Transmission fluid check

Hi all, just noticed my 2003 Tundra is slinging transmission fluid where driveshaft enters transmission. I am assuming a leaking seal on transmission. Not a bad leak ( does not leak on garage floor) but I am concerned. I looked in owners manual for instructions to check fluid and could not find any. I did find where Toyota states to not change transmission fluid if used under normal driving conditions. Is there a correct way to check transmission fluid level ? If the seal is leaking is this a common problem on the tundra? My tundra is at 144k miles. Anyone know what cost would be to replace seal ?

 

Is your truck a V6 or V8?
Auto or Manual?

My 2001 V8 automatic Tundra has a dipstick for the transmission. I thought the 2003 V8 autos had one as well. It is on the passenger's side of the engine bay.

 

I'm pretty sure the 2003 has a A/T dipstick. I don't think the "sealed" transmissions came until 2005. If you have a "sealed" transmission, there should be a second drain plug in a recessed hole on the bottom of the transmission pan. remove that plug & fill from the fill plug until it runs out the recessed plug. The transmission should be at operating temperature for either transmission.

 

Yes, you're correct. My "04" has a dipstick my son's "05" doesn't.

 

The sealed tranny actually needs to be around 112 degree temp fluid before pulling the check fluid overfill bolt.

 

It’s the 4.7 v8 with auto transmission. I located the dipstick. What are correct procedure for checking the fluid level ? Engine off or running in park ? Appreciate all the input.

 

Check fluid level after truck is fully warmed up, after driving a few miles.

You check WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING, IN PARK. There is a Hot and Cold range on the dipstick. The cold range is only for reference when refilling a tranny.

If you need to add fluid, you use a long skinny funnel and do it through the dipstick hole.

 

Oldie but goodie. Disregard fluid levels on this spec. Just make sure your fluid level hits the hot mark

 

Got it. That’s what I need. Thanks everyone!!

 

Thank you, this post and all the reply’s helped me as well

 

After your drain and refills have you ever had to add 5 quarts?
After reading through your posts looks like you changed out your radiator a time or two for prevent maintenance. How can you tell the difference between the original and aftermarket? This is a picture of mine from the top, only markings left on it. Thanks

 

Usually, its about 4-4.5 quarts on a drain and refill. I’ll run the engine on a good drive and confirm when HOT and ENGINE RUNNING that the oil hits the top tick or a hair higher.

A service shop replaced my first radiator with 120k miles. The Stamp on top was the same as the Stealer Programme Denso I just used to replace it except Denso was missing. The service shop used NAPA for everything so it was some Japanese Aftermarket (probably Denso but not Denso).

The New Denso and the old one had a Raised Embossed Stamp. Not a watermark type like yours.

 

Sounds good, It seemed like members were only using 4 quarts so no worries on my part. Looks like Ill be around 4.5 maybe a little more. With 221,000 miles I'm going to assume this is the original radiator so might be time to replace. Thank you

 

Yeah. Main thing is double check the HOT with ENGINE RUNNING Dip Stick Check. Your New Radiator should help the truck run cooler. May want to replace the hoses since you are there. Mine were a little bloaty with 175k. Hose off the backside of the AC Coils when the Rad come out because dirt traps back there between the two units.

 

The line represents where the fluid is after 8-10 miles of driving after 4 quarts. Looks like Ill have to add another 1/2 and then some.

 

Before I bought my 2000 tundra the previous owner had the tranny lock up. He had it rebuilt and the mechanic put an air cooler in instead of having the radiator cool the transmission fluid. The water from the radiator had contaminated the transmission fluid turning it into strawberry milk shake consistancy

 

"Pink milkshake". That's a topic which gets touched on in the megathread. Transmission fluid lines pass through the bottom of the radiator for cooling purposes, and the seal at the fittings of the pass-thru can become breached, leading to mixing of coolant and transmission fluid, leading to pink milkshake. It can kill a transmission and will lead to slippage.

This thread talks about it: https://www.tundras.com/threads/more-pink-milkshake.37875/

Based on this reply in that thread, it looks like Denso's more-recent designs may've addressed the problem, the fitting where it meets the tank looks far more stout: https://www.tundras.com/threads/more-pink-milkshake.37875/#post-1028137

I'd still recommend replacing the radiator at the same time as the timing belt (every 90k-100k miles or 9-10/yr) just to be utterly proactive, but some more-frugal folks may prefer doing it during every-other timing belt change.