changing transmission filter

[chrisusvi]

I need to change my transmission filter in an 88 FJ62 land cruiser.
Through conversations with people, I was given the advise to add an additive to the transmission fluid to help drain better and get a lot of the extra crap out of the pan.
It is sort of like that 'motor flush' oil additive you put in your oil pan to help remove more of the sludge buildup.
The question is, is it a good idea to add an additive to the trans. fluid to help it drain better? Does it really matter?

thanks.

chrisusvi

 

[KLF]

No, it's not gonna help, because you have to remove the pan to get to the filter anyway. There are magnets in the pan that trap clutch material, you'll need to clean those too.

The filter is reusable, it's just a screen. Hose it off with brake cleaner and replace. You'll need a new pan gasket, and a gasket for the screen.

The entire transmission in an FJ62 holds about 12-14 qts of fluid I believe, but you'll only get about 6 quarts out when you drain the pan. The rest is trapped in the tranny, torque converter, and cooling system that is plumbed to the radiator. No snake oil additive will help get that out, if you want it all drained you have to do a "flush and fill".

 

[grant5127]

I would not add any sort of additive... I'd just do a filter service....

 

[Wile E Coyote]

Considering more 'flushing additive' would be retained than drained in a normal drain and refill, I'm gonna say don't add any, as well. Unless specifically formulated as such, any remaining flush would be bad mojo for the trans. Got a link to the product (s) you have in mind?
Not an engineer, but in my personal experience, trans fluid does not sludge like engine oil.

 

[RockDoc]

Do a search for the "Rodney Flush". This will allow you to change all the fluid at one go. Ditto on just cleaning and reinstalling the filter, magnets, pan.

 

[chrisusvi]

changing transmisison filter

If I buy a kit that contains a new filter, a gasket for the trans. filter and a new gasket for the pan, would that take care of the magnet and the other mentioned comments about cleaning it?

thanks.

 

[Wile E Coyote]

Don't buy the new filter.......As posted, it's 100% reusable. Think of it as a thin mesh screen. There's no accumulation that can't be easily blasted off.
My first trans flush and fill on a cruiser, I went ahead and got the kit w/ filter, as it was the one currently in stock at the time. It was clearly a waste of money.

 

[RockDoc]

I did the same thing, bought the filter kit, all I used was the gasket, still have the new filter in the box. Just cleaned everything up good with brake cleaner, did a Rodney flush and filled it with synthetic.

 

[Fisher]

I'm about to change the tranny oil pan seal in my 84 FJ60 and was wondering if any of you have the correct torque specs for the tranny pan bolts? Is that filter gasket something I can get a NAPA?
One other question as I was looking at the oil pan and the tranny pan it looks like you have to take the tranny pan off if you want to also change the large oil pan. Is this correct?

Thanks,
Todd

 

[Cruiserdrew]

I'm about to change the tranny oil pan seal in my 84 FJ60 and was wondering if any of you have the correct torque specs for the tranny pan bolts? Is that filter gasket something I can get a NAPA?
One other question as I was looking at the oil pan and the tranny pan it looks like you have to take the tranny pan off if you want to also change the large oil pan. Is this correct?

Thanks,
Todd

Todd--Are you serious? Look closer. There is no tranny pan on an 84 FJ60. There is also no filter. The transmission is inside an iron case. All you can do is drain and refill.

You may be looking at the sheet metal behind the oil pan. That is a cover for the clutch. There is no fluid in there. You do need to remove the clutch cover to service the oil pan.

 

[Fisher]

Oh my god....sorry Drew...first time to think about replacing any gaskets for for a few leaks I have. i need to stop going to napa. I was sold a seal for I thought was the transmission gasket. Probably why I couldn't find any info in my service manual. So your telling me the pan behind the large oil pan is for the clutch? This pan looks exacty like the AT oil pan in the manual. This pan which you say is the clutch cover does have a seal and is slowly leaking some oil. Man I have to get this straight..Thanks for making me feel like a total idiot.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Oh my god....sorry Drew...first time to think about replacing any gaskets for for a few leaks I have. i need to stop going to napa. I was sold a seal for I thought was the transmission gasket. Probably why I couldn't find any info in my service manual. So your telling me the pan behind the large oil pan is for the clutch? This pan looks exacty like the AT oil pan in the manual. This pan which you say is the clutch cover does have a seal and is slowly leaking some oil. Man I have to get this straight..Thanks for making me feel like a total idiot.

Todd-Don't feel bad. Just get dirty. If there is oil seeping out from the clutch cover (common BTW) it can get there several ways. You may have a rear main seal leak or a tranny front seal leak. In rare cases, the cam plug can also leak.

I would take the clutch cover off and just have a look. If the front of the flywheel has radial oil streaks, it is probably a main seal leak. You should fix that. If it's just a tranny seal at the input shaft, that can wait. To fix either, the tranny has to come out of the truck.

You might consider getting a Factory Service Manual. That really helps to illustrate the anatomy of your truck.

The funny thing is, there is kind of a rubber seal around the bottom of the clutch cover. I don't think it does much except keep some dust out of the clutch area.

 

[Fisher]

Drew,
Thanks for the big tip..I love it. So your saying when I take that pan off under the clutch I won't be covered in oil? Cool! So that gasket that Napa sold me is not for oil pan but just for dust and dirt. Hmmmm... They said it was for the tranny oil pan for the manual fj60...jeeze. What do you recommend for torque on the oil pan bolts and the clutch pan bolts?
Thanks for the help here, it is so nice to have help form Landcruiser pros.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Could you post a picture of what you are looking at?


Replacing the oil pan gasket has been discussed a bunch here, search for those threads-the torque on the oil pan bolts is 53-104 INCH pounds. Do not overtighten.

The torque on the clutch cover bolts is not critical. Just snug will do it. It's seriously, just a dust cover.

 

[Fisher]

Thanks Drew,
I can post one in the morning... will you be online then?
I'll get to is as soon as I get up... Thanks for all your help.
Todd

and YES to you first question..I was very serious... HA!

 

[Fisher]

Drew, here are some pics. You can see the slow drip I'm talking about.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Drew, here are some pics. You can see the slow drip I'm talking about.

Yep-That's the clutch cover. The only oil in there, is leaking out of something else. Take it off and look around.

Also, look carefully at the transmission and find the drain and fill plugs. That's all you'll need to service it.