Tranny fluid change

[Aquabear]

For preventative maintenance reasons, I am looking to have my tranny fluid changed. I read the write ups on DIY for a 08 4R tranny and it's more involved than others I've done.
I called my great local shop they referred me to a tranny only shop that quoted $150 for a FULL fluid flush, I confirmed all the fluid even in the torque convtr! She said that was a high price but I think its great! Oil, diffs, xfer case I've DIY but this tranny is different. Also I have to gauge what I DIY or pay a guy since I have a list of other maint/mods to do and I have bad back n legs after every DIY I have to see my Accupuncturist or Massage therapist and a day to recover.

Is $150 an average price for this? Feedback?

Thanks- have a GREAT WEEKEND!!!

 

[stanleybb50]

Sounds like a machine flush, not a change. But price sounds fair. Flushes make me a little nervous though from what I've read.

I need a change on my '06 and don't know what route to take...

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[Aquabear]

Sounds like a machine flush, not a change. But price sounds fair. Flushes make me a little nervous though from what I've read.

I need a change on my '06 and don't know what route to take...

Sent from my LS670 using Tapatalk

Thanks, machine flush? Change? Not the same?

I've got 60,000mi on her which is not high but have done LOTS of road trips including a cross country one at high highway speeds and loaded with gear for camping, climbing, scuba etc.
Think I'll call the dealer and see what they say price wise.

 

[Ducman]

My vote

My vote is to do 4 drain and fills about 500-1000 miles apart.

Thats what I did. I think it ran me around $90 for a dozen bottles of Toyota WS fluid.

 

[stanleybb50]

My vote is to do 4 drain and fills about 500-1000 miles apart.

Thats what I did. I think it ran me around $90 for a dozen bottles of Toyota WS fluid.

Prob is I think '05 and newer = no trans drain valve. We would need to drop the pan 4 times... No fun.

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[Ducman]

Nope

Prob is I think '05 and newer = no trans drain valve. We would need to drop the pan 4 times... No fun.

Sent from my LS670 using Tapatalk

Wrong, they all have drain and fill plugs.

You'll need a hand pump but its really not that hard of a job.

 

[Koz]

Your trans is maintenance free, you do not need to change the fluid. The only time it is needed is when the fluid gets damaged or leaked out. If you must change it, I would suggest letting the Stealer do it. Toyota trans' need special fluid (WS) and a special procedure to change it. Do yourself a favor and don't fix what isn’t broken!

Koz

 

[Ducman]

Your trans is maintenance free, you do not need to change the fluid. The only time it is needed is when the fluid gets damaged or leaked out. If you must change it, I would suggest letting the Stealer do it. Toyota trans' need special fluid (WS) and a special procedure to change it. Do yourself a favor and don't fix what isn’t broken!

Koz

I respectfully disagree.

At about 75,000 miles I had the Toyota 'rumble strip' issue. After my 4 drain and fills the problem is completely gone. There is nothing magical about the WS fluid and I recommend it be changed just like any other transmission.
Also the 'special procedure' is really pretty easy.

 

[stanleybb50]

Wrong, they all have drain and fill plugs.

You'll need a hand pump but its really not that hard of a job.

Thx. I guess I should check my facts.. I had just thought I had read that somewhere. I'll definately look into doing this then! If I just add exactly what I take out to the fill plug, then I don't even need to worry about the complex checking/adding procedure on my '06.

I respectfully disagree.

At about 75,000 miles I had the Toyota 'rumble strip' issue. After my 4 drain and fills the problem is completely gone. There is nothing magical about the WS fluid and I recommend it be changed just like any other transmission.
Also the 'special procedure' is really pretty easy.

Also good info. I agree that the fluid should be changed regardless of Toyota's reco..

 

[Koz]

I respectfully disagree.

At about 75,000 miles I had the Toyota 'rumble strip' issue. After my 4 drain and fills the problem is completely gone. There is nothing magical about the WS fluid and I recommend it be changed just like any other transmission.
Also the 'special procedure' is really pretty easy.

