Photo DIY: RX300 AWD Transmission Fluid, Pan, Filter Change

[TunedRX300]

Originally Posted by Fern

You sure seam to know what your doing and I was just wondering why this wasn't something you appeared to consider when draining the 30% T-IV which was left behind?

Fern, sorry I miss this question. There is always a portion of ATF trapped inside the torque convertor. There is one thing we can try to get more, when the helper start the car and press on the brake, shift from "1", to "2", to "D", then OD. I believe the route ATF travels is different for each gear. I did not try this because I felt a little uneasy to let my wife shift out of "P" and me in front of the car. Not worth the risk

[madcityrx]

Trying to decide if I should tackle this as a novice mechanic, and worse, as an engineer! Do you have a total cost on the new parts and fluid? Does anyone know the approx. cost of a flush performed at a Lexus dealership?

What are the non-cost pros/cons? I assume the pan drop is better from a perspective that you get to remove the metal from the magnets and screen. From the flush side, I assume a flush would refresh 100% of the fluid as opposed to 70% (still good). Are these good assumptions? Any other considerations?

GREAT THREAD!!

[Lexmex]

Originally Posted by madcityrx

Trying to decide if I should tackle this as a novice mechanic, and worse, as an engineer! Do you have a total cost on the new parts and fluid? Does anyone know the approx. cost of a flush performed at a Lexus dealership?

What are the non-cost pros/cons? I assume the pan drop is better from a perspective that you get to remove the metal from the magnets and screen. From the flush side, I assume a flush would refresh 100% of the fluid as opposed to 70% (still good). Are these good assumptions? Any other considerations?

GREAT THREAD!!

I think I may have mentioned it earlier in this thread, but the flush for me at Lexus was about $125 USD and I talked about it in that post.

You can always ask them to change out the filter and clean out the pan, too.

[Tammy]

I have used an inexpensive bottle pump to fill the transfer and the rear differential, purchased at any auto parts store. It's easier than the gravity feed method, with less waste since a shorter tube is used...

[TunedRX300]

Originally Posted by madcityrx

Trying to decide if I should tackle this as a novice mechanic, and worse, as an engineer! Do you have a total cost on the new parts and fluid? Does anyone know the approx. cost of a flush performed at a Lexus dealership?

What are the non-cost pros/cons? I assume the pan drop is better from a perspective that you get to remove the metal from the magnets and screen. From the flush side, I assume a flush would refresh 100% of the fluid as opposed to 70% (still good). Are these good assumptions? Any other considerations?

GREAT THREAD!!

Gasket and Oil Restrainer is $46 shipped from Park Lexus in Plano. Toyota T-IV is about $4 per quart, Amsoil is $7 per.
I recommend you to use search (for this forum) and google (outside of this forum) to research on flush vs traditional drain and fill. This topic already "beaten to death" so no need to waste bandwidth here. Here is one opinion, decide if you believe it or not

My personal opinion is drain and fill and disconnecting the tranny cooler line is minimal invasive. You need to replace 40% of ATF to restore chemical balance but obviously replace >40% will allow the ATF to last longer. But it is your car, if you are an engineer by trade, I think you probably interested to find out about data, reasons yourself and then decide.

[Trexus]

This is an excellent DIY post. Thanks TunedRX300 for the detailed step by step instructions with pictures. I do all my oil changes, all filter changes, etc. This will be next on my list of things to do on my cars...

[TunedRX300]

Another way to remove metal debris is an external transmission filter such as Magnefine pictured here

Instead of dropping the transmission pan, one can install this filter on cooler return line to the transmission.
http://www.emergingent.com/magnefine...ation_page.htm

For RX300, just order the 3/8 sized filter, and gets two 3/8" clamps from Napa Auto Parts.
Benefits 1) filter non-ferrous particles such as copper and iron particles 2) extend ATF life 3) easier to service than dropping the pan
Drawbacks 1) can't remove metal shavings that magnets and drain plugs already retain 2) need to cut open a section of cooler line to insert the filter 3) no way to exam filter condition (has bypass valve if clogged) must replaced at 20K/one year interval @ $19 per. 4) slight pressure drop but should not be a big problem.

Had I not dropped the tranny pan and changed screen filter, I would have gone this route.
Actually I already bought two 3/8" clamps and two filters but will install it on my Acura TL, which does not have a removable pan and a servicable filter.
Installing the Magnefine filter would be easy on the RX300 if the transmission cooler line is already disconnected in step 10. Will post DIY photos if I change my mind

[Lexmex]

Wanted to show something I discovered after doing a drain and fill on my ATF today. On the side of the Toyota Type-IV bottle I bought at my neighborhood Toyota dealer it mentions on the right side (outlined in blue) exported by ExxonMobil. First time I have seen this listed on one of these bottles.

[DetMich1]

Originally Posted by Lexmex

Wanted to show something I discovered after doing a drain and fill on my ATF today. On the side of the Toyota Type-IV bottle I bought at my neighborhood Toyota dealer it mentions on the right side (outlined in blue) exported by ExxonMobil. First time I have seen this listed on one of these bottles.

Yes, LexMex. Mobil is the out-source supplier of this fluid for Toyota/Lexus. Mobil sells this same fluid under its own label as "Mobil ATF 3309" Great DIY write-up. I think it may have already been mentioned elsewhere, the early model RX300's with AWD were prone to premature transmission failure. By 2002 this design flaw was remedied.

[TunedRX300]

Lexmex,
Thanks for the pictures, just confirm what we always believes: Toyota outsources ATF to oil companies, in this case Exxon Mobile to Mexico.
I just passed 88K over the weekend, that is 20K of trouble free miles since changing 7 quarts of ATF

[Lexmex]

I changed my ATF again along with this time the tranny filter and wanted to add some photos for future references to this fine thread. Below a picture of ATF being drained from the pan.

[Lexmex]

New tranny filter installed. If you look in the upper left corner you will notice the tranny fluid dipstick.

[Lexmex]

Old tranny filter and notice all the sludge on my hand being wiped off the filter itself. (no bits on my magnet just the usual sludge).

[Lexmex]

Shot of area without tranny filter (again notice tranny dipstick in upper left).

[Gomer1]

Great! wasn't there another one about replacing the transfer case oils? That one was very helpful as well.