Transmission fluid flush/vacuum safe?

[Boognish_Forever]

I bought a 1999 4Runner 4x4 Limited last year in March with 68,000 miles. The guy I bought the 4Runner from was an older fella and forgot or kept records on what he did, so i had to do some minor maintenance. But theres one thing that I'm nervous to do and thats to have the Transmission fluid changed. It's still pink/red and doesn't smell burnt, but I don't know when is the last time its been changed. I called this mechanic that specializes in toyota's and told me they use a vacuum to take out the old fluid and pull the pan and clean the filter. So what would you do? Would you drain just the fluid in the pan which Im guessing is a 1/3 of what's in there or have a "full service transmission fluid change"? In the picture below is a sticker I found under the hood on the left front side and the impression i'm getting by it is that the transmission fluid was changed on 12-2010 at 56,000 miles? Not sure what SSA means. It has 79,000 now. Sorry about the picture angle, for some reason when I upload pictures from my phone it does that.

 

[nissanh]

Take it to a drive and let the trans oil to come to the working temperature. Then shift through all gears while you hold the truck ON BRAKE + PARK BRAKE. Turn off the engine and drain what's in the pan and measure how much came out. put back the bolt and fill it with the amount that came out. No need to clean/replace the transmission filter. I am at 210K miles (1997 model 4X4) and still got the factory filter but I drain/fill 3.5 - 4.0 qts every 7000-8000 miles. If the radiator is old, replace it before you discover the famous "pink-milkshake".

I use OEM toyota trans fluid but others use branded trans fluid. You can find the fluid grade embossed on the drain bolt.

 

[jgue467]

If the trans is in good shape then it's no issue to either drain /fill as stated above or go for a full flush /fill. I flushed mine twice at 175k and 240k, now at 294k with zero issues (gonna flush again at 300k), all original motor and trans. Luck. :cowboy:

 

[T4R2014]

Special Service Authorization? Why are you even worried; this thing hasn't even been driven. Get OEM fluid. Toyota Type-IV or Mobil 3309. Unless you want to bump up to Redline D4 or Amsoil. I'd just do some drain and fills.

 

[Boognish_Forever]

Take it to a drive and let the trans oil to come to the working temperature. Then shift through all gears while you hold the truck ON BRAKE + PARK BRAKE. Turn off the engine and drain what's in the pan and measure how much came out. put back the bolt and fill it with the amount that came out. No need to clean/replace the transmission filter. I am at 210K miles (1997 model 4X4) and still got the factory filter but I drain/fill 3.5 - 4.0 qts every 7000-8000 miles. If the radiator is old, replace it before you discover the famous "pink-milkshake".

I use OEM toyota trans fluid but others use branded trans fluid. You can find the fluid grade embossed on the drain bolt.

I keep hearing about the milkshake tranny of death when looking on these threads. It does have the red antifreeze which is the OEM recommended or require and it had that in there when I bought it and new red antifreeze when I got the timing belt changed last year. I've only had a couple automatic cars for less then a year and the rest of my vehicles were manuals. being this my first vehicle I plan on keeping it for a long time I really want to do proper maintenance and willing to pay extra buck to do it right.

 

[Boognish_Forever]

Special Service Authorization? Why are you even worried; this thing hasn't even been driven. Get OEM fluid. Toyota Type-IV or Mobil 3309. Unless you want to bump up to Redline D4 or Amsoil. I'd just do some drain and fills.

The Age of the tranny fluid is mostly what I'm concerned about the viscosity breaking down over a long time.

 

[jgue467]

I keep hearing about the milkshake tranny of death ...
I really want to do proper maintenance and willing to pay extra buck to do it right.

Well in that case: If the radiator is original, replace it. Low mileage vehicles age the same as long mileage vehicles. If original it may already have a brownish color on tank and maybe even hairline cracks. But that isn't what causes the pink milkshake, it seals getting old between the engine radiator and the trans cooler built into the lower portion of the engine radiator.

Just replace it for about $100 along with radiator cap and thermostate (jiggle valve at 6), re-use your coolant if its newish. You'll be glad you did and sleep better for it.

https://www.amazon.com/Denso-221-05...6&sr=8-1&keywords=2001+4runner+radiator+denso

Luck. :cowboy:

 

[4Runner4Leon]

Get OEM fluid. Toyota Type-IV or Mobil 3309.

Agree on OEM fluid, but OEM calls for Dexron fluid, not T-IV. They are different, even if either may work.

 

[4Runner4Leon]

The Age of the tranny fluid is mostly what I'm concerned about the viscosity breaking down over a long time.

If you really want to replace the fluid, don't do drain and refill, use one of the tutorials here on complete fluid flush (disconnect the return hose at the radiator, dump a quart, add a quart, repeat until clean fluid comes out).

 

[T4R2014]

Agree on OEM fluid, but OEM calls for Dexron fluid, not T-IV. They are different, even if either may work.

Lol Dexron II and III hasn't been supported under license for years. Dexron IV isn't recommended for Aisins by GM. Type IV/3309 is essentially a beefed up Dexron III and works for these. That and most aftermarket Type IV spec fluids such as Redline D4 or Maxlife are backwards compatible with D3 anyway. But what do I know? Not like I've been using it for years or anything.

 

[4Runner4Leon]

I'm just recommending going with something labeled to be backward compatible with the OEM recommended fluid, like this - https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DILUBL6/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1.

I'm sure T-IV would work too, certainly didn't mean to imply that it wouldn't (and I don't think that I did imply that).