I've been reading contradicting threads about flushing tranny fluid.

[Ogbassist182]

So I need to do SOMETHING with my tranny fluid soon. Almost 150k on it, I bout it at 120k and I do not know if anyone has ever changed it. I have the sealed system. Some people say doing a complete flush via the rad line will "shock" the system and be bad. So the ultimate question. To flush or not to flush? Also, to drop the pan or just drain?

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I'd just do a drain and fill or two of the pan and see how that goes, if you were more north of 150k I'd be a bit more worried. But 150k-ish is probably still okay.

 

[RockyRider]

Usually the safe route is to drain the pain, remove it, replace the transmission filter, reinstall the pan, and replace the drained fluid with new OEM specific fluid.

Transmission flushes have the potential to cause more damage to the transmission. Problems with the valve body plungers and other components can begin sticking when you start to loosen up gunk and other sentiments within the transmission.

I've also been told that transmission fluid can become conditioned to the transmission, and replacing all of the old fluid with fresh fluid can cause problems with the clutch packs. I don't understand all of the details behind this but it's what I've heard.

One of my family members quickly killed the transmission on their Toyota Camry after performing a full system flush, so since then the most maintenance I will ever perform on an automatic transmission is to replace the filter.

 

[Ogbassist182]

I just want to know what's best for my situation. I will be installing a magnefine inline tranny filter as well.

 

[T5RUNNER]

Drain and fill is the correct answer.

 

[Ogbassist182]

I would be using the method described in this thread.

 

[Ogbassist182]

Usually the safe route is to drain the pain, remove it, replace the transmission filter, reinstall the pan, and replace the drained fluid with new OEM specific fluid.

Transmission flushes have the potential to cause more damage to the transmission. Problems with the valve body plungers and other components can begin sticking when you start to loosen up gunk and other sentiments within the transmission.

I've also been told that transmission fluid can become conditioned to the transmission, and replacing all of the old fluid with fresh fluid can cause problems with the clutch packs. I don't understand all of the details behind this but it's what I've heard.

One of my family members quickly killed the transmission on their Toyota Camry after performing a full system flush, so since then the most maintenance I will ever perform on an automatic transmission is to replace the filter.

Did they do it themselves or have a shop hook a pump up to it.

 

[Morphyne]

I just did a tranny fluid exchange via the cooling line and I dropped the pan and cleaned it out and replaced the filter. Truck runs good, smooth shifting, no problems.

I think the worry is the guys who use the T-tech machines or something similar. I did an exchange because I wanted to use the valvoline maxlife and drain and fills would just co-mingle that with the OEM ws fluid.

Truth is, I haven't heard anyone having an issue either way. Drain and fill is the safest. Fluid exchange is the most complete. Changing the filter does nothing. I changed mine at 165k and there was almost nothing in the screens. I never use new crush washers on anything and have never had a leak, and honestly, I was thinking about reusing the pan gasket on my wifes gx if it looked as good as my 4 runners did...

The biggest benefit to dropping the pan (other than getting and opportunity to see what transmission fluid tastes like) is to clean and inspect the junk in the pan.

FWIW, I did my 4runner last week and will likely do my wifes gx tomorrow. And yes I will replace the filter, but only because I already bought the damn thing...

 

[97hb]

I have done drains and refills the whole time and my trans still shifts butter with 370,000 miles!!! You'll be fine with drain and refill.

 

[07V8]

So much incorrect BS about this. Please someone find me a documented failure of a A750F from a fluid exchange. There is no "flush" they don't blast your transmission with a pressure washer. The proper procedure is to pump in what the transmission pumps out. An equal EXCHANGE.

I'll be doing a full exchange tonight for the second time at 157k.

 

[Ogbassist182]

I just did a tranny fluid exchange via the cooling line and I dropped the pan and cleaned it out and replaced the filter. Truck runs good, smooth shifting, no problems.

I think the worry is the guys who use the T-tech machines or something similar. I did an exchange because I wanted to use the valvoline maxlife and drain and fills would just co-mingle that with the OEM ws fluid.

Truth is, I haven't heard anyone having an issue either way. Drain and fill is the safest. Fluid exchange is the most complete. Changing the filter does nothing. I changed mine at 165k and there was almost nothing in the screens. I never use new crush washers on anything and have never had a leak, and honestly, I was thinking about reusing the pan gasket on my wifes gx if it looked as good as my 4 runners did...

The biggest benefit to dropping the pan (other than getting and opportunity to see what transmission fluid tastes like) is to clean and inspect the junk in the pan.

FWIW, I did my 4runner last week and will likely do my wifes gx tomorrow. And yes I will replace the filter, but only because I already bought the damn thing...

I think I'd feel better if I did what you said. I'm not interested in replacing the "filter/screen" I did it to my 01 4Runner a few years back and it was clean as well. I will be instilling the magnefine filter. But I just don't see the point in mixing 4 quarts of new oil in with 8 or so of bad. I think I will be doing the flush using the method of that thread I posted.

