Tranny Flush at 176k+ miles? Experience, thoughts, "anecdotal facts" requested.

What people have experienced is what I'm really looking for (with 2nd gen auto transmissions). I should have clarified that...

The first post was probably too long and won't be read start to finish. *sigh*

 

Have you done a flush and fill, or left it alone, or drain and fills? What are the results?

Thanks!

 

I have a 2006 Honda Odyssey Van that I had a trans flush on at 100,000. Had nothing but problems with the trans after that. From henceforth I only do drain and fills on everything. Of course it does sound like people are doing ok with a flush on the Tacoma so far according to this thread. As for me never again

 

I've done one of the 3 listed above. The results? Fine. But, You'll hear the same from the others 2 camps. Pick a card.

It's like the conventional vs. synthetic argument. Both work.

 

Flush and fill with out dropping the pan and cleaning the magnets or removing and replacing the filter is a bad idea.

There’s a right way and a wrong way to flush. If you search “transmission flush gearcruncher” , you’ll get great information. Gearcruncher knows his stuff.

 

Thanks! Will do.

 

Great news! I suppose you won't say because it's still just "one of the three" and whatnot.

However, if it has been drain and fills, would you mind sharing the number of drains and fills and the miles on the transmission??? If not, I understand, this has come up a lot.

Thanks!

 

Did a flush around the same mileage and almost lost my tranny.


Drain and fill for sure

 

Great information; thanks for posting.

Curious...what do you mean by "almost", and how did you "save" it?

 

You might find this useful.
I’d read it all if you can.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/transmission-drain-and-fill-vs-flush.566992/

 

I promise I will; I searched before even asking, and 9999999999 (or whatever) results came up so I just asked.

Looks like great info. It seems like this topic has come up before.

 

The flush caused something to get stuck in the valve body. Truck was basically not drivable. Changed out the filter and was able to get whatever it was dislodged by doing a series of steps that another member on here helped me with, also put some lubgard in at the same time so that could possibly be what helped as well.

 

It has come up a lot.
So many times, that the ones with good info in them are hard to find.

It’s no problem, always good to do research FIRST.

 

I always add Lubeguard on my transmission drain and fills. It saved my van transmission

 

I did a DIY full flush with pan drop at 125,000 miles (also replaced the filter). Have done annual drain and fills since then. 160,000 currently, zero problems.

I also added a Magnafine transmission filter to the return line from the cooler as well (30k mile service interval).

 

I will try and offer some of my experience as I was in the same boat earlier this year. I own a '13 Tacoma and '06 4runner, same engine and tranny. The 4runner had close to 150k miles and my Tacoma had 120k. No records of the transmission fluid ever being touched. I did a ton of research about what the best practice was, and like you I found conflicting opinions. Given the mileage on both vehicles I avoided doing a flush with the machine, as I was worried it would cause problems. Also my local dealer said "they don't touch transmission fluid" SMH. The fluid "exchange" detailed on this forum seemed a bit over my head, so I went the simple route and did the drain and fill with Toyota fluid and did the temp check procedure to verify fluid level. Even that seemed over my head but I went slow and it really wasn't difficult.

I found that both transmissions were underfilled, assuming from the factory. After refilling and checking the level, he Tacoma shifted a bit smoother after, the 4runner I couldn't tell a difference. I have since done another drain and fill on the 4Runner because the fluid was worse on it. Now I plan to do a drain and fill on each every 20-30k miles. Once you do the temp check procedure it becomes easier and easier. Seems like a pain but it's really pretty intuitive. We have been driving 6 months after the initial drain and fill with no issues. And I feel better KNOWING what the fluid looks like and that's it properly filled. I refuse to be one of the guys who says "I nEvER ChaNgE mY TrAnSmiSSion fLuId iT'll KilL the TrAnSmIsSioN"! I saw how dark the fluid was at 150k I don't want to see what it looks like at 200 or 250. Also I don't tow with either of these trucks so if you do it's going to be worse.

I think with your mileage doing 2-3 drain and fills over the next few months is the safest bet. If you had 76k instead of 176 I'd do the fluid exchange or flush at a dealer. IMO the drain and fill is the safest procedure for older fluid. Yes you have to do it more than once to really refresh the fluid but I find that reassuring that I'm not going to shock the system and flood it with gunk and particles with all new fluid added in there. Good luck.

 

To be fair those transmissions on those vans in that era were a dumpster fire after 100K anyways...

 

The Odyssey transmissions were definitely a weak spot on the vehicle.

I do encourage anyone doing a drain and fill or a flush to drop their pan and replace the filter in the trans and clean the bottom of the pan. It is a pain to do but worth the additional work.
I don't believe the pan drop was done on my Tacoma by the previous owner when he changed the trans fluid. Darn pan bolts were a pain to remove and ended up breaking one bolt off trying to get it loose. At least glad I did it because it definitely needed pan cleaned and filter replaced.

 

OP ask whatever question you want. You'll always get those that will spend the time telling you to do a search,rl rather than answering your question. It's inevitable.

But, most of us don't mind helping out

 

Mine has been in service 10 years, but only has 60k miles. I recently dropped pan and changed fluid based on time. Have not really seen any difference, but if pressed I would say shifting is smoother