Lazy man WS ATF filler

[2001LC]

@2001LC , thanks for the great posts here. Just to clarify--looks like you're using the return line for refill, instead of running a hose to the fill port on the tranny--is that right? And did you have to pressurize your source or does this work with just gravity?

No!

In the 04-up. I run tube to transmission fill plug. Which is on drive side back of transmission, in transfer adapter. Fill plug, sits inch from exhaust pipe, so be careful and do not reach up there when exhaust hot.

 

[mdcoa]

Thanks to all who contributed--just did this today. Used 12 qts of fluid (after reading about 1 billion threads on WS vs other fluids, I ended up going with Valvoline Max Life--I think 16 quarts shipped from Wally World set me back about $65), plus a bit for topping off when i got to the level check step.

Some notes: 5' of 1/2" i.d. (5/8"o.d.) clear vinyl tubing were plenty for routing as in @2001LC 's photo above. Wasn't hard to keep it nice and far from the exhaust, and it is a tight enough fit in the refill port that there was no chance of it slipping out mid-process. Didn't spill a drop. From there, anyway.

I drained the pan and refilled with ~2 quarts, then removed the top rad cooler line (needed my Lisle pick to get the hose to come loose as I tugged on it) and connected 4' of 3/8" i.d. clear vinyl tubing that, and ran that down past the corner of the engine "skid" into a gradated Home Depot bucket.

Had my wife turn the car on and shift through the gears until about 2 quarts were added to the bucket each time. I usually was able to add around a quart as it ran, but would have her stop it as I ensured I had added a full 2. At one point, I got carried away and overflowed my funnel (hanging from the hood as in the pic above); guess a towel like @2001LC is using would've been a good idea.

After draining and adding roughly 12 quarts, I used my OBD scanner app to determine fluid temp (123 degrees), which is good for the fluid test. On first opening of the level hole, nothing came out--closed it up and (duh) added about a quart. Which apparently ALL came out on second opening of the level drain . . .

Other than me overfilling the funnel (which was over my head as I had the truck front up on ramps to make it level) and over correcting for low fluid, all went great--thanks all.

PS--totally unsure if this needed doing Toyota records show a drain and fill not long before I bought it, but I figured it was probably just a pan-drain and fill, but the fluid really didn't look bad . . . oh well, at least now I know it's right.

 

[2001LC]

TSB changed the ATF temp to set level at. To 97-115F, with Toyota WS in 04-07.

With max-life, I've no idea what a good temp is.

 

[mdcoa]

TSB changed the ATF temp to set level at. To 97-115F, with Toyota WS in 04-07.

With max-life, I've no idea what a good temp is.

That's right--totally forgotten I'd seen that temp change. Will try it again a bit cooler soon. Thanks!

 

[2001LC]

Here's the rub. Synthetics like Mobil ATF. Do not expand, like non synthetic Dexron II or III. Chances are, Maxlife expand less than Toy WS at same temp. It's one reason I stick with Toy WS.

 

[mdcoa]

Here's the rub. Synthetics like Mobil ATF. Do not expand, like non synthetic Dexron II or III. Chances are, Maxlife expand less than Toy WS at same temp. It's one reason I stick with Toy WS.

Hmmm, good point—so maybe that means the temp at which one checks the level matters less? Or that there’s no way to know if the amount of fluid is spot on?

 

[jerryb]

 

[jerryb]

I bought that thing a while ago. It's way handy.

 

[GVegasG]

Is this leveled enough or tranny needs to be leveled? I raised some on the front but maybe need to raise more. I checked another LC parked on the street and seems similar.
Interestingly enough when I removed the check plug, I got quite out - see the bucket.
I did not drive the car except brought in from the street. Techstream showed 109F without starting again.
Was it really overfilled? TIA

 

[medtro]

Is this leveled enough or tranny needs to be leveled? I raised some on the front but maybe need to raise more. I checked another LC parked on the street and seems similar.
Interestingly enough when I removed the check plug, I got quite out - see the bucket.
I did not drive the car except brought in from the street. Techstream showed 109F without starting again.
Was it really overfilled? TIA

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I would try to get it more level if possible. It looks like you need to raise the rear end, or put the rear wheels on wood blocks. Was the engine running when you removed the check plug?

