V8 ATF Fluid Change Question 4th Gen

S

slyfox75

Member
So I did the preliminary once-over of the engine compartment before I attempt the ATF Fluid change(102K). I plan on doing the method where I remove the return line to the tranny, let it pump till most is removed. Then fill, then repeat a couple times(at home flush job).

From front bumper back it looks as if I have 3 radiator coolers, 1 small in lower right(tranny?), 1 large behind it that is for AC, and then the engine coolant radiator.

My confusion is this......if i follow the 2 lines coming out of the tranny and running forward, one goes up to what i perceived as the engine coolant radiator?.......the other goes into the small, front most radiator(tranny cooler?)

I was always under the impression the "Radiator" was strictly for Engine Coolant, do our trucks have some sort of dual fluid radiator or am i just COMPLETELY missing something? The small tranny cooler in the front is maybe just supplemental???

From those who have been here and done this......which line should I remove for the flush? Does anyone remember which is the return line on the tranny(top or bottom line)?

Thanks for a wonderful message board......I lurk WAY more than i post but I need a hookup/lesson on this one.
 
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slyfox75 said:
So I did the preliminary once-over of the engine compartment before I attempt the ATF Fluid change(102K). I plan on doing the method where I remove the return line to the tranny, let it pump till most is removed. Then fill, then repeat a couple times(at home flush job).

From front bumper back it looks as if I have 3 radiator coolers, 1 small in lower right(tranny?) Correct., 1 large behind it that is for AC, and then the engine coolant radiator.

My confusion is this......if i follow the 2 lines coming out of the tranny and running forward, one goes up to what i perceived as the engine coolant radiator?.......Yes.the other goes into the small, front most radiator(tranny cooler?) Yes.

I was always under the impression the "Radiator" was strictly for Engine Coolant, do our trucks have some sort of dual fluid radiator or am i just COMPLETELY missing something? Most sytems are like your T4R. They use an in-tank (in the radiator tank) trans fluid to coolant heat exchanger. The small tranny cooler in the front is maybe just supplemental??? Certain high power, towing or other specialty use vehicles generate a lot of transmission heat. Placing a 'supplemental' cooler in front of the radiator is a cheap, easy, good way to improve transmission cooling. Many V6 owners opt to add a similar cooler to the one you have from the factory. Most added coolers are in series, like yours. 1st the radiator removes some of the heat from the trans fluid, next, the fluid passes through the 'aux' or supplemental cooler then back to the transmission.

From those who have been here and done this......which line should I remove for the flush? Does anyone remember which is the return line on the tranny(top or bottom line)?

Thanks for a wonderful message board......I lurk WAY more than i post but I need a hookup/lesson on this one.
Click to expand...

I'm sure you've found this: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/maint...ission-fluid-servicing-sealed-non-sealed.html

Most of the way down in this thread shows the return line for a V6, it should be the same. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/53168-ws-transmission-fluid-stands.html

If still unsure which is which chock the wheels, set the brake. Place it in R and leave it idling. You can feel which line is warmer, neither will be scalding hot. Use R not D so the car doesn't run you over if it should roll and watch your fingers around the fan and moving pulleys.
 
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update

I figured it out......for those as half-way as inept as my I'll post my findings.

On the 5spd V8, as the w metal tubes come from the tranny forward, they split.....the one that goes to the small "supplemental" tranny cooler is the return line. I disconnected the rubber hose where it connects to the long metal tube that goes back to the tranny and with engine running drained the line(rubber hose pumping into oil catch basin). Getting the rubber hose off the tube was the hardest part in this whole job. The hose was ON that tube!
-I added 3 qts of WS fluid.(plan ahead....getting fluid to the fill plug is a PITA) Cranked and drained again. Fluid will splash and sputter......i had cardboard sheets down in the garage, highly recommended if you care about the look of your concrete.
-Added 3 more qts again. Cranked but only ran until red fluid came out rubber hose. About 1 qt or so pumped out before it was red.
-Added another qt. Attached rubber hose back to metal tube.
-Cranked engine, ran through all of the gears for 10 secs or so a piece.
-Opened up oil level "check" bolt and let some fluid run out(since I had overfilled.....wasn't sure it was over filled but I knew it would be close.)
-Closed check bolt when flow/drop slowed.
-Drove around the neighborhood to heat up fluid and help remove air pockets. Fluid is supposed to be 115-130F when check for the "level" of fluid.(per Toyota service manual)
-Opened up and checked fluid again, let a little bit more drain out and then closed it off and finished up.

