Weird idle & Neutral to 1st trouble after oil change?

[TN BlueRaider]

I just did my first oil change on my 4runner. It's a 2000 3.4L V6. I used the 5w-30 pennzoil 5.5 quarts, and bought a filter from the dealership.

Was pulling out of the driveway and had it in Drive obviously, let off the brake to give it gas and it just idled up higher about 2500 and then shifted into first. Then at a red light the idle was fine for a couple seconds then dropped hard. Didnt stall or anything, but definitely wasnt happening before the oil change.

Any ideas? I checked everythings tight, no leaking. Maybe it will go away after a little bit of driving? Im hoping..


Any advice or tips are appreciated, and sorry if this is a stupid post haha, just want to check and see if anyone else has experienced this. Thanks

 

[bootown]

If the only thing that has changed since driving was fine to now having problems was an oil change....and this was your first time changing the oil...are you certain you drained the oil pan and not the transmission pan? Sounds like the transmission fluid level is off.

 

[Whitson Metalworks]

I hope thats not the case, then the motor would have 11 quarts of oil in it, yikes. Give all the vacuum lines a good check too.

 

[TN BlueRaider]

Yeah pretty much Im a dumbass..

So had to buy another set of oil, and tranny fluid..

I will stick to just taking it to get it changed from now on. Thanks for the help guys.
Dont :whipping2 me too bad ha

 

[brian4t]

So 11 quarts of oil and no transmission fluid? How long did you drive it that way?

 

[bootown]

Just look at it as a learning experience. No one is going to flame you.

---------------------------------------------------

Drain all the engine oil and add 5.5 new quarts.
Add 3.5 quarts of ATF through the transmission dipstick. Dexron III equivalent.

Drive around for 20 minutes or so to get the ATF warm and check the level. Stop on a level surface, slowly shift from P to L back to P, then check the fluid level. You will probably need to add another 1/4 to 3/4 quart of ATF. Transmission is fixed.

Check the engine oil dipstick to make sure that level is correct too. As long as you put in 5.5 quarts, or even a few ounces more, you're all set

---------------------------------------------------

I have read many posts of people making the same mistake as you so don't feel too stupid. Keep working on your car. It can be fun, interesting, satisfying, money-saving, etc. Find as many write-ups as you can and read them all. Don't hesitate to ask questions at any point. The only thing I was ever taught how to do was change brake pads and rotors...I can do quite a bit more than that now, but things didn't always come easy. Laugh it off and keep learning.

 

[brian4t]

Just look at it as a learning experience. No one is going to flame you.

-------------------------------------------------

I agree everyone makes mistakes. I was just wondering how how it was driven that way. Don't think the transmission can take that much abuse for long. Not to mention oil pump, valve gaskets and so on.

 

[TN BlueRaider]

I drove maybe a mile. I could definitely tell something was up.

But yeah I got it all taken care of now. Oil levels perfect. And the trans fluid stick has several markings on it, so im assuming the top one is Full? I put a little over 2 quarts, I thought I read that it is 2.2 quarts for the trans fluid? But I'm about to go double check everything now.

Thanks for the help guys

 

[bootown]

Your ATF level is still low. About 3.5-4.25 quarts of ATF will come out when you pull the drain plug. That 2.2 number is well-known as wrong.

 

[Nashvegas34]

Yeah, seriously, don't let one mistake stop you from learning and working on your truck. If you do, the bad guys win! Just make a point to research before a job and think through each step before you do it. That's why I'm so freakin' slow when doing a project for the first time.

Also, you didn't drive with *no* transmission fluid, you were just down 2-3 quarts from the full capacity of 12 or so. And FWIW, mine only drains 2-2.5 quarts each time. Surprised you didn't get a check engine light, though. I once filled mine while the front end was on ramps, so the truck wasn't level, and I undefilled it. CEL came on shortly after and drove me nuts for a couple of days until I put 2 and 2 together and filled it on level ground.

Holler if you need help. I'm just north of Nashville.