Tranny Flush Question

Hi Guys,

My Taco now has 116K on it.

I want to do a total flush of the tranny fluid.

The dealer says 225 bucks for parts and labor. I assume that includes filter.

Monroe will do it for 125 but no filter change. They say I probably don't need the filter anyway as they add cleaner.

Thoughts?

Thank you.

 

How does the fluid look at this point?

The reason I ask is from what I've been told that if you're over 100K and have never flushed and the fluid is dark and or has metal flakes in it you risk blowing the tranny if you do a full flush.

I've heard just do a drain and refill around the same time you change the engine oil but of course you're only getting a fraction of the fluid out that way.

What year Tacoma do you have?

 

Just drain it and refill.

Do it again later if the color is still a little dark for your tastes.

That "cleaner" they speak of is playing with fire. Don't do it.

If there's massive flakes floating in there, it's too late: the tranny is shot already and changing the fluid to fresh fluid with no flakes floating in it will just make it worse.

 

It would be cheaper to skip the flush.

My transmission was chirping an awful lot. I checked the level and it looked like used motor oil. Instead of a flush I drained it into a container with measure marks on the side. The kind you find in the pain isle at the hardware store. Drained 4.5 quarts and added 4.5 quarts. Drove the truck as usual the next day. When I got off work I did the same drain and refill I did the day before. Did this for 5 days until the ATF on the dipstick was fresher and more pink.

A couple days later I dropped the pan and replaced the screen filter. I also cleaned the magnets. Used a cork gasket that came with the filter screen and topped it off with fresh atf.

I may have gone over board and wasted some atf. Overall cost was around $100 but I got a new screen filter and didn't push any debris where they don't belong like you would with a flush possibly. Also got to clean my magnets.

I call it the 5 day cleanse haha.

 

I would never ever do a flush without removing the pan first , checking the magnets and filter .
The good flushing machines flush the transmission with the " PAN AND FILTER REMOVED "
Your best bet is calling back to see what is involved with their said fluid flushes .
If they are not removing the pan for inspection before performing a flush , walk away .
You could do as mentioned above and simply drain the fluid in the pan without removing it and re-fill , but dont flush without pulling the pan and filter .
Cleaners can also be tricky to use .If you dont get the all the cleansing agent out during a flush , it will eventually turn to acid with heat exposure

 

Great info guys...............thank you.

The tranny fluid in my Taco looks great and smells fine.

I bought the truck with 106K on it. I just don't know when it was changed last. I figured I would change it to be sure. I now have 116K on the truck. It shifts just fine.

I have to believe that the fluid is not totally shot as it looks good and smells fine as I said.

Just want to be smart. Love this truck and I really want it to last.

Any thoughts?

Thank you.

 

Forgot to mention that my truck is a 2004 DC TRD.

Thank you.

 

You could also drain out the 4.5 quarts of ATF when you change your oil.