1st Gen transmission issue

Just a reminder here for anyone OP has a V6 and a partially broken dipstick.
@Seethan at the bare minimum I'd say get a dipstick that is right. Also doing a drain and fill shouldn't hurt anything its fully flushing out every drop of old fluid that could hurt you. When you pull the pan to put in the right filter refill the transmission with DEX3 or DEX/Merc new fluid. Best deal is usually the blue 1 gallon valvoline from Walmart. I really feel new or used proper dipstick should be number 1 priority though.

 

Just to be clear, ya’ll are saying replacing the old fluid with new fluid should be completely fine? I’ve seen many things saying that replacing fluid that’s too old with new fluid can ruin the tranny.

 

If you do a drain and fill (drain the pan only and refill) you're good. The transmission holds a lot (I'm not sure the number let's just say 10 quarts) when you drain the pan you only drain let's say 3 quarts so you're only replacing a fraction of the fluid which is fine. The more drain and fills you do the more fluid you change out.

What you don't want to do is pull a transmission cooler line (If you have one) and pump out and replace every last drop of fluid in the trans.

The reasoning for all this is that as the trans wears it loses clutch material and that material floats in the old fluid and helps the trans operate better. When you change that old fluid you also drain out the clutch material. (This is my understanding of it anyway).

I'd say get a new dipstick, the right filter and add new fluid. Just be careful with the pan bolts. You seem to have gotten them out once already but they can strip pretty easily or break. Be sure not to tighten them too tight. Maybe someone could find the torque specs for it.

 

I'll do just that
Do you know where I can find a dipstick?

 

I'm not usually the parts finder guy.
I wonder if it's the same dipstick as a v8? Probably the same transmission but I'm not sure.
Tagging @shifty` again. He's usually good at finding stuff.

Also unrelated note you said you haven't had your truck long. Make sure to take a gander at the lower ball joints and see what kind of shape they're in.

 

That appears to be the engine oil dipstick I believe.

 

Oops...more coffee!

 

Part Number: 3510334090

 

You're finding more than I am but uh OP has a v6. Think it might be different.

 

Alrighty then...third time a charm!

Part Number: 3510334120

 

Wow in stock and not discontinued.
https://parts.lakelandtoyota.com/p/TOYOTA__/Automatic-Transmission-Dipstick/3978632/3510334120.html
@Seethan

 

Now, back to my 2 cents worth of advice. Just because you replaced the amounts of fluid that you drained out doesn't mean that it was at the right level to begin with. The notion of adding new fluid to an old transmission causing failure is largely a myth. Most of these cases are transmissions acting badly are nearly ready to fail, so the owner decides to have it serviced. When it subsequently fails, "logic" dictates "ah ha! It must have been because I just introduced new fluid!".

If you're sure that you've installed the right filter the right way, uber over to your local dealer, get a new dipstick, then focus on making sure that you have the correct fluid level. Add fluid (if necessary...see above for suggestion about cold fill level), run it up to temperature, cycle through the gears several time (P, R, N, D, 2, L, 2, D, N, R, P, etc.), then check the fluid level again with your new dipstick while hot and running.

 

I guess I missed that. To be honest, I just glanced back over the thread and still don't see it.

 

Same, until I looked at his profile

2000 V6 Tundra SR5

 

Ahhh!

I never did score too well on reading comprehension!

 

I didn't realize you have a V6, so my observation with the level on my V8 isn't relevant. If someone with a V6 could measure the fluid level on the dipstick with the engine off & cold, then that would give you a ballpark level to work with until the replacement dipstick arrives.

That's with the engine running?

 

Does it roll when you shift out of park? You stated it’s on an incline in your driveway. Just trying too get a picture of what’s actually happening.
But lots of good information, especially getting a proper dip stick too see where the fluid actually is at.

 

The part number I found is 3510334130, is it different than 3510334120? From what I understand, 3510334120 is the California one (whatever that means)

That's with a cold engine.

Yes, it does roll.

 

This is the original filter

And this is what I replaced it with (originally)
For some reason finding a new oem one was difficult

 

I think we've solved the problem. The OEM filter appears to be 35330-60030

https://www.toyotapartsdeal.com/oem...odel=&extra1=&extra2=&filter=()&location=pd:,

Or aftermarket at RockAuto

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=360693&cc=1357927&pt=8600&jsn=418&jsn=418

 

This is the problem I was running into also. 35330-60030 is for V8s. One of the screw holes and the inlets are off.

 

Hmmm...maybe try this.

https://www.toyotapartsdeal.com/oem...VZFE;4=SR5;5=ATM;6=4HC;7=ACB;0=VCK30L-ARSSKA)

https://parts.toyota.com/a/Toyota__/63548119__6710902/VALVE-BODY--OIL-STRAINER-ATM/841420-3512.html

The one you put on looks so unlike the one in your hand as to cause me to suspect that's the root of the problem. Even if you have to put the original back on

 

The part number for the original is 35330-30010, and the number for the one I got (the smaller one) is 35330-30011. On the toyotapartsdeal website it says that 35330-30010 was replaced by 35330-30011. I just don't get why they're so different. The website also says it doesn't fit my truck for some reason. I ordered it anyway, so hopefully it is correct.

 

Engine running or engine stopped?

Personally, unless the gasket material was damaged, I'd just put the old one back in. It's not a paper media filter that needs to be replaced periodically like an oil filter. It's just a fine mesh screen that should last the life of the transmission.

 

Engine stopped.
I would if I hadn't stupidly thrown it away.

 

With a cold engine and engine stopped, the fluid should be above the Hot marks. How far above? I don't know because there's no spec for that.

Just confirming: you know that under normal circumstances ATF level is measured with the engine running?

 

Yeah I do, I measured with the engine off because people were suggesting a level with it off. Right now (with engine cold and off) it’s not even touching the dipstick.

 

IDK, that would scare me if I didn't see any fluid touching the stick when cold with the engine off. @Tundra2 would know since his father has a 2002 V6 Automatic Tundra.

 

I’ll be certain once the new dipstick comes in. For all I know it could be up to the ‘cold’ section, but considering it broke off…

 

Whats the story behind the broken dipstick? Can’t say I’ve ever seen one break.