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Yet another ATF Drain & Fill

Discussion in 'General Tundra Discussion' started by The Dude, May 22, 2021.

  1. May 22, 2021 at 7:23 PM
    #1
    The Dude

    The Dude [OP] New Member

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    Chandler, AZ, not anymore :(
    2012 with tow package, and 78,782 miles. To my knowledge this has not been done in this truck by previous and only other owner. I even called the dealership where he had it serviced every 5000 miles, to confirm.

    8F8DBC50-E086-4089-AEBA-21F353686630.jpg

    This is how I did it. I had this idea for a while and after watching few videos, one of which is pretty much the same method, I went ahead and did it. I didn’t want to mess around with overflow plug, and general consensus is that it should drain about 3.5 qt, so I figured if I’m around that number, I should be fine.

    I bought a measuring pitcher and went to work on draining ATF directly into it

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    Fluid didn’t look too bad while draining and light hitting it. Once in the jug, it was a different story. And yes, I put it on a scale lol. So the pitcher filled to exactly 110 fl oz, which is 3.44 qts.

    4A2526C7-2EFD-435B-8187-C0005BA9F034.jpg
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    Oh yeah, it’s going to Blackstone on Monday.

    D99747AB-D224-411D-931B-354DECBF620E.jpg

    I also weighted the pitcher empty and after I poured the fluid to a different container.

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    After I wiped it clean, I poured new ATF to 110 fl oz. and the weight of the new fluid was pretty much the same, which tells me viscosity has not changed much.

    FA0CCA3D-4456-402E-A850-03766205E862.jpg
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    Then I added 2 more fl oz of fluid to compensate for very small spot I got in drain pan, and for whatever didn’t completely drain from the tubing. So poured exactly 3.5 qts down the tube.

    84713E89-C2D4-46CE-9277-0F464BC3F626.jpg


    Side by side on paper towel

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    Last edited: May 24, 2021
  2. May 22, 2021 at 8:20 PM
    #2
    Trooper2

    Trooper2 Premium Lone Star Member / SSEM #13

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    Nice write up. I was first concerned with weighing volumn because of contaminants. But old fluid not weighing anymore was enlightening.
     
  3. May 22, 2021 at 11:08 PM
    #3
    CaliBPGen2

    CaliBPGen2 Dude

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    Nicely done!
     
  4. May 22, 2021 at 11:39 PM
    #4
    YardBird

    YardBird Native San Diegan

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    Very scientific ~ Good Job !

    https://www.toyota.com/owners/my-vehicle

    I've registered a couple of our used Toyota vehicles on the above website and received a lot of service information concerning work performed at the dealership level.

    The Dude
     
    The Dude[OP] likes this.
  5. May 22, 2021 at 11:54 PM
    #5
    joseph_womack

    joseph_womack @ 4x4bound

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    Where did you add the fluid to? I didn't think the 2nd gens+ had a place in the engine bay to do that (obviously hence the clear tube going down)

    but also great writeup!
     
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  6. May 23, 2021 at 5:36 AM
    #6
    BrakeDust

    BrakeDust New Member

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    Nice! Seems like a super easy alternative compared to temperature monitoring and overflow plug method.

    A Bluetooth sensor does make the usual overflow method much easier. (It appeared to be a nightmare when going with the factory "do a shift pattern until you get blinking lights" approach.) Still, way too much effort when the OP's approach is dead simple and accomplishes the same thing.
     
    The Dude[OP] likes this.
  7. May 23, 2021 at 7:14 AM
    #7
    Trooper2

    Trooper2 Premium Lone Star Member / SSEM #13

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    Just snake the tube down to the only fill port.
    I snaked mine from left wheel well.
     
    Last edited: May 23, 2021
    The Dude[OP] likes this.
  8. May 23, 2021 at 7:24 AM
    #8
    The Dude

    The Dude [OP] New Member

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    Chandler, AZ, not anymore :(
    Just like Trooper said, snake it down. I used about 4.5' of tubing 1/2" ID, 5/8" OD. It fit nice and snug into the fill hole, which is located on the driver's side of the transmission. It's a 24mm. Sorry for the straight angle, which doesn't have much reference. I should have taken a shot from the bottom, when the tube was in.

    5903CB86-87FC-4413-A84D-0E74E5D994A9.jpg
     
  9. May 23, 2021 at 9:14 AM
    #9
    equin

    equin Texarican Tundra

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    I need to do this. I understand the trans holds way more than 3.5 qts. Do you drive it around for a few days and then repeat several times until all the old fluid is out?
     
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  10. May 23, 2021 at 9:25 AM
    #10
    Trooper2

    Trooper2 Premium Lone Star Member / SSEM #13

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    Yes, this is a partial fluid change. The transmission holds like 14 quarts. Some do this at different milage intervals depending on towing or not. Some do every 3-4 oil changes. This all may depend of the overall condition of your fluid.

    There is a instructional video out there that pumps fresh fluid in and old fluid out for a full exchange. It involves disconnecting a line or two.
     
    equin[QUOTED] and The Dude[OP] like this.
  11. May 23, 2021 at 9:41 AM
    #11
    Tundra1D6

    Tundra1D6 Well that escalated quickly…

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    Keep an eye out for strange shifting. Mine is acting a little odd since I had it services
     
  12. May 23, 2021 at 9:52 AM
    #12
    The Dude

    The Dude [OP] New Member

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    Chandler, AZ, not anymore :(
    It all depends on what Blackstone Labs says. I tow 8500 lbs TT occasionally. I've towed it total of about 1400 miles in last 12 months. I'm about to pull it another ~800 miles next week and wanted to get this procedure done before the trip. I have gone over some decent inclines, and will do it again soon. As of now, I'm planning on doing another drain and fill at 100,000 miles.
     
