Preparing for a long trip and then...high trans temps...

[youwitdaface]

This thread is pretty interesting to me because I tend to semi-regularly see temps in the 200-240 range in stop-and-go traffic on hot days or climbing/descending mountains. I've checked the fluid and its still bright red with no burnt smell or any other (obvious) indications of cooked fluid, and no symptoms of a warped torque converter like sluggishness or shuddering.

I use a cheap bluetooth OBDII adapter and the Torque app on my phone though - my theory is that this reads a "hot spot" and not the pan temp? I'm really not sure. Its a 99 Limited

Edit: for additional context, the current fluid is maybe 20k km old, but has been through two continental crosses and too numerous to count mountain climbs/descents. Also has the external BM cooler bypassing the rad.

 

[Bad Luck]

This thread is pretty interesting to me because I tend to semi-regularly see temps in the 200-240 range in stop-and-go traffic on hot days or climbing/descending mountains. I've checked the fluid and its still bright red with no burnt smell or any other (obvious) indications of cooked fluid, and no symptoms of a warped torque converter like sluggishness or shuddering.

I use a cheap bluetooth OBDII adapter and the Torque app on my phone though - my theory is that this reads a "hot spot" and not the pan temp? I'm really not sure. Its a 99 Limited

When looking at the transmission fluid temperature with any OBD device it reads from the sensor located just before the transmission fluid exits the transmission to the transmission cooler. This means that it is reading the fluid temperature at the hottest point possible.

 

[youwitdaface]

When looking at the transmission fluid temperature with any OBD device it reads from the sensor located just before the transmission fluid exits the transmission to the transmission cooler. This means that it is reading the fluid temperature at the hottest point possible.

Interesting, good to know.

 

[19963.4lsr5]

The cooler you have now is 13k btu rated. On my automatic 4Runner I used a TruCool LPD4589 which is rated for 21k btu and has an integral thermostat to help the transmission fluid get up to temperature. I didn't drive in the mountains with it, but I never saw above 180*F under any condition including offroading or pulling a trailer through the hill country. I'd recommend it to anyone looking to bypass their radiator for transmission fluid cooling.

I put that on my 97 limited.

At that milage imo it’s time to rebuild or replace the trans. You lost confidence.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[amalik]

Our 4Runners reputation of being bulletproof is starting to get tested as everything other than the engine starts to break (or in my case I broke the engine too). Financial status also plays into this as nobody want to pay for a repair like that on a credit card or loan.

My only comment on used transmissions is there is no real way to verify the mileage. Unlike an engine, there's no compression test to be done and dropping the pan only shows extreme neglect and would be easy to hide by just cleaning it before hand. I do not know how helpful it is but I don't buy from sellers, both private or commercial, that round their reported mileage. If they are too lazy to put a real mileage on the vehicle they removed it from I do not trust them enough to buy it. Hope that helps in your search.

They *were* bulletproof, since 1996. The age is starting to show, with the exception of maybe lower-mile 2002's. We're seeing more tranny-related failure posts than ever in T4R 3rd gen history I think.

Some people have rocked a 1996 for example for the past 27 years. Many people in that timeframe have had to buy 2 or perhaps even 3 vehicles by comparison - especially if they drive American cars, lol.

 

[rschmitt]

Bad luck for the OP. Somewhat similar to my longer transmission story I lay out here

in the end I am pretty convinced the p770 is indicative of a mechanical problem with the TC. However, I was able to drive for several thousand miles with it on and a crazy loud whine - and the transmission was still working when I swapped it. However, for long trips trusting your rig is key ...

 

[DenverAirport]

Bad luck for the OP. Somewhat similar to my longer transmission story I lay out here

in the end I am pretty convinced the p770 is indicative of a mechanical problem with the TC. However, I was able to drive for several thousand miles with it on and a crazy loud whine - and the transmission was still working when I swapped it. However, for long trips trusting your rig is key ...

Same story here. Read your post. I’ve put on around 1.5k miles since I posted and it still runs and shifts but it’s loud. Going to have a reman trans put in this fall.

