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If you are doing the solenoid, make sure to replace the transmission filter/strainer as well. Chances are, if you're doing the lockup solenoid, the torque converter was probably wearing a bit and some clutch material is clogging the filter screen. My pump was whining due to the filter being clogged because I had a lockup solenoid fail on me. A new filter is about $20 at Napa and comes with a gasket.
What!?!? You had that screen clogged? As I recall on mine ('91), the holes in the screen were about 1/10" squares. And all those got clogged? That must have been a ton of clutch material. Glad you got it fixed.
I replaced mine (purely preventive, no problems before or since) and I'm thinking it was probably unnecessary - I could have just cleaned the original screen and reinstalled it. I've seen it mentioned on here that the cork seals compress and new ones (that come on a new screen) are needed to restore the sealing, but I actually can't see why a perfectly tight seal matters in this case, considering the coarseness of the filter screen.
Toyota (Aisin)Type IV has been around for some time now.
Based on data posted in this forum post, it appears AFW+ is a contemporary replacement for Type IV and offers reduced viscosity (lower resistance) at cold start...
But who stocks AFW+ in North America?
This comparison chart depicts cold start viscosity of ATF T-IV vs ATF WS (WS is not compatible with type IV, however AFW+ is ).
Found this definition online:
Viscosity is the measure of resistance of a fluid to flow. A fluid that is highly viscous has a high resistance (like having more friction) and flows slower than a low-viscosity fluid. To think of viscosity in everyday terms, the easier a fluid moves, the lower the viscosity.
Our LS400 transmissions are quirky when cold (upshifting at much higher RPM) , so a more contemporary fluid with lower viscosity that acts warm when cold offers numerous advantages.
I just asked a friend of mine who is a president of a company which has a strong connection with Aisin.
He said," Aisin AFW+ is currently only shipped to Asia and Oceania".
So nobody stocks it in North America except some private importers.
I just asked a friend of mine who is a president of a company which has a strong connection with Aisin.
He said," Aisin AFW+ is currently only shipped to Asia and Oceania".
So nobody stocks it in North America except some private importers.
Internet spillover...
Oftentimes a product is sold under one brand in a specific territory and brand-labeled elsewhere in another part of the world. (As was the case of Toyota Celsior rebranded Lexus LS400 in North America)
This exercise is to present a more contemporary transmission fluid upgrade to
T-IV...
Preferably Aisin (or Toyota), otherwise an alternative brand.
While Aisin ATF T-IV is referred to as synthetic(?), it is unclear it's composition is 100% synthetic
Perhaps Aisin can clarify.
An Aisin T-IV datasheet would be helpful..
Valvoline MaxLife brand ATF is 100% synthetic and presents itself as a substitute for T-IV.
Was unable to locate data on Aisin or Valvoline additives.
Valvoline is a trusted premium brand.
*Viscosities are as follows:
Aisin T-IV:
40 C. cSt 34.0
100 C. cSt 7.3
Valvoline MaxLife:
40 C. cSt 28.82
100 C. cSt 5.91
This data suggests reduced flow resistance at lower temperatures.
It would be interesting to have viscosity data at 0 and -20 degrees Centrigrade.
Valvoline MaxLife 100% synthetic Aisin T-IV
*Screen shots with skimpy data... but perhaps a forum member can locate and post Aisin T-IV datasheet..
Another post concerning power steering fluid, based on Valvoline's product label representations, questioned why then T-IV could not be used as P.S. fluid.
It is unfortunate we can't rely on anything anymore and must cross-examine everything down to minutiae to obtain truth.
I somewhat trust Toyota, but their technical support has proven severely lacking and superceding part numbers is problematic and have to fight with them over months time to get them to do their jobs.
It appears we have an improved cold start tramsmission fluid ATF AFW+ by AISIN that is a substitute for T-IV, however it is only sold in Pacific rim.
??
Happy to go down that road , but need more complete information from AISIN or someone who has substituted AFW+ for T-IV.
Additives are an important factor
Easy enough to determine whether the improved low temperature viscosity quells erratic transmission behavior on cold start and alleviates notchy low speed downshifts when stopping.
John Kellys YouTube channel (Weber Auto) is a great resource- https://www.youtube.com/user/WeberAuto
Labeling it a wealth of information is akin to calling Lake Michigan a puddle.
His 5 part series on the History of Automatic Transmission Fluid is worth your time-
I use what toyota says to use.End of debate for me.
That's what this ClubLexus forum posting is about...to determine whether Toyota has developed an improved next generation transmission fluid with improved low temperature/cold-start viscosity....
Aisin Types T-II was superceded by T-IV (Recommended by Aisin/Toyota/Lexus for use in earlier fluid type T-II transmissions.)
Toyota TSB Screenshot from video part 5 .
Type T-IV has been around for ~20.years now...
Engine oils have certainly evolved in 20 years.
It appears Aisin/Toyota offers an ATF AW+ that is only sold in Oceana and certain Pacific Rim countries.
The attached Aisin data sheet contains ATF AW+ as a replacement for T-IV, however it also states it replaces a range of other transmission fluids as well.
It is incredibly difficult to extract information from Toyota or Aisin, and you never get through to someone who knows.
No one Stateside knows what the heck I'm talking about when I inquire about ATF AFW+, so unless Toyota autonomously determine to announce via a TSB (technical service bulletin), then you're on your own.
Another information:
According to a friend of mine, Aisin AFW+ is manufactured by GS Caltex Corporation located in South Korea. So it has nothing to do with Exxon Mobile.
Manufacture/Supplier information
Supply company : GS Caltex Corporation
Address : Nonhyeon-ro 508(Yeoksam-dong), Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Information service or emergency call : 02-2005-6842
Department in charge : Finished Lubricants Development & Technology Team
