Transmission Drain and Fill 04 V-6

[Boaz]

Today I performed a drain and fill on my 04 V-6 4-Runner. According to toyota it required 2 quarts of fresh fluid after the pan was drained... WRONG!! It takes 4 quarts to drain and fill once.

So, did I notice any improvement?
Yes, it seemed to be shifting a bit sluggish and the fluid was a dark cranberry color when it was drained out. Now it the truck is shifting better overall a bit crisper off the line and the 1st to 2nd gear shift is nice and crisp.

Why did I change the fluid? (OEM fill has 40k on it.)
According to toyota this fluid does not have to be changed under "normal" situations. It says so right on the dipstick.
I am a bit of skeptic so I pulled a sample using my Amsoil hand pump via the dip stick.
At 35k I sent in the oil to Oil Analyzers to have a look.
The report is attached to this post.

So in conclusion, with the amount of towing I did recently I decided to change the fluid. I found the TIV fluid for $3.82 per quart at Feld Toyota in Missouri. I picked some up when I was visiting my family for Chrismas.

So the drain and fill cost me a grand total of $15.28.

My local Toyota dealer wanted 190 bucks to do this... tisk tisk...

I hope this info helps you all. Please post up any questions or comments!

Boaz

 

[Boaz]

check the post below for oil analysis results

 

[Boaz]

Here is my thread on Bob Is the Oil Guy.com about my UOA on this fluid

http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=50;t=000042

 

[Bluto]

So the drain and fill cost me a grand total of $15.28.

My local Toyota dealer wanted 190 bucks to do this... tisk tisk...

The dealers do a machine flush. It removes and replaces all of the fluid, even in the torque converter and cooler.

 

[Boaz]

yeah that service was even more... the drain and fill is what I was quoted...

Carmax Laurel..:bash:

 

[Bluto]

yeah that service was even more... the drain and fill is what I was quoted...

Carmax Laurel..:bash:

Wow! Russel Toyota has a flush for $140. I wonder if a 4Runner is more? There is no fine print. I wonder what "shop supplies" are/cost. Maybe it does not include fluid.

http://toyota.russelautomotive.com/Specials-Service.aspx

My GF's Corolla has 60k and needs it done. So I've been pricing. Going to get the brake fluid and coolant done at the same time.

 

[Boaz]

Yeah the service costs around here are pretty inconsistant.

I just flushed the brakes on my 93 Pickup, I used a small hand pump and drained the resivour (SP?) and filled it back up with fluid. It took like 5 minutes.

I will do this about every other oil change untill the fluid is nice and clear again.

I also did this to the 4 runners power steering tank today. The old fluid was NASTY with only 40K on it!! I have not drained the master cylinder on the 4 Runner yet, the fluid still looks nice and new..... go figure.

Why does the corolla require a coolant flush at 60 K? I am assuming it had the long life radiator fluid??

 

[Bluto]

Why does the corolla require a coolant flush at 60 K? I am assuming it had the long life radiator fluid??

I believe the Maintenance Book states it. I'll have to read it again. The book covers all passenger cars, so it is confusing.

It has the pink fluid, which I think it long life. I'll have to check it again. It is 6 years old, 60k. It is close to the 'severe' use schedule. I did my last car at 50k and was suprised what came out. The coolant is easy to do. Drain and fill with water. Drive around, run the heater. Repeat. Then fill with coolant.

The special above looks like Flush fluid and Transmission fluid is included. The transmission was not done at 30k. I'm a little worried the flush won't get all the sludge. Any remaining sludge may loosen up cause problems. I'll probably do a few drains and fills to follow up the flush. Maybe one after 1k, and another after 3k.

I'm on the fence about doing the brake fluid myself. Does changing out the reservior a few times get fresh fluid all the way to the calipers? I bled the entire system in my last car. Not hard, but it took an afternoon.


My point of view; Toyota is in the business of selling parts. Changing fluids early is cheap insurance.

 

[TeryT]

Looks like the jury is still out on whether T-IV is synthetic or not! (At least I discovered that it can be had for less than the $4.80 a qt. I pay at my local stealership.)

 

[Jeff Kleb]

ATF


I have an '05 SR5 4x4 and it (supposedly) has the synthetic transmission fluid (don't know the brand it has) that never needs to be changed. Oddly, there is not even a dipstick where you can check the level or condition of it.

I never tow anything with my 4Runner and I tend to treat it pretty well, so I doubt I will change it during my tenure with this vehicle. Besides, I only have a three-year/36k lease.

My girlfriend has a 2002 Toyota Highlander which has the pink ATF and a dipstick for checking its level. Anyway, the dipstick says that it does not need to be changed under "normal" conditions. We had the stealership flush it out for the first time since the original purchase date, and replace it with new fluid (synthetic, I believe) and the BG Products additive. She had it done at about 70,000 miles and it is doing just fine. The old fluid did not look or smell 'bad', but it clearly was not in what I would consider 'excellent' condition.

Since she plans on keeping her Highlander for another four years and another 80,000 miles, I figured it might be 'cheap insurance' in the long run. I have also changed the coolant twice (and yes, I did use the green Prestone stuff which is listed as being fine for the Highlander but NOT for the 4Runner) since her car was new. Again, cheap insurance I suppose.

I am not sure if this is true, but I was told that the 'new' ATF and the new type of coolant in the '05 4Runner can be used in the '02 Highlander, but that the stuff from the Highlander cannot be used in the new 4Runner. Perhaps some of you 'techies' can elaborate.

