Is THIS what my tranny fluid should look like!? *pics*

[kcpope]

Just took my 2002 Prerunner to AAMCO today for a transmission flush and refill. They said they filled it with Toyota T-IV fluid. I took it home to check out what the fluid looked like. It is shown below on the LEFT. That looks quite dark to me. Is that normal for T-IV fluid? For comparison, the fluid on the right is Dexron III.

Also, I noticed the fluid level was a bit higher than the HOT mark on the dipstick. Is that cause for concern as well?

Thanks!

 

[90FJ]

errr.... no. I just snapped this pic and it's actually brighter than Dex.

document everything but take it to the dealership for a flush and send them the bill.

 

[kcpope]

errr.... no. I just snapped this pic and it's actually brighter than Dex.

document everything but take it to the dealership for a flush and send them the bill.

Okay, thanks for sending that.

 

[Duane]

The only catch might be what did the fluid looked like before you got to AAMCO? Normally a complete flush will turn it pink like the Dex even if it was pretty dirty.
I wonder if they flush through the cooler lines or how they do it??
And how many litres they flushed through it.

 

[Weber Sarge]

I absolutely don't trust these "flush n fill" jobs as most just run the fluid through a stupid filtration system and top off any that is lost during the process . If it's a newer vehicle , just bite the bullet and take it to the dealer - you'll have to DEMAND them dropping the pan , replace the F**** filter and gasket , drain the convertor if possible and re-fill the system . This crap of not servicing these modern electronic transmissions properly is why they fail .
Sarge

 

[Jetboy]

That color looks like my used ATF did after 180k miles.

For a 3rd gen 4runner, this is a pretty easy DIY job. And one that I would not trust to anyone other than a good mechanic or dealership. Basically you can pump it out through the cooler hose.

First make yourself a graduated cylinder out of a new clean 5 gallon bucket. I used 1 gallon increments. Just measure with some water put in 1 gallon at a time. Mark the side.

Then lift the car so our bucket fits under the hose and crack it open. Some will come out first, make sure you capture all of it for measurement. Run the engine and it will pump fluid out - it's not high pressure. Each gallon you get into the bucket, add a gallon to the transmission. My 3rd gen took around 15 quarts. I did this at 180k and at 198k it still looks great. Unless a radiator goes bad, this was the first, last, and only transmission flush this 4runner will ever have.

I just bought 5 gallons of Dextron III rather than by the quart - newer autos use a lighter atf called T-VI but only after about 2002. T-VI is Mobil 3309 - (your manual will say T-IV or JWS3309). Might need to check your manual to see if yours is a dextron III or a T-VI.

 

[Redneck92]

That color looks like my used ATF did after 180k miles.

For a 3rd gen 4runner, this is a pretty easy DIY job. And one that I would not trust to anyone other than a good mechanic or dealership. Basically you can pump it out through the cooler hose.

First make yourself a graduated cylinder out of a new clean 5 gallon bucket. I used 1 gallon increments. Just measure with some water put in 1 gallon at a time. Mark the side.

Then lift the car so our bucket fits under the hose and crack it open. Some will come out first, make sure you capture all of it for measurement. Run the engine and it will pump fluid out - it's not high pressure. Each gallon you get into the bucket, add a gallon to the transmission. My 3rd gen took around 15 quarts. I did this at 180k and at 198k it still looks great. Unless a radiator goes bad, this was the first, last, and only transmission flush this 4runner will ever have.

I just bought 5 gallons of Dextron III rather than by the quart - newer autos use a lighter atf called T-VI but only after about 2002. T-VI is Mobil 3309 - (your manual will say T-IV or JWS3309). Might need to check your manual to see if yours is a dextron III or a T-VI.

Pretty much the only way to flush all the old fluid out.