transmission fluid problem

S

suzi q

New member
Brand new 2005 4Runner -- went to change the oil for the first time and drained the transmission fluid instead - ouch. I see a small very inaccessible fill tube (with no dipstick). Do I need a house call from a mechanic or can I add the 3 quarts myself somehow?
 
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suzi q said:
went to change the oil for the first time and drained the transmission fluid instead
Click to expand...
:o

Someone posted that 05's have sealed transmissions :confused: and if that's the case...
 
I haven't changed the tranny fluid on the 4runner before, but there should be a similar plug on the side of the transimission. That's the fill plug and you'll want to fill the transmission until it reaches the level of the fill plug.

If you can't access the fill plug directly, go to Home Depot and buy some cheap plastic tubing. Put one end in on the fill plug and start filling from the other end and gravity feed the tranny.

Good luck!
 
LOL That's what I did too when I did my first oil change on the 4R but Lucky I did not unscrew the tranny bolt all the way out. I had it unscrew 1/2 way when I notice red fluid dripping out then hurry and screw the bolt back in!:bonk:
 
I did the same thing. The trans fluid is very expensive and is currently only sold by Toyota. I had to buy a gallon and only used ~2 cups. Since it is a sealed system it has to be put in from the bottom using a pump.
 
Koz said:
If it is the sealed trans, there is special trans fluid that only Toyota sells.

Koz
Click to expand...

Yeah and don't trust the idiot behind the parts counter to give you the right stuff. When I bought some, the guy insisted I use the standard type IV ATF. I had to point out the 4 liter yellow can that said "ATF WS" on it. Before they sold it to me they had to have a quick meeting to decide what to charge. Luckily I knew what to expect... About $40!
 
why didnt you guys make sure that the plug your were taking off was at the bottom of the oil pan
 
...the rest of the story

For anyone who reads this in the future, you have probably done the same dumb move so it's too late. The oil pan is hidden by the skid plate. There is a little plastic hatch you pop off to access the drain plug. The nice convenient shiny drain plug is for the transmission fluid -- DON'T loosen it!!!
I had it towed to my local Toyota dealer who refilled it with 2 quarts of the super duper $46/gallon transmission fluid. There is a fill plug on top of the transmission. They use a pump and monitor the level with the computer. Good luck to all of you gear heads who want to do it yourself.
The summary....
Tow to the dealer via AAA: $10
2 qts of tranny fluid: $23
Labor: $20
Getting sage advice from gearhead techno-geeks on these chat services: Priceless!
... and I can tell a future buyer how anal I was about maintaining the vehicle -- 5000 miles and I changed the transmission fluid.
 
Re: ...the rest of the story

suzi q said:
... and I can tell a future buyer how anal I was about maintaining the vehicle -- 5000 miles and I changed the transmission fluid.
Click to expand...

suzi q,

A 2 quart change is not worth mentioning, your trans hold a good 3 gals.

Koz
 
Re: ...the rest of the story

suzi q said:

2 qts of tranny fluid: $23
Labor: $20
Getting sage advice from gearhead techno-geeks on these chat services: Priceless!
... and I can tell a future buyer how anal I was about maintaining the vehicle -- 5000 miles and I changed the transmission fluid.
Click to expand...

consider yourself lucky I around $100 to have mine added. Then the stealer didn't want to give me the transmission fluid leftover. We had to have a little talk to the service manager. I now have the leftover fluid. In ten years or so I may need it:-( I just couldn't let them rip me off again.

koda
 
So what do you guys think? They say this WSATF is lifetime fill. Here is the question, if you wait until 60K miles and have the dealer service your transmission (what are the odds they will use the wrong fluid and screw up your transmission versus do nothing and it might last forever?) I for one will either have it serviced at 50K miles so I have 10K miles of warranty left incase something goes wrong or I won't service it at all until I trade it at 80-90K. What are you going to do???
 
suzi q said:
Hopefully Koz can provide some more valuable advice on the matter. The tranny holds 3 quarts (not gallons).
Click to expand...

Actually, three gallons is about right. The three quarts you 'lost' when removing the wrong drain plug is only the fluid in the pan. The torque converter in front of the transmission holds the bulk of the fluid, and it doesn't get drained when the pan is drained or removed. If the entire unit, including the converter were empty, it would take about 12 quarts to fill it.
 
suzi q said:
Hopefully Koz can provide some more valuable advice on the matter. The tranny holds 3 quarts (not gallons).
Click to expand...

On this site the member's try to provide good/helpful info, backed with facts. :hello:

Koz
 
Resurrecting this thread from the dead because I can't seem to find any DIYs for Sealed Tranny V6's. Does anyone know if there is such a thing floating around yet? I'd like to get my tranny fluid changed out for the first time after 76K on the motor now. Help a brotha out guys.

Thanks!

Nick
 
As for the WS transmission fluid.

There are a couple of companies that make a fluid equivalent...Amsoil is one...Not sure if they are any less expensive though.

Toyota doesn't make ANY of fluids...they are designed and made for them.
 
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