 

[Kmvreter]

Today I performed a drain and fill on my 04 V-6 4-Runner. According to toyota it required 2 quarts of fresh fluid after the pan was drained... WRONG!! It takes 4 quarts to drain and fill once.

...I hope this info helps you all. Please post up any questions or comments!

Resurrecting an old thread (the only one I could find that came close after searching about the V6 tranny.)

I'm planning to do a tranny fluid service, and avoid getting hosed at the stealer, so I have a few questions.

1) Is there a service drain bolt on the V6 tranny or should I plan to drop the pan (I can't drop the skid plate to look right now)?

2) The owner's manual states 2L capacity for a drain and fill. What is the total capacity (from the service manual)?

3) What is the direction of flow through the cooler lines? Which line is fluid coming from the tranny to the radiator or which is the return line to the tranny?

 

[Boaz]

Resurrecting an old thread (the only one I could find that came close after searching about the V6 tranny.)

I'm planning to do a tranny fluid service, and avoid getting hosed at the stealer, so I have a few questions.

1) Is there a service drain bolt on the V6 tranny or should I plan to drop the pan (I can't drop the skid plate to look right now)?

2) The owner's manual states 2L capacity for a drain and fill. What is the total capacity (from the service manual)?

3) What is the direction of flow through the cooler lines? Which line is fluid coming from the tranny to the radiator or which is the return line to the tranny?


1. there is a drain plug on the pan.. you cant miss it.
2. I dont know what the overall capacity is, you can check the Amsoil website for that info.
3. I have no Idea... sorry bro

good luck. make sure you get the fluid level back to full. Check it with the engine running and in Park on level ground.

 

[jharris2]

Re: Re: Transmission Drain and Fill 04 V-6

2) The owner's manual states 2L capacity for a drain and fill. What is the total capacity (from the service manual)?

In the 2003 New Features manual, it says the A340E and A340F transmissions have a fluid capacity of 10.7 quarts. Fluid type is ATF Type T-IV.

 

[Kmvreter]

Thanks for the info.

Boaz,
Good to know and makes it easier.

jharris2,
Now I know how much to buy.

I may just do the drain and fill on a regular interval and forget about pulling the output line.

Thanks again.

 

[greasefingers]

Kmvreter:
So if I understand this thread correctly, you are going to do a complete AFT replacement/flush? And are you going to pour it into the tranny dip-stick fill tube while running the engine & draining it from the tranny outlet line? I have always thought about this, but I was not sure if one can pour it in as fast as it comes out.

 

[Kmvreter]

Kmvreter:
So if I understand this thread correctly, you are going to do a complete AFT replacement/flush? And are you going to pour it into the tranny dip-stick fill tube while running the engine & draining it from the tranny outlet line? I have always thought about this, but I was not sure if one can pour it in as fast as it comes out.

After searching for info and getting the answers above (in this thread) I have opted to not do a full replacement/flush. Other threads and info on the Amsoil site give directions about draining using the output line and "filling on the go" but since the V6 4 spd tranny has a drain bolt I'm going to do a simple drain and fill. Even though the owner's manual and the top of the dip stick say the tranny fluid doesn't require service, this is what the stealer would do as part of a 96K Km (60K mi) service. I'm planning to do it earlier. Since it is a partial replacement of the total capacity I'll just do it more frequently based on how much comes out.
Keep you posted.

 

[Kmvreter]

Did the drain and fill. Nice and easy with some lessons learned.

Step 1) Remove skids (10mm socket.) (Edit: Not required. Realized after pulling them off you don't have to because the drain plug is further back.)
Step 2) Remove drain plug (14mm). It's a short thread so don't drop it. You need a large catch pan because (like Boaz pointed out) it drains more than the 2 Litres the owners manual says.
Step 3) Jack up front of truck (I located under the engine cross-member.) This gets more fluid out because the drain plug is recessed upwards. Next time I'll jack the truck first, making it easier to get at the skids (edit: no need to remove skids.)
Step 4) Insert drain plug but don't over-torque. Lesson here is to buy new crush washers for the next time.
Step 5) Refill 5 litres slowly through the dipstick tube. Bought Toyota OEM T-IV fluid (part # C0009-00T4-12.)
Step 6) Reattach skids (edit: see above) and lower truck.

I drained almost half the total capacity so I will do this service twice as often as the stealer recommends. A 48K km interval also aligns with other major service items. This also prolongs pulling the pan to do the filter service (which I can't even find a Toyota recommended interval for.)
Total cost C$43.55 vs C$100+ at the stealer.
Satisfaction of time working on the truck instead of waiting at the stealer wondering if they do it right: Priceless.

 

[greasefingers]

Yes I did this at 30 k & 63 k miles. I drained the AFT over half a day, and then replaced the fluid. I drove it one week and repeated the process. Since I am saving money by doing it myself, I don

 

[Hunter]

Just a thought, being a Master Mechanic for 25 years.

A full flush is the correct way to change as there is like 14 qts in these and you need to get everything out of the lines, cooler and converter.

If you need to clean the screen (there is no filter) on these, there is a major problem that a fluid change will not resolve.

The latest generation 4runner trans is sealed and is not serviceable, any tampering will void any warranties.

And as far as the brake fluid, same thing all the fluid needs to be flushed via a power bleed or an old fashioned manual bleed. With brake fluid moisture is the enemy.

Get your hands on a Factory Manual

Good luck

 

[*wishlist*]

if you don't mind me asking, how would i do a full flush from home? i too don't like the idea of changing some of it one time and doing the same thing a few days later. i'd rather it be done correclty the first time. so any of your suggestions are greatly appreciated.