Transmission problem (?)

[rennur430]

My 03 4Runner has about 156k miles. I don't think any service work has ever been done on the tranny (I am not the original owner). Anyways, the vehicle has an intermittent problem where it "shudders" a bit between 30 and 40 MPH, maybe 3rd gear, around 2000 RPM. My neighbor has owned and operated a transmission shop for over 20 years. I let him drive my car last night and his advice was - flush and replace with Toyota world standard fluid. Well, I've done some investigating and I've gotten the following answers:

1. Don't do a flush
2. Do a drain and replace with Type IV
3. Do a drain and replace with World Standard
4. Do a flush and replace with World Standard

Absolutely no consistency in the advice. Some people say that, by messing around with it, I am actually subjecting myself to more problems. Some say that the transmission is supposed to last a lifetime or 300,000 miles, so no reason to mess with it. What is your advice? Thanks!

 

[Greydog]

I would suggest only doing a drain and fill technique, only using the Toyota WS fluid.

Drive 200 miles, do it again, drive 200 miles, do it again.

 

[ASUMTNEER]

I would drain and fill with type-IV myself. That's what's in there now and just putting 3.5qts of the same new fluid shouldn't hurt anything, theoretically at least.

 

[preacher35]

My 03 4Runner has about 156k miles. I don't think any service work has ever been done on the tranny (I am not the original owner). Anyways, the vehicle has an intermittent problem where it "shudders" a bit between 30 and 40 MPH, maybe 3rd gear, around 2000 RPM. My neighbor has owned and operated a transmission shop for over 20 years. I let him drive my car last night and his advice was - flush and replace with Toyota world standard fluid. Well, I've done some investigating and I've gotten the following answers:

1. Don't do a flush
2. Do a drain and replace with Type IV
3. Do a drain and replace with World Standard
4. Do a flush and replace with World Standard

Absolutely no consistency in the advice. Some people say that, by messing around with it, I am actually subjecting myself to more problems. Some say that the transmission is supposed to last a lifetime or 300,000 miles, so no reason to mess with it. What is your advice? Thanks!

Do the drain and fill with Toyota WS fluid as suggested by Greydog. What do you have to lose? Your transmission on its last legs.

 

[CookieRoe]

Sounds as though you have the "rumble strip" problem. Doing a drain/fill should help. If a dealer (or shop or yourself) can completely drain the ATF (with OEM Toyota ATF) using the lines to/from the radiator, then you should be good to go. If you do nothing, expect the problem to persist or get worse. These Toyota trannies are robust, not like a GM/Ford tranny where most would recommend to leave it alone or will more trouble will result.

Now, of course if your tranny had something like 250K+ miles on it, I would say leave it alone (if ATF was never changed).............................

 

[jmoore8604]

rumble strip

My 03 4Runner has about 156k miles. I don't think any service work has ever been done on the tranny (I am not the original owner). Anyways, the vehicle has an intermittent problem where it "shudders" a bit between 30 and 40 MPH, maybe 3rd gear, around 2000 RPM. My neighbor has owned and operated a transmission shop for over 20 years. I let him drive my car last night and his advice was - flush and replace with Toyota world standard fluid. Well, I've done some investigating and I've gotten the following answers:

1. Don't do a flush
2. Do a drain and replace with Type IV
3. Do a drain and replace with World Standard
4. Do a flush and replace with World Standard

Absolutely no consistency in the advice. Some people say that, by messing around with it, I am actually subjecting myself to more problems. Some say that the transmission is supposed to last a lifetime or 300,000 miles, so no reason to mess with it. What is your advice? Thanks!

Try this stuff. Less that $20. At o'reillys. Mine took 2 tubes. No more rumble strip and I didn't do a flush..

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Type IV & WS ATF are not compatible. Toyota specifically mentions to technicians that any sign of contamination (they say even a few capfuls is too much) should be met with a complete fluid flush to make sure only the proper fluid is in the vehicle.

Try a good solid flush (drain and fill 3-4 times with about 12qts or more of fresh fluid) with what ATF Toyota specifies for your vehicle (Dipstick transmissions take Type IV, Sealed Units are WS ATF.)

You could also try that additive that was mentioned, but I would just do the flush for now and see where that takes you.