The WS fluid is different (low viscosity synthetic) from all others and only has one substitute. WS has proven to last a very long time (even under heavy loads). If you feel the fluid change helped your "rumble strip" issue I recommend you do a full flush and make sure you have the measured amount. Also I recommend using Amsoil (the only safe replacement). This fluid can handle 800hp.

http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/atl.aspx

Koz

 

[Ducman]

The WS fluid is different (low viscosity synthetic) from all others and only has one substitute. WS has proven to last a very long time (even under heavy loads). If you feel the fluid change helped your "rumble strip" issue I recommend you do a full flush and make sure you have the measured amount. Also I recommend using Amsoil (the only safe replacement). This fluid can handle 800hp.

AMSOIL - Synthetic Fuel Efficient Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATL)

Koz

WS fluid is different from conventional ATF, thats not what I was saying, I simply meant its not some wonder fluid and I would not let it go 100,000 miles in spite of what Toyota says.

The 'rumble strip' issue thats extremely common place with the Tundras reared its ugly head in my truck. After doing 4 drain and fills about 1000 miles apart (following the proper Toyota fluid change procedure) the problem is now completely gone. I am not a fan of transmission flushes myself but I know some people prefer that method. By having the fluid at the proper temp and monitoring the fluid level at the fill hole I already know I have the measured amount. Another member on here had the same symptoms and a drain and fill fixed his issue as well.

While Amsoil is a fine option, good old fresh Toyota WS fluid works too. Thats what I used and I plan to change it every 60,000 or so.

 

[stanleybb50]

Can't you guarantee proper filling by doing a drain and then refilling exactly the amount that came out? In other words, no need to worry about the proper Toyota checking procedure. (Providing theres no leaks of course).

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[00328]

You don't really need to do the Toyota procedure for checking the level when you are done. There is a level check screw pretty close to the drain screw. I measured the amount that came out and refilled that exact amount and did this 3 or 4 times. On my last refill I put in about a half quart more just to make sure I measured right.
I drove the vehicle around the block a couple times to make sure the tranny was up to temp, parked it with the engine running in park and crawled under and removed the level check screw and drained out whatever extra was in there, it comes out under pressure. Done.
On a side note, if you are going to refill using one of those cheapie bottle pumps from the auto parts store, it will not fit the opening of the WS bottles. The opening of the WS bottles is an odd size.
I changed mine at 60K and wished I'd changed it sooner. The ATF was dark.
All in all it wasn't too difficult a procedure.
Also, if you have the V8 you can remove the top hose from the tranny cooler in front of the radiator to drain. Disconnect the top hose and connect some clear tubing and put the end in a gallon bottle, start the engine and it will drain out pretty quick.

 

[Koz]

There is no level plug!

Koz

 

[00328]

There absolutely is a level plug on the bottom of the pan close to the drain plug. Look at some of the pics that some have posted.

 

[Ducman]

You don't really need to do the Toyota procedure for checking the level when you are done. There is a level check screw pretty close to the drain screw. I measured the amount that came out and refilled that exact amount and did this 3 or 4 times. On my last refill I put in about a half quart more just to make sure I measured right.
I drove the vehicle around the block a couple times to make sure the tranny was up to temp, parked it with the engine running in park and crawled under and removed the level check screw and drained out whatever extra was in there, it comes out under pressure. Done.
On a side note, if you are going to refill using one of those cheapie bottle pumps from the auto parts store, it will not fit the opening of the WS bottles. The opening of the WS bottles is an odd size.

YES I FOUND THAT TOO VERY ANNOYING. I ended up transferring the WS into a regular oil bottle the pump would fit.

I changed mine at 60K and wished I'd changed it sooner. The ATF was dark.
All in all it wasn't too difficult a procedure.

Couldn't agree more. My point exactly. :thumb3:

 

[Koz]

There absolutely is a level plug on the bottom of the pan close to the drain plug.

I stand corrected! I did not realize there was an extension on that plug.

You are checking it with the engine idling? How are you guys making sure the fluid is within the temp range to check?

Koz

 

[00328]

Yes, you remove the check plug with the engine idling. Just drive the vehicle until the trans is up to operating temp. Doesn't need to be driven very far.

 

[TheeMikeB]

00328 Nice Avitar!

 

[00328]

:biggrin2: