Finding transmission fluid, Pain in the ***

[AuSeeker]

What is the best way to check the Transmission Fluid level on the 2005 V8 sealed transmission?

Here's a PDF file that eplains how to do it, the begining starts with adding fluid after a flush, so go down to the part of checking the temperature in which you need a special tester...BUT all the tester does is connect the pins in the ODBII port shown in the directions so the FIY methold just uses a paper clip to do the pin connection(this PDF is for 2003, 2004, not sure if it works on the 2005 model and the pins needing connected are different on later models but I don't recall which year that changed, maybe for the 2006 model), that being said you can also just skip that part and use a infrared temperature gun on the pan until it's reads between 120 and 130 degrees, and then follow in the PDF for fluid level check.

Note: There are two plugs on the transmission pan the drain plug is flush with the bottom of the pan, the "overflow plug" A.K.A. fluid level check plug is the one recessed up into the pan.

 

[djpope09]

Some think so I guess thinking that it would slow down the process of lossening any sludge since the majority of the fluid still in there is old fluid...but I don't see a benefit until you do the drain and fill 4 to 6 times to get to almost all new fluid in there.

But as I stated above if the transmission is experiencing issues getting all new fluid in there is what I think is the best to do to solve those issues, the issues themselves are telling me that the transmission is not working correctly because of the old fluid being degraded.

But in the end each and everyone of us needs to decide what is best for them to do since you will be the one who has the live with the success or failure of whichever method you choose to do or if you decide to do nothing.

However the one thing I would advise everyone to do even if you decide to do nothing is to at least learn how to properly check the fluid level and add some if it's low, I know it's a pain in the ass because of there's no dipstick....BUT how else are you going to know it is or isn't low on fluid, running the transmission low on fluid is much worse than keeping old fluid in there and will for sure at some point cause failure of the transmission!!

These transmissions are about as bulletproof as you can get for a mechanical device..BUT not so much so if you neglect them.

The OP has the 340 transmission from 04 which should have a dipstick. That's probably about the only benefit of having that transmission haha. I'm guessing most people here have the "sealed" 5 speed though.

 

[sport2004]

The OP has the 340 transmission from 04 which should have a dipstick. That's probably about the only benefit of having that transmission haha. I'm guessing most people here have the "sealed" 5 speed though.

No kidding this is great

 

[Jackkill1]

Thanks for the PDF.

 

[irishrunner]

03 V8 with 323k. Was getting the rumble strip vibration from the torque converter. Fluid has only been changed once. Tow a boat in summer months that weighs about 4700 lbs. Needed to get something done. Bought 12 qts of Toyota Type IV. Drained 3.5 qts from pan and refilled that amount. Then began replacing one qt at a time all the way to a total of 11qts (8 more) by hooking a clear line to the external cooler in front of the radiator. Triple checked both cold and hot levels of fluid via dipstick.

Went for an extensive test drive and rumble vibration was not there at all (yet). The new fluid replacement seems to have taken care of it!

Thanks to all who contribute such valuable info in this forum.