fig19

Dropped the pan on my '03 gx470,thought the dipstick line would seperate from the pan(Thought it went inside the welded on portion attached to the pan) but it didnt and I dont see where their is a way to seperate the dipstick line,seems all one piece from top of engine down to where it attaches to pan.

help please-

DiabloX22

There is a bolt holding it to the engine . It does seperate from the pan

fig19

no bolt or attachment to anything that I can see.Their is a bracket near the top of the dipstick line that the metal line is connected to.But even if this is what your refering to theirs no way that entire dipstick line is going to come out at the bottom along with the pan.Its got to seperate near the " L-shaped nipple" coming off the pan.
I found some answers for other lexus models that said to tap on the area of the line where it feels like its seperated(like a jar thats hard to open) and then pull down on the pan and the "L-shaped nipple" will seperate from the dipstick line that is inside of it.
Tried this,tried twisting it while pulling down...doesnt budge.

DiabloX22

I have a 03 with a dipstick also, can you get some pics?

DiabloX22

If you are talking about the part that feeds into the pan the metal elbow is 1 piece. Dont try to remove it! The pan does have a metal elbow for our dipstick holder that is manufactured that way!

fig19

DiabloX22 thx for your interest helping with this-
I knew not to try to seperate it at the elbow and pan,I was trying to seperate it just above that elbow where it looks/feels like it is joined with the dipstick line.I did a google parts search of the pan to see what it looks like and sure enough the pan and the elbow are all thats attached/one piece, so it must seperate just above the elbow, but mine seems really joined together,other than heat(which I dont have access too) anyone have any tricks or success seperating the two?
As a reminder I'm trying to drop the trans pan for filter/gasket replacement on my '03 GX470(205k mls).

DiabloX22

Can you post a pic or is it still up in there?? I know who to hit up for this! Give me a few!

fig19

I'm out of town away fron the gx until Sun.,I'll try to get pics but not sure can get enough light and visual sight.They must be joined together with a "O" ring inside the elbow,but cant enough opposing force on the elbow and the dipstick line.

DiabloX22

I am probably forgetting what you are refering to. That is why I need a reference or visual. I wil be out doing some work on mine, this actually is "bothering" me, in 1 of those ways where I keep thinking about it, so hopefully we will get a answer. Not to insult you, but does it appear to be a fitting or a connection? I am heading out soon so

fig19

referring to/inquiring about -

How to seperate the transmission dipstick line(actually the tube the dipstick goes down into) from the transmission pan.If you locate the transmission pan,their is an "elbow" off the front passenger side of the pan,this elbow is welded to the pan.Looking up the pan for parts you will see the elbow and pan are all one.The dipstick tube is kindof "telescoped" into this elbow,I cannot get mine seperated to completely drop the pan to replace filter/gasket,since mine is a 2003 w/205k mls I feel I want to do this regardless it is a "forver sealed transmission fluid".I've done a couple simple drain and fills over the past 3 mths to slowly integrate fresh new fluid and with the 3rd drain/fill want to do the filter/gasket.

Hope this helps and thx for your interest-

DiabloX22

We were talking about 2 way different things. Early 2003 GX models DO NOT have a sealed transmission. My GX does have a dipstick for the transmission, I can check my fluid. So I saw you had a 03 and you said dipstick

fig19

Yes,I have a '03 with a trans dipstick,of course this means I can check my trans fluid levels.
The question revolves around me trying to remove the pan to change out the filter and gasket.The problem is the dipstick tube(what the dipstick check goes into) needs to be seperated from the pan to drop it for access to gasket/filter.
I spoke to a mechanic at my work and he went into their "how to" system and the results were to-

1)Remove transmission dipstick from tube
2)remove bolt holding bracket to engine which holds the tube
3)With bracket removed,pull up on dipstick tube,it is secured in the elbow of the pan by an "O" ring.It was suggested to have a spare "O" ring since it may very well break with the potential force to pull the tube out of the elbow.
4)Now that the tube is removed you can remove the trans pan bolts and navigate the remaining stem thru the openings removing the pan entirely.


I have not tried this yet,will wait about a mth to let the last drain/fill circulate and clean then do a final pan drop,gasket/filter change and refill.

If you decide to do this let us know the results and any tips you can offer or "watch-out-fors".

DiabloX22

All I am going to say is I hope you get it done. You said you could not get the dipstick out, yes you pull on it. But you mentioned it looked welded, needed heat etc. Then you posted about a forever sealed trans. Now you are saying after all this, you didnt pull to break the o ring. You could not get enough force etc. so I guess I should of said this from the get go, the same thing I did when I did mine. PULL!