tmill8088

Hello,

Newbie to the CL forums here, but since my recent purchase of a used Lexus, I have found this site to be the best resource for DIY tips on the net!

Anyway, I plan to change/replace my rear differential fluid soon. I read that some models shared fluid between the transmission & the differential (i.e. the differential has a drain plug but no fill plug) and others have separate fluid reservoirs.

Can anyone verify which is the case with the 2004 ES 330?

Thanks in advance.

tmilll8088
2004 ES 330

hypervish

Welcome to Club Lexus!

No Lexus ES has a rear differential, these cars have always been FWD.

tmill8088

Thanks! I had totally forgotten about it being a FWD vehicle.

So to confirm, that means the ES doesn't require separate differential fluid. Is there a differential unit which shares fluid and requires a drain plug to be removed, in addition to the tranny drain plug?

Regards,

tmill8088

LeX2K

You don't have to worry about a separate drain/fill of the differential. There is a differential in your car but it shares fluid with the rest of the transmission. I don't know if your car has a drain for the differential (probably) but I would not worry about it unless your existing fluid is extremely dirty.

tmill8088

Many thanks for the helpful replies.

Since it appears what I will be doing is a trans fluid change, would it be recommended to replace the filter as well? My 2004 ES 330 has 172k miles on it and I'm not certain the transmission fluid has ever been changed.

speedkar9

There is no filter on the 4th Gen ES. Its merely a screen that's not worth the effort in dropping the transmission pan to clean.

A simple drain and fill following this procedure is all you need, unless your experiencing major transmission problems:

LeX2K

There is indeed a filter, it is a felt like material (not a metal screen) that needs to be periodically replaced.

brucelee1

iTrader: (2)

Don't forget to only use Toyota T-4 ATF. NOTHING else, please.

Chocolate

Replaced my fluid and filter (cycled through a case of T-IV and an replaced OEM transmission filter and gasket) for the first time at about 115K miles. Lexus2000 is correct about the filter. You probably don't need to change it if money is an issue, but it's a good idea if you can. My old filter was, predictably, soaked black with filthy fluid and fine particles.

That said, I don't care for the design of the transmission filter. It's quite shallow and could definitely use a higher capacity.

tmill8088

Thanks for all the helpful info guys. I will tackle this job next weekend.

Completed a spark plug change this weekend without removing the plenum. It took me 6 hours really roughed my hands up. I would not do that job myself again!

Also decided to do a fluid change only on the auto transmission. I will evaluate the fluid condition then determine if a filter change may be warranted during the next change.

speedkar9

May I ask, how did you get the middle rear ignition coil to clear vertically under the intake plenum?

I too have tried changing plugs without removing the plenum but got stuck on the middle rear plug and ended up removing the plenum. Hands were badly scuffed

tmill8088

I managed first to get the coil extension almost all the way out by sliding it up and back (toward the rear of the car). This left about 1/2" still in the hole. Since the tip is rubber which slides over the plug, I was able to bend this just enough to get it all the way out. Without bending that tip, I don't believe it would have come out.

Again, I simply would not complete the job of replacing the spark plugs using this method again (i.e. not removing the plenum). I would either prep for a plenum/throttle body removal (gasket replacements included) or pay someone else to do it.

FYI...in hindsight, and as mentioned here on CL by some others, a stubby ratchet would have been helpful.