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Differential oil change?

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Old Aug 29, 2008 | 06:27 PM
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Default Differential oil change?

Are there any tutorials online about chaning the differential oil on the IS350? It seems it should be pretty strait forward, but any tips are appreciated. How much fluid does it require? Any torque specs for the drain/fill bolts? Thanks for the help
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Old Aug 29, 2008 | 07:42 PM
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Just like you said its very straight forward. I just did this 2days ago. Just drain the old fluid out, fill it till it spills and thats it. I used Royal Purple 75w-90. Only thing I had to do that I didnt expect it unbolting part of the exhaust and one of the reinforcement bars.
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Old Aug 29, 2008 | 08:16 PM
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Originally Posted by iSuxeL
Just like you said its very straight forward. I just did this 2days ago. Just drain the old fluid out, fill it till it spills and thats it. I used Royal Purple 75w-90. Only thing I had to do that I didnt expect it unbolting part of the exhaust and one of the reinforcement bars.
Did you end up using something to pump the new fluid in, or is there enough clearnace to just pour?
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Old Aug 29, 2008 | 08:17 PM
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Also, how much fluid by the way? exactly 2qt?
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Old Aug 29, 2008 | 08:37 PM
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You fill the differential the same way you fill any other differential out there. Fill until it starts pouring out, assuming your car is level, and when the flow of gear oil is almost leveling out w/ the opening of the fill hole, PLUG IT. It's now full.
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Old Aug 29, 2008 | 08:45 PM
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when does lexus recommend changing the diff fluid?
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Old Aug 29, 2008 | 09:01 PM
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Originally Posted by IS35O
Did you end up using something to pump the new fluid in, or is there enough clearnace to just pour?

Any automotive parts store should have a tube adapter that fits over the gear oil bottle that allows you to squeeze the fluid in if you do not have the clearance to pour.
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Old Aug 29, 2008 | 09:07 PM
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There was enough room to just squeeze but if you can find an adapter then I'd recommend that, as it was a little tough but I managed.

Theres no recommended time to change it technically, you can change it whenever you want. I'm over 50k so I figured I should do it, plus I didnt like the way mines felt. Next up is the tranny fluid.
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Old Aug 29, 2008 | 11:59 PM
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In no point in the Lexus service manual does it ever need new a tranny fluid or differential oil change. Should you do it? That's up to you =]

And isn't the transmission a sealed case? It wouldn't exactly be an easy fix.
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Old Aug 30, 2008 | 08:00 AM
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If you want the best,

http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/svg.aspx

http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/g2039.aspx

Koz
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Old Aug 30, 2008 | 08:39 AM
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Thats the plan
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Old Aug 30, 2008 | 09:28 AM
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The transmission is sealed, it's physically impossible to change the fluid.

You can get small amounts of it out removing certain parts, but nowhere near all of it.
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Old Aug 30, 2008 | 01:46 PM
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^^ The transmission is sealed, yes, but there is a drain plug. Getting the new oil *in* the transmission is the tricky part. It's a pretty involved procedure.
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Old Aug 30, 2008 | 03:02 PM
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There is absolutely no reason to touch the trans. Leave it be!

Koz
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Old Aug 30, 2008 | 11:41 PM
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Originally Posted by IS350jet
^^ The transmission is sealed, yes, but there is a drain plug. Getting the new oil *in* the transmission is the tricky part. It's a pretty involved procedure.
The drain plug will allow you to remove a very small percentage of the fluid in the transmission... less than 1/4 of the total fluid if I recall.

That's pretty useless for a "change"

Even removing the torque converter wouldn't get half the fluid out.

There's like a 7 page thread on this topic, with diagrams and charts.

It's physically impossible to change the transmission fluid on these cars unless you custom build your own machine with a fluid exchanger shaped exactly like the heat exchanger attached to the transmission, then swap the two exchangers, then change your fluid, then swap back. Which would likely be a lot more cost and labor than just putting in a new transmission if yours dies because it has 200,000 mile fluid in it.
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