Is there something wrong with our transmissions?

J

jaredking733

New member
I've seen a couple posts recently which seem to indicate that our transmission's life expectancy is very much inferior to that of the engines. One was in the post that talked about seeing a runner with 600,000+ k/m on it and someone said something to the effect of "original engine isn't surprising, but wonder how many transmissions it's had" or something like that.

I've studied here for a while now and just don't know of any glaring common problems with our transmissions, but is there something I don't know?
 
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A friend of mine has a 3rd gen, not exactly sure the year, and replaced a transmission about 3 months after she bought it. I think it had 160k
 
The pink milkshake and lack of maintenance kills them, the same thing that kills engines. There's a thread on here with people talking about how many miles they have on their original transmissions. Many of them are well over 200k. There's nothing inferior.
 
Unner said:
The pink milkshake and lack of maintenance kills them, the same thing that kills engines. There's a thread on here with people talking about how many miles they have on their original transmissions. Many of them are well over 200k. There's nothing inferior.
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That was kind of my thinking, but I wasn't sure if maybe there was something in them prone to failure I just wasn't aware of.

I'm one of the members here who has the full bypass done and complete flush done every 30k on the nose. I have 234k and it's smooth as butter.
 
My runner is at 239k (I'll break 240k today) and it's still on the original engine and tranny. Everything runs super smooth aside from a few squeaky belts (which will meet their end very soon.) My only regret about the 4runner is that I got it in april of this year instead of april 10 years ago so I could have put those miles on it myself!
 
jaredking733 said:
I've seen a couple posts recently which seem to indicate that our transmission's life expectancy is very much inferior to that of the engines. One was in the post that talked about seeing a runner with 600,000+ k/m on it and someone said something to the effect of "original engine isn't surprising, but wonder how many transmissions it's had" or something like that.

I've studied here for a while now and just don't know of any glaring common problems with our transmissions, but is there something I don't know?
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There have been failed flexplates and milkshake issues. Some more have failed quicker when supercharged. Auto trans that make it past 300k on any vehicle is pretty good just on the way they are designed. IMO depends on how you treat your vehicle/driving habits.
 
I'm at 175k and mine is perfect too. Original owner had fluid changed every 30k through 90k, in-between owner was kinda iffy on that, and as soon as I got(140k) it I changed the fluid multiple times, but never flushed it. Now I change it once a year or every 15k or so. No issues.
 
195k and has been maintained per Toyota recommendations all along. No issues. Dads 3rd gen that he bought in 96 had like 280 when we sold it still with original tranny.
 
The A340's is a strong and reliable transmission. It's the pink milkshake, or the 2year/30K mile maintenance that owners don't do that's the issue. More so if the trans fluid gets up there in temp when towing, mountain driving or any other high heat events that kills the trans. And this is not pertaining to just Toyota's. It does not matter what the car is. Neglect the trans fluid and it will ultimately kill the trans.
 
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Buy a Scangauge - Watch the tranny temp - - Its been a while, but I think the common thought is to not let it exceed 210 degrees. If you exceed that you are either towing too much uphill and you need to slow down and pull over if you have to.

If you are not towing and you get up there. You need to check for pink milk shake.

May be 215 degrees - - there is some tipping point that I will let others correct if I am off. :)
 
These are probably one of the better autos I've ever dealt with.

I think what gives them a bad rap is people adopt the motto of "it's a toyota it will run forever" and think it means they don't need regular maintenance.

My truck has 280k miles on the original. As long as you do the maintenance and don't drive like a dick you'll be fine.
 
OP, you should consider selling. These transmissions are ticking time bombs. I towed a jet ski and it started slipping after 10 miles. Not to mention the pink milkshake that happens all the time. IMO this transmission cannot handle the power and weight of this vehicle.
 
Weejub said:
Buy a Scangauge - Watch the tranny temp - - Its been a while, but I think the common thought is to not let it exceed 210 degrees. If you exceed that you are either towing too much uphill and you need to slow down and pull over if you have to.

If you are not towing and you get up there. You need to check for pink milk shake.

May be 215 degrees - - there is some tipping point that I will let others correct if I am off. :)
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I wish a scangauge would work for mine. I have a 97.

Just can't get the motivation to install an in line gauge.
 
T4R2014 said:
Yeah, we've got some of the most unreliable ones around. They need rebuilds every 10k.
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T4R2014 said:
OP, you should consider selling. These transmissions are ticking time bombs. I towed a jet ski and it started slipping after 10 miles. Not to mention the pink milkshake that happens all the time. IMO this transmission cannot handle the power and weight of this vehicle.
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Holy crap. Guess I better sell asap before it explodes at highway speeds and humanity is obliterated.

Disaster averted. Can't thank you enough for your insight! Don't know what I'd do without you!

:thanks:
 
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