Automatic transmission drain/fill and filter replacement

Okay so I’ve read the other threads on this but none really answered my questions.

I have a 2001 3.4l Tacoma with the a340e transmission.
The truck has about 124,000 miles on it.
My dipstick says to use D-II, Dexron II or Dexron III.

I am going to do a drain and fill.

I also want to do a pan drop just to see what condition my transmission is in.

1.) what atf do I use and what brand?

2.) should I drop the pan with my mileage or just do drain and fill?

3.) Do I need to replace gasket and filter? Or do I just clean the filter and if so how do I do that?

 

Do exactly what this guys does and you will have a happy transmission https://www.bing.com/videos/search?...C996EDFC892F626A4832C&view=detail&FORM=VIREHT

 

Ok so if you take the pan out you might as well get a filter and replace it as well.

Dexron I and II aren't produced anymore so I used Dex/Merc from NAPA. which is Dexron 3 which replaces Dexron I and II.

Filter comes with the gasket it's very inexpensive IMHO. Take the pan down and get brake cleaner and a plastic scraper to take the gasket out if needed. You don't want to use metal scrapers. Get an sponge that has a soft side and a coarse side to scrape the gasket off the pan Unless the last person used a gasket in which case it comes right off.

Get a lot of tranny flyid, trust me, at least 8 quarts. The manual on mine said It would drain less than 3 quarts and this sob dropped almost 6 (which is fine)

 

So I don’t need to use Toyota brand Dexron III? I can use any brand Dexron III? How about the valvoline Dex/Merc?

Also any recommendation on what brand filter and gasket to get? Oem is kinda pricey

 

Yo~

1) Dexron-I and II have been replaced by a superior product specified as Dexron-III. You will see Dexron-III also labeled with the name "Mercon" (Mercon only. Not Mercon V, Sp, or LV). Don't worry, as long as it says Dexron-III you'll be fine. If you want to make sure you're putting the best quality product in your truck, get the fluid from the dealer. Only way to be sure.

2) You'll have to know when the last time you did a tranny service is. Every roughly 50k miles is recommended. Also, if you do it yourself, the transmission may seem to slip after you refill it. Most likely because there's air in the system and you HAVE TO DRIVE THE TRUCK for some time to get all those air bubbles out. Just keep topping the tranny fluid off and check the dip stick. Or take it to a dealer.

3) Not for a drain an drefill, and you can't clean the filter.

Correct. You don't need to use the Toyota brand. And yes, any brand of Dexron III. And yes, Valvoline's Dex/Merc IS a Dexron III. I never understood why they didn't put the "III" on the label for that bottle.

Good luck!

 

The manual says Dexron II, So any ATF that is Dexron II compatible is fine. But make sure it's the right one. When I got the one from napa I asked the clerk and called costumer support to make sure. They all gave me the same answer. I also got the filter from Napa.

Go under your truck and count the number of bolts so you get the right gasket. Chances are you dont know what the filter looks like so buy the two options and return the one you dont need later. Also get a gasket adhesive spray to keep the gasket from moving when you try to bolt it back on. Don't over tighten the bolts.

 

I would suggest you run this in your trans: https://amzn.to/2uslZ8m I was running a conventional Valvoline Dex/Merc for years but I finally decided to switch to synthetic.

If you know the maintenance history of your rig and the trans received regular fluid renewals, I'd say you are wasting your time dropping the pan with the mileage you're at. That filter under the pan is actually a fine mesh "strainer". I dropped mine because I was really curious how much metal debris had accumulated on the magnets to let me know what kind of condition my trans was in. I found that I had very little metal debris and my filter was probably 95% unclogged. Now, if you bought your rig used and don't have any clue how many times the trans fluid was changed, I'd say dropping the pan would be a good idea. If the trans was abused and the fluid got really dirty, maybe the filter could be clogged up with some sludge deposits.

Some people have cleaned out their filter with brake cleaner or a similar product and then reinstalled the filter. There's two problems with this. One, you really can't see much of the strainer material so it's a little guesswork how clean you actually got it. In the video below, I cut open my filter to get a better look and I don't see how you could confidently know you got the strainer material really clean. Two, those cork gaskets that make a seal onto the valve body get compressed and shrunk over time. I would be concerned that possibly I wouldn't get as good of a seal with the old cork gaskets and then I might end up with a fluid supply problem after putting everything back together. If you're going to go through the trouble to drop the pan, just replace the filter. It's good insurance.

As for the gasket, you can go two routes. You can buy a cork gasket with your filter or you can use some of the red/pink Toyota FIPG like it came from the factory. I chose the FIPG route.

I don't know if you know if this video I made exists, so I'll post it here just in case. It will help you get the job done. Happy Wrenching!
https://www.youtube.com/embed/tuGazNhuEtM

 

Yes I did watch this video!
My transmission I don’t think got much attention from the previous owner (fluid on dipstick was red but smelt kinda burnt).
I’m still uncertain whether I should use the valvoline dex/merc or the valvoline max life synthetic as I don’t want to mess anything up with my transmission by switching to synthetic (or just use Toyota brand atf from dealer.)
Also I feel like dropping $60 on the oem Toyota transmission filter is a lot and I was wondering if you knew of a cheaper alternative that was considered just as good? Or should I not be cutting costs on transmission maintenance?

 

If you can't decide on which fluid best get it from toyota.

 

I'm not the guy to ask this question because I would only recommend using an OEM filter. OEM is always the safer bet. Buy it online from a seller like Camelback Toyota. If you can buy other things that you need or will eventually use like air filters and oil filters, you can get free shipping if your order is $150 or more.

 

i have the 340e in my 03 prerunner with 175k. ive done 2 drain and fills using valvoline max life synthetic. truck runs great. i also added a trans cooler (inline). if your fluid smells burnt might wanna contact a trans shop to be safe.