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DIY: Full Flush for Automatic Transmission

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by mountain lion, Jan 5, 2010.

  1. Oct 29, 2024 at 2:27 PM
    #1421
    Micbt25

    Micbt25 Well-Known Member

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    The OBDII reader is the most convenient way to go. If I do a trans fluid change in the winter, I’ll do a trip around the block, to get the temp up so I don’t have to wait forever for it to heat up.
     
  2. Dec 17, 2024 at 2:21 PM
    #1422
    SOSHeloPilot

    SOSHeloPilot My 1st Muscle Car

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    Missing My Last Tacoma --- Had 11 Toyota trucks in the past and many other Toyota cars too.
    .
    ...^^^... Great DIY info ... :thumbsup:
    .
     
  3. Jan 15, 2025 at 2:38 PM
    #1423
    ieizxxnsaeomeostfd

    ieizxxnsaeomeostfd Well-Known Member

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    Read through a decent chunk of the thread but not all 72 pages so I apologize if this has already been discussed.

    Couldn't you connect two hoses to the AT cooler when doing this? One is already dumping the old fluid so curious if you connected the other hose if it could suck new fluid in.
     
  4. Jan 15, 2025 at 2:45 PM
    #1424
    Chuy

    Chuy Well-Known Member

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    No, cause the transmission has a breather valve thingy. You can use your own pump.
     
    ieizxxnsaeomeostfd likes this.
  5. Feb 9, 2025 at 3:53 PM
    #1425
    blnewt

    blnewt Well-Known Member

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    Just did this on my 2015 Toyota Tacoma V6 4x4 w/ tow pkg.
    Thanks to all that have contributed to this awesome DIY thread. I went through a bunch of info and picked out what I though would work best for my Toyota.
    Mine has 190k miles, just bought it and had a stellar Carfax w/ dealer visits every 5k miles, only thing not addressed was any transmission service.

    Since it had so many miles without any ATF service I wanted to do a pan drop, new AT filter, and full flush. I used 12qts Maxlife, WIX filter and gasket set, a 4ft 3/8" ID tube for ATF cooler drain and 5ft. 1/2" ID 5/8" OD tubing for ATF gravity fill.

    I must say DO NOT use sprayers, pumps and any other method to refill ATF into your transmission, just use the funnel in the engine bay~gravity fed into your transmission is effortless, no drips, and makes it a pleasure to refill your ATF. Thanks so much to all that suggested this method, I will be using this for a couple other vehicles I own that need ATF service. Here's a pic of the long transmission funnel, there was plenty of hose to pull the funnel up and easily hold it and fill it, able to add 2 qts each time in 20 seconds or less.
    IMG_1531.jpg

    Here's the dirty pan and clean pan, just clean the magnets & pan, and reinsert the magnets in the 4 recessed squares in the pan bottom.
    IMG_1528.jpg


    IMG_1529.jpg

    Install the new filter, MAKE SURE the o-ring is on there (and the old o-ring is removed if still inside the AT housing). Clean the mounting area for the gasket on the pan and the transmission mating surface. Install the bolts into the pan and gasket just a couple threads in to keep the gasket aligned and makes it much easier to set the pan. Then install the pan snugging the bolts along the way, go around and final set them to 15 INCH lbs.

    IMG_1533.jpg

    Once pan is installed you replace the exact amount of ATF that you removed when draining and dropping the pan, I drained out about 4.5 qts (about a qt. more than those that didn't drop the pan)

    IMG_1534.jpg

    If you have the tow pkg it's simple, just remove grill (2 10mm bolts and 4 push clips) and remove lower cooler hose. Connect a 4 ft 3/8" ID hose to the hose barb and clip it to your bucket.

    IMG_1530.jpg

    IMG_1535.jpg

    Once you replace the amount you drained from the pan drop you then start the truck and drain 2 to 2.5 qts into the bucket, be sure to cover the bucket w/ a towel or plastic as it will get air in the line and make a violent splash when it starts to flow out the line (it will do it each time).

    Replace the amount you drained (will be at 6.5-7qts total so far), then drain another 2qts, replace w/ 2 qts (be at 8.5-9qts), do 1 more cycle, be sure to add an extra 1/2 qt this time so you have excess when doing the temperature fill test. I used the rest of my last jug to get a full 12 qts. my total ATF drained out was 11.5 qts so that extra 1/2 qt worked out perfect.

    Perform the ATF final fluid level test and drain out the test port until it trickles while the engine is running at proper ATF temp.

    Took about 2.5 hrs start to finish fwiw, and ATF was very red and clean at the last drain-out.
     
    Last edited: Feb 9, 2025
    Radical, spitdog, BenMara and 4 others like this.
  6. Feb 9, 2025 at 5:06 PM
    #1426
    Chuy

    Chuy Well-Known Member

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    Last edited: Feb 9, 2025
  7. Aug 16, 2025 at 1:48 PM
    #1427
    Not a golfer

    Not a golfer Well-Known Member

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    Performed this service adding a pan drop/clean and filter/strainer replacement at 116000 KMs.
    My trans had previous drain and fill by dealer at 61000 KMs.
    Old fluid was cloudy and smelt fine compared to new fluid.
    Purchased Toyota Fluid and Wix 58136 kit.
    Really like the Wix kit.
    Filter/strainer felt well built c/w O ring. Matched the OEM in size/appearance and fit like a glove.
    Pan gasket was rubber with holes slightly smaller than bolts allowing each to stay in place for install.
    Filled trans with same amount of fluid as removed adding 500 MLs using 4ft of tubing and funnel method (for me more comfortable compared to garage floor).
    Had help from my son to flush fluid (two people does help with this part).
    I used a total of 11 litres to flush bought 12.
    Truck went into temp mode easy using wire method (took about 15 mins for light to show).
    Checked and adjusted level to a trickle.
    The 500 MLs more fluid worked perfect for me to check level.
    All went well.

    UNTIL the rocket scientist picked up the parts bag when cleaning up only to see the one crush washer I FORGOT to replace on drain plug AFTER finishing everything.

    I had words with myself and called it a day.
    In the morning checked for a leak, no drip just seepage showed on a paper towel.
    So drained fluid and installed new crush washer, torqued. Refilled fluid, checked and adjusted level again. Next morning all dry.

    So thankful for these instructions.
     
  8. Aug 16, 2025 at 2:25 PM
    #1428
    blnewt

    blnewt Well-Known Member

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    I too have had words with myself on numerous DIY car projects, and some of the words I came up with on the fly.
     

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