 

[GVegasG]

No, engine was not running when I removed the check plug.
Front needs to go higher as garage floor is tilted.
Let me start putting fluid in. Hopefully check thing inside is not broken to allow fluid to come out before reaching the level.

 

[medtro]

No, engine was not running when I removed the check plug.
Front needs to go higher as garage floor is tilted.
Let me start putting fluid in. Hopefully check thing inside is not broken to allow fluid to come out before reaching the level.

Engine needs to be running when checking fluid level or remove drain check plug otherwise a lot of fluid will come out and it is not accurate.

 

[medtro]

Front needs to go higher as garage floor is tilted.

My mistake. I read the level wrong. Bubble on the high side.

 

[GVegasG]

Engine needs to be running when checking fluid level or remove drain plug otherwise a lot of fluid will come out and it is not accurate.

This is exactly what I am seeing. So engine must be running when I remove the check plug. Got it.
can you explain more on “ or remove the drain plug”?
It seems like only 1.8 quarts drained out. I added only 1.8 but I thought about 3-4 quarts would empty out.
I was leaning more that level is low since when I removed the radiator during TB/WP job, some get lost.

 

[medtro]

This is exactly what I am seeing. So engine must be running when I remove the check plug. Got it.
can you explain more on “ or remove the drain plug”?

Typo. I edited my post. Thanks!

It seems like only 1.8 quarts drained out. I added only 1.8 but I thought about 3-4 quarts would empty out.
I was leaning more that level is low since when I removed the radiator during TB/WP job, some get lost.

Perhaps there wasn't enough fluid to start with. I usually put in around 3.5 Qts new fluid.

 

[GVegasG]

Added about 3.5 quarts but it was too much. Ended up with about 2.5 quarts. Hopefully it is all good. Thanks for responses.

 

[beatle_bayly]

Does the Toyota manual stipulate that the transmission needs to be level, and does it show how you determine that level (i.e. what points on the housing to place a level)?
Or does it say the vehicle should be level? Even that could mean different things. e.g. With factory suspension settings sitting on level ground is different to the chassis jacking points being level on a hoist.

There could be a significant difference to the trans fluid level depending which vehicle/transmission level you use....

 

[GVegasG]

Does the Toyota manual stipulate that the transmission needs to be level, and does it show how you determine that level (i.e. what points on the housing to place a level)?
Or does it say the vehicle should be level? Even that could mean different things. e.g. With factory suspension settings sitting on level ground is different to the chassis jacking points being level on a hoist.

There could be a significant difference to the trans fluid level depending which vehicle/transmission level you use....

“
The vehicle must remain level while adjusting the trans-
mission fluid level.
“

 

[2001LC]

Does the Toyota manual stipulate that the transmission needs to be level, and does it show how you determine that level (i.e. what points on the housing to place a level)?
Or does it say the vehicle should be level? Even that could mean different things. e.g. With factory suspension settings sitting on level ground is different to the chassis jacking points being level on a hoist.

There could be a significant difference to the trans fluid level depending which vehicle/transmission level you use....

Parked on level ground. Vehicle stance, is with the front end about 3/4 to 1 1/2" lower than rear (stink bug).

04-07 A/T fluid level is set/measured at 97F-115F, the lower the temp the more fluid.
98-03 A/T fluid level is set/measured at 158f to 176f.

Engine must be idling & transmission in P, while setting level. In 04-07 that is by removing check plug, drain until only dipping. Note watch the A/T #1 temp, as it raises while checking, fluid will keep expanding/coming out. In 98-03 we only need look at dip stick, set on full hot line.

While bring up A/T fluid temp, shift through all gears and pause at each gears.


If ground not level, jack can be used to level. I use a carpenters level on front door threshold, which will show front end slightly low. For side to side, I use upper radiator support.