Easy Peasy transmission fluid exchange V6

[firebirdguy]

Does The fluid come out from the torque converter, or straight from the Pan?

answered this on the other thread you posted it on...

"comes from the TC. the trans & TC gets its "new" or cooled fluid from the pan.

doing an exchange you are pumping out fluid from the converter then refilling the pan to to cycle new fluid through the trans & TC.

& dont fill through the cooling line like the first post on this thread, takes forever & makes it so much harder than it needs to be. use the fill hole on the side of the trans as it was designed for."

 

[bob3dsf]

the train has derailed a bit....

So lets try to put it back on the rails.... I noticed some confusion in the last couple pages.

The original post on this method was to eliminate the need to get under the truck to refill the ATF at the fill port on the top of the tranny.

1. firebirdguy is referring to the method outlined in this thread:
ATF Exchange (using the cooling line) - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum


Yes, this method I linked breaks the fluid path at the lower trans cooler output, where it's returning to the tranny. Yes, this method also uses the fill port on the top of the tranny. This works. I've done it twice. It is, however, messy and awkward. You will find the it's difficult to access the fill bolt and your arm is very close to an exhaust pipe, so if you've run your truck to warm the fluid, it's easy to get burned. They way I pumped in new fluid was with individual ATF quarts and a fluid pump that screws on to the top of the quart. Now, try pumping that damned thing. It's a real PITA. I always had to push the bottle up against the undercarriage to operate the pump.... oh and the fluid pump you buy from the parts store? You'll find that the toyota WS quart bottles have a slightly different sized opening, so those bottle pumps fit kinda wonky. ( wish I knew about the DIY pressurized pump back then..I'll get to that) Again, this method works, but you'll be crawling all over the floor. Yes, doing maintenance will require getting on the floor, but it's pretty cramped down there doing an ATF flush. I'll argue that this method is actually harder than post #1 in this thread.

Also mentioned was an ATF hose location on the passenger side of the radiator. Be careful! I have a V6, the ATF lines to the trans cooler are on the DRIVERS side. The V8 might be different.

As I mentioned, the OP in this thread offered an alternate. Same process, just at a different location in the system. Early in this thread, someone mentioned using a pressurized pump to eliminate waiting for gravity to do your refills.
Like this: YouTube

A pressurized pump makes filling at the fill plug MUCH easier since you could pour in your 2 qts, pump it up then open the valve. But, the pressurized pump also makes it easier to fill into the upper tranny cooler line also. So I'd call that even.

Filling from a funnel up high, going into the fill plug: I tried it, didn't work. At least, not using gravity. The tube will be too long and have several turns down to the fill plug. Surface tension and capillary action, I think, made it very difficult for the fluid to drain all the way down, plus you have a lot of residual fluid in the tube, so your measurements will be all off. Here again, the pressurized pump would likely solve this issue.



2. Etremewlr ( I think I spelled that wrong) described a problem with very slow flow on the refills. There shouldn't be any check valves, the fluid only moves in one direction. Why didn't you just refill at your dipstick? It looked like you have an '05 with the non-sealed tranny. I also noticed this one was a V8 and the hoses were connected on the passenger side.

~Bob

 

[hessian]

Here is a link to my 2 cents when I did my flush. Worked like a charm filling from above. Used a plastic fitting... 3/8” MPT x 1/2” barbed hose. Teflon tape and a funnel. Easily added fluid through engine compartment.

Transmission pan vs stump

 

[firebirdguy]

So lets try to put it back on the rails.... I noticed some confusion in the last couple pages.

The original post on this method was to eliminate the need to get under the truck to refill the ATF at the fill port on the top of the tranny.

1. firebirdguy is referring to the method outlined in this thread:
ATF Exchange (using the cooling line) - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum


Yes, this method I linked breaks the fluid path at the lower trans cooler output, where it's returning to the tranny. Yes, this method also uses the fill port on the top of the tranny. This works. I've done it twice. It is, however, messy and awkward. You will find the it's difficult to access the fill bolt and your arm is very close to an exhaust pipe, so if you've run your truck to warm the fluid, it's easy to get burned. They way I pumped in new fluid was with individual ATF quarts and a fluid pump that screws on to the top of the quart. Now, try pumping that damned thing. It's a real PITA. I always had to push the bottle up against the undercarriage to operate the pump.... oh and the fluid pump you buy from the parts store? You'll find that the toyota WS quart bottles have a slightly different sized opening, so those bottle pumps fit kinda wonky. ( wish I knew about the DIY pressurized pump back then..I'll get to that) Again, this method works, but you'll be crawling all over the floor. Yes, doing maintenance will require getting on the floor, but it's pretty cramped down there doing an ATF flush. I'll argue that this method is actually harder than post #1 in this thread.

