DIY: Full Flush for Automatic Transmission

Excellent write up.
I was wondering if Mountain Lion got his oil condition sample results (results to affirm whether or not this early of a flush really needs to be done or not) back from Blackstone. Maybe I just missed the updated post. Has anyone seen the results?

 

Interested in this also. Reports from bobistheoilguy suggests Toyota WS begins to shear way before the 100K.

 

+1 for sticky

 

awesome write up... first one ive seen about the 4.0 liter tranny, i have the TRD 4x4, is this the same tranny??

 

Get job. I'm really interested in the oil analysis. Any word yet?

 

Exceptional write up! Good job!

 

How about if you not only used the tranny's pump to drain the old but how about putting the return line in a container of fresh fluid? Would it suck up the new and would it do so at a similar rate as the discharge?

 

Doubtful. If the tranny uses a gear pump the return line would not have any vacuum on it. Relying strictly on the pressure exerted by the pump. You might be able to use a gravity system on the return line to add fluid, but the levels need to be watched very closely. If you could setup a sealed system that used two tanks and air pressure from the expelled fluid to force new fluid in it might work. You'd still want to start by draining the pan and adding clean fluid...

 

I'm thinking about trying the gravity feed method.

 

Helpful. At what mileage should this service be done?

 

how much is this service at Toyota?

I mean, you just paid $150 for just the fluids.....

And update on oil results?

 

Around 100K. Toyota says 90k I think.

 

Thankks but why did he do it at 45? Just to do it?

 

They will not do this service at Toyota for you. They do the drain fill which is 4 qts of WS. It's not a full flush.

I paid $105 + $10 Amsoil premier account for the 14 qts I used. $115 total. The dealership isn't going to get close to that price and only use 1/3 of the fluid. Last I was quoted was around $180 w/ discount.

This doesn't even make sense. If Toyota says 90, why would do 100 then? Don't spread misinformation.

The recommendations are 60k mile interval for severe usage. IE towing, excessive city driving, off road, etc. This really is most city owners.

Standard is / (was?) 100k miles, but reports are saying they're bringing it back down to 60k miles regardless of severe classified use or not. This was posted somewhere on TW from a valid source.

Partly yes, and partly because I don't trust the WS fluid to last that long - especially to 100k.

I still have the original sample fluid in the garage. I didn't get it tested yet. I forgot but also I knew the results would be skewed with breakin metals. I need to have TBN on it, but just didn't feel like spending the $35 at the time. I'll send it in at some point, maybe with another UOA.

If you trust it to 100k miles, that's fine. If your mom and dad bought your truck for you and you don't care about it, that's fine too. For the rest of us who like preventative maintenance - here's how to do it.

If you have any other questions, just PM me - I'm still around and don't need the thread filled up with bad info or people answering on my behalf.

There isn't a write up other than ForTech's drain/fill process - and I did it for myself and for everyone here to benefit from who wants to go a step further. If you've got nothing constructive to add (which you haven't), move along. If this helped you out, throw up a thanks or send me a PM if you have another question.

 

Blake,

Sarcasm and joking around are not well understood all the time in the forums. Oftentimes misunderstandings develop over this. When I saw your post I understood it same as mountain lion, I thought you were pissed off or something.

If you intend sarcasm in your post, please it helps to use one of these --->

Or maybe a big fat grin --->

All the best,

-Crom

 

i'm just glad you didn't accidently drain your engine oil while doing this.

 

That is exactly how a lot of trans flush machines works. I'm really surprised to hear that Toyota only does drain and fills at the dealer. This is a great write-up. But what a pain in the ass.

One more reason to drive a manual, I guess.

 

Nice write up! I went to 3 local dealers trying to get a cost for the full flush. 1 of them said they don't even do it, another said they would but they don't have the right machine (apparently need a separate machine just for WS), and the third, Michael's Toyota in Bellevue, said I don't need to do it, but they will if I want them to. They quoted me $260. I'm not sure if they have a separate machine or if one is even needed, but the lack of consistency between shops made me a bit leery. That and the price of course.

I did the drain/fill myself, thinking of tackling this full flush at some point. Glad to know there's a good DIY!

 

No hard feelings dude, I didn't read it as a joke - and a lot of work went into all this - I just wanted to keep things on track, apologies from my end too.

 

This is not a good idea to do. Youre fluid level can be way off with only a few minutes / degrees difference and cause major shifting and or slippage issues. If you only have 45 or 50 thousand miles and you wreck your trans its on you. If you have the dealer do it its on them. Not trying to come off as being rude but with the dollar savings comes great liabilities. PS. If you had looked at your WS fluid it would have looked darker at just 5k miles. Just because WS fluid looks discolored does not mean that it is time to change it.