Transmission Assistance

I have a 2005 Tacoma PreRunner SR5 double cab with 177,000 miles and automatic transmission. I am about to start towing a small pop-up camper occasionally and wanted to get the transmission in as good a shape as possible. I am not a do it yourself person when it comes to vehiles. I just wanted to make sure I know what to ask for at the dealership or from an independant shop. Here are my questions....

I would need a transmission flush and fill correct? What does this service usually cost either from the dealer or another shop?

I want to add a transmission cooler. I understand the dealer is too expensive to use for this so I will go to another shop. What is the best cooler to use for this truck? When I do a search (e-Trailer, etc.) several models come up and none of the reviews say it was installed on a 2005 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 so I'm not sure exactly what model to get. What does this install usually cost?

Your assistance would be greatly appreciated!

 

I would go to an independent transmission shop, first of all ask them what they think of a complete flush with that many miles on the truck. They will be able to help you out with a cooler also they install them every day most are aftermarket universal coolers and they are a good bit larger then the Toyota factory one.

 

I just picked up a

$51 Hayden 678 Universal Rapid-Cool 9.5” x 11” Add-On Transmission Cooler – Not for Direct Replacement of the OE Cooler

Hayden 678 transmission cooler at Pepboys. It was about $50 after a 15% discount code they are offering online. I have not installed mine yet. I did ask and they quoted me $107 for labor if they install it. I still may pay them to do it, but from what I've read it sounds like a simple install.

 

I would be very careful on using an independent shop and their "flushes." Some force the fluid through, which as we all know can create a world of problems. Also, if you do go that route, make sure they have the proper WS fluid....if not, then (but given the age/mileage of your truck, I doubt it) you can kiss any warranty goodbye... I used my local Toyota dealer/service center to flush mine at 60K (a lot of towing, etc)....not that I trust the dealer any more, but this one is highly rated across the board - but that's the only work I will ever let them (or anyone) do. Keep in mind that you really need to RESEARCH a shop before letting them anywhere near your truck...just saying...

Can't help you on the oil cooler, though...

 

So a dealer will do the flush?

 

And if anybody knows someone reputable in Mississippi to do this work please let me know! Thanks!

 

In the Austin TX area I found that some dealerships would only do a drain and fill, while others would only do a flush. I think it depends on if that particular dealership has the flush machine. I ended up paying $325 for a flush.

 

^This. I ended up paying just a little less and had them tighten the propeller bolt, too. If I had the time (with two little kids, not a lot of spare time!), I would have used the awesome write-up on here and done it myself. If you have the ability, I would suggest that... I watched a little of what they did and the way they explained it was that they removed the old fluid, put a cleaner/solvent and worked it though, and then removed all of that and finally new fluid... They definitely didnt power flush it like some shops do, though.

 

There is a problem with flushing a transmission with high mileage if it has never been done before. If the fluid is dark or has a slight burnt smell to it there is a good possibility you'll be walking with in two weeks if you flush it. Just about every flushing machine uses the transmissions own pressure to force the old fluid out putting fluid in is easy you could achieve the same basic thing in your drive way but that is not the issue with old fluid it is the results of the new fluid's additives on the clutch packs. An independent shop (one having been around awhile) is far better equipped then the dealer to deal with your transmission this is some thing they do every day and have a much better ideal of how a transmission works then some one draining oil at the dealer they actual rebuild them instead of replacing them with a remand unit. If you have any doubts about an independent shop ask if the are an ATRA member.

 

1-866-GO-4-ATRA there are several in Missisippi.

 

My experience: Flushing a high mileage transmission creates at least a minor problem. IF the transmission is "sludgy" the transmission fluid, being high detergent will "scrub" everything in it's path. I worked at a transmission shop once where the owner showed me how to desludge an engine. (Idle it for 40 minutes with pure automatic transmission fluid, without driving it, drain everything afterwards, and empty the oil filter, do it a second time, drain everything completely and replace the oil filter with a new one, using brand new oil.

If a flush is done on a high mileage automatic not regularly serviced, I would do the flush, and change the automatic transmission filter then, and two months later, again. (Standard filter media should catch hold any debris that breaks loose at random). (I don't know if Toyota uses a screen instead) Unless the transmission has been severely overheated, there shouldn't be that much trash left in the automatic, because during a 100% flush you only quit when the returning fluid looks like the new enterring fluid. (By the way trash that arrives in the torque converter tends to be trapped in the outer circumference) where it merrily spins all of its life.

 

how does a transmission get sludgey if ATF is a high detergent?

i paid $210 for a flush from an indie shop. i didnt want to do it myself.
in college a professor told me once. "the best solution to pollution is dilution." i think it applies to our ATF. flush or dump..it is a good thing getting some of the old stuff out and adding new.

 

That would be a sure fire way to make sure the trans will quit. The problem is with the clutch packs not the yuck new fluid will clean the stuff off the old clutches it has a protective quality to it and the friction material will take it on the chin. You are correct there will all ways be trash inside of the converter many years ago you used to be able to dismantle torque converters we had a brand new converter flushing machine we cleaned the converter then took it apart yes there was still yuck in the outer edges of the converter however it also stayed right there for the life of the trans. It's the stuff floating around that is an issue.