Transmission fluid change
Rookie
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: California
So I followed LexMex's example and did 3 ATF drain-n-fills within a week. I drove at least 100 miles between the work.
Here's an interesting look at the fluid color: The left most came out of the first drain. It smelled bad and was brown in color. Though it looked faded red on the dipstick.
As you can see, the fluid had progressively gotten better color. The third drain looked fairly OK. The right most was the fresh Toyota ATF Type T-IV. It's in a beautiful cherry red color.
You can also see the fluid containers above with my old fluid. (Spilled some of my 2nd drain when my nosy neighbor came over to see what the heck I was doing.)
What's in your tranny?
Here's an interesting look at the fluid color: The left most came out of the first drain. It smelled bad and was brown in color. Though it looked faded red on the dipstick.
As you can see, the fluid had progressively gotten better color. The third drain looked fairly OK. The right most was the fresh Toyota ATF Type T-IV. It's in a beautiful cherry red color.
You can also see the fluid containers above with my old fluid. (Spilled some of my 2nd drain when my nosy neighbor came over to see what the heck I was doing.)
What's in your tranny?
Question: Does the AT fluid circulate and mix uniformly from the front differential and into the transmission pan?
Lexus Champion
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,110
Likes: 77
From: OH
My first 2 changes looked pretty dark too, after that it cleaned up quick.
As far as the front differential goes, I would say no they do not circulate and mix the fluid uniformly. The differential seems to be more of a sump that shares the tranny fluid but does not really circulate much. There is a wall between them that only lets the fluid into the differential when the tranny pan is fairly full. So it's more like the differential shares fluid by sloshing the top part of the fluid in the tranny pan. The fluid that comes out of the differential during a change will generally be dirtier and darker, maybe even stink a little more than the fluid that comes out of the tranny pan. It gets sort of stagnant and more junk sits on the bottom.
I have been removing the differential plug first when I do a change to let a little more fluid flush out that way. Probably means nothing but I like to think I am getting more junk out of it that way.
As far as the front differential goes, I would say no they do not circulate and mix the fluid uniformly. The differential seems to be more of a sump that shares the tranny fluid but does not really circulate much. There is a wall between them that only lets the fluid into the differential when the tranny pan is fairly full. So it's more like the differential shares fluid by sloshing the top part of the fluid in the tranny pan. The fluid that comes out of the differential during a change will generally be dirtier and darker, maybe even stink a little more than the fluid that comes out of the tranny pan. It gets sort of stagnant and more junk sits on the bottom.
I have been removing the differential plug first when I do a change to let a little more fluid flush out that way. Probably means nothing but I like to think I am getting more junk out of it that way.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,507
Likes: 38
From: Bethlehem Twsp. Pennsylvania
Anyone use one of these to draw fluid up the dipstick tube?
I was thinking about using mine to pull off what easily comes out. Just put back in the same amount that came out. Not a true flush, but if you can't get it all anyway, then just use this to get several quarts out and do it once a week until the fluid looks clean.
I was thinking about using mine to pull off what easily comes out. Just put back in the same amount that came out. Not a true flush, but if you can't get it all anyway, then just use this to get several quarts out and do it once a week until the fluid looks clean.
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