Checking Service History: Transmission Services? (1 Viewer)

[4runnerguy]

I've been on the hunt for a GX470 or GX460, but I'm struggling to find one that ticks all the maintenance boxes. In particular, I don't often see transmission fluid checked must less flushed. I've checked lexus.com and CarFax, and I find something along these lines:

• Differential fluid checked
• Fuel system checked
• Floor mat(s) checked
• Steering/suspension checked
• Transfer case fluid checked
• Transmission fluid/oil leak checked
• Fluids checked
• Brake fluid flushed/changed

It's pretty rare I see one that has been flushed/changed, and it's usually way past when it's due. From what I've read/watched, the interval is every 60k miles. If it goes past 100k, you shouldn't touch it. I've talked to a few Lexus dealers about the service, and it seems like if it's not specifically noted as flushed it hasn't been changed. (Other dealers seem to think it shouldn't be changed unless certain driving conditions are met.)

First, does this line up with other people's experience? Secondly, am I crazy holding out hope for a perfectly maintained GX?

Thanks.

 

[Rednexus]

It's probably going to be difficult to find one that has had regular transmission services. Toyota advertises the fluid as "lifetime" except under extreme use, where they do recommend regular replacement. For the '04 up models, there is not even a transmission dipstick to check the fluid levels.

That being said, the transmissions in these (particualry in the GX470) are very stout and don't really have many issues (the 6-speed in the 460 is known for having some problems). If you find a GX with good maintenence records for everything but transmission fluid, I would not pass on it solely based on that. I did a fluid change on my GX (probably the first ever) at ~135K and the fluid was dark but not in terrible condition at all.

Also, the recommendation to not change transmission fluid beyond 100K is also a bit outdated. On a very worn transmission, particles of worn clutch packs floating around in the fluid may be keeping the transmission functioning, and a fluid change would remove those particle and cause slippage. If the transmission is that worn, IMO it's going to fail very soon anyway. I would have no qualms doing a fluid change on a very high mileage GX.

 

[Silent Neuroman]

Everything RedNexus said. My 2013 got a home gamer flush at around 90k. It seems smoother, but could just be placebo. Also the procedure is super fiddily. Have to have proper temps and fill hole access is limited etc. Not hard, but fiddily and the fluid is not cheap. The backyard mechanic is less likely to do it and the pro-mechanic is told by Lexus/Toyota to leave it alone.

As for buying used with perfect maintenance, the closest you will get is a soccer Mom that drifted into the dealership for oil changes when told to do it. You could go for something like mine (not for sale), where I keep up on the maintenance, even greasing the drive shafts, but bounce it over hundreds of miles of dirt and leave it out in the sun all year. Also cut parts off for clearance and bolted on a homemade roof rack. Its starting to look like an end of times rig that would be at home chasing down Mad Max for a bit of fuel. However, it is well maintained.

Go for the soccer mom edition! lol

Of more concern on the higher mileage 460s is coolant valley leak and radiator issues. Mine has had both and the valley leak was a drama filled fiasco with my local non-dealer mechanic. Detecting coolant coming off the back of the engine/tranny is the only way to detect it other than MAYBE smelling coolant after a drive. There is no prevention to keep it from happening either.

S.

 

[4runnerguy]

Of more concern on the higher mileage 460s is coolant valley leak and radiator issues. Mine has had both and the valley leak was a drama filled fiasco with my local non-dealer mechanic. Detecting coolant coming off the back of the engine/tranny is the only way to detect it other than MAYBE smelling coolant after a drive. There is no prevention to keep it from happening either.

One of the trucks on my short list has this already identified. If the dealer fixes it, is it a non-issue or does the present of the leak mean the engine has been overheating?

 

[Silent Neuroman]

One of the trucks on my short list has this already identified. If the dealer fixes it, is it a non-issue or does the present of the leak mean the engine has been overheating?

Mine has been fixed for less than a month, so I can't say anything about how long the fix will last. I assume I'll get another 100k out of it. The problem itself does not cause the thing to overheat, but it will gradually reduce coolant levels.
One very annoying thing about the 460 is you can't just lift the hood to see coolant level. The tank is under the front radiator cover which has 10 or so plastic pins to remove. That means your average car owner will not notice the low coolant levels.

About the only way to know if it was overheated is to ask how they discovered the leak. Was it a dash light or did they notice the fluid on the ground. On mine, I noticed the wet spot in the driveway and it never overheated. For my radiator, it was the smell which I chased down to find a pin hole.

Last point... Don't overthink it. If the GX is meeting your functional and aesthetic needs, then grab one with a good lexus owner history and roll the dice. At the age and mileage you are considering, it will always be a dice roll. Personally, I'd stay away from the 470s. They are good cars, but getting really old. If I replaced mine today, it would be with a 2014 or newer with a good lexus owner history (from the web site). Give yourself a decent range on the price and expect repairs.

On my second long trip out, I slid it into a hidden stump and creased the lower rear fender. It was SUCH a relief. Best thing that could happen for my GX use. That crease didn't stop the trip and didn't ruin anything, but it knocked the shine off and let me get to work on making it what I needed. Now I take the redneck pinstripes and engine repairs in stride. Just part of letting me get out there. We are headed to KY in May for a trip around Daniel Boone. I ripped out the seats and made a sleeping platform without a single worry about the GX. So get you one within reason and start using it like an old pair of boots. All the other stuff will not matter so much. (and do your maintenance even if it looks like a mad max reject)

S.

