shilla

I recently bought a 1998 ES 300 and had the dealer perform a pre-sale inspection for me.
The only item that came up was that the transmission fluid was "dirty". The car has 70k miles on
it and I simply figured it needed to be changed. The problem is that I later found out the transmission fluid had been changed only four months earlier. The color of the fluid is not the bright red you'd expect but more of a muddy grey/brown color with some red in it.

Did I just buy an expensive problem or is this typical of the car?

Pheonix

It's not indicative of a problem, no. Fluid always get's dirty. Especially if the inside of the device is dirty. Keep in mind being dirty, or chanigng colors doesn't mean that the fluid has stopped working. it's jus a guide. (If it smells burnt... You'll gag, that means its been in there entirely too long.)
Keep in mind you only change just about half the fluid when you drain it. (As opposed to flushing it out.)
Look in your manual/dipstick to see if you need Dexron III, or Toyota Type IV transmission fluid.
If Dexron III. Buy 2 jugs of Super-Tech ATF (Dexron III) at wallmart. for about $12.
Drain the pan, pour the jug in. Drive around for afew min, stop, shift to every gear position. Cut it off.
Drain the pan, fill it back up. Till it reads full. Drive around afew min, stop, shift to every position. Check the fluid level against the hot full mark.

Whatever fluid you have left over, flush your powersteering system out.

ridedumped

is there a diy on this? i've been meaning to change my tranny fluid for a while now, but cant seem to find a write up. how much fluid does it usually take? also how do you flush the powersteering system.

thanks in advance.

shilla

Is there anyway for oil to leak into the transmission fluid space?

Pheonix

Nope. Not possible in the least.

3000

If it looks muddy, there's a possibility that the coolant could be mixed with the oil. But check the oil cap and the dip stick. If the oil is not affected then it's not the water-oil mixing case.

shilla

I don't quite follow you. Please elaborate on the oil cap and dip stick check.

Pheonix

There's nothing to elaborate on. There is no way for oil, or coolant, or anything else to leak into the transmission.

3000

OOPS!! I miss read the first thread. I didn't see TRANSMISSION FLUID. Sorry.