Transmission drain/flush

[96Blacklimited]

So when i picked up my 96 limited, it was sitting for 5.5 years with no maintenance, drive time or care whatsoever. I got her with 68k an she now up to 82k in 1year. I have replaced timing belt, radiator & hoses, fan clutch, thermostat, and running Toyota (red) long life in radiator. My question is should now get a transmission flush or get a drain and re-fill along with new filer? my fluid color is looking a little redish/brownis lol. she shifts fine and solid though. so just need to know whis is best

flush or drain and re-fill
thanks

 

[rdgt4r]

Hmm wouldnt hurt to flush the tranny and drop the pan to replace the filter.

heres a great write up.

Dropping Pan And Flushing Transmission

 

[96Blacklimited]

Hmm wouldnt hurt to flush the tranny and drop the pan to replace the filter.

heres a great write up.

Dropping Pan And Flushing Transmission

thanks man, that write-up looks great. just what i was looking for.

 

[rdgt4r]

thanks man, that write-up looks great. just what i was looking for.

No problem its super easy! I get in the habit of changing fluids at about every 40k or sooner depending on the condition.

 

[Jehnavi]

I was reviewing the 2010 toyota 4runner dealership recommended service items and noted that the pertinent item simply said "perform automatic transmission service." So, I called the dealership to find out what this really means, and the answer was "drain and refill.". I asked why they don't recommend a complete flush and replacement of the ATF and was told that this may cause problems in a high-mileage transmission since it loosens and moves debris around in the transmission, etc.

 

[rdgt4r]

I was reviewing the 2010 toyota 4runner dealership recommended service items and noted that the pertinent item simply said "perform automatic transmission service." So, I called the dealership to find out what this really means, and the answer was "drain and refill.". I asked why they don't recommend a complete flush and replacement of the ATF and was told that this may cause problems in a high-mileage transmission since it loosens and moves debris around in the transmission, etc.

Yes this can happen, ive rarely read about it. It really depends on how dirty the fluid was. I did a flush and have yet to have any problems like others. I wouldnt get too caught up on that statement from the dealer as it varies from vehicle to vehicle, its more of a save their butts kind of procedure. Plus a transmission out of a 2010 4runner isn't even close to what 3G's have, and im not making the connection between the two.

 

[bak3rme]

Hmm wouldnt hurt to flush the tranny and drop the pan to replace the filter.

heres a great write up.

Dropping Pan And Flushing Transmission

man i just read over that tutorial, i really wanna drop it now to see if i have metal shavings, and just to have it all cleaned again...how long does the process take?

 

[daugherty83]

Before you do anything, buy yourself an external tranny cooler and bypass the stock in-radiator design completely. It just may save you down the road from a complete tranny failure, where the tranny cooler corodes/bursts/etc./, and mixes coolant into your tranny.

 

[dlh]

More responses please...

Hey everyone. I just picked up a 96 4x4 3.4 today and it has 204,xxx miles on it. The valve covers and main seals are all oil free and it drives perfectly. Sounds just as good as my 06 Sport 4x4, just a bit smaller .

I searched for "transmission maintenance" and found this post and really wonder what's best for keeping it healthy. I hear things about a complete flush being dangerous to the bearings and internal parts of the transmission, is it enough to just drain and fill with oil?? Taking the pan off seems like a nice idea, but I don't want to do it if it could hurt it.

What is the consensus on the best oil to use for a high mileage '96 4x4??

Your help would be greatly appreciated.... I can offer full support on Aprilia RSV's

Thanks all!

 

[brian2sun]

I hear things about a complete flush being dangerous to the bearings and internal parts of the transmission, is it enough to just drain and fill with oil?? Taking the pan off seems like a nice idea, but I don't want to do it if it could hurt it.

There's no harm in dropping the pan. It's actually better than just draining it because you can inspect the magnets on the bottom of the pan for metal shavings and you can clean or replace the filter too. You'll get another 1-2 quarts more out if you drop the pan and take off the filter than you would if you just drain it from the plug. Even when you drop it you'll only get about 1/2 of the total fluid out, the rest stays in the torque converter and the cooler lines.

A complete flush replaces all of the fluid. If the fluid in there now still looks somewhat good and doesn't smell burnt, you probably don't need to do a full flush. Personally I think a DIY flush using the tranny's own pump is a good thing. I did it to mine at about 185K and it did nothing but make it shift smoother than ever.

On the other hand, a machine-based cleaning that flows pressurized ATF through the system on an old tranny that's already having problems can be a bad idea and do it in for good. But then again, if a tranny is so beat that it can't even hold up to some new fluid, I'm of the opinion that sometimes it's better to just let it get it over with and break right then and there than try to prolong it's doomed life and end up getting left stranded somewhere unexpectedly.

I use Amsoil Universal Synthetic ATF and it's good stuff, but $$$$$.

 

[dlh]

There's no harm in dropping the pan. It's actually better than just draining it because you can inspect the magnets on the bottom of the pan for metal shavings and you can clean or replace the filter too. .........

Awesome Brian, thanks a lot!!