Just bought 2006 SR5 V8 4WD. I already searched. Transmission drain or flush?

[kcwater]

I promise I already searched and read tons of threads about changing the transmission fluid.

Been stalking and shopping for 4runners for awhile now, and bought mine today. It's a white 2006 SR5 V8 4WD with 125,000 miles. Everything is in great shape, but I'm having the nearest Toyota dealer do some work for me (Capital Toyota in Chattanooga). Service records are non-existent, so I don't know if it's had a timing belt, water pump, or any fluid exchanges in the transmission. I'm having them do the belt, pump, thermostat, tensioner, as well as replacing cracked axle boots.

BlackWorksInc has made several very helpful posts on the matter, but I want to make sure I do the right thing for my situation. The Toyota tech said he could flush it for $189, and the engine is running during the process. I'm not sure if this implies a fluid exchange or a power flush, but he did say a machine is hooked up to do it. He did confirm that it would break loose sediment when I asked about it. Pretty sure I don't want a power flush. Seems too risky. Alternatively, he said he could do a drain and fill. The service manager said go for the flush. He said they've done it on tons of Toyotas with over 100k that have never been flushed before and it hasn't hurt them. I'm skeptical.

The conservative alternative is a basic drain and fill, or do nothing according to this: http://freepdfhosting.com/cd481dc8ae.pdf

I went through this same dilemma on my 2004 Chevy 2500 HD 4wd when it was having tranny problems at 120k. Local shop said power flush it, dealer said just drain and fill. We did the drain and fill, and the transmission was toast shortly after (it probably was doomed either way, as it was already the 2nd transmission in the truck. The first transmission change came at 30k under warranty).

Anyway, what should I do on my 4runner? I really don't want to F it up right after i bought it, so I'm leaning towards either do nothing or drain and fill. I realize it will only partially drain it and make a small impact on dilution unless they drain and fill multiple times or I do it myself multiple times with driving in-between. Not sure how hard the vehicle was used in the past, but it's in excellent shape, so probably nothing crazy. My use will involve lots of curvy mountains roads and occasional towing of boats and trailers. Thoughts?

 

[JEL]

I had every intention of doing multiple drain and fills on mine at 60k, however, when I did the first one the stuff coming out looked almost identical to the stuff I put back in, and that was on the first change, so I just did one and will do another in 20k miles, then another in another 20k at 100k.

The WS is a long life ATF, however at 125k I'd suggest proceeding with caution, so I'd do multiple drain and refills (2-3 times) to get the stuff relatively fresh, while not going overboard with power flushing and such. My dad has a Honda Accord which is notorious for weak and fragile transmissions (our 4runners aren't known for weak AT's, however) and Honda themselves recommend a "3x3 drain and fill" method for replacing ~86% of the old fluid in those cars, it should be somehwere around that number for our 4runners as well with 3 or so drain and fills, and that's good enough IMO (the old stuff isn't poison afterall, just a little tired). 2-3 drain and refills should get your ATF clean enough and the additive package fresh enough to prolong the life. Of course I'd also start doing a single drain and refill every 30k or so from here-on.

 

[MikeInNH]

My dad has a Honda Accord which is notorious for weak and fragile transmissions

Honda only had a couple of years 2000-2002 with having bad transmissions. We owned two Accords (87 and 96)..both went well past 300k miles with ZERO transmission problems.

 

[ben550]

I promise I already searched and read tons of threads about changing the transmission fluid.

Been stalking and shopping for 4runners for awhile now, and bought mine today. It's a white 2006 SR5 V8 4WD with 125,000 miles. Everything is in great shape, but I'm having the nearest Toyota dealer do some work for me (Capital Toyota in Chattanooga). Service records are non-existent, so I don't know if it's had a timing belt, water pump, or any fluid exchanges in the transmission. I'm having them do the belt, pump, thermostat, tensioner, as well as replacing cracked axle boots.

BlackWorksInc has made several very helpful posts on the matter, but I want to make sure I do the right thing for my situation. The Toyota tech said he could flush it for $189, and the engine is running during the process. I'm not sure if this implies a fluid exchange or a power flush, but he did say a machine is hooked up to do it. He did confirm that it would break loose sediment when I asked about it. Pretty sure I don't want a power flush. Seems too risky. Alternatively, he said he could do a drain and fill. The service manager said go for the flush. He said they've done it on tons of Toyotas with over 100k that have never been flushed before and it hasn't hurt them. I'm skeptical.

The conservative alternative is a basic drain and fill, or do nothing according to this: http://freepdfhosting.com/cd481dc8ae.pdf

I went through this same dilemma on my 2004 Chevy 2500 HD 4wd when it was having tranny problems at 120k. Local shop said power flush it, dealer said just drain and fill. We did the drain and fill, and the transmission was toast shortly after (it probably was doomed either way, as it was already the 2nd transmission in the truck. The first transmission change came at 30k under warranty).

