Trans Flush

[smokey0066]

This past weekend I just changed the F/R diff and TC fluids. It was fairly easy except the front diff. I went to check the trans fluid and it was not really clean so this morning I was pondering whether or not to have it flushed. What do you guys think?

Also I remember a while back on different forums people were talking about different machines used to flush trannys. Is there a specific type of flushing I should ask for? The more I think about it the more I feel like I should just flush the sucker instead of changing the couple quarts in the pan.

BTW my truck is a '00 with 50k. no locker, light duty with very little towing every year.

 

[toybox]

I would have a transmission shop flush it. The process can take 20 to 25 quarts though so be prepared especially if you are going synthetic.

 

[TSP-MIKE]

Flushing your transmission is a good idea, but if you take it to some random shop they don't use genuine toyota ATF. Toyota ATF has additives that regular ATF don't. I would recommend just draining the fluid, pull the pan and clean the filter. But if you insist on flushing it, then after the flush you can go to autozone or something and put an additive in the fluid. It will help somewhat.

Mike

 

[toyo]

Here is my trans service schedule. I have never had a Toyota Trans fail or post any problems following this schedule.

Every 15k miles, drain the pan and fill with Toyota TypeIV fluid. It will cost you less than an oil change. Some people will argue the fact that alot of fluid stays in the trans, which is true, however if you do it every 15k miles, it will get clean and stay that way. On my wifes 01 Rx300 she has 120k miles on it. I have followed that schedule to a T and my fluid looks as clean as new when I change it.

 

[Kanab]

Here is my trans service schedule. I have never had a Toyota Trans fail or post any problems following this schedule.

Every 15k miles, drain the pan and fill with Toyota TypeIV fluid. It will cost you less than an oil change. Some people will argue the fact that alot of fluid stays in the trans, which is true, however if you do it every 15k miles, it will get clean and stay that way. On my wifes 01 Rx300 she has 120k miles on it. I have followed that schedule to a T and my fluid looks as clean as new when I change it.

TOYO, if you plan on doing that with your 2004 5 speed transmission make sure you/tech are using the new WS (World Standard) ATF, it can not be mixed with any other ATF fluid. It is real expensive and you can only get it from the Toyota dealer. If you use any other fluid in this 2004 transmission you will void your warranty and it won't shift correctly and will then fail. I had a 95 Landcruiser with 136K on it when I traded. I did a fluid exchange on it every 40K miles and it was fine when I traded it. I plan on having my Toyota dealer do the pan/filter change at 50K miles on the 2004 and I will make sure they don't screw-up and use the incorrect fluid. I also figure that gives me 10K more miles of warranty to make sure it is OK. The fluid in our 2004 5 speeds is suppose to be lifetime fill without the need for changes unless you tow. I don't tow but I'm old school enough to want to see the fluid/filter changed at a decent interval. JMHO

 

[SteveM]

Has anyone checked to see if there is a drain plug on the torque converter? My old T-bird had a TC drain so getting all the fluid out was relatively easy (it took 14 or 15 quarts).

Our 2003 has a drain plug on the pan so at least changing the few quarts in the pan will be easy (then the filter is easier too).

 

[TSP-MIKE]

There are no drain plugs on the toyota torque converter.

Mike

 

[SteveM]

On the T-bird, I used to remove the return line from the trans cooler and put it in a catch pan, start the car (when cold) and turn it off when the fluid slowed significantly. This usually got most of the fluid out, and made less of a mess.

I wouldn't necessarily recommend doing this with the 4Runner, but it worked on the T-bird.

 

[toyo]

I dont know what schedule I am going to go with on mine. I have 22k miles on it now. When I hit 15k I started inquiring about the fluid at my dealer. The district parts manager insisted that it does not need to be changed. I think I will do it at 45k. However if you Toyota bumps up the horsepower it will be hard not to upgrade my model.

 

[Kanab]

I dont know what schedule I am going to go with on mine. I have 22k miles on it now. When I hit 15k I started inquiring about the fluid at my dealer. The district parts manager insisted that it does not need to be changed. I think I will do it at 45k. However if you Toyota bumps up the horsepower it will be hard not to upgrade my model.

I only have 3K miles so you are going to get to 45K long before I get to 50K. Keep us posted on the change. The only thing that would concern me would be the machanic doing the job and using the correct fluid, since they won't have much experience changing 04's and using the new WS ATF. I'm affraid I will have to personally talk with the Machanic and the parts guy giving him the fluid for the change. I just don't trust them that much. I'm going to trade mine at 90K miles. Since I don't tow I might let it go and not do a transmission service while I own it.

 

[toyo]

I will be doing this myself, I do all my preventive maint & repairs.

 

[toyo]

Have you seen this one?

 

[Kanab]

Have you seen this one?

Toyo, I should of known you were way ahead of me on this. Where did you get the attachment?

 

[toyo]

Pitbull-I own a company called Atlanta Mobile Lube. I do on-site preventive maint and light repairs for fleet accounts. My van is equipped with all the pumps for oil, trans, radiator and everything else.

 

[Kanab]

Pitbull-I own a company called Atlanta Mobile Lube. I do on-site preventive maint and light repairs for fleet accounts. My van is equipped with all the pumps for oil, trans, radiator and everything else.

I lived in Atlanta from 1985 - 1998. You're in the right city for your business. Glad to see that someone knowledgeable bought the 4th generation 4runner. I will be interested in the future, to hear what you decide personally about the transmission service. I'm still on the fence, but knowing me I will have it serviced at 50K miles so I still have another 10K miles before the warranty expires to make sure everything is OK.