Sealed transmission, so how did the shop check?

[atalarico]

I had a shop take care of a couple of quasi-seized bolts last week and they did a "40-point" inspection for me (this was before discovering the magic of a blow torch and heating bolts). I went along with it since the truck is new to me, and overall it was pretty helpful to know what I need to add to my home maintenance list since I won't be paying them absurd amounts to do shit I can do in a weekend (e.g. the $800 quote for a CV...lol). One thing I noticed though was they said I need a transmission flush because they checked my fluid and it's dark/burnt.

Isn't my 2004 V8 a sealed transmission? There's no dipstick that I can see, so did they really go to the fill port, pull the plug, and stick a finger in to see what color it was? Or, did they plug in to the OBD port, and if so, what exactly would that tell them about my transmission fluid? If there is a dipstick, where is it so I can save myself the $400 quoted and start a drain/refill process?

 

[Brian3676]

They are likely suggesting it based off mileage....but if they really did check it they could have opened the level check plug and let a few drips out to check the color. Yes its sealed, as in no dip stick, but there is a drain plug and a 2nd level check plug you can remove.

Look up on Tacoma World, there is a write up on how to do a fluid change. Dont do a flush, just do a drain and fill. Its pretty easy, maybe a 15-20 minute job.

 

[atalarico]

They are likely suggesting it based off mileage....but if they really did check it they could have opened the level check plug and let a few drips out to check the color. Yes its sealed, as in no dip stick, but there is a drain plug and a 2nd level check plug you can remove.

Look up on Tacoma World, there is a write up on how to do a fluid change. Dont do a flush, just do a drain and fill. Its pretty easy, maybe a 15-20 minute job.

I mean, 156k, so I'm sure it's never been done, and it could probably use it.

Is it anything like the drain/refill process for a 3rd gen? If so, I've done that twice on my old 97 and will plan on doing it to this one over the course of a week. I think I watched an Eric the Car Guy vid on doing the 4th gen drain/refill. I guess without the dipstick it's imperative to measure out what comes out and refill it with that amount instead of just adding enough until it shows up on the dipstick.

 

[Brian3676]

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-drain-refill-automatic-transmission.63851/

Same process on the 4Runner

 

[atalarico]

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-drain-refill-automatic-transmission.63851/

Same process on the 4Runner

Ah, except that process to check the level is quite involved. Since I'm unsure of the maintenance history and that this truck has the correct level of fluid, I'll probably do the level check procedure too. I'll add it to the maintenance list then since it was possible that they pulled the check plug and aren't blowing smoke.

 

[Brian3676]

Its really not as hard as it might seem. Just jump the correct pins and you will be fine. I have done it dozens of times now, never an issue

 

[Zeke588]

If it has the 5mm hex plug you can check from there as well. It’s self leveling. At least that’s how I was taught when I worked at a quick lube shop. This is how we did it. Mind you out shop set up is different from others. We have a pit basement that the car drives over vs others have a lift.
We would keep the vehicle running and open the 5mm plug. If it’s over full it should dump fluid like you opened a drain plug. If it’s low it will be completely dry. The correct level should be a small consistent run of oil from the 5mm check plug. Our shop was outfitted with oil fill guns. So instead of breaking open the 24mm fill plug we filled directly through the check plug.
In your case They may have been serious about the recommendation as it really isn’t that hard to check. I personally would have asked for them to present the fluid to me and asked if I could watch the process of checking. Ie play dumb and be the annoying customer that wants to watch them check for accountability. I don’t even know if it’s possible to do a transmission flush on it unless they open some tranny cooler lines or something like that