DIY: Full Flush for Automatic Transmission

Thank you I really appreciate it!

 

They aren’t the same, the LPD 4589 for $71 is bigger and has a Low Pressure Drop for winter months preventing overcooling. I’d went with the LPD 4589.

 

Oops got it thank you

 

I came upon your thread while researching a drain and refill. Planning on tackling this soon.
One question please. You mentioned using a 3/8” tube, but I didn’t see any mention of that in the original equipment list.
How long is that 3/8”tube? Is that 3/8” I.D.?
Thanks again for posting.

 

Picking up a 2007 TRD Sport 4x4 with 240k. Transmission fluid was changed at 120k, so this is top priority.

I did this years ago with the garden sprayer (still have it) on my 2006 4runner, but since then have forgotten the exact steps. Read into about 14 pages of this thread. Let me know if I am off on something. Using what Crom posted on post #307, #316 as my guide.

1. Buy a crap ton of Valvoline Maxlife ATF (16ish qts)
2. Unhook hoses at transmission cooler
3. Hook up 3/8" ID hose to both hardlines
4. See which is the drain line and then hook up garden sprayer to the opposite line
5. Run engine and pump out a qt or 2. Stop engine and pump in same amount as you let out with sprayer
6. Go til clean and red, then add maybe a 1/2 or 1 qt extra fluid
7. Jump ODB and go through the ATF temp reading process, then open check drain. Drain until dribble or add if no overflow.

Is this correct?

Do I still need crush washers since I am not messing with drain or fill plug, or do you need one for the overflow plug?

Thank you

 

Number 7 in your list answers your question. You may be messing with the drain and fill plugs.

 

Answers what question?

I am asking if that is the correct procedure and if I need a crush washer for the overflow plug.

 

Do I still need crush washers for fill and drain. Fill is o ring

 

Why am I messing with the drain and fill plugs?

I thought by using the sprayer you are not messing with drain and fill plugs, only the overflow check.

Which is what I want to know, do I need a crush washer for the overflow?

 

Because you don’t know if it has the correct amount to begin with. Mine was under filled my 3/4 qt. like others have reported.

 

But I am filling through the garden sprayer. My plan is to never touch the fill or drain. If I am low, I just pump more in through the garden sprayer and the tranny cooler line. If I am too full then I let it drain out the overflow check.

 

Thats fine. The only draw back doing it that way vs. starting out with the correct amount is that you may need to connect and disconnect the pump sprayer a second time.

 

I would get a new gasket, even though the old one MAY not leak, why take the chance over an inexpensive part. JMO

 

Ah, makes sense.

And I went back and read the OP again. Since the fill uses an o-ring it looks like the drain and overflow are using crush washers.

 

just did it today with the sprayer method. SOOOOO EASY using the sprayer. Anyone who’s going to do this USE A SPRAYER!

don’t mind my dirty engine compartment or my grill shoved in there.

I did the trans fluid, oil, and wiped everything down after

 

Does anyone know roughly how much the dealer charges to do this? Just curious how much we’re saving $$$

 

You are saving probably anywhere from $50-80 just on ATF, then labor, and knowing that you actually got it done right with an actual flush and appropriate fluid levels. I think Mastercard called that value priceless.

Also because I am lazy I did this all without removing my grill. I did haves some oil go down below on the bumper and skid, but just brake cleaned and washed it off.

 

“I will briefly go over this as a great write up has already been done by ForTech (http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/63851-how-drain-refill-automatic-transmission.html ).“

Preformed my test run.

Went thru the A/T Check procedure as described by ForTech to make sure I could perform it correctly.

Idled for ~10 minutes and the A/T Check light(in the tachometer cluster) blinked for 2 seconds and again after going back into Park. Illuminated solid >11 minutes. Plenty of time to open the overflow plug and drain “X” amount of fluid down to a trickle.

Waiting for my Flo Master sprayer and I should be good to go.

 

So when I am doing the at temp test when I flip back and forth between N and D I see the temp check light on the 6th shift finishing in N but then when I put it in park it doesnt light up again. Do i need to keep it in neutral for some time or start shifting into park before the light turns off for the first time?


EDIT: after about 5 min of idling my temp check light came on solid it did NOT flash again when going into park but DID turn on when the fluid was warm.

 

Thanks Mountain Lion for putting this together!! This is super helpful. I was wondering though if it would be a problem to just add a little more ATF ws fluid to the pan before starting this process (like about 4 quarts) instead of just what was emptied out initially (about 3 quarts). This would hopefully make the whole process go a little faster, since you wouldn't have to fill the pan back up as much or worry about bleeding the pump dry. If you are checking the level at the end anyway, I wouldn't think it would cause any issues. That's how I have done it in the past with other vehicles. Let me know everyone's thoughts! Appreciate it