense and labour of dropping the pan.

I plan on changing the magnafine filter after a few thousand miles and I will likely cut it open to see what's in it. As well, I will keep an eye on the clean fluid, (Mobile1 ATF, Mobile one high mileage oil, and royal purple in diffs, and transfer, as well as a coolant flush, coolant replaced with Toyota red, as well I added trans cooler and fan among other things important to Toyota life), and see if it becomes dirty to fast. If it does I will drop the pan, but the likelihood of it getting dirty is slim. The tranny operates well, and I think my service technique is just fine.

 

[OleMissRunner]

I've seen your rig (and T4r.org sticker)! University Trails? Hotty Toddy.

Yep, that'd be me. Hotty toddy!