Like another reply mentioned these decisions all have to do with finances at some point. I’ve used 3rd gens as DDs for the last 4 years and I’ll likely continue to do this. I bought my current truck around $4k and have put a little over 30k miles on it. After replacing a cracked head, overhauling suspension, and soon to replace the trans, put new tires, and regear I’ll be in around 25k on the vehicle (including parts and the work I haven’t done / won’t do on the vehicle myself.) While fronting the cash is not easy I’ve been able to depend on my truck to run even with a cracked head and now a bad trans while I save up the cash. All in all I end up with an awesome vehicle half the price of a new 4runner.

Would I pay 45k+ plus interest for a new Taco or 4Runner when I could have a more compact truck with a cooler design? Absolutely not.



….If I lived in Australia would I consider getting a 70’s series LC or Hilux…maybe…lol

 

[DenverAirport]

I read more closely through your thread and based off what you said, louder than normal transmission and now you're getting shuddering and throwing a P0770 code tells me your Hail Mary of dropping the pan and replacing the filter didn't work. I think you're definitely in the market for a rebuilt trans. Toyota doesn't sell them anymore unfortunately. Yota1 Performance might be able to sell you one. Yota1 Performance Engine & Machine - Your Toyota needs all in one place! Since you live not too far away from them, you could drive there to pick it up and drop yours off to satisfy the core charge. Good luck!

Just wanted follow up and say thanks Tim. I contacted Yota1 and they are definitely working this job for me. Great people and immediately gave great insight.

Also wanted to say thanks again as your posts and Snowbound played a big role in helping find my last 4Runner when it was stolen in Oregon. That truck is still being driven off-road in Oregon last I heard by the new owner. I’d be driving it still today if I had enough space for two 4Runners in my driveway but you know how much it is to ask for place with a big enough garage in the Bay Area…a man can dream though.

 

[jgue467]

I went with a new Yota1 trans for my '01. Old trans developed the highway speed whine, then shortly after the occasional marbles/rattles then silent again, then locked up/shut engine down twice on the way to its final resting place before the new trans.

Old one did set a P0770 twice about 5 years ago, reset and never again. I did use OD override often when going up hills especially when towing, not sure if that contributed to the known weak OD in the 01-02 units as I've heard yet the original trans did last 340k, though I think I could have been more diligent about drain/fills over the years, I think I went too long a couple times, like 100k, won't do that again. I bought it with 175K and doubt it was changed during that time.

It did take about 7 weeks for Yota1 to build/shipout (they told me that upfront) yet it was/is worth the wait.

New trans is flawless, had one hard 1-2 shift early on, probably due to fluid not filling every space just yet, never did it again and have put about 4K on since last fall. It does ship empty so have your fluid ready.

I installed a haydon 699 (doesn't flow until 185) and along with a new radiator/185 thermostat using its internal trans cooler maintain new trans no higher than 190 on climbs/stop-go/towing (only 1800lbs), more usually around 165.

Old one must have had some slip thought I couldn't feel it, because new one gets almost 2 mpg more, nice bonus. And yeah it is pretty to look at compared to my old one, lol.

Only caution I can suggest is to ensure yours does/does not have the cover plate like mine, see pic of new one. Even though Yota1 had my VIN, they built it without the plate assuming my old one had the plate to move over, it did not, old one has no plate/cover over that area, Yota1 sent one promptly yet it could set you back a few days so ask ahead.

Luck all.

 

[Endlessblockades]

Did you have any communication issues with Yota1? Did you email back and forth or was it all phone-based?

 

[jgue467]

Did you have any communication issues with Yota1? Did you email back and forth or was it all phone-based?

Ok some honesty here. I wish I could say they provide stellar customer service via phone but no. There was some email on payment, high level deliverables. To clarify details, I called a few times.

Up to the point I paid via credit card, they would return calls promptly and spend time answering. Again, they did tell me it would be up to 8 weeks, at least 4 before they started my build.

Now every time I had a question after that it was easy to get front desk staff to answer phones and take a message usually saying they'd call me back, truth is they probably told me they'd call back about 4 times and they didn't call back once, I had to call again.

I felt sorry for the girl, she remembered each time that she forgot to call back and would say, I'll write it down on a sticky this time, that didn't appear to help her but oh well eventually it was all dealt with, I just had to remain patient. As the build neared completion they began to call to verify delivery and followed thru on all that.

I'm just glad, so far, what they're supposed to be Really, really good at, they are. The girl did say they have lots of trouble getting enough desk help and keeping them. Luck all.