ATF Drain and Fill question

[RICECR]

Ive been reading most of the related posts of this topic but still have some questions.

Doing this, do I need to replace ATF Filter?

Whats a good non-expensive oil and what grade to use?

I Feel like my trans sometime doesnt shifts right, the car I bought it with 120K miles on it and I have no record of it been changed before, could this help?

Thanks in advance for any advice on this!

 

[Timpanogos Slim]

You don't need to replace the filter. Many of us do simply because the miles are high and it's a good time to do it. Your filter is likely to be just fine.

If you can easily and cheaply source the filter, I say why not. If you can't in costa rica, don't sweat it.

Transmission fluid is not strictly speaking an oil. It's a hydraulic fluid. That being said, the brand doesn't really matter. I don't know how much it takes to flush the '97 transmission, but the A440 and A442 in the 91-94 trucks seems to require about 20 quarts for a full flush.

Use Dexron III or Dex-Merc. Whatever is economical.

I don't have personal knowledge but some people say their transmission shifts better with new fluid. This could be especially true if your ATF is contaminated with water.

It's another reason not to spend $170 on 5 gallons of top shelf ATF - wouldn't that be a bummer if it had nothing at all to do with it?

 

[Overland Tailor]

No need to buy the filter - Its not something that needs changed.. Just clean with a few cans of brake cleaner and make sure you let it dry. Mine looked brand new after removing it and cleaning

Easiest set-up for flush and fill for me. Took 20 quarts to get bright new fluid through and filled appropriately.

Here is the pan cleaned and ready for gasket sealer...

Good Luck - It helped mine....


John-

 

[Alleycats]

Cheap ATF is Valvoline DEX/MERC, and I would only mess with the filter after you tried everything else, and if you do open up the pan, you want to keep it super clean, dust free.

 

[Qball]

I wouldn't sweat it, mine was never changed at 190k and dark pink/red. 2 drain and fill later it's back to normal pink and the transmission shifted just as smooth as before. It was more of a PM and piece of mind than anything really, I wouldn't open the pan unless you have something seriously wrong or you might introduce more dust and dirt than you originally had.

These beasts are designed to take abuse and 20 year service life without major service except for fluid change. Back in the days fluids are terrible in comparison especially in third world con try where they have a very large market.

 

[86tuning]

Just buy a new drain plug gasket from the Toyota dealer and don't over tighten the plug when you re install.

Use any brand of fluid that is dex/merc and you'll be fine.

 

[Alleycats]

I use Mobile 1 DexIII by the way.

 

[Alleycats]

When you sat it doesn't shift right what does that mean? What vehicle/transmission is this regarding?

 

[Timpanogos Slim]

I use Mobile 1 DexIII by the way.

He asked for a non-expensive fluid recommendation.

What vehicle/transmission is this regarding?

Based on his signature I'm guessing it's his '97 FZJ80 rather than his '00 hilux. Since he specified automatic transmission i'm guessing A343F which has a dry fill capacity of 12.25 quarts. And you'll need some more quarts to do the powered drain and fill. Folks say that a full flush on these is 19-20 quarts until clean fluid starts coming out.

At $8.40/qt for Mobil1 that is $168 in ATF. Plus tax. Assuming it isn't more expensive in costa rica. And around $60 of that goes out in the trash, err, hazmat drum.

 

[Alleycats]

What does doesn't shift right mean?

 

[OGBeno]

If you are going to drop the pan, don't forget about the oring where the lower dipstick tube meets with the top portion. This is a one use item.