Also mentioned was an ATF hose location on the passenger side of the radiator. Be careful! I have a V6, the ATF lines to the trans cooler are on the DRIVERS side. The V8 might be different.

As I mentioned, the OP in this thread offered an alternate. Same process, just at a different location in the system. Early in this thread, someone mentioned using a pressurized pump to eliminate waiting for gravity to do your refills.
Like this: YouTube

A pressurized pump makes filling at the fill plug MUCH easier since you could pour in your 2 qts, pump it up then open the valve. But, the pressurized pump also makes it easier to fill into the upper tranny cooler line also. So I'd call that even.

Filling from a funnel up high, going into the fill plug: I tried it, didn't work. At least, not using gravity. The tube will be too long and have several turns down to the fill plug. Surface tension and capillary action, I think, made it very difficult for the fluid to drain all the way down, plus you have a lot of residual fluid in the tube, so your measurements will be all off. Here again, the pressurized pump would likely solve this issue.



2. Etremewlr ( I think I spelled that wrong) described a problem with very slow flow on the refills. There shouldn't be any check valves, the fluid only moves in one direction. Why didn't you just refill at your dipstick? It looked like you have an '05 with the non-sealed tranny. I also noticed this one was a V8 and the hoses were connected on the passenger side.

~Bob

using the trans fill hole is in no way messy or awkward, its the fastest most simple way to do it without buying a powered pump. to each their own on how they do this, but saying getting under the truck using the fill hole is harder than filling via the cooler lines is not true at all, unless youre a very big guy or cant get up & down off the floor a couple times due to a physical handicap etc. & if you warmed the fluid, which is not required, you simply let it sit for about 10 minutes & the exhaust pipes are cool... if youre doing it right after running the truck & burning your arm, i cant help ya there, common sense isnt too common apparently.

also saying filling from a funnel up high doesnt work is completely untrue, you had something wrong with the set up if you had "several turns" or bends etc... i know because i did it & so have countless others & it takes all of about 3-4 minutes to fill ~2qts. it is a straight shot from the passenger side wheel well down to the fill hole on the trans, just a nice gradual curve in the hose. if you had problems filling with a hose & funnel you did it wrong or had too small of a funnel/hose. there is no surface tension or capillary action, its an open hose with no restrictions into the fill hole.

there is of course more that one way to skin this cat, if you cant get under the truck or are too lazy to do that then yes you can try filling via the cooler lines & wait forever for it to fill, or you can buy a hand pump, which will pump trans fluid very easy, it does not require struggling pushing the bottle against the floor, it can be difficult with gear lube but not water thin trans fluid. or buy a mechanical power pump is an option too, but why make this process so difficult & expensive when its a simple straight forward thing?

my comments on this thread are just trying to help others with a faster easier way to do it, if getting under the truck is a problem or inconvenience or you cant run a hose to the fill hole without several bends, then maybe this way is not for you.

 

[Docholliday5645]

Great post! Seen other similar posts but this is straight forward and detailed enough to follow. Thanks!

 

[chester4Run]

Thanks!

This a great approach. I've used it on several vehicles. I prefer to separate the return line down low, and drain the fluid coming from the radiator while feeding the fresh fluid back to the transmission. I tell myself this method reduces mixing of the old and new fluid, but really I just prefer it. Down low reduces mess from the small amount of ATF that drips when you disconnect and reconnect the hoses.

Thanks again!

 

[DougEFresh2]

is there enough force from the gravity after hanging the funnel up to push enough of the clean fluid through the radiator and back to the transmission?
Personally, instead of relying on gravity to push the new fluid back in, I would probably use this:
Motive Products Power Fill Pro Transfer Pumps | JEGS

just my 2 cents. maybe it's a waste of money, idk. great post though!

 

[CarlosV]

So basically Firebirdguy in my 2003 4R V6 2WD A340E-i trans
Procedure is: Connect 3/8 hose to lower radiator trans cooler nipple for drainage with engine and fill at my dipstick, 2qts a the time, till i get nice fluid? that's it?
Thanks Carlos

 

[firebirdguy]

So basically Firebirdguy in my 2003 4R V6 2WD A340E-i trans
Procedure is: Connect 3/8 hose to lower radiator trans cooler nipple for drainage with engine and fill at my dipstick, 2qts a the time, till i get nice fluid? that's it?
Thanks Carlos

hi. yes if you plan to do the full fluid exchange you would use the bottom trans line port on the radiator, it should be the outlet just like the sealed transmissions, & should have the same 3/8 metal fitting to connect 3/8 hose to.

then have a helper start the truck while you watch for ~2qts to pump out into the jug, then shut it off & fill the same amount via the dipstick tube. verify your trans fluid capacity & do enough 2qt cycles to replace it. since you dont have WS fluid to worry about, valvoline maxlife is the best option to use.