Also, linky on the atf You used? I feel like I will change my atf regularly so I don't mind buy cheaper stuff than the Toyota atf -sw.......Valvoline Max Life Dex/Mer???

 

[Ogbassist182]

So much incorrect BS about this. Please someone find me a documented failure of a A750F from a fluid exchange. There is no "flush" they don't blast your transmission with a pressure washer. The proper procedure is to pump in what the transmission pumps out. An equal EXCHANGE.

I'll be doing a full exchange tonight for the second time at 157k.

Do you use the Toyota ws or another atf

 

[07V8]

Do you use the Toyota ws or another atf

WS. I'm a Reliability Engineer. Dont **** with OEM recommendations, especially with certain fluids. Motor oil (and using synthetics and different brands) is different than transmission fluid.

Oils have to meet API and ASME guidelines. Transmission fluid does not and can be proprietary.

 

[Morphyne]

I think I'd feel better if I did what you said. I'm not interested in replacing the "filter/screen" I did it to my 01 4Runner a few years back and it was clean as well. I will be instilling the magnefine filter. But I just don't see the point in mixing 4 quarts of new oil in with 8 or so of bad. I think I will be doing the flush using the method of that thread I posted.

Also, linky on the atf You used? I feel like I will change my atf regularly so I don't mind buy cheaper stuff than the Toyota atf -sw.......Valvoline Max Life Dex/Mer???

Valvoline Maxlife, WS compliant (at least it says so on the back), $17 a gallon at walmart. My truck is a street queen but I drive a lot for work so since I have done the exchange I am probably going to do a drain and fill every 20k-25k. Cheap insurance on one of the most expensive systems on your truck.

 

[Morphyne]

WS. I'm a Reliability Engineer. Dont **** with OEM recommendations, especially with certain fluids. Motor oil (and using synthetics and different brands) is different than transmission fluid.

Oils have to meet API and ASME guidelines. Transmission fluid does not and can be proprietary.

I agree totally with your post. Reason I didn't go OEM is all of the garbage I have read about the WS not even being synthetic, it being more about environmental compliance, etc... and with the BS secondary air pump thing, that tracks true with Toyota's track record.

But again like you said, show me a failed A750 that was due to fluid change. I bet the only dead 750's were the ones that believed the "lifetime fluid nonsense".

 

[Ogbassist182]

Valvoline Maxlife, WS compliant (at least it says so on the back), $17 a gallon at walmart. My truck is a street queen but I drive a lot for work so since I have done the exchange I am probably going to do a drain and fill every 20k-25k. Cheap insurance on one of the most expensive systems on your truck.

So if I do the flush with 12 quarts. Valvoline will only save me about 30 bucks depending on if I need to ride to the dealership to buy more. I'm sure their quarts are close to $15 per. How many do you recommend flushing with?

 

[JB.]

So I need to do SOMETHING with my tranny fluid soon.

Stop stressing about the contradicting threads and do whichever you prefer.

When the vehicle turns into an ex-vehicle and the transmission is/was still running smoothly, it won't matter which one you chose.

 

[Morphyne]

So if I do the flush with 12 quarts. Valvoline will only save me about 30 bucks depending on if I need to ride to the dealership to buy more. I'm sure their quarts are close to $15 per. How many do you recommend flushing with?

Following the exchange method I think I burned through 14ish quarts or3.5 gallons. So with two vehicles it will run me 7 gallons.

If you are perfect you really only need 12 but srip, leaks, and spls happen.


Oh warning though, tranny fluid stinks like gear oil. My wife was pissed when I spilled half my pan on the garage floor. Stinky!

 

[Ogbassist182]

Following the exchange method I think I burned through 14ish quarts or3.5 gallons. So with two vehicles it will run me 7 gallons.

If you are perfect you really only need 12 but srip, leaks, and spls happen.


Oh warning though, tranny fluid stinks like gear oil. My wife was pissed when I spilled half my pan on the garage floor. Stinky!

I recently had a cv axle seal go bad and gear oil was leaking out and spraying the undercarriage of my truck. I know what it a smells like lol.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I agree totally with your post. Reason I didn't go OEM is all of the garbage I have read about the WS not even being synthetic, it being more about environmental compliance, etc... and with the BS secondary air pump thing, that tracks true with Toyota's track record.

But again like you said, show me a failed A750 that was due to fluid change. I bet the only dead 750's were the ones that believed the "lifetime fluid nonsense".

Well to be honest with you, there's no concrete information on WS ATF, no one knows what it is exactly and what's in it. There's bits and pieces of information; but it does not paint an accurate enough picture to determine what WS actually is.

So far it's a modified Dexron III, a Modified Dexron VI, half-synthetic Type IV derivative, and/or red coloured magick fluid. Yes BITOG has fancy VOA numbers and such, but even that's hardly worth a damn without context; which when it comes to WS ATF and the standard it supposedly meets is severely lacking.