DIY: Full Flush for Automatic Transmission

Buy a tap and die set. Use the included tool to measure the thread size of the bolt. Run the correct size die over the bolt. Run the matching tap through the threads on the drain pan. Usually that will be enough to fix the problem. Otherwise you will need to purchase a larger size bolt and tap the threads in the pan to the matching size...Or atleast that's my suggestion.

 

More tools and a new skillset? Yes, please! Wife will be thrilled! lol

 

I haven’t used the sprayer method to refill, but just wanted to share another method instead of crawling underneath the truck and hand pumping. I ran a 1/2 tube from the engine compartment to the fill hole of the tranny, it worked well just keep it away from the exhaust.

 

Do you recall how many feet of tubing you needed?

 

I’d say 5 feet is more than enough. I hooked the funnel to the underside of the hood to make it easier to pour as well as let gravity do it’s thing.

 

Yea, I will try it this way this summer, I used the pump sprayer before through the same fill hole as you, but your way you get 100%, the pump method there is a tad bit in the bottom of the sprayer that doesn’t pump out.

 

The same happened to me. I stripped the drain bolt when I torqued it to 21ft/lbs on my first drain - I believe that was the torque value from the service manual I didn’t want to take a chance so I replaced the pan, drain bolt and the strainer while in there..and cleaned the magnets also. I torqued the drain bolt to 14-15ft/lbs. Good luck.

Did it leak after putting the drain bolt back in?

 

Just got back from a 10 mile dump/Walmart run and checked. Yes, there is some very slight leakage...

 

Sorry to hear. In my case, I’m not sure if it was the pan thread or the drain bolt that was stripped because the bolt just kept turning - it wouldn’t come out or tighten. I had no choice other than dropping the pan and replacing it.

 

I'm a little relieved that it's not too bad. My main usage is my 10 mile round trip to work and the dump/Walmart on the weekends. Of course, I don't really want to crawl under there to replace tranny fluid every weekend, either...

I may call around to a few shops I trust and see what they'd charge to do it.

Where did you pick up the pan and bolt?

 

I purchased them from McGeorge Toyota parts online. Good luck.

 

Update: I was hoping to be able to get the drain bolt back out today but no such luck. Even with some downward pressure from a body panel "wedger-thingie" it just spun. Pulled the overflow bolt, let it drain, pulled the pan bolts, and then... imagine my surprise when I did not have do anything other than give a very slight tug and down came the pan.

Now, I was prepared for there to be "some" fluid in the pan but didn't think it would be 3.5 quarts full. Sloshed a little on the floor but I maintained my composure! What was totally unexpected was the amount that poured out when I dropped the filter down. On the positive side it made a nice reddish brown pond on the garage floor. So peaceful and serene!

While I could dick around trying to get bolt out, I'm pretty sure I'd get frustrated and likely end up making it worse. Will be calling a fab shop in the morning and see if they can take a look at it...

Oh, not just the magnets, but the filter body as well, were well coated in metal gunk, so I am glad I pulled the pan!

 

Well, it... is... DONE!

The shop teacher at my school was able to use his drill press to push down on the bolt from the inside, while I backed it out. At this point, it looked like the threads on the bolt and the pan were toast. When I got home, I tried the M10x1.25 tap on the pan. Having never done this before and knowing my penchant for messing up, I was very nervous. It ran in very minimally before it got bound up. Backed it out and tried the M10x1.5 and it went much easier. After going in and out very slowly bananadance several times, I realized that the pan threads were fine but had been filled in with the bolt threads. Some brass brushing and a little more tapping left it nice and smooth.

Ran to the hardware store, grabbed a correct sized flange bolt, ran it in and snugged it up!

Pan went up and on with no issues, pumped in what I guessed to be the right amount of fluid based on what I caught in my measured container plus what pooled under the truck overnight, let it get to temp, and drained the excess.

Super pumped to not to pay for a new pan or for someone else to do it!

 

Nice. Just a tip for the next time you use a tap. Thead the tap in until it feels tight, then back it out about quarter turn, then thread it in another turn, then back it out a quarter turn, etc. Keep doing that until the tap runs smoothly through. If you're tapping brand new threads it doesn't hurt to use some cutting fluid, it will smooth things out.

 

Just finished this a few hours ago. Went smoothly, thanks for all the info.
Raising the front of the truck up on the initial pan drain caused almost an extra quart to come out.
I only disconnected only one cooler line. One end became the drain, and pumped fresh ATF into the other end. Used Scangauge for temps. Redline D6. Drained 2 quarts at a time then shut truck off, pumped 2 in. Level check at 122 degrees, a whole quart came out (I was keeping it a little full just out of fear of running it dry). Parts counter guy selling me 2 crush washers at dealership was loosing his shit saying this is not a DIY job, there is no dipstick, there is no filter, you need a techstream, its a sealed unit, fluid machine blah blah blah hahaha.

 

this is old, but wheeling in drive only bad when tryn to conquer some rocks or steep slopes?

 

would there be any benefit to doing a drain and fill once or twice and then a full flush, or should I just do the full flush the first time? Worried about 'shocking' the trans with all new fluid.... (stupid, maybe yes).

Im fuckin terrified to touch the trans.

 

I thought about that as well. I did the full flush at 60,000 miles / 100,000km without any issues though.

 

I did a full flush at 110k all good here. Find a reputable Toyota only shop near you. I went through a nightmare dealing with some shade tree trans shop that said they knew what they were doing. They had no idea what they were doing

 

Do it yourself if you have the time and tools, it's quite easy.