Dealership Transmission Flush -- Did they do the service?

Good on you.

 

I had a tech at a Honda dealer come find me in the waiting area while I was getting an oil change. With a concerned look, he showed me some brown sludge on a shop towel and said I should also have the power steering fluid changed (on a Civic with like 25k miles).

I said, "No thanks, it has electric power steering." This was an '03 Si, back when the regular Civics still had hydraulic steering.

He looked surprised, then shuffled off mumbling something about getting me mixed up with someone else. Uh huh.

 

Maybe I'm blind but I didn't see those pics? I see the ones you posted one of the external trans cooler but not the metal hoses that go into the radiator. Check those.

 

Page 18 of this PDF explains why Toyota removed the dipstick in more detail . This was for the 5 speed but there is no reason the 6 speed explanation will be any different
http://www.toyotatundraforum.com/pdf/A750E.pdf
They say the overflow plug is more accurate . I think I could probably have a good argument with Toyota about this . At least with a fill tube , it gets checked on a regular basis . Keep in mind these transmissions are " NOT " sealed . If they were sealed , we would all be driving trucks with a grenade under our feet . There is a vent on the top of the transmission allowing the transmission fluid to equalize with the atmosphere . You can also find vents on your front and rear diff as well as your transfer case that allow for expansion and contraction from heat cycles .

If the overflow plug on the transmission pan was not removed , the service was not performed properly . A shortcut I know I certainly wouldnt take

 

Guess it wasn’t his lucky day, trying to find a sucker

 

If the overflow plug is still crusted in dirt/untouched, then it wasn't done. No if's, and's, or but's. It needs to be removed to properly adjust fluid level after the case is refilled.

And I can't believe you made me agree with hipsi, but never, ever do a transmission flush. You're asking for trouble.

 

Easy way to check is pull one of the lines at the cooler with some paper towels underneath. Of and on quickly you won't lose but a tablespoon and you'll know by the color if it's been changed. Brite red if flushed very brown red if not.

 

Yeah the Check plug is still untouched, but I was told the "machine" determines the exact amount of fluid.. My problem is that the factory it came from, was short 1.1qts and if it replaced the fluid with what it took out, then I'm still short. I don't think there's a winner in this situation. I'm about to go out and check all the other metal fittings by the trans cooler on the backside of the radiator support but so far everything I've seen, nothings been touched.

 

You can't trust anyone nowadays and if you want something done right you have to do it yourself. Smh!

 

The photo in post #22 is inconclusive. You could never prove it either way. They may, or may not have been taken off.

But one thing is for sure, even if they did the work you were screwed.

 

The photo just has a shadow from my flash light, and I just took the line off the cooler and got a sample of the fluid. It's maroon color, so it was never changed.

 

Second clamp from top has a rather clean hose end, and the 4 clamp down has been moved. It got flushed.

 

Even though you probably don't need it. Here's some examples of old oil.

 

It's hard to see in the pictures compared to looking at it in person. The dust and dirt hasn't been touched on nor around the clamps and I just confirmed it hasn't been touched. I drained a little into a water bottle and checked. It's maroon colored.

 

They are not going to go through the process of checking the fluid level.or even getting under the vehicle. The machine puts in exactly the amount it takes out.

 

I'm sending it off to get tested.
I already know they'll test my patience on it. But, clearly it hasn't been touched. Also when I sent it in, my issue was the factory level being 1.1qt low and if they put back what they took out, then I'm still actually low. That's the problem I have with them filling with the machine. I requested it to be done manually and it wasn't.

 

I flushed my trans fluid at 31k 3 yrs old…. Looked bright red yet….

 

Just giving my opinion based on the photos. Obviously a live look would be better. I also ran independent repair shops for many years so just trying to be devil's advocate so your bases are covered. I have stolen many a customer from dealerships for similar situations. Whether true or not true, the customer still doesn't feel like they got what was paid for.

 

mines 113k and a 2016, never been touched

 

I appreciate the info man. I've worked on my own cars for 16 years. I know when a hose, bolt, or nut has been handled. This was the first time I've ever sent a vehicle to a shop, let alone a dealership.