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  13. May 24, 2021 at 3:12 PM
    #13
    coastaldesert

    coastaldesert New Member

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    How's it acting since you did this procedure?

    I just picked up my 07' and although it only has like 53K miles I'm still tempted to have the transmission serviced just because of age and liking to know I have fresh fluids...

    A local shop is doing my leaky water pump, coolant, and all diff & transfer case fluids today actually so I was speaking to them about the transmission fluid.

    Sounds like they do more or less this same procedure, drive it around a bit, then do it 3-4 times one after the other to try and exchange as much fluid as possible that way. I know I have been told and read various places to NEVER DO A FLUSH so I'm torn!
     
  14. May 24, 2021 at 3:20 PM
    #14
    SSPey

    SSPey .

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    I used a spreadsheet to do the math on how sequential mix-and-drain steps replace old fluids. It assumes compete mixing of old and new fluid between sequential drains (as with driving), 4 qts replaced each time out of 12 qts total.

    1st drain: 67% old fluid remains in transmission
    2nd: 44% remains
    3rd: 30%
    4th: 20%
    5th: 13%
    6th: 9%
    7th: 6%
    8th: 2.6%
     
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  15. May 24, 2021 at 3:30 PM
    #15
    The Dude

    The Dude [OP] New Member

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    Chandler, AZ, not anymore :(
    All is fine. Shifts where it should, and does it smooth. From all that I have read, and videos I watched, drain and fill is the way to go, not flush, or full fluid exchange, especially on high mileage vehicles. I sent off the sample of ATF to Blackstone today, so I'm really curious what it'll reveal. I'm also going on 800 mile trip tomorrow and will be pulling my 8500 lbs TT. I'll update on that in a day or two.
     
  16. May 24, 2021 at 3:37 PM
    #16
    SSPey

    SSPey .

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    Just noticed the OP replaced 3.5 qts.
    Here are the numbers of old fluid remaining with 3.5 qts replaced out of 12 qts. Just math, not real data.

    1st drain: 71% old fluid remains
    2nd: 50%
    3rd: 36%
    4th: 25%
    5th: 18%
    6th: 13%
    7th: 9%
    8th: 6%
     
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  17. May 24, 2021 at 3:43 PM
    #17
    The Dude

    The Dude [OP] New Member

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    Chandler, AZ, not anymore :(

    That is pretty interesting though
     
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  18. May 26, 2021 at 7:53 AM
    #18
    Sumo91

    Sumo91 Busy with projects

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    IMO if you're already drawing the pan, go ahead and replace all the fluid, just have to disconnect the trans cooler return line at the puck. Drain 2 quarts, fill 2 quarts, etc.
     
  19. May 27, 2021 at 3:39 AM
    #19
    Bammer

    Bammer I'm disinclined to acquiesce your request.

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    Did you level the truck before draining?
     
  20. May 27, 2021 at 4:47 AM
    #20
    BrakeDust

    BrakeDust New Member

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    Why would it matter, since truck is presumably in the same position when refilling? (yes you might get 3.6qt out instead of 3.5qt but that's it)
     
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  21. May 27, 2021 at 5:14 AM
    #21
    Bammer

    Bammer I'm disinclined to acquiesce your request.

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    My thought, but I am always nervous when I am fiddling with a newer vehicle.
     
  22. May 27, 2021 at 6:50 AM
    #22
    The Dude

    The Dude [OP] New Member

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    Chandler, AZ, not anymore :(
    Yes, but like BrakeDust said, it doesn’t really matter. I just did it to see how much would come out at level. If I just drained it when I drove the front onto the ramps, I’d probably get a bit more. As long as you replace it with the same amount that came out, you’ll be fine.
     
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  23. May 27, 2021 at 8:38 AM
    #23
    sask3m

    sask3m New Member

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    The only thing about not checking the level is that your presuming there was the proper amount of fluid in the truck to begin with. Although given that it had never been serviced it probably had the correct amount from factory.
     
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  24. May 27, 2021 at 8:48 AM
    #24
    Cg13055

    Cg13055 @yota.parts.distributor

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    had to do this when replacing my valve body I did it over the phone with john from IPT tans at 1 AM my old fluid was a good color though even at 138K
     
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  25. May 27, 2021 at 8:50 AM
    #25
    Cg13055

    Cg13055 @yota.parts.distributor

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    just so everybody knows I was told by a toyota trans expert that he recommends putting in a little under a extra quart to prevent from running the torque converter dry when on inclines offroading because of the pump location in the trans I have had no issues doing that no it didn't damage anything
     
  26. May 27, 2021 at 9:36 AM
    #26
    GaTundra79

    GaTundra79 New Member

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    Nice info here, thanks for the write-up! I'll save it for when I'm ready to do mine.
     
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  27. May 27, 2021 at 9:44 AM
    #27
    Ace402

    Ace402 New Member

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    Excited to see your results. I've done three full fluid exchanges on different high mileage Toyota transmissions. Never had an issue.
     
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  28. May 27, 2021 at 9:55 AM
    #28
    Sundog

    Sundog Zoom Zoom

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    First I have heard of that.
     
  29. May 28, 2021 at 12:49 AM
    #29
    CMB

    CMB New Member

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    Not nearly enough room here!
    Yep, me too. I have one of John's valve bodies in my 2010. I'll certainly mention this to my Mechanic at service time.
     
  30. May 28, 2021 at 4:40 AM
    #30
    BrakeDust

    BrakeDust New Member

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    Sounds plausible. Maybe that explains why the factory fill seems to have a little extra when people do their first drain.
     

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