DO NOT USE Aftermarket Transmission Filters! DEFECTIVE!

[Rama]

DO NOT USE after market transmission filters on your 96-98 Toyota 4runners, they are defective (and yes the filters I checked
were for my EXACT transmission.)

Now I did some searching and didn't find any warnings about these filters so forgive me if this has already been brought up.

Hey everyone, I just serviced my transmission using this: Dropping Pan And Flushing Transmission write up, and came upon something worth sharing. Once it came to
cleaning or changing my transmission filter, I decided to just buy a new one and change it out with the old one. I decided
going with an aftermarket filter costing $20 instead of the Toyota filter which would have cost me much more, $70. I gave it
a pretty good look over before installing it, and everything seemed great. I put it on correctly, torqued it to specifications,
and was about to put the trans pan back on. Mind you, everything fit on very nicely and properly, but if I was not anal retentive
the way I am, then I would have never triple checked it... but I did, and here is what I came up:

As you can see in the pictures the recess on the factory filter,is ever so slightly deeper than that of after market filter. This
difference causes the AM filterto not seal against the valve body fluid inlet, essentially rending your filter useless.

In the attached pictures you can see that contact on the seal is not being made. It was hard to get a picture but I did the best
I could, and had to throw in a pic of my pup as well ha.

Now the first brand of AM filter I tried was "Power Torque", I figured it might just be this brand, so I ordered a "WIX" filter
figuring this to be a reputable brand. It had the exact same issue.

I hope this helps anyone who will be working on flushing their transmission or anyone who has put a non fitting aftermarket filter
in their transmission.

Summary: If you want to change out your transmission filter with a new one instead of cleaning your old one, then just suck it up
and pay for an a factory filter in the long run it will be well worth it.

 

[quicksilvr]

Hm. Makes me want to buy a Pro-King filter from Advance auto (like I've used in the past), and compare it to the stock one. That's crazy that it doesn't seal.

 

[PNWRunner]

The ONLY thing I have not done myself on my 4R is a full trans flush. I will be calling the trans shop in the morning to see what they use in their trans service package. Granted im doing a manual swap in the near future, my OEM trans was clean as a whistle with 200k and I dont want to risk blowing it up because the shop wanted to save a few bucks. Good find!

 

[BrianSD_42]

i thought the auto-trans filter looked differe t than the one pictured in this thread. I did thisba few yearsvagoband remember it being more of a metal grate.

either way stick with Toyota parts and filters.

 

[Rama]

i thought the auto-trans filter looked differe t than the one pictured in this thread. I did thisba few yearsvagoband remember it being more of a metal grate.

either way stick with Toyota parts and filters.

Yeah, my filter is for the 1997, which I believe should be the same from 96-98
Correct me if I am wrong but the 99-02 are different filters.

 

[quicksilvr]

Yeah, my filter is for the 1997, which I believe should be the same from 96-98
Correct me if I am wrong but the 99-02 are different filters.

It could be the general mold/shape of the 96-98 aftermarket filters is poor. The Pro-King filter I used was for a '99. And I really think it fit correctly and sealed. But not 100% sure.

 

[Rama]

It could be the general mold/shape of the 96-98 aftermarket filters is poor. The Pro-King filter I used was for a '99. And I really think it fit correctly and sealed. But not 100% sure.

Are you sure the trans filter for your 1999 even looks the same as the filter I posted? On Oreilly they come up with 2 different filter looks: List: AT Filter Kit - 1999 Toyota 4Runner | O'Reilly Auto Parts

Maybe the difference in filters comes with 2wd vs 4wd. Not sure. Anyone here know?

 

[Kung]

The two different filters are for the A340E (2WD) and A340F (4WD) transmissions; Rama is correct.

 

[Rama]

The ONLY thing I have not done myself on my 4R is a full trans flush. I will be calling the trans shop in the morning to see what they use in their trans service package. Granted im doing a manual swap in the near future, my OEM trans was clean as a whistle with 200k and I dont want to risk blowing it up because the shop wanted to save a few bucks. Good find!

I really wish my trans filter was clean, at 167 here is what mine looked like:
You can see the metal shavings being caught in the filter, along with all of the
clutch mud and buildup on the magnets.

 

[Drcoffee]

Let me jump in here with one of my favorite topics. The filter in the transmission is simply a screen. Don't bother opening up the pan. A screen isn't a filter. Also the magnets do catch some of the metal shavings and grit but what if you could catch more with a simple mod? And it only cost $16?

Look into Magnefine inline filters. I immediately put them on my PS and transmission whenever I get a new/used vehicle. There is a large dough nut shaped magnet at the entrance of the filter to catch the metallic stuff and then a paper filter element like an oil filter to catch everything else. What if it gets clogged? It has a built in bypass valve to let fluid flow around the filter. These are designed for 30,000 miles on transmission. The best part, it is installed in the trans cooler line. I have a perfectly functioning Mercury Villager with 135,000 and I did a drain and fill every 30,000 miles. At 129,000 (it was in for the last 40,000 miles) I pulled off the Magnefine filter and it was still catching metal on the magnet even though the fluid was fresh and the pan magnets still in place. My point is this, even though the pan has magnets, the Magnefine removed even more and it does it as the fluid flow passes over it on the way back into the transmission. I swear by these filters.

This picture shows how much metal I was able to wipe off the magnet. So much so that I could lift the paper towel with the magnet.

The fluid flows by the magnet first, from top to bottom

from their website: (dual filtration)magnet and element removes 99.97% of metal wear particles

 

[quicksilvr]

I agree with DrCoffee. I use a Magnafine on every auto trans I own. They work awesome.

My standard transmission treatment on a new to me 4Runner is:

-Drain fluid
-Drop the pan, clean the magnets, inspect old filter and install new one
-Install B&M transmission cooler, bypassing factory cooler
-Install Magnafine filter
-Do a couple more drain and fills over a 200 miles.

 

[Recoil Rob]

What size Magnefine for a 1997 4Runner, 3/8"?

 

[Drcoffee]

CORRECT! 3/8" I put it after the cooler so everything that enters the transmission is clean. just make sure you orient it correctly with the fluid flow.

 

[Recoil Rob]

Thanks Doc.

BTW does anyone know a source for a replacement tranny filter for my 97 V6 other than paying full price from my dealer? I tried about 10 online sources and none of them sell just filters. Anyone have a part #?


thanks,

Rob

 

[Recoil Rob]

Never mind, they hide it in Maintenance & Lube, not in auto transmission.

 

[Drcoffee]

Rob,

unless its damaged, you dont need to replace it. Simply hit it with some brake cleaner or soak in a solvent to clean the metal screen. I was told by my local stealership, that the screens are warehoused in CA because they are not routinely needed by the mechanics unless the transmission has grenaded.

 

[Recoil Rob]

Alrighty then, just a new pan gasket and filter gasket?

 

[quicksilvr]

Yep, you found it. It should be about $43-$44 wholesale.

 

[quicksilvr]

Alrighty then, just a new pan gasket and filter gasket?

The filter gasket is usually glued on. Unless it's hard and brittle, I'd leave it alone.

I do prefer to simply change the filter, since you don't have to worry about missing any gunk, or not getting the filter clean enough. You really can't spray the whole screen, and there's always part of it that you can't see. Plus you automatically get fresh filter gaskets on the filter.

For the pan gasket, toyota FIPG works....but I've always used the rubber gaskets. They're easier to install. You just have to torque the pan bolts a little tighter than spec, since the spec is for FIPG and they don't want you squeezing it all out.

 

[SummerallGuard04]

sheit. i think i used the autozone special on my '99? so far, no problems...