1998 Transmission Question

[AZBuman]

Ok, so I have searched and searched here and other places on the web looking for an answer to my questions and can't seem to find it, forgive me if this has been asked and answered, here it goes...

I have a 1998 with 143,500 miles on it. I just did an oil change and I wanted to do a transmission fluid change also. I have a 100 series manual that I use to walk me through different maintenance but in the manual it talks about the transmission being sealed and how to check it with the two different plugs underneath, and needing WC fluid. Now I am not a mechanic by any stretch but there are two dipsticks in the engine compartment, one is labeled engine oil and the other has no label. It is just to the rear or the oil dipstick close to the cab and appears to go down to the transmission. I am assuming that this is the transmission dipstick, is this correct?

Also when I look for what type of fluid to add to the old girl all I keep running into is put WC in it or genuine toyota fluid or something like that. Is there anyone out there with a same year or similar that has done a fluid change on the transmission and what type of fluid did you use? Is this fluid available at auto zone or advance?

I have a long trip coming up, Maryland to Alabama and I am taking the LC. I don't have time now to do a full flush and replace so I was thinking of doing just a drain and replace. Again this is assuming that I am looking at the truck correctly and seeing the drain plug and the dipstick. I want to do a full transmission filter change but I have a lot of rust underneath, the truck came from PA, and I am worried about breaking bolts like has already happened when taking off the shield to get to the oil filter and taking off the running boards. I will post some pictures when I get a chance. Thanks in advance and I hope all of this made sense.

 

[elk]

The later series with the 5 speed have no dipstick, so your manual appears to be referencing those vehicles. Give me a minute and I'll link to the transmission flush procedure for yours.

A343F Fill Procedure?

Quantity of Transmission Fluid for Flush

I should add that I have the "sealed" 5spd and had the dealer do this work for me. The master mechanic is a cycling buddy of mine and did the job (and a few others) at the going rate of $180, full flush, using the Toyota approved procedure, exact quantity in/out, through the line technique.. That was 12,000 miles ago. The price of fluids and my time were close to this number, so it was worth doing. You might want to call around.

 

[AZBuman]

 

[AZBuman]

Elk, thank you. I uploaded some pics, one of the engine compartment showing the dipsticks, one of the drain plug, one of the place where I think the dipstick is going into the pan, and a couple of where the shield for the oil filter went showing where the bolts broke. As you can see from the pics there is some rust under there and it makes me nervous to take those bolts off and risk them breaking like the ones up front did.

 

[bctlex]

Hi @AZBuman I just did a drain and refill on my 98 with 210K this past weekend. I bought the vehicle a few months ago, so this is the first drain and refill for me. The old fluid still looks good, so I didnt try to do a complete fluid exchange.

I used Mobil 1 synthetic transmission fluid that I bought from Advance. I believe you are looking at the correct transmission dipstick, and the bolt to drain the transmission, but the amount of rust would worry me. Mine do not have rust like that. I guess if the bolt broke or stripped, you may need to either replace the pan or somehow figure out how to install a new larger size bolt. I have no experience on this though, sorry...

I could be wrong, but my understanding the transmission do not have a filter, only a screen, so there is no need to drop the pan. You can replace the fluid by disconnecting the line to the cooler. Transmission Fluid Exchange Writeup.

Hope this helps.
Chris

 

[2001LC]

Dain and fill is about 2 or 3qt., of dexon III or higher. Full flush I like to have 18qt on hand. IMHO, drain in fill is useless.

The transmission pan bolts are less like to be rusted in, but only removing will tell. Be very carefully with drain bolt, it has very soft threads, fortunately the pan drain threads are much harder.

You don't need to clean or change magnets and filter (screen), although I have.
I use Mobil One full synthetic, and do full flush each time . My transmission shifted noticeable better with the Mobil 1 full Synthetic multi-vehicle ATF. The viscosity is a bit higher than Dexron II thru VI and may reduce MPG just a tad. The new Dexron VI multi-vehicle ATF is a blend.
ExxonMobil produces conventional, synthetic blend and fully synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluids (ATFs) for the wide variety of cars on the road today.
You can add either to your transmission, they are compatible with older Dexron III you most likely have in now.

When you do a flush, this may help.
which tranny cooler line is in/out
It only takes a few more minutes to flush, once you've drained and filled the bottom on the transmission pan, AKA drain & fill.

For now I'd just add if low, until time allows for hour or so to do full flush. Make sure to check when transmission is hot and on level ground. Always keep dip stick level on the mark or just below, never overfill.

 

[AZBuman]

Guys thanks for the replies. I am in a bit of jam with a short time table having to leave on Saturday for Alabama. But that is my mistake. After pricing around to local dealerships I am wondering if it would be a better route. Other sites says don't do a full transmission flush if you are unsure of the service history of the vehicle instead just do multiple drain and fills when you do oil changes. The rust on the bolts has me a little worried to tackle the taking off of the pan. Thanks again for the input.

 

[bctlex]

Imo, if I need to do a drain and refill, and a very short time table, I would do it thru the tranny cooler line. I would not touch that drain bolt due to rust, unless I am prepared to fix it incase it break off.

I like to do a full flush, but just didnt have time this past weekend, so I will do that next year in the spring. I wanted to do at least drain and fill to see what the fluid look like since I just bought the car a few months ago.

@2001LC Good to know that using Mobil 1 the transmission shift better. I use Mobil 1 on pretty much everything I own.