Transmission Fluid Analysis? Or just change it. (2 Viewers)

[100s]

Neither of these transmissions exhibit any issues, and the fluid looks pretty good in both.

Getting ready to possibly drop the pan on my A343F'd 2002 to inspect magnets/pan, really dreading the pan removal. No issues, fluid looks good via dipstick. Considering possibly an analysis of the fluid, borescope look at the magnets through the drain, and just a fluid swap via the pump and the front trans cooler lines, or if the fluid from the pan comes back good, the magnets don't look horrid, just leave the pan and refill. My only real concern is that someone brought up that the parts for this trans are getting scarce, so I wanted to get a look at the sludge (if there is any). 276,000 and change.

On my A750F'd 2006 I'm thinking similarly (except skipping the pan drop). When I did a rad replacement and coolant swap 500 miles ago the fluid looked fine. 251,000 and change (several dealer flush's on this one in the history).

This got me to thinking. Is an annual lab analysis a better bellwether than blindly just changing the fluid?

 

[elhombre]

The rule of thumb I have always heard is if there are zero shifting issues, then change the fluid, and drive on. If there are shifting issues, new fluid may make it a whole bunch worst. Most all of us Land Cruiser owners spend way too much effort thinking about "what if". It's simply the way God made us.

 

[OEMGUY0720]

If you have the time and resources then by all means sky’s the limit to tinker around. Checking the fluid level via dipstick is good but checking the ‘condition’ of the fluid may not be too accurate. Metal shavings is heavier and is found at the bottom of the pan - if that is something you want to visually inspect then dropping the pan is your course. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Live to Ski]

I'm speculating that minute (microscopic) debris would be evident in the fluid.

But on the flip side, watch out for "search/find syndrome" leading to "if it ain't broke..."