High Mileage Transmission Drain&Fill

I recently drained and filled 4 quarts of Valvoline Max ATF on my 2002 Toyota Tacoma 2.7L. The truck has about 246,000 miles on it and had all original transmission fluid. The fluid came out very dark and I saw about 3 tiny little particles in it though I'm not sure if it was just dust from the shop or metal shards from the t-pan.

Now, I only changed it after a discussion with a very knowledgeable and reputable bud of mines. He said I was mad for not changing the fluid a bit after so long and that all transmissions require servicing. I said he had a point and then looked up some info on this thread before doing it myself days later.

Through the process, I made sure to switch down and up through all gears before I added each of the 4 quarts. Afterwards, I ran the truck down the high-way and accelerated up to about 3 rpms.

The thing I'm asking here is: does anyone have any experience in doing so with their trucks and have you seen any improvements (or lack-thereof as it may have died)? Thanks.

 

From what I have read, you should not have changed the oil. By introducing new oil it's basically cleaning out the transmission and possibility of blocking passages in the transmission. You are lucky it lasted 246k without a transmission oil change. Basically, you have a time bomb in your hands.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-CCAR5HK-0

 

Alright, you may be right about this. Guess it's time for me to start looking for a new car/truck it seems. Thanks for the reply.

 

Click and Clack always said it's a good idea to change old transmission fluid. A transmission that suddenly dies after a fluid change was already in serious trouble.

 

I disagree. When you drain and fill you change 40-50% of the fluid. This is going to improve the quality of the fluid which is going to serve your clutch packs well. Its also going to slowly clean out the transmission very slowly. The majority of issues come from when you flush the system and you get shit that gets dislodged clogging the solenoids and valve body. I would do a drain and refill every 30-40k. Did you change the filter?

 

I did not change the filter or even open the t-pan, though I'm planning on doing so next time I service the truck (if there even is a next time). Thanks for the reply. I will make sure to post an update on this in about a month or so.

 

I take it that the transmission was already acting up?

Also. the transfer case has nothing to do with the transmission fluid.

 

Nope, the transmission was and is still running as it always has.

Sorry, I meant the transmission pan. Thanks for replying.

 

I think people over hype the issue and have a lack of experience. Mechanics say not to do it because if something does go wrong they're going to have people demanding to fix their transmissions for free. I've explained the possibility of an issue with my customers and none of them have had issues. Ive done this on high mileage toyotas and benzes and the customers were impressed by the noticeable improvement in the transmissions behavior. Imo it's worth while.

I do want to add that transmission services at shops usually include the addition of a cleaner bottle and a conditioner bottle. So for all you know that cleaner bottle is what's causing the issue with the dislodgement of gunk inside the trans. Just make sure you don't use any kind of additives.

 

What improvement were you looking for?

 

No improvements. Just servicing the transmission after my friend called me mad for not doing so after 246k miles.

 

Yep, I'm planning on doing just that for this truck.

 

I thought you did after 246K miles?

 

Or did you?

 

I did just service it, but I was not looking for improvements before I did so. Only improvement you can say I did have was: prolonging the life of the transmission.

 

You might have. I'd say 250K miles with no service is a good run though.

 

I recently flushed mine, and in addition, I spliced in a MagnaFine filter. I wasn't having any problems prior to, and none after. I like to think it is shifting just a bit smoother, but that may only be wishful thinking, to justify the work. LOL

 

You did good OP. You'll want to do the same thing again in about 5-10k miles, as you only replaced about 1/3 of the ATF in the system.
I drain and fill my transmission once a year, it's the best way to prolong the life of the transmission and keep it in good working order.
There is no filter in the pan, just a screen and some magnets. More work than it's worth to drop and clean out, then seal back up.

I second the Magnefine filter, it's cheap insurance for a system that didn't have a filter to begin with.

 

I was thinking of flushing but was recommended by threads on this website and my friend not to do so because the truck had such high mileage without any previous transmission servicing. I'll keep that MagnaFine filter in mind though for next time! Thanks for replying.