Auto-Box Fluid change time.

Hi guys, Need advise for which is the best Make / Brand of Automatic Transmission Fluid (TYPE T-IV or equivalent) to buy please?

Just want to have all the info ready prior to letting the Mechanic loose on it ,. Importantly how to Change the Transmission Fluid: Locate the drain plug and how to fill it up again. Would I need to buy anything else besides the Transmission Fluid etc?

Any advise is appreciated.

Cheers

Dibs

Info from the Knowledge Section:

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: Drain and Fill: 2.4 litres (2.5 US qts, 2.1 Imp qts)

TYPE T-IV or equivalent

I am kind of remembering waynejordan02 changed his last year ?
Maybe send him a PM.

There is no equivalent fluid... although Mobil, Amsoil and other oil companies will disagree, they want you to buy their product after all..

ONLY use the genuine Toyota T-IV from the dealer.. (lexus or toyota) it comes in a 5 litre container.. but just happens to be very expensive..

Because the tranny is computer controlled, it is expecting T-IV fluid inside, anything different can cause the computer to think it is slipping or grabbing, leading to jerky changes and vibrations..

You will notice that you are only replacing 2.4 litres, even though the transmission contains about 8 litres or so.. and normally this is fine if done regularly, and you have no problems with the tranny... and the fluid is in good condition..
If the fluid is burnt, and discoloured... it is better to completely change it.. usually this means stripping the tranny, however from reading the posts on here, it can be done by disconnecting a cooler pipe, and pumping about a litre out, refilling, pump another litre out etc until the fluid coming out is nice and red..

While you have the sump off, you are supposed to change the filter.. this is a fine mesh strainer, and in my mind should be able to be cleaned and re-used... that will save about £60.. there are 3 small gaskets that should be replaced though.. I was quoted £15 each, so I'm reluctantly skipping these..


John

Any idea how expensive ?

Yeah

£38.63 plus VAT = £45.39 for 5 Litres.. (I bought 10L)

and just for a heads up..
The Super longlife pink coolant is £27.12 plus VAT = £31.87 for 4 Litres (I bought 8L)


Luckily, I get a 10% discount at the local Toyota dealer, because my daughter has a loyalty card.. (bought a yaris from there)


John

ps.. They supplied the wrong fluid at first.. type T not T-IV

that was only £14.86 plus VAT for 5 Litres !


John

Cheers Charles, but the image file was cropped only managed to print out mid section ? Can you please email me the full page please (dibs786@gmail.com)?

Any other info. that might help with regards to where the drain plug is and how to drain the system 90%, I think i will need to replace the full lot, since it's never been changed for over 3 or 4 years? .

Cheers

Dibslpg

A reputable AutoTrans specialist will be able to do a 100% change for you by removing the pipes from the cooler and fitting them to a 'machine', running the engine and swapping old fluid for new
It works a treat - I had mine done last summer at a place in Dartford, Kent (bit far from you!), they didnt use T-IV but it was pink (and still is!) and there is NOTHING jerky or slipping about my trans - still just as smooth and silky as its always been.

Dave

Do you have details of the Garage and cost Dave ?

It was around £115 if memory serves but I am at work so dont have the full details with me but will post tonight soon as I find them

Dave

I sent you the full lexus IS200/IS300 manual service (141 mb)

OK - It was £125+vat (sorry memorys going) and its at Dartford Transmissions 01322 222608. Speak to Bob Andrews or Tony.

I have no afiliation with them apart from having my tranny done there.

Regards

Dave

Cheers Carles can you please re-send it (zipped perhaps) just logged on and nothing attched?

Cheers for your advise

Dibs

Just for the info...

My car went in this morning, and got a call around lunchtime... apparently, my fluid was black, and smelled quite bad..

Hopefully, she should be sweet as a nut when I get her back.. certainly can't afford a tranny rebuild


John

PM sent, sorry for delay.

Update on the Gearbox saga,

been chasing up the Specialist in Bradford RS Transmission came highly recommended by three mechanics’
.
Spoke to the Techi who said “get the gearbox Filter and we will be able to do the rest using our own Dextron 2 oil (best on market, which they ahve used for years and never had any probs etc.. ) ??

Asked the Dealers about a Gear Box Filter, they called it a strainer and said it is you do not need to change it all unless something goes wrong.. if I wanted one its £52 + VAT.

So my Q is Should i buy the Strainer / Filter along with the Type IV Transmission Oil then hand it over for a Complete gearbox oil change?
or just buy the filter and hand it over and let them use their own Dextron Oil?

Help???

Dibslpg

ONLY use T-IV fluid..

I didn't replace the strainer either... due to the cost, but had it flushed out instead... luckily, the 3 gaskets released it easy... they quoted me £15 each for a bit of cork.. so I was hoping I didn't have to replace them..


John

Cheers John,

What did they flush it out with please and What Gaskets? would i need to buy these things too.?

I'm not sure if i am going to replace the strainer too (cost is an isue too)

Dibslpg

No idea what they cleaned it with, but presume something like gunk or jizer...

there are 3 small cork gaskets... included with a new filter, but didn't get them separately.

Hi all,
Finally had the Transmission Fluid Changed by the Local Garage and they new what they were doing plus i handed them the valuable advise submitted here (Thanks a Lot) which made there job a lot easier and quicker hence cheaper..(£75)

Having a chat, they mentioned the Oil was black and smelled burned so was overdue a change, the Mesh Filter was gunged up, he had to leave it to soak ina parafin bath for 45mins before cleaning it up. The used all the Fluid 5lts and looked up the Fluid levels required and said that it was set the correct levels when cold, hot and going throught the grears etc..

So when i check the fluid level what should i be looking for please? Want to make sure it is correct for my peice of mind If it is low i will have to buy some more ATF-Type IV fluid (oouch).

Also sorted the LPG bug out and looked at the ECU via the Laptop and no codes were coming up even though the engine light pops up from time to time?? Any suggestions please?

It is running a lot smoother and the gears changes are not even noticable has well has quicked of the mark, overall well pleased.

Cheers for the pointers and look forward to continued advice

Dibslpg

With the engine at normal operating temperature, move the shift lever from P to L, slowly pausing for about a second in each gear, then back to P.
with the engine still running, pull out the dipstick, give the end a wipe, and reinsert all the way down, and back out again... check the level for "HOT"

visually check the condition of the fluid... it should be nice and red... (it should be since you changed it)


John

Cheers John, will give it a go this afternoon and report back.. :-)

Dibs