LS 460 transmission service: drop pan, replace filter & fill
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 667
Likes: 80
From: New Jersey
Thought I would chime in on another way to flush out all the old fluid with out a dedicated machine. I removed drain plug on pan and measured how much came out. Then dropped pan slowly and caught remaining fluid and measured it. Replaced gasket and filter, removed fill plug from drivers side of tranny and then added new fluid that equaled all that I took out. Now that there was fluid back in tranny, I disconnected the supply line from the transmission that runs into the bottom of the raditator, added a 1' length of clear hose and inserted it into an empty and clean old milk jug. I had a friend start the car (left it in park) and watched the tranny pump out 4 quarts of nasty near black fluid. Shut off car, reinstall 4 quarts of new fluid in tranny to replace what it pumped out. Repeated the same process two more times ( used 11 quarts total). At the end of the last time, the last 1/2 quart or so came out nice and bright red indicating all the old was flushed out. Reinstalled tranny line on radiator, followed the Lexus procedure exactly as many have done to set proper fluid level and called it DONE!
I have used the same process for all my cars and never had any issues - this is about as simple as it gets and costs nothing but about 10 - 15 minutes to do properly. This worked becuase the internal pump in tranny draws the fluid from the bottom of the pan, pumps it through the valve body, clutches etc then pushes it into the torque converter and then out to the cooler in the radiator and returns cooled fluid into pan to continue the cycle over and over again. By shutting car off after every 4 quarts of old fluid pumped out and adding 4 new qts into fill hole, the tranny "thinks" it is returning from cooler line and maintaining level in pan. It only takes about 15-20 seconds at an idle for the tranny to pump out 4 quarts.
I have used the same process for all my cars and never had any issues - this is about as simple as it gets and costs nothing but about 10 - 15 minutes to do properly. This worked becuase the internal pump in tranny draws the fluid from the bottom of the pan, pumps it through the valve body, clutches etc then pushes it into the torque converter and then out to the cooler in the radiator and returns cooled fluid into pan to continue the cycle over and over again. By shutting car off after every 4 quarts of old fluid pumped out and adding 4 new qts into fill hole, the tranny "thinks" it is returning from cooler line and maintaining level in pan. It only takes about 15-20 seconds at an idle for the tranny to pump out 4 quarts.
Thanks for the DIY write up!..... Very helpful for the DIYer.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 778
Likes: 130
From: texas
4 days after the transmission service:
Gear shifting is very smooth, it was not this fluent before the service.
Gas mileage increased from 23.6 to 26.1
can't believe that the dealers pretend that there is no need to service the transmission.
Gear shifting is very smooth, it was not this fluent before the service.
Gas mileage increased from 23.6 to 26.1
can't believe that the dealers pretend that there is no need to service the transmission.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 5,371
Likes: 526
From: BC Canada
can't believe that the dealers pretend that there is no need to service the transmission.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 667
Likes: 80
From: New Jersey
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 778
Likes: 130
From: texas
What pump do you guys use to pump back new transmission fluid? i know many are using the hand pump that is available in Walmart for $8 or in HarborFreight for $5.
The "Ironton Oil Extractor Pump 12V DC 60 Watts" in NorthernTools is on sale now for $20, seems like a good tool for this service.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...6412_200596412
Any other good options?
The "Ironton Oil Extractor Pump 12V DC 60 Watts" in NorthernTools is on sale now for $20, seems like a good tool for this service.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...6412_200596412
Any other good options?
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 667
Likes: 80
From: New Jersey
NICE FIND!! THIS ^^ electric pump looks nice for extracting the fluid and is reasonably priced, however I am NOT a fan of using an "extractor" especially when there is a way to do a complete drain, due to the fact that there could be "gunk" settled into the bottom of the assembly along with left over fluid that may contain contaminates.
A "disposable" hand pump works great for refilling fluids and can also be used for extracting too. I use a MOTIVE #1735 Power Fill Pro for filling all types of fluids and it works great...... However it is pricey compared to the $10 disposable hand pumps. Another affordable fluid filler is a small garden "pump up" garden sprayer that works great with a few modifications.
A "disposable" hand pump works great for refilling fluids and can also be used for extracting too. I use a MOTIVE #1735 Power Fill Pro for filling all types of fluids and it works great...... However it is pricey compared to the $10 disposable hand pumps. Another affordable fluid filler is a small garden "pump up" garden sprayer that works great with a few modifications.
