While checking ATF level, dropped cork in transmission.. what to do?

Isn't it a shame you purchased a new vehicle and there is a known problem (low atm fluid) and you have to check it yourself because Toyota hadn't mandated the Dealerships check it before delivery. Mine was built May 31st and should be here the 15th and I'm wondering how much harm will it do to the transmission before I can get them to check the fluid. I'm sorry for your accident and admire you checking it yourself but you should have never felt a need to check on a new truck. Something very un-Toyota-like is happening at the part of the Company where this should be handled.

 

I pulled the fill plug and looked with mirrors but couldn't see it. Also, I don't think the image you posted in comment #13 in this thread is correct. The fill plug is well above the pan on the passenger side of the housing, but the front edge of the fill plug lines up with the back edge of the pan (not on a narrow extension as in that pic).

Cork is very stable to heat (used in spacecraft heat shielding) and organic chemicals/oils (used as gaskets in automotive applications, etc), so... I don't *think* it would break down.... but I don't know if it could get picked up and chewed up by some mechanical parts on it's way to the pan or within the pan.

 

Well, not sure then. It's a little hard to see the angle of that picture. I still would think there's not an easy path from the fill plug to the pan. This is what you'll see when you drop the pan looking up, so pretty congested.


If you wanna give dropping the pan a go, if you were checking the level properly using the temp check mode then you basically know everything you need to know since dropping the pan is just a drain and fill basically with pan removal/install in between.

The torque for the 10 bolts holding the pan on is 7.4 Nm (65 lb-in). Just make sure your dealer can get you a gasket unless you plan on using gasket sealant. There are also supposed to be 4 magnets in the pan, so be sure to check and clean those as well while you're there.

Hopefully somebody will chime in that better knows what the internals look like and where that cork might be sitting right now.

 

Maybe try over filling it, and you might get lucky and the cork will float out.

 

I'd just bite the bullet and drop the pan. If you still can't find it, start getting really worried.

 

You could try to get a small vacuum line in there and possibly pull it out if you can connect to it

 

I wouldn't sweat it. You could drop the pan if you like but I don't think its going to do much harm.

 

Oh for Corks Sake

 

Cork is heat tolerant between two metal pieces....If it's just floating around it will disintegrate and plug up your little valves...

 

I agree with just driving it. I think cork will break down and either filtered out or just not hurt anything. If you go messing around, it will be more obvious if you did have problems later. I doubt it's in the pan anyway, so it will probably be a waste of time and fluid.

 

It would get to the filter screen first and not make it into the valve body. The chances of it plugging the filter are slim. It fairly small relative to the filter size.

 

What ever you do don't go back to the dealer and tell them you want the pan dropped because you dropped a cork in it. If you do have an issue later on they could deny you warranty. Just leave it be if by slim chance you have an issue, claim warranty.

 

I wonder if you could overfill it from the drain plug, and float it out through the fill plug.

 

Sub'ed

 

Wish I thought of that !!

 

That sucks!

 

It may work and if it does go down to the corner store and buy a powerball ticket.

Make sure the oil level is correct and leave it alone.

Considering how high the fill plug is you would have to fill the transmission half way up the case.

 

You have no idea how long I have been waiting for this answer; only about 10 years. I once dropped the pan on an 85 f150, and this came out. I didn't put it back in, but was freaking out that it was something important.

 

That plug was for shipping transmissions. The plug was push in the transmission for the transmission fill tube. I have an 1987 F250. I remember that same plug in the pan, I still have it . LOL

 

guess what ?

that cork has to come out

end of story

looks like 300 dollar job min... or do it yourself


you could maybe overfill the tranny by pumping in
through another opening and float that thing back out the hole

it will just be a waste of fresh atf but it might work