 

[CarlosV]

hi. yes if you plan to do the full fluid exchange you would use the bottom trans line port on the radiator, it should be the outlet just like the sealed transmissions, & should have the same 3/8 metal fitting to connect 3/8 hose to.

then have a helper start the truck while you watch for ~2qts to pump out into the jug, then shut it off & fill the same amount via the dipstick tube. verify your trans fluid capacity & do enough 2qt cycles to replace it. since you dont have WS fluid to worry about, valvoline maxlife is the best option to use.

Great. Thanks firebirdguy

 

[foragg]

I will bow to your knowledge on the transfer case. All I know is what I experienced. Maybe psychosomatic.

 

[firebirdguy]

I will bow to your knowledge on the transfer case. All I know is what I experienced. Maybe psychosomatic.

who are you talking to? wrong thread?

 

[phatcheeks]

I have a non sealed v6 with aux cooler. Instead of using the original return line from the radiator, can I use the return line from the aux cooler to drain the fluid? If I use the original return line from the radiator it will bypass the aux cooler that way. Not sure which way is best.
Then I can refill from the dipstick

 

[Tironeous]

I have a non sealed v6 with aux cooler. Instead of using the original return line from the radiator, can I use the return line from the aux cooler to drain the fluid? If I use the original return line from the radiator it will bypass the aux cooler that way. Not sure which way is best.
Then I can refill from the dipstick

I have a V8 with the transmission cooler. Not sure if yours is the same but here’s a picture of how I drained the fluid after the initial pan drain. Definitely fill via dipstick.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[firebirdguy]

I have a non sealed v6 with aux cooler. Instead of using the original return line from the radiator, can I use the return line from the aux cooler to drain the fluid? If I use the original return line from the radiator it will bypass the aux cooler that way. Not sure which way is best.
Then I can refill from the dipstick

yes you can use the return line from the aux cooler, either way will work.

 

[phatcheeks]

yes you can use the return line from the aux cooler, either way will work.

I have a V8 with the transmission cooler. Not sure if yours is the same but here’s a picture of how I drained the fluid after the initial pan drain. Definitely fill via dipstick.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks! I actually don't have the aux cooler yet. Ill be installing it in a day or so. Ill be doing the fluid exchange in a few weeks with some T-IV fluid.

 

[tdubz]

I am planning on dropping and cleaning the drain pan and replacing the "filter" (I already bought and the dealership charges a 35% restock fee). My question is: can I refill the pan through the cooler lines?

For example, I drain/drop the pan and say its 4 qts even. Can I button everything back up, and add 4 qts through the return line funnel. Then start the 2-3 qts in/out cycle as described? The idea would be to minimize mixing the old and new and more importantly the refill hole is a PIA to get to.

 

[firebirdguy]

yes you can refill via cooler lines but its so much faster & easier to use the fill hole, its not a PIA to get to, its right there on the pass side of the trans, dont even need to jack it up, just lay on a piece of cardboard & undo the plug. but it works either way... some members on here reported that using gravity & a funnel through the cooler lines took forever, like over 30 minutes for 2 qts. the cooler lines are very small & have bends & run uphill for some sections, gravity doesnt work too well in those situations. if youre going to do it that way might want to use a hand pump. using gravity with a straight shot into the fill hole literally takes about 3 minutes to refill 2qts.

you can drain the pan first, whether you remove it or just pull the drain plug, thats the ideal way to do it to get that first ~3.5 qts out. also the majority of people that changed the filter say its rarely dirty or clogged, its a metal screen not fiber, if the pan doesnt leak you might consider leaving it alone to avoid potential for a future leak but thats your call.

best of luck!

 

[4r-4ever]

I made this youtube video a long time ago. that's what i did. dropped the pan to remove all the dirty oil and flushed it through using the return line. Here's the link. Read the description first. My goal here is to show how i've done it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3fu0wiabFQ

I am planning on dropping and cleaning the drain pan and replacing the "filter" (I already bought and the dealership charges a 35% restock fee). My question is: can I refill the pan through the cooler lines?

For example, I drain/drop the pan and say its 4 qts even. Can I button everything back up, and add 4 qts through the return line funnel. Then start the 2-3 qts in/out cycle as described? The idea would be to minimize mixing the old and new and more importantly the refill hole is a PIA to get to.

 

[jlaw904]

Just to verify if I'm filling through the trans fill plug: I'm disconnecting the top cooler line and connecting my hose to the hose (not the cooler) to catch the old oil. Correct? What size OD or ID hose and hose clamp do I need to connect to the exhisting hose? 3/8" OD since the inlet fitting is requiring a 3/8" ID hose?

Trying to verify because now I'm a little more confused after reading some people talking about the fittings/top/bottom, etc.

2WD V6 2008

Thanks.