04 Transmission Flush??

04 Prerunner, 3.4L, 175k. I’m wondering if I should do a transmission flush considering the age of the vehicle. As far as I know, one has never been done. I bought the truck in 2006. One mechanic was hesitant to do it for fear of creating leaks that might occur after the procedure. Any thoughts?

 

just how bad was the fluid when you changed it??

There has always been two schools do no maintenance on the automatic transmission run to complete failure.

Keep after things add extra cooling capacity change fluid as needed . adding an extra filter at times.

Attempting a flush on a neglected transmission I would worry more about all the sludge breaking loose causing more problems then any leaks.

 

Does the '04 still have a dipstick?

What does the fluid look/smell like?

 

With that mileage/age leave it alone unless you like walking.

 

Just do a drain and fill. No machine powered flushes, just a good ol' drain and fill. That's it. Not going to hurt it, everything will be fine.

When I did the 4WD conversion, I took a 1999 4Runner A340F (which was drained at the salvage yard), dropped the pan and replaced the strainer (you don't need to do this at all, the one I pulled was clean) and buttoned it back up. Refilled using the steps below and its been running without issues.

Your 2004 takes ATF Type IV but always, always check the dipstick. It's stamped on the dipstick which fluid to use.

This is the process for a drain and fill:

Steps 1-5. Once fluid level registers in the COOL range, stop adding and go drive. Get it up to operating temp. Once at op temp, keep the engine running and re-check level. Continue adding until it is within the two dipstick marks in the HOT range. Once in that range, check for leaks, done.




Or, you can leave it as is. The choice... is yours.

 

I'm adding this as well. There is always hesitation when it comes to servicing your transmission fluid. I blame all those videos out there screaming about sludge breaking loose and gumming up the valve body, etc.

Anyway, this is the process to use when "Checking" your fluid level (not adding after a drain and fill but checking only):

*NOTE*: Always check the dipstick for the type of fluid your transmission takes. It's stamped on the dipstick.




Love the part how toyota says if it smells burnt or is black, REPLACE IT.

Listen to the factory, imo. If it smells burnt, drain and fill.

 

The trick is knowing what good and burnt transmission fluid smells like.

People were calling in gas leaks after smelling a skunk sprayed Dog.

Writing up that service call

 

Drain and fill, send it.

I was in the same position last year. I hadn't touched the ATF in my 2001 with ~147k on it (original owner). Reluctant to change the fluid. I wasn't easy on the transmission, crawling all the time, and it spent a long few years driving up and down hwy18 to Arrowhead/Big Bear.

I finally did two drain and fills spaced at ~1,500 miles apart. I plan on doing one more in the near future as I am getting close to another 1,500. I haven't experienced any issues at all.

I was concerned that "mixing" old fluid with the new synthetic max life ATF was going to be a problem- it hasn't been.

Get yourself a metered container so you know how much you're draining out. Mine was right around 4.5qts.

I just pulled the plug and walked away until it stopped dripping out. Add back in until the dip stick is correct, and check it a few times in the first 100 miles to make sure it's good. Mine was a little overfilled according to the dip stick, so I put a little less back in than I knew came out.

Get some new crush washers for the drain plug.

I just used a regular funnel and e-taped some tube to the dip stick tube for filling. You can probably buy a special funnel for that, but I just used what I had.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJr30r6RRgw

 

Stopped watching after he said they refuse to work on cars over 100k.

 

Not every Tuber is fact filled.

 

Simply drain, and fill. No need to get it flushed with one of those pressurized gizmos.

+1 on the tip to measure the amount that comes out so you can refill with the same amount.

 

Its a good idea to follow the process outlined by toyota when filling/refilling. Fluid tends to breakdown and not be as 'thick' over time. Taking out xx quarts of old fluid doesn't always mean putting back in xx quarts (of new) will be enough or more than enough. Just a thought.

 

100%. Adding *BUT GO BY THE STICK* to my previous post

 

Not needed since he has a dipstick.

 

Drain and refill is ok, actually you should drop the transmission pan and clean it out, clean the magnets and screen. Use Toyota FPIG when reinstalling the pan. Fill up fluid, then drain and refill again 2 more times over 6 months. Install a tranny cooler too.