What have you done to your 200 Series this week? (76 Viewers)

[2021 LC200]

Question for the group.

Friend manages one of those “Valvoline Oil Change” centers, like a slightly better jiffy lube.

Was explaining to me the other day, they use “Evacuators” now for oil changes to reduce liability of stripping drain plugs and that many of the cars/trucks they see already have mangled drain plugs when they arrive. Also saves having to mess with skid plates and such

Was telling me the 200 tranny is very easy to do with this method for a fluid refresh.

I honestly don’t know much about this process at all, but curious because I’ve never heard it mentioned here.

Thoughts from the group?

I like the evacuator and use it in my BMW 535d N57 engine as it a) has a dipstick (like the 200), b) has the oil filter topsides as well ( making it very easy to do all work from the top) and c) at home it is much more work to raise that vehicle from the ground to do the drain from the bottom (unlike the 200 I just drive onto ramps).

Having sad that it seems you need a “reliable” path to the bottom of what you are draining. Our auto box in the 200 (and so on my 535d) does not have a dipstick. I believe many other cars do or at least used to do so that is how I can see your friend making that comment and I would do the same. However sticking it into the filler on the side would be a stab into the dark unless you somehow can direct it down and pull enough out (say 2 quarts) to make it a worthwhile drain and fill, drain and fill, drain and fill etc. method. So maybe that does work, not intuitive. Can you ask your friend to clarify for non dipstick gearboxes?

 

[bloc]

I like the evacuator and use it in my BMW 535d N57 engine as it a) has a dipstick (like the 200), b) has the oil filter topsides as well ( making it very easy to do all work from the top) and c) at home it is much more work to raise that vehicle from the ground to do the drain from the bottom (unlike the 200 I just drive onto ramps).

Having sad that it seems you need a “reliable” path to the bottom of what you are draining. Our auto box in the 200 (and so on my 535d) does not have a dipstick. I believe many other cars do or at least used to do so that is how I can see your friend making that comment and I would do the same. However sticking it into the filler on the side would be a stab into the dark unless you somehow can direct it down and pull enough out (say 2 quarts) to make it a worthwhile drain and fill, drain and fill, drain and fill etc. method. So maybe that does work, not intuitive. Can you ask your friend to clarify for non dipstick gearboxes?

Yeah, same question on a modern Toyota auto box.

I sometimes used an evacuator for oil changes on my euro cars but Toyota dipstick tubes were always too small for the standard evacuator suction tube to fit.

 

[Boston Mangler]

I like the evacuator and use it in my BMW 535d N57 engine as it a) has a dipstick (like the 200), b) has the oil filter topsides as well ( making it very easy to do all work from the top) and c) at home it is much more work to raise that vehicle from the ground to do the drain from the bottom (unlike the 200 I just drive onto ramps).

Having sad that it seems you need a “reliable” path to the bottom of what you are draining. Our auto box in the 200 (and so on my 535d) does not have a dipstick. I believe many other cars do or at least used to do so that is how I can see your friend making that comment and I would do the same. However sticking it into the filler on the side would be a stab into the dark unless you somehow can direct it down and pull enough out (say 2 quarts) to make it a worthwhile drain and fill, drain and fill, drain and fill etc. method. So maybe that does work, not intuitive. Can you ask your friend to clarify for non dipstick gearboxes?

I will head over there next weekend and see what they say.

I haven’t looked into it much yet, but will

 

[Boston Mangler]

Yeah, same question on a modern Toyota auto box.

I sometimes used an evacuator for oil changes on my euro cars but Toyota dipstick tubes were always too small for the standard evacuator suction tube to fit.

We did my oil change 2k ago with it. It worked for that

They have multiple different diameter hoses

 

[Yossarian]

We did my oil change 2k ago with it. It worked for that

They have multiple different diameter hoses

I use something similar for a boat and Sea-Doo's. On the 200 you're still under it though for that PIA oil filter. Also if you're doing a true LOF, you need to drop another skid to get at the front U-joints.

 

[gasman4u]

Question for the group.

Friend manages one of those “Valvoline Oil Change” centers, like a slightly better jiffy lube.