Anyway, what should I do on my 4runner? I really don't want to F it up right after i bought it, so I'm leaning towards either do nothing or drain and fill. I realize it will only partially drain it and make a small impact on dilution unless they drain and fill multiple times or I do it myself multiple times with driving in-between. Not sure how hard the vehicle was used in the past, but it's in excellent shape, so probably nothing crazy. My use will involve lots of curvy mountains roads and occasional towing of boats and trailers. Thoughts?

I would not use a machine to flush it, but have found this method to work: DIY: Full Flush for Automatic Transmission - Tacoma World Forums

I did this to my 04 4runner at 136k miles and it has had no issue now at 166k miles. Using the return line to drain the fluid does not add any pressure to the system. It allows the fluid to be removed and you fill using the fill plug access. I did one quart at a time... drain one quart, fill one quart, drain, fill etc... for 12 quarts. It got all the fluid out of the system. Just make sure you get the fluid level right after the procedure. I am about to do this again on another 4runner. It works for me and I prefer it to draining and filling. If i knew the service history I would probably drain and fill, rather than the full "flush" but with it being an unknown history its nice to get all new fluid in there.

 

[ben550]

I promise I already searched and read tons of threads about changing the transmission fluid.

Been stalking and shopping for 4runners for awhile now, and bought mine today. It's a white 2006 SR5 V8 4WD with 125,000 miles. Everything is in great shape, but I'm having the nearest Toyota dealer do some work for me (Capital Toyota in Chattanooga). Service records are non-existent, so I don't know if it's had a timing belt, water pump, or any fluid exchanges in the transmission. I'm having them do the belt, pump, thermostat, tensioner, as well as replacing cracked axle boots.

What is the timing belt job going to cost? Is it at the dealership? Just curious.

 

[kcwater]

What is the timing belt job going to cost? Is it at the dealership? Just curious.

For timing belt only, their standard price is $500. I had it at the dealer to be inspected prior to me buying it, and I told them the seller was going to have an independent shop do the belt, water pump, thermostat, and tensioner for $500. The toyota service manager had to work at it for awhile but he got the price for all of those things down close to $500. They normally charge $800 I think. He was willing to work with me because I'd been hanging out at the dealer for 4 hours talking to them about it, and I was going to be spending about $1,600 total in preventative maintenance with the axle boots, a tire pressure sensor, a few minor things, and the belt/pump.

 

[ben550]

For timing belt only, their standard price is $500. I had it at the dealer to be inspected prior to me buying it, and I told them the seller was going to have an independent shop do the belt, water pump, thermostat, and tensioner for $500. The toyota service manager had to work at it for awhile but he got the price for all of those things down close to $500. They normally charge $800 I think. He was willing to work with me because I'd been hanging out at the dealer for 4 hours talking to them about it, and I was going to be spending about $1,600 total in preventative maintenance with the axle boots, a tire pressure sensor, a few minor things, and the belt/pump.

Cool. How did the exhaust manifolds look? Were they good?

 

[Tazman]

Had mine in the shop yesterday. I spent about 1 1/2 hrs with the tech if there is no dipstick for it leave it alone. Quoted from the tech manual once you crack open a sealed no service transmission thats when the fun begins!!! I'm just saying

 

[Hapeacres]

I think there is a lot of people scaring you about doing a flush. They certainly were scaring me when I went through this so I did nothing. Until my tranny cooling line up by the radiator sprung a leak and the fluid looked terrible! It had 170K on it. I replaced the tranny cooling line and now since I knew the fluid looked bad and really didnt know if it was at the correct level, I just brought it to the dealer and let them flush it. The dealer said it was not like the old flushing where they would use pressure to flush and they have flushed hundreds of vehicles without ever having a problem. I have not had a problem either and the tranny shifts just as good as it did before. I would just do a flush and be done with it for peace of mind.

 

[kcwater]

I think there is a lot of people scaring you about doing a flush. They certainly were scaring me when I went through this so I did nothing. Until my tranny cooling line up by the radiator sprung a leak and the fluid looked terrible! It had 170K on it. I replaced the tranny cooling line and now since I knew the fluid looked bad and really didnt know if it was at the correct level, I just brought it to the dealer and let them flush it. The dealer said it was not like the old flushing where they would use pressure to flush and they have flushed hundreds of vehicles without ever having a problem. I have not had a problem either and the tranny shifts just as good as it did before. I would just do a flush and be done with it for peace of mind.

I just called and talked to the service manager again. He said that their flush does hook up a machine to the transmission, but it doesn't use high pressure like some machines that do a "power flush". He said it was a slow gentle flush to change the fluid, and they never do a simple drain and fill because of the lack of a dipstick. BlackWorksInc wrote in another post that he didn't believe "lifetime fluid" could last a lifetime, especially with hard use. My transmission shifts great now, I just want to make sure I'm going to make it last and not ruin anything.