 

[Acrad]

I noticed when I picked my ‘12 460 (@34K miles) up 6 years ago there was very little discussion of anyone changing AT fluid in this model so probably rare to find many that had service done. Also add an AT cooler… I am still of the belief that most problems have been caused by far higher temps in 760 versus the 750 of which almost all had external AT coolers. Transmission does not differ much other than another gear. I did 4-5 drain and fills at around 50k miles.

Another good way to monitor coolant loss is the recovery bottle. It can be viewed without removing cover. Now someone could top it off but it one you are looking at is low or empty.. I would start looking for the pink stains and cotton candy. One can also leverage a borecope to look at some areas under the intake manifold.

 

[4runnerguy]

I have to dig into AT coolers and recovery bottles... I'm sure to have follow ups on that. In the meantime, I saw a reference to transfer case fluid being replaced. From my very elementary understanding, I take this to be totally different than transmission fluid. Is that correct?

 

[Rednexus]

Transfer case fluid is a gear oil, rather than ATF. I use basic 75w90 synthetic in mine, which is which most folks use as well.

 

[Acrad]

On 460 you will come across discussion of the golden fluid $$$.... factory spec is 75W for the torsen center diff... but some use the same fluid as front and rear diff. All I know is it is far thinner than the gear oil for the diffs. There are cheaper 3rd party 75W options now if you want to go down that route.

I also recommend to do your due diligence and do a full vehicle scan with Techstream or something like OBD Link. Not all faults will trigger a light in vehicle.

#OBD #Fusion / #Link - Vehicle #Diagnostic Tool - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion

GX - 2nd Gen (2010-2023) - ?? #OBD #Fusion / #Link - Vehicle #Diagnostic Tool - PID Screenshots (https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPOIZn6WWqVG3YVNnYwcD3IvfbLHcnWJ8RGn5eWAMMeIVz0B42IqGbS2fuglaMJ0A?key=YTNFUjRxc0NCS3ZVaTRhZm4zdVJCUnVuYWdwdlJR) This app has been been discussed in a couple...

www.clublexus.com

Also see how many restarts, distance traveled and run time since the codes were last cleared

 

[4runnerguy]

Another good way to monitor coolant loss is the recovery bottle. It can be viewed without removing cover. Now someone could top it off but it one you are looking at is low or empty.. I would start looking for the pink stains and cotton candy. One can also leverage a borecope to look at some areas under the intake manifold.

Can you talk me through/point me to an introduction to the recovery bottle? My googling has taken me to hot rods and putting big engines in little cars.

 

[Acrad]

Simply put… using it as coolant level gauge

I’m not sure of the evaporative losses over time but even without a coolant issue I would question the maintenance of the coolant system by previous owner if the recovery bottle was low or empty.

This is the overflow for coolant that is drawn back into radiator as fluid cools.

Assuming vehicle is level and ambient temps are the same the level in this tank should be the same everyday. If this is lower over shot periods of time you have some leak in the coolant system from minor to major.

Just my shade tree mechanic unprofessional opinion

 

[TheNomad]

You'll find very few vehicles with actual history on trans fluid change that is listed as "lifetime", and if you did you'd probably ask them why they they decided to do so if there was no issue. Then it's just a matter of how much you trust their answer.
I went for a vehicle with higher mileage with consistent dealer servicing, and I did that stuff myself.

 

[Acrad]

The maintenance schedule has become even more specific the last few years about 60k mile intervals for AT maintenance.

Maintenance Schedule: New 2023

Hi All, I was wondering if there was a good resource for maintenance schedule. I know I can get the one from Lexus. I wanted to get you alls expert opinion on what needs to be done. Like maybe some stuff lexus tells you to do you don't need to or more stuff you should do. It won't be driven a...

forum.ih8mud.com

I think only scenario I’d feel more comfortable about long term AT fluid would be strictly freeway use on relatively flat land which would lock up the TC most of the time and keep the heat down.

 

[TheNomad]

I did about 4 drain and fills but I'm planning on 6k mi road trip this summer so I went ahead and bought the filter and gasket to drop the pan, and fill er up. After that no worries till I hit 230k miles...

 

[chopperpl]

There is no prevention to keep it from happening either.

Actually there is a way to prevent it from happening and it is to flush your coolant every 40k or 3 years. The coolant contains lime particles which cristilize over time. Those cristals slowly clog coolant paths and trap other debries which may affect the coolant flow. If cristals build up along the seal edge, the cristalization proces will penetrate the seal causing it to leak. So, the prevention is to CHANGE THE COOLANT FREQUENTLY and don't get fooled by the fancy name "longlife"

 

[4runnerguy]

This is a little bit of a digression from my original topic, but I found a 2015 GX with 90k. It's at a dealer who wasn't willing to bargain on price but would work me on service that I thought I needed. For example, he didn't blink an eye at a transmission flush. Is there anything besides below that I should push for?