2007 GX 470 200k - original transmission fluid

[Rednexus]

How are you Emptying the Torque Converter to Avoid Contamination? Dilution>Flush all Day

I used the method where the GX is jacked up in the air (wheels removed and off the ground), the engine is started, a helper runs the trans thu the gears, and I collected around ~2 quarts from the cooler in line in front of the radiator, prior to turning the engine off. Then I added in 2 fresh quarts (like you did), and repeated the process. After ~15 quarts you'll get fresh fluid coming out the cooler-in line in front of the radiator. This is after dropping/cleaning the pan, replacing the strainer/filter, and adding ~4 quarts of fresh fluid to refill the pan.

This method replace essentially all of the fluid with very little opportunities for contamination. The transmission sucks in fresh fluid out of the pan while discharging old fluid towards the cooler (which you intercept and put into a container).

 

[Alleycats]

200K Miles - likely Original Oil - 3 Qts pumped out by Tranny

Replaced Same Amount.

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That old fluid looks super rank.

 

[Hornd]

That old fluid looks super rank.

Agreed - Likely Original but I got it at 200K so I will never know.

 

[gx4rnnr]

When i bought my 06 the trans fluid was original at 236k. I have slowly but surely been replacing the fluid via drain and fills with Valvoline MaxxLife. It stays cooler according to the ScanGuage and performace is great. I see no reason to not start drain and fills at regular short intervals until you start seeing clean fluid on your drains. Once you do you can extend that interval.

Looking into servicing the transmission. no service records indicate any transmission service at all. I'm at 217K. not sure if should leave it alone or just do a drain an fill.

 

[Poop Bubbles]

Just take it to the dealer and suck it up. This is one thing worth going there for. They can fully drain it.

 

[McPierson]

It’s pretty easy. A bit messy and takes a while.
I did mine at 150 and 230k miles. It felt better each time I did. Complete drain and pump exchange of 12 qts both times.

 

[Poop Bubbles]

It’s pretty easy. A bit messy and takes a while.
I did mine at 150 and 230k miles. It felt better each time I did. Complete drain and pump exchange of 12 qts both times.

I paid like $300 at the Toyota dealer. Not worth it at all to DIY, considering you will spend about $200 just buying the right fluid type and quantity.

 

[Sixto Lezcano]

It’s pretty easy. A bit messy and takes a while.
I did mine at 150 and 230k miles. It felt better each time I did. Complete drain and pump exchange of 12 qts both times.

I did the full drain and pump as well using the lines near radiator. I also dropped pan and replaced filter and all the pan bolts(I live in rust land). I used Obd fusion to read temps for checking fill level. Overall an easy and satisfying diy.

 

[Hornd]

If you want to do easy way then just Drain when you do Oil Change and Refill same Amount (Hose is up by Radiator) and has a Clamp to Disconnect. Flushing is Dangerous - Slow Exchange Much Safer.
This Tranny Mostly Bulletproof.

 

[Rednexus]

I paid like $300 at the Toyota dealer. Not worth it at all to DIY, considering you will spend about $200 just buying the right fluid type and quantity.

Fluid is $80-90 if you use MaxLife which is better than Toyota WS. It's maybe 2 hours of work to do a full exchange. So, you're paying yourself $100/hour to do the work. I also doubt Toyota is dropping the pan and cleaning it - they are probably just using the machine to swap the fluid and leaving the pan full of gunk and goo, which will contaminate your new fluid. I'm not sure it's worthwhile to pay the dealer $300 to do it unless they are taking the cleaning step. If they are, $300 is not a terrible price.