 

[superman3043]

I just finished servicing mine for the first time at 190K miles. Did a series of four drain and fills so I chose to utilize the old "service by dilution" method only because I wanted to do it myself. Shifts buttery smooth, but then again, there was really nothing wrong with the way the trans shifted prior. Fluid was dark and brown at that interval and it's a nice clear red now.

Though this is what I did, I really wouldn't shy away from doing a machine flush if I wanted to spend more money and had a competent dealer or service center I trusted.... but therein lies my problem lol.

 

[kcwater]

Cool. How did the exhaust manifolds look? Were they good?

Manifolds and everything else looked fine from what he told me. I wanted a thorough inspection prior to buying.

 

[ben550]

Manifolds and everything else looked fine from what he told me. I wanted a thorough inspection prior to buying.

If you don't mind what did you pay for the truck?

What "preventative maintenance" did you do after?

 

[kcwater]

If you don't mind what did you pay for the truck?

What "preventative maintenance" did you do after?

$12,500. It had a clean carfax but zero service history, so we don't even know if the timing belt was done. Here's everything I'm doing:

Timing belt
Water pump
Thermostat
Tensioner
Replace both front axle boots that are cracked
Replace tire pressure sensor
Replace gas cap that is losing tension
Cabin filter
Transmission flush (maybe)

 

[JEL]

Honda only had a couple of years 2000-2002 with having bad transmissions. We owned two Accords (87 and 96)..both went well past 300k miles with ZERO transmission problems.

Unfortunately the problems ran into the 7th gen as well, the problem years with the V6 were really 98-05, with a redesign on 06. The Odyssey vans also suffered, but I agree with you that the older Accord transmissions were bullet proof.



OP, sounds like you're on top of things. Given what kind of service the dealer will be doing, a fluid exchange rather than a flush seems like the appropriate wording, I'd go ahead and do it. It should keep that AT running well for years. Don't forget about the brake fluid and of course front and rear diff, as well as transfer case gear oil. Oh and don't forget to check the PCV valve, those tend to never get replaced and if that's the case, now's the time to change it out.

 

[WI_4Runner]

Also interested in feedback from others as well. I am an '07 V8.

I am at 93 and change mileage, and recently had my 90k service done. The dealer I took it for service claimed that it was indeed the lifetime fluid. We agreed my rig would be fine to 120k and we could have it done at that time.

Like others here on this forum, I take the term "lifetime fluid" with a grain of salt...Transmissions ain't cheap and fluids loose viscosity over time - seems easier to take the preventative maint step and have the fluid changed. I do tow so I have my eye on it.

 

[Hapeacres]

to the OP: Thats pretty much what my dealer said as well. The "fluid exchange" is also a better word than flushing, and he assured me that there has never been a problem with their machine exchanger. I told him my fluid was never changed, had a previous amount of unknown quantity leak out, and looked terrible (not even red), he said if it was his truck he would definetely do it. He also said (unlike some other dealers) that he did not believe that it was lifetime fluid. They nailed me for 280.00 for it though so yours is a better deal!

 

[kcwater]

to the OP: Thats pretty much what my dealer said as well. The "fluid exchange" is also a better word than flushing, and he assured me that there has never been a problem with their machine exchanger. I told him my fluid was never changed, had a previous amount of unknown quantity leak out, and looked terrible (not even red), he said if it was his truck he would definetely do it. He also said (unlike some other dealers) that he did not believe that it was lifetime fluid. They nailed me for 280.00 for it though so yours is a better deal!

Thanks. They're going to check the fluid this afternoon or tomorrow when they're done with the rest of the work and call me. If it looks pretty dirty then I'll probably just go with the flush/fluid exchange.

 

[CookieRoe]

Bennett Toyota in Allentown

I've had a "fluid exchange" done at the Toyota dealer I go to. Yeah, a politically correct way of saying FLUSH. They guarantee it and stand by it. I had it done about 10,000miles ago. No problems. Set me back about $300. I swear my tranny shifted smoother after that. Anyway, all the fluid is evacuated and replenished with Toyota ATF. Good enough for me. The drain and fill method (whichever one you choose, and there are lots of good suggestions here) is too much of a pain in the ass for me personally.

 

[trickbiker121]

$12,500. It had a clean carfax but zero service history, so we don't even know if the timing belt was done. Here's everything I'm doing:

Timing belt
Water pump
Thermostat
Tensioner
Replace both front axle boots that are cracked
Replace tire pressure sensor
Replace gas cap that is losing tension
Cabin filter
Transmission flush (maybe)

How much does the dealer want for the front axle boots? My front driver boot is torn so I'm a little curious.