Last edited by Chuckinnj; Jan 13, 2017 at 12:26 PM.
Rookie
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 29
Likes: 4
From: Japan
I have used the same process for all my cars and never had any issues - this is about as simple as it gets and costs nothing but about 10 - 15 minutes to do properly. This worked because the internal pump in tranny draws the fluid from the bottom of the pan, pumps it through the valve body, clutches etc then pushes it into the torque converter and then out to the cooler in the radiator and returns cooled fluid into pan to continue the cycle over and over again. By shutting car off after every 4 quarts of old fluid pumped out and adding 4 new qts into fill hole, the tranny "thinks" it is returning from cooler line and maintaining level in pan. It only takes about 15-20 seconds at an idle for the tranny to pump out 4 quarts.
Well I screwed this up today!!!
hopefully will sort out in the morning. Followed zracers method, first drained, then dropped pan, cleaned everything really well and installed new beck arnley filter and gasket, all good. added back in about 4 qts, my close guess to measurement of what I got out...some spilled despite being really careful when getting that last bit of the pan to free up from the trans..also quite a bit trapped in filter.
Then pulled line into cooler, took out just around 3 qts, added 3 more back in, and did this two more times.....and where I screwed up is then I checked overflow...bad move as I think I forgot to cycle everything and I drained just over 2 qts..ran 100 yards down street...ehh not right, flared shifts....put it back on lift, opened overflow check bolt and got another quart out....hmm strange, try again about 100 yards...slipping really bad now....almost was not able to get it back on the pad for the lift. (good luck to anyone who attempts this on jackstands or ramps lol.
So...I must be waayyy low. Not sure if my Matco scanner will show trans temp, (still sorting techstream on my laptop) but i can jump the OBD and do that method when I have more time tomorrow.
Inside of trans very clean...fluid pretty nasty, very purple color. Pretty typical amount of sludge on the magnets, trans was pretty good before this, but I think could be a bit smoother.
So those who have done this method with flushing more out via cooler lines, did you cycle the trans many times in D and R and S to get fluid everywhere its supposed to be?
Well I screwed this up today!!!
hopefully will sort out in the morning. Followed zracers method, first drained, then dropped pan, cleaned everything really well and installed new beck arnley filter and gasket, all good. added back in about 4 qts, my close guess to measurement of what I got out...some spilled despite being really careful when getting that last bit of the pan to free up from the trans..also quite a bit trapped in filter.
Then pulled line into cooler, took out just around 3 qts, added 3 more back in, and did this two more times.....and where I screwed up is then I checked overflow...bad move as I think I forgot to cycle everything and I drained just over 2 qts..ran 100 yards down street...ehh not right, flared shifts....put it back on lift, opened overflow check bolt and got another quart out....hmm strange, try again about 100 yards...slipping really bad now....almost was not able to get it back on the pad for the lift. (good luck to anyone who attempts this on jackstands or ramps lol.
So...I must be waayyy low. Not sure if my Matco scanner will show trans temp, (still sorting techstream on my laptop) but i can jump the OBD and do that method when I have more time tomorrow.
Inside of trans very clean...fluid pretty nasty, very purple color. Pretty typical amount of sludge on the magnets, trans was pretty good before this, but I think could be a bit smoother.
So those who have done this method with flushing more out via cooler lines, did you cycle the trans many times in D and R and S to get fluid everywhere its supposed to be?
hopefully will sort out in the morning. Followed zracers method, first drained, then dropped pan, cleaned everything really well and installed new beck arnley filter and gasket, all good. added back in about 4 qts, my close guess to measurement of what I got out...some spilled despite being really careful when getting that last bit of the pan to free up from the trans..also quite a bit trapped in filter.
Then pulled line into cooler, took out just around 3 qts, added 3 more back in, and did this two more times.....and where I screwed up is then I checked overflow...bad move as I think I forgot to cycle everything and I drained just over 2 qts..ran 100 yards down street...ehh not right, flared shifts....put it back on lift, opened overflow check bolt and got another quart out....hmm strange, try again about 100 yards...slipping really bad now....almost was not able to get it back on the pad for the lift. (good luck to anyone who attempts this on jackstands or ramps lol.
So...I must be waayyy low. Not sure if my Matco scanner will show trans temp, (still sorting techstream on my laptop) but i can jump the OBD and do that method when I have more time tomorrow.