Was explaining to me the other day, they use “Evacuators” now for oil changes to reduce liability of stripping drain plugs and that many of the cars/trucks they see already have mangled drain plugs when they arrive. Also saves having to mess with skid plates and such

Was telling me the 200 tranny is very easy to do with this method for a fluid refresh.

I honestly don’t know much about this process at all, but curious because I’ve never heard it mentioned here.

Thoughts from the group?

If you want your friend to stay your friend, avoid this transmission “refresh” option like the plague. That’s my opinion.

If you do it, post what they do and your results.

Post in thread 'SQOD Squad - Stupid Question Of the Day'
SQOD Squad - Stupid Question Of the Day - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/sqod-squad-stupid-question-of-the-day.862977/post-15186299

This is the thread that has the great video for 2016+ trans fluid volume changes.

 

[mgeebs]

I bought a 2018 with about 91k back in late September and I just got time to do a bunch of baseline fluids this weekend. A couple things ended up being really fun.

1) First up, when I first bought this thing I was eager to get new coolant in there. A shop that was recommended here was able to get me in quick so I had them do a coolant exchange. Well, even though I specifically asked them not to use any detergents or additives, they used the BG “kit” which uses a cleaner followed by an additive. I was pretty disappointed that I paid for this stuff (I’m usually disappointed when someone else works on my car) and decided I wanted to get as much of the BG additive out of there as possible. So this weekend I did 8 gallons worth of drain and fill cycles on the coolant system and I think next weekend I’ll do 8 more gallons of drain and fill.

2) The diffs and transfer case had been serviced at 30k miles but not since as far as I could tell so I decided to drain and fill these. All the fluids came out looking brand new but the rear diff was about half a quart to a quart low.

This was one of the fun parts. I did the front diff last and the drain plug turned out to be a total nightmare. After a lengthy battle, I had the drain plug stripped to the point of almost giving up. Luckily my next door neighbor is a very nice welder. He was able to weld a nut to the drain plug and we got it loose! Also luckily I already had a new drain plug ready to go, having read about the possibility for pain and suffering here.

3) The power steering fluid looked okay but the reservoir was quite dark. I decided since it was so easy just to do a full fluid exchange here. Hooked up the return line to a catch can and pumped it out steering from side to side while adding new fluid until it was fresh looking.

4) The gasket on the air filter was screwed up and there was a crappy air filter on there so I replaced it with a Toyota filter and didn’t gorilla hand the housing together over the gasket.

Next weekend I’m hoping to do a brake fluid exchange, transmission drain and fill, and some more coolant flushing. I am super nonplussed that the shop put the BG supercool in there against my wishes.

 

[Boston Mangler]

If you want your friend to stay your friend, avoid this transmission “refresh” option like the plague. That’s my opinion.

If you do it, post what they do and your results.

Post in thread 'SQOD Squad - Stupid Question Of the Day'
SQOD Squad - Stupid Question Of the Day - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/sqod-squad-stupid-question-of-the-day.862977/post-15186299

This is the thread that has the great video for 2016+ trans fluid volume changes.

Anymore info to add to your opinion? Sincerely curious because I don’t know much about this tranny yet.

Also, mine is a 2010, 6speed

 

[weaponoffreedom]

120k. Noticed the leak at 100k.

did you get it done?

 

[mfeferman]

did you get it done?

I’m doing it myself

 

[gasman4u]

Thanks for the heads up. The service info we subscribe to is missing that section. It only shows pulling the initial plug. I thought that it was odd that you could only drain so little at a time. I ended up doing it a few times until I had run 6 quarts of fresh fluid through. I removed the video since, it's missing a step.

Anymore info to add to your opinion? Sincerely curious because I don’t know much about this granny yet.

Also, mine is a 2010, 6speed

If there’s an old school dip stick on your 2010, I’ll gladly eat crow as the aspiration from that opening is likely possible using a mityvac type setup. I can’t remember as I thought that was an older generation thing and not on the 200. If yours does, this is entirely an option but I figured someone would’ve done it by now were that the case.

My transmission is “sealed,” and a PIA to get the level juuuuiist right without following several steps in sequence. But this is me doing it solo. And I’m slow.

