DIY: Full Flush for Automatic Transmission

That’s the problem I don’t have the time for it, luckily I found a awesome Toyota Lexus dedicated shop where I’m at to do it for 200 bucks. Easy. saves me the mess. I was just saying if he wasn’t going to do it himself make sure he finds guys who know what they are doing because I made the mistake of trusting any transmission shop

 

I watched them do it, 13 quarts later she was good to go, changed the filter too

 

No this was just a shop a buddy of mine told me about, it’s a bunch of old guys who were all techs at the Toyota dealerships here before they decided to start their own shop

 

I recently replaced mine while doing the 3-4 drain and fill. It was coated with fine metal and, as a new one is only about $25, there is no worry that I didn't get the old one fully clean or knock some crud loose that would now be floating around...

edit - I'll add that I bought the truck with 188,xxx on the odo and, after the first drain, it was pretty evident that the fluid was OE as it was color of maple syrup!

 

Move to Hawaii then you can get the deal
And what @Doc Samson said it was cheap and why not

 

Where did you get the filter for $25? I've called around where I live and it was more like $180 (CAD). Even the cheap ones on eBay are over $100. You have a part number?

Or are you buying aftermarket?

 

Yes, it's cheaper; 3 qts vs 10. And probably not as messy.

You only mess the tranny if the current ATF is black and has metallic particles in it, indicating the ATF is burnt with clutch material floating in the fluid. You replace this burnt ATF and the tranny will slip.

 

Sorry, should've clarified that it was an aftermarket kit (PTC F253 Transmission Filter Kit) through Amazon for 21.00. Both the gasket and filter fit perfectly and no problems since doing it a little over a month ago...

 

So just to be clear, you're saying to do a drain and fill and if the fluid isn't fucked, then consider the full flush?

 

I’d recommend draining the fluid then dropping the pan to check the condition of the fluid/magnets. By dropping the pan you also are able to get an additional quart or so. After you take a look and conditions look ok, I’d say go ahead with the flush. I believe the resident transmission guru, @gearcruncher, also recommendeds a pan drop before proceeding with a flush.

 

anyone have a link to the gasket/filter? (2nd gen)

Going to tackle it myself this weekend. Want to be meticulous, so thank you for answering my deficient questions.

 

Thats the easiest part of the job.

 

RockAuto has multiple kits with the filter and gasket for under $25. Or you can go to AutoZone, they might have a kit in stock.

 

I used this kit, which came with a nice gasket, I don’t really like the cork based gaskets:

$27 PG Automatic Transmission Filter PT9931 | Fits 2023-03 Toyota 4Runner, 2016-05 Tacoma, 2014-05 Tundra, 2014-07 FJ Cruiser, 2008-05 Sequoia, 2007-03 Land Cruiser, 2009-03 Lexus GX470, 2007-03 LX470

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07M6WH9JR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8

However, it looks like it’s out of stock, so I’d go with this one from RockAuto, Wix always makes some good filters, also google search RockAuto coupon code to get a couple bucks off:

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=4768797&cc=3310144&jsn=770

 

Try choosing a fluid... Been reading threads for an hour now and even more indecisive than when I started. May just stick with the Toyo WS ATF...... has to be fairly soaked into the clutch etc by now.

 

I flushed with Valvoline MaxLife over a year ago and I like the results, plus the price is right, $17-18 for 4 quarts at Walmart, it’s what many users on this forum use.

 

That’s what I did.... bought it on eBay.

 

Thanks. Ordered.

Anyone who's interested in the same kit here is RockAuto discount code.. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rockauto-discount-code-introduction.86042/

 

MaxLife +1. 3 drain & fills and zero problems...

 

Definitely consider MaxLife, IMO I think it’s definitely as good as WS plus for the money you can flush more fluid thru the system and pay a lot less than WS. I did the same exact thing as your doing now, researched everything and this is definitely not the first vehicle’s transmission I’ve flushed. After obsessing about what fluid to use I was confident in going with MaxLife. If I could do it again I’d put a bottle of Lubeguard in it after the flush, which I intend to do next time:

Lubegard 63010 Platinum Universal ATF Protectant, 10 oz.

$15 Lubegard 63010 Platinum Automatic Transmission Fluid Protectant, 10 oz.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002MB57UI/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_EP3DTJMDFB1799E6RR17?_encoding=UTF8

After using MaxLife on my Tacoma, I ended up switching from Nissan NS-2 CVT Fluid for my wife’s 3.5 Altima to Castro synthetic CVT, because I think OEM fluid is a rip off, except I remembered to throw in a bottle of Lubeguard CVT.

Food for thought, ultimately go with what you’re comfortable with, because the important thing is that you’re servicing the transmission.