Inside of trans very clean...fluid pretty nasty, very purple color. Pretty typical amount of sludge on the magnets, trans was pretty good before this, but I think could be a bit smoother.
So those who have done this method with flushing more out via cooler lines, did you cycle the trans many times in D and R and S to get fluid everywhere its supposed to be?
Rookie
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 29
Likes: 4
From: Japan
Yeah, I bungled the check...added fluid back in this morning, got my buddies really good snap on scanner since I do not have TS going yet...checked at 122 degree, still a lil low added another quart and then got some out of the overflow on the second check. All in all I pretty much probably got 90% of the old fluid out, new filter, and super clean pan and magnets. Shifts feel slightly smoother and little firmer when you get on it harder. After about 5 or 6 miles and couple hard accelerations I re checked temp, nearly 200 degrees...have heard the WS fluid does not hold up to heat all that great reading the other Toyota forums, I can imagine these things produce some heat and a good synthetic and frequent changes are a good idea.
No idea if the old oil was original, i pulled a sample along with my engine oil, will send to Blackstone later.
Did some more reading on these 8 speeds, supposedly the same as what is in the RCF...if so they sound like they can take some very serious abuse and hold up really well.
No idea if the old oil was original, i pulled a sample along with my engine oil, will send to Blackstone later.
Did some more reading on these 8 speeds, supposedly the same as what is in the RCF...if so they sound like they can take some very serious abuse and hold up really well.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 26
Likes: 1
From: Illinois
what kind of tools you need to do this job like what size to open the bolts is the transmission pan covered by plastic covered. Also, I did ask around in my area Lexus wants to do drain and fill for $200.00 then found transmission shop that told me they can do drain and fill for $149.00
Pit Crew
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 104
Likes: 14
From: Texas
Yes that's what i'm planning to do in the next few weeks,
it's just a bit of work, but not that hard, requiring some patience, probably on a similar level to bleeding brake fluid.
only 2 challenges i can see:
1. Temperature monitor: will use the jumper wire procedure, and also use a heat gun as backup,
2. Hard-to-reach Refill plug: will get a 24mm long wrench, or will just refill from overflow hole.
Determined to bring the transmission service down to a easy DIY task.
My friend who worked in the auto repair business mentioned that in the dealership, there is no time to check the transmission temperature, they just let car idle for 5 min and call that the right transmission temperature....
it's just a bit of work, but not that hard, requiring some patience, probably on a similar level to bleeding brake fluid.
only 2 challenges i can see:
1. Temperature monitor: will use the jumper wire procedure, and also use a heat gun as backup,
2. Hard-to-reach Refill plug: will get a 24mm long wrench, or will just refill from overflow hole.
Determined to bring the transmission service down to a easy DIY task.
My friend who worked in the auto repair business mentioned that in the dealership, there is no time to check the transmission temperature, they just let car idle for 5 min and call that the right transmission temperature....
Did you say we can fill from the overflow? How do you do that, and how do you know when to stop?
Last edited by elejes; Aug 8, 2019 at 07:35 PM. Reason: Typos
Racer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,472
Likes: 154
From: Kansas
Interesting yesterday when i was at Lexus of Tulsa i ask about trans service. Rep said they do a flush and It is recommended every 60k or so. Cost $260. I told them what others say and he responded that Lexus also list that service on a :LS.
So depends on who and where you ask.
So depends on who and where you ask.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,218
Likes: 300
From: NA
Yeah, I bungled the check...added fluid back in this morning, got my buddies really good snap on scanner since I do not have TS going yet...checked at 122 degree, still a lil low added another quart and then got some out of the overflow on the second check. All in all I pretty much probably got 90% of the old fluid out, new filter, and super clean pan and magnets. Shifts feel slightly smoother and little firmer when you get on it harder. After about 5 or 6 miles and couple hard accelerations I re checked temp, nearly 200 degrees...have heard the WS fluid does not hold up to heat all that great reading the other Toyota forums, I can imagine these things produce some heat and a good synthetic and frequent changes are a good idea.
No idea if the old oil was original, i pulled a sample along with my engine oil, will send to Blackstone later.
Did some more reading on these 8 speeds, supposedly the same as what is in the RCF...if so they sound like they can take some very serious abuse and hold up really well.
No idea if the old oil was original, i pulled a sample along with my engine oil, will send to Blackstone later.
Did some more reading on these 8 speeds, supposedly the same as what is in the RCF...if so they sound like they can take some very serious abuse and hold up really well.