Unless your friend is one of the rare gems that happen to be at one of those quick lube places, I’d thank him for the offer and “think about it” for perpetuity without taking him up on the offer. No reason to damage a good friendship with an offer made in good faith that just happens to be a bad idea. That’s my opinion anyways. Lmk if you do indeed have a dipstick and I’ll get a plate and flatware.

 

[bloc]

No US-market 200s got a transmission dipstick, whether 6spd or 8. So yeah I'm not sure how an evacuator would be used on that unit.

I totally agree with the think about it strategy for a refresh though, there is absolutely no way I'd let someone do that to mine. All a healthy AB60F should need is drain & fill or a fluid exchange.

 

[Boston Mangler]

Thanks @bloc and @gasman4u

I’m gonna abort the evaluator idea on this one

 

[Haggis]

Finally got the Rock Warriors on with new BFG 285/75

 

[bloc]

Thanks @bloc and @gasman4u

I’m gonna abort the evaluator idea on this one

I did want to say though, your friend’s logic for using that tool for oil changes is really solid.. if that’s turning into a more common practice in the industry it would only be a good thing.

 

[clrussell]

I did want to say though, your friend’s logic for using that tool for oil changes is really solid.. if that’s turning into a more common practice in the industry it would only be a good thing.

I disagree. But that’s the fun in this forum. We can disagree and still share a drink over a fire.

We do a lot of tire and lube. I want my guys removing the drain plug.

 

[gasman4u]

I did want to say though, your friend’s logic for using that tool for oil changes is really solid.. if that’s turning into a more common practice in the industry it would only be a good thing.

MB used to do this for a while. They went back to using the drain plug IIRC.

I disagree. But that’s the fun in this forum. We can disagree and still share a drink over a fire.

We do a lot of tire and lube. I want my guys removing the drain plug.

Bigly contentious over on the oil forum. For me, it makes sense to use the drain plug comparatively as you're not trying to save time or avoid damage by some mouth breather using a 1/2" impact gun to tighten your drain plug into the aluminum pan. But I'm SiNpUL.

 

[weaponoffreedom]

I’m doing it myself

Understood..... thats what I meant..... did you get it done?

Any issues?

 

[bloc]

MB used to do this for a while. They went back to using the drain plug IIRC.

I vaguely recall that some euro countries required engines be designed so that this was possible, to avoid people dumping oil in their yard. That is really, really old and fuzzy memory though.

We do a lot of tire and lube. I want my guys removing the drain plug.

I'd say it has a lot to do with the shop's ability to hire skilled people, and the risk they are willing to take. As I understand it many industries are struggling with finding good technical people and if a shop feels this mitigates risk or improves efficiency topside evacuation sure seems to make sense, especially if the filter is topside too.

I 100% agree it doesn't make sense for all shops. But from what I've seen of the care some techs will take with maintenance, it could be smart. The recirc flap issue in the 200-series is an example of the attention to detail a subset of even toyota-specific technicians are capable of.

 

[clrussell]

I vaguely recall that some euro countries required engines be designed so that this was possible, to avoid people dumping oil in their yard. That is really, really old and fuzzy memory though.



I'd say it has a lot to do with the shop's ability to hire skilled people, and the risk they are willing to take. As I understand it many industries are struggling with finding good technical people and if a shop feels this mitigates risk or improves efficiency topside evacuation sure seems to make sense, especially if the filter is topside too.

I 100% agree it doesn't make sense for all shops. But from what I've seen of the care some techs will take with maintenance, it could be smart. The recirc flap issue in the 200-series is an example of the attention to detail a subset of even toyota-specific technicians are capable of.

Yes any sort of quality technician is hard to find. I’ve been trying to find one for the better part of a year.

And yes there are definitely training requirements that need to take place. While we are a “Small” shop (17 on payroll), we still service a very wide variety of vehicles and every one gets the oil drained with the drain plug.

Even the Mercedes with the plastic one time use drain plugs.

I often wonder how the next 45 years in buisness are going to go. A lot of my crew will retire in the next 10 years and I know I can’t replace some of them due to knowledge and experience. Add in the fact they are great workers and great people persons makes it a needle in a haystack situation.