For those interested. 2005 4wd V8. 102K miles(original trans fluid)
Not much towing over its lifetime.
-Fluid that came out was the color of coke. not black, very slight red tint.
-I used a total of 7 qts.
-used 15/16 socket to remove fill plug.
-12mm socket w short extension to remove skid plate
-14mm socket for trans pan drain plug
-4mm(i think) on trans pan level check plug.
-pump set, extended clear vinyl hose
-channel locks to clamp vinyl hose to prevent WS fluid from getting everywhere once it's pumped into tube.
-Bring your used fluid to oil recyling place or I'm gonna poop on your front steps!
 
Sly, if it matters to you, you probably only swapped about half of the fluid. The '03 A750F (5 speed auto) holds a total of 11.4 quarts...can't imagine they reduced the capacity for later years, even with the sealed units. Just an FYI, given your "coke color" comment.

-Brent
 
:iagree: w/ Riverwolf but I wouldn't worry about it for now. Let it ride and catch it at 120k for another good flush and then don't worry about it until 180k (or more).


Nice job! :bigok:

Tip: I take a 5/8's box wrench and slide it up about an inch on the hose that's hanging down to the drain pan. It prevents flailing and makes it a bit 'cleaner'. There will still be some splatter but it's much better with something to weight the discharge hose.
 
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well dang!
It sure was pumpin pretty red fluid out of the tubing.
Where are you getting the 11qts?
I did see in the maint manual the following:
Transmission pan and drain plug removal: 1.37 qts
Transmission valve body removal 4.12 qts
Torque Converter removal: 5.60 qts
Entire Transmission Assembly: 5.60 qts

Oh and the coke color was before I changed/added anything.
 
eskimochaos said:
Interesting. The LC A750F takes 16qts.
Click to expand...

I'm glad you chimed in, we went through this, didn't we? What did we come up with? A possible trans pan difference? In that last thread we had all the capacities but I don't think we ever solidified if the trans pan or the TC was different.
 
slyfox75 said:
well dang!
It sure was pumpin pretty red fluid out of the tubing.
Where are you getting the 11qts?
I did see in the maint manual the following:
Transmission pan and drain plug removal: 1.37 qts
Transmission valve body removal 4.12 qts
Torque Converter removal: 5.60 qts
Entire Transmission Assembly: 5.60 qts

Oh and the coke color was before I changed/added anything.
Click to expand...

First page of the document.
 
CJ3Flyr said:
I'm glad you chimed in, we went through this, didn't we? What did we come up with? A possible trans pan difference? In that last thread we had all the capacities but I don't think we ever solidified if the trans pan or the TC was different.
Click to expand...

As I read over on mud. There's no way they'd keep the A750F badging and have an entirely different torque converter.

Now Im not saying the capacity is 16qts for sure; however, thats what I was billed for on the receipt from the dealer.

I plan on having the same service done to mine in 10k miles (60k) because I drive like a maniac sometimes.

Additionally, the A750F was introduced to the land cruiser in 2003 - the same year the V8 was offered in the 4th gen w/ the 5 speed. I see no reason for Toyota to design two different transmissions for the same motor application especially when the components/trucks come from the same assembly line. Its not like the V8 in the Tundra which is completely different in regards to construction and transmission.

Thats my input.

On another note, the LC has been shifting seamlessly since the service - not that it wasnt before but I was worried about them effing up.
 
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