Transmission Fluid Replacement Question
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: WA
Transmission Fluid Replacement Question
Hello,
I repalced the transmission fluid (drain and refill only) over the weekend. I measured carefully when I drained and just under 4qt came out.
I have the AWD 1999 version.
I then added just under 4qt thru the dipstick and the level shows about an inch above the hot full mark. I thought that it just needed to settle and disperse out but after driving a short distance it still shows over the fill line quite a bit.
Am I just being paranoid or should I try to drain some of the fluid out to make sure I don't blow the seals? I am just very concerned as I do not want to damage the tranny.
Thanks much,
Reggie
I repalced the transmission fluid (drain and refill only) over the weekend. I measured carefully when I drained and just under 4qt came out.
I have the AWD 1999 version.
I then added just under 4qt thru the dipstick and the level shows about an inch above the hot full mark. I thought that it just needed to settle and disperse out but after driving a short distance it still shows over the fill line quite a bit.
Am I just being paranoid or should I try to drain some of the fluid out to make sure I don't blow the seals? I am just very concerned as I do not want to damage the tranny.
Thanks much,
Reggie
Driver
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 109
Likes: 1
From: tx
You didn't measure the level before draining, so you didn't know if the original ATF level was good or not.
Since the current level is above MAX, I would just drain some fluid and refill until it meets specifications.
PS: This has happened to me before and I was also paranoid enough to do the 2nd drain and refill.
Since the current level is above MAX, I would just drain some fluid and refill until it meets specifications.
PS: This has happened to me before and I was also paranoid enough to do the 2nd drain and refill.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: WA
Thanks! I did check before I drained with the car "warm" not "hot" and it looked like it was above the Cold max but below the Hot low so thought it would be OK to just use what I drain and then adjust as needed.
Thanks again for the reply.
Thanks again for the reply.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: WA
I checked it after driving for maybe 10 min. So I am not sure it was hot. I am going to check it when my wife gets home after it has been driven for a little longer and then will adjust as needed. I will make sure to have her keep it running so I can accurately check.
Thanks for all the responses!
Thanks for all the responses!
Driver
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 166
Likes: 3
From: Southern CA
IF in the unlikely event it's really overfilled you DO need to, you can drain a small amount by disconnecting the cooler return hose (engine off). I'd only do that if it really is overfilled, and your fluid condition is good. I've done this before.
If the new fluid's mixing with dirty fluid anyway, consider it an opportunity to drain again. When I drain, I follow Code 58's suggestion draining the pan, the front differential (mine is 2WD), and disconnecting the cooler return hose, cranking until I get new fluid. Total is 10-12 quarts by the time I'm done exchanging fluid. FWIW, I get the T- IV by the case with a coupon from the Toyota dealer when they have it on special.
If the new fluid's mixing with dirty fluid anyway, consider it an opportunity to drain again. When I drain, I follow Code 58's suggestion draining the pan, the front differential (mine is 2WD), and disconnecting the cooler return hose, cranking until I get new fluid. Total is 10-12 quarts by the time I'm done exchanging fluid. FWIW, I get the T- IV by the case with a coupon from the Toyota dealer when they have it on special.
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Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: WA
Checked it again and it was right where it was before I drained. It must have just had to settle down into the nooks and crannies.
I will definitly follow code 58's suggestion and drain it all next time.
When you say cranking until you get new fluid, could you elaborate on that a bit? What do you crank?
Thanks again
I will definitly follow code 58's suggestion and drain it all next time.
When you say cranking until you get new fluid, could you elaborate on that a bit? What do you crank?
Thanks again
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,709
Likes: 16
From: Ca.
Checked it again and it was right where it was before I drained. It must have just had to settle down into the nooks and crannies.
I will definitly follow code 58's suggestion and drain it all next time.
When you say cranking until you get new fluid, could you elaborate on that a bit? What do you crank?
Thanks again
I will definitly follow code 58's suggestion and drain it all next time.
When you say cranking until you get new fluid, could you elaborate on that a bit? What do you crank?
Thanks again
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,533
Likes: 1,379
From: Austin, TX
Since you asked ,,,
The simplest is drain and fill ... do it 2 -3 (or more) times. Or even better do the drain fill every 5000 miles
.
Nothing wrong in using the transmission pump to do it ... but you need to know what you are doing and a well-intentioned task can spin out of control. Its like giving a rope to some one, which can be used for good purpose but .....
Keep this in mind that the root cause of the failures has not been attributed to transmission fluid.
Salim
The simplest is drain and fill ... do it 2 -3 (or more) times. Or even better do the drain fill every 5000 miles
.Nothing wrong in using the transmission pump to do it ... but you need to know what you are doing and a well-intentioned task can spin out of control. Its like giving a rope to some one, which can be used for good purpose but .....
Keep this in mind that the root cause of the failures has not been attributed to transmission fluid.
Salim
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,709
Likes: 16
From: Ca.
Someone posted a DIY video, I believe on this forum, on how to do the fluid change the way I've always done it, except it was on a Honda. He did it with pouring the fluid in as it was pumping it out the return line untill it showed bright red fluid returning, then shut it off. I've tried that but it's hard to pour it in fast enough to keep it from showing air. I prefer to pour in 4 qts., run til air bubbles, shut off, do that again until red fluid return and then reconnect, check and top to full with it running and warm and you're done. There is absolutely no chance of damage when shut off at the 1st. sign of bubbles, because everything is BATHED in fluid, not running dry. I've never yet ever heard of a single problem with doing it this way.
Last edited by code58; Apr 18, 2012 at 10:22 PM.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,709
Likes: 16
From: Ca.
T-tech would definitely be more like a flush, which I am personally opposed to. Just TOOOOO many reports of problems in a relatively short (2-4 mo. and 5k mi.) after a flush that didn't exist before. T-tech connects to both lines and runs the fluid back through the filter to supposedly back flush what's in the filter out, eliminating necessity for change. I don't know how much back flushing it can do because there are one way valves in the trans. but there IS a reason why some manufacturers have come out AGAINST flushing. In my mind, the pump through is a "natural" path to eliminate all the old fluid. No, T-tech is nothing like a drain and fill.