Shifting Issues since Transmission Flush - 2010 FJ Cruiser

[CBPO]

Ok, like the title says - I'm having a few shifting issues since my transmission flush.

Flush was done by York's Toyota in Houlton, ME at 97,500 miles.

The issues are slight slipping - or not shifting exactly when it should (sometimes early, sometimes late).

No clunking or shuddering.


This is my concern. They charged me $169.00. As compared to online forums and the other dealer I called (Down East Toyota, Brewer, ME) - this is quite a bit cheaper. Online I can't find anyone getting one for less than $200 - and Down East wants $280.

This scares me - because I know the Toyota WS fluid is expensive.

The other concern is - on the service record - it shows 14qts of WS and 1qt of DEXRON...

Can anyone tell me why they would put DEXRON in there? Would they flush with a qt of DEXRON and then fill with WS?

How should I proceed? I don't seem to be getting anywhere trying to talk to York's.

I have an apt at Down East for a flush on Friday - because I'm going to be in the area anyway...

I'm not too happy about doing another flush after just paying for one.

105,000 on it now.

 

[CBPO]

Carlene at York's Toyota says the DEXRON is a synthetic additive they put in all transmissions.

Herb at Down East says his tech tells him "Nothing belongs in the transmission other then Toyota WS."

I need to call a district manager...

 

[yellowshortbus]

True flush and fill is more like $360, it takes 12-15 quarts alone. It requires a special process or starting and stopping the car warming things up, then off, then repeat to follow the steps to do it correct. The price you paid is for drain, they let out as much drips out and add that much back in, usually about 4-6 quarts.

 

[BMThiker]

It's kind of a messy job, but I drained mine a few months back. Cleaned the filter, wiped the bottom end as clean as I could and put it all back together. Filled it back up with about 5.5 quarts. Mine was "shuddering" at about 20 mph and again at 40mph before I did the drain/fill. Immediately afterwards I noticed an improvement. I plan to do it again when I change my oil in a few weeks.

I was too scared to take it anywhere for a "flush" because any kind of back flow or pressure above normal could lodge debris into the valves and really screw up your trans.

 

[winnie]

geez, its scary when you talk to 2 different dealerships and you get different answers to the same question ... I wouldn't want to pay twice for the flush, but I'm not sure I'd want anyone but Toyota techs do it, after all in theory they know the truck best ... obviously you feel more comfortable taking it to the 2nd dealership rather than returning to where the work was done in the first place and demanding they re-do it or diagnose the problem you've had since they did the work ... may be an uphill battle getting your money back for the first "flush" ...

 

[BMThiker]

*in theory*

Had enough experiences with dealership service to keep me away for good. Find a local transmission specialist and interview him to see if he is familiar with A750 transmissions.

 

[winnie]

*in theory*

Had enough experiences with dealership service to keep me away for good. Find a local transmission specialist and interview him to see if he is familiar with A750 transmissions.

x2 ... you're right ... believing the Toy techs know best, is right up there with believing in the tooth fairy ...

 

[CBPO]

Ok - so here's the update.

York's - Richard Ford (The Customer Relations Manager) called to explain that "DEXRON" was just the line item code and that nothing was added to my transmission other than WS. I told him that I was currently having another flush done at Down East Toyota (as he was talking with me on the phone) and he said was willing to give me a $280 credit at York's because of the confusion caused by his Dealership.

Long story short - I spoke with Dan Page - a Toyota Master Tech at Down East. He said that after his flush - the truck was driving and shifting correctly. He did however find out what the problem was. He had to add an additional 3qts of WS on top of the volume removed from my transmission. Showing that York's Toyota didn't fill it with enough fluid after their flush. York's also didn't check the level as directed.

It took Dan about 4 hours to complete the flush, fill, test, etc.

Dan and Herb at Down East for the win. My truck is shifting beautifully - as Toyota intended.

Dan explained that the abnormally Cold weather we had this winter - and into Spring (average about 45-50 degrees at the warmest to date) most likely saved my transmission.

He could not however say for sure that there wasn't permanent damage caused by York's of Houlton under-filling it. But he did make record of it for me - and stated he would be willing to talk to the regional or National rep about it.

I'm still communicating with National about it. I left a message with Richard Ford at York's informing them of their negligence - and the fact that I would not be back to utilize the Service credit he had offered - but have not heard back.

 

[CBPO]

Oh yeah, it ended up costing a bit more - $370 total for flush and fill - and synthetic oil change (figured I might as well get it done while it was there).