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2020 Transmission Drain and Fill

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by mech_engineer09, May 10, 2021.

  1. May 10, 2021 at 6:59 AM
    #1
    mech_engineer09

    mech_engineer09 [OP] Tundra Enthusiast

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    Hey everyone,

    approaching my 30k maintenance and was going to do a drain and fill of the transmission on top of the usual stuff. Does anyone have a step by step on this because I've watched about 15 videos and they all seem to do it differently and can't really find one for a post 2018 cooler deleted trans.
     
    Hoodrat_tundra and AZ_Tundra1 like this.
  2. May 10, 2021 at 7:30 AM
    #2
    frichco228

    frichco228 Valued Member

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    Same steps and process, no different for a 2020 model.
     
  3. May 10, 2021 at 7:32 AM
    #3
    mech_engineer09

    mech_engineer09 [OP] Tundra Enthusiast

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    I'm looking for the steps to doing this per what toyota does not what some dude on youtube thinks is the right way to do it, but I assumed it was different since we don't have a thermostat. And I don't have the step by step to start with so I'm just looking for that. Thanks.
     
  4. May 10, 2021 at 8:14 AM
    #4
    Wallygator

    Wallygator Well Zippedy Da Do!

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    Here is the actual Toyota process....

    https://tundraheadquarters.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/tundra-transmission-fluid-flush-tsb.pdf

    Basically start from step 5, unless you have techstream, and move on from there. You do need a way to monitor the temp of the fluid though no matter what. I use an app on my phone and a bluetooth OBD reader purchased from Amazon. The hard part from those steps is trying to figure out what a "trickle" means. It's not very accurate and Toyota sucks for going to a process like this. Anyway here is the app and reader. HTH.

    App...
    OBD Fusion

    Reader...
    https://www.amazon.com/Veepeak-OBDCheck-Bluetooth-Diagnostic-Supports/dp/B073XKQQQW
     
  5. May 10, 2021 at 8:18 AM
    #5
    mech_engineer09

    mech_engineer09 [OP] Tundra Enthusiast

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    Thanks a lot man. Exactly what I was looking for.
     
    Wallygator[QUOTED] likes this.
  6. May 10, 2021 at 8:19 AM
    #6
    Wallygator

    Wallygator Well Zippedy Da Do!

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    You're welcome. :thumbsup:
     
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  7. May 10, 2021 at 8:25 AM
    #7
    sask3m

    sask3m New Member

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    The fluid temp for 07 shows 115-133, that's to high for later yrs, should be 99-111.

    Here is a pdf for 2015, if you want to compare but other than temp should be the same.
     

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  8. May 10, 2021 at 8:31 AM
    #8
    Wallygator

    Wallygator Well Zippedy Da Do!

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    Almost forgot! You will need the codes. Here is a video from a great member on here @2020Platinum . He makes excellent tutorial videos and this one has the codes that you will need if you go with the OBD Fusion app. The codes are at minute 35:28. He also goes through the process of checking the fluid level in this video, just a great video. Good luck and post up if you have any questions.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DLkja6vXvc
     
  9. May 10, 2021 at 8:32 AM
    #9
    Wallygator

    Wallygator Well Zippedy Da Do!

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    My bad...good catch. Crazy how something so simple as checking the transmission fluid level can be made so complicated.
     
  10. May 10, 2021 at 8:47 AM
    #10
    Joe333x

    Joe333x Member

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    I just did this recently on my 2019. Super easy
    I just got a small drain pan that's easy to pour out the fluid into an empty water gallon jug, and put back in the same amount by filling a second jug to the same amount. Its basically 4qts.
     
  11. May 10, 2021 at 9:39 AM
    #11
    mech_engineer09

    mech_engineer09 [OP] Tundra Enthusiast

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    Did you do the drain with the truck cold?

    So basically here's the steps i'm looking at taking.

    1.) get truck leveled and remove fill plug, overflow plug and finally drain plug.
    2.) drain fluid and measure amount drained and refill with same amount (slightly more like 0.1 - 0.2 qts) to account for any sticking to pan and since we recheck anyway, excess is removed.
    3.) Start truck and get pan temp to between 99 and 111 deg F, remove overflow plug and allow stream to slow to a trickle and torque down to spec.
     
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  12. May 10, 2021 at 10:14 AM
    #12
    Rocko9999

    Rocko9999 New Member

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    Once you get the correct level via warm up/overflow plug method, do you ever need to do that again if you drain and refill with the exact amount?
     
  13. May 10, 2021 at 11:01 AM
    #13
    JohnLakeman

    JohnLakeman Burning Internet Daylight

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    That is truth.

    I decided a "trickle" was when the flow went from port full-diameter stream to partial flow from any location around the port or overflow tube. I didn't wait for it to become thin and broken.

    I concluded that it wasn't going to be too important anyway because a trickle wasn't going to flow much volume, and that shutting off the stream sooner (overfill) would be better than later (underfill). It is better not to let it trickle too long, since overflow will continue as the fluid heats and expands.
     
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  14. May 10, 2021 at 11:04 AM
    #14
    Rocko9999

    Rocko9999 New Member

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    It will trickle in perpetuum when running.
     
  15. May 10, 2021 at 11:05 AM
    #15
    JohnLakeman

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    Well, at least until the transmission reaches it's highest temperature sitting still, but I didn't try it as an experiment.
     
  16. May 10, 2021 at 2:02 PM
    #16
    Joe333x

    Joe333x Member

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    Yes I did it in the morning before running the truck. You can definitely do those steps. Personally though I skipped the check bolt, its not very scientific so I figured adding in what I took out will be just fine. I took out 3.73qts and put back in 4qts to account for fluid stuck in pan, dripped on ground and stuck to bottom of bottles.

    I never even bothered with the check plug.
     
  17. May 10, 2021 at 2:08 PM
    #17
    AZBoatHauler

    AZBoatHauler SSEM#140/ASCM#3/2ndGenNaysayer/BAF140

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    Just be ready for 1-2 quarts to pour out when you pull the check bolt with the motor off. The rest will come out through the drain bolt.
     
  18. May 11, 2021 at 3:24 PM
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    Wallygator

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    So with this cold drain and fill method you are draining the fluid from the check valve and the drain plug? Why wouldn't all the fluid come out if the drain plug?
     
  19. May 11, 2021 at 3:49 PM
    #19
    Joe333x

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    Yeah I see no reason why you would drain from the check hole, what ever would come out from there would come out of the drain bolt anyway.
     
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  20. May 11, 2021 at 4:44 PM
    #20
    AZBoatHauler

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    I'm simply preparing him for what will happen based upon his list of steps. Not saying you need to do it this way.

     
  21. Oct 6, 2022 at 12:16 PM
    #21
    16tundraltd

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    Currently performing a drain and fill. Started with loosening the check bolt and sure enough about 1.5 qts drained? Truck has nearly 50k on it and fluid has never been touched. After draining from the bottom drain plug I’m now* at ~3.75 qts. Should I refill what I took out?
    Thanks
     
  22. Oct 6, 2022 at 12:25 PM
    #22
    Joe333x

    Joe333x Member

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    Was the transmission hot when you pulled the check plug?
     
  23. Oct 6, 2022 at 12:38 PM
    #23
    Trooper2

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    That is what I did. I did drain with the truck cold or ambient. New fluid was ambient as well.
     
  24. Oct 6, 2022 at 12:38 PM
    #24
    16tundraltd

    16tundraltd New Member

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    Nope. Trucks cold, been sitting in garage since this morning. It’s 2:30pm here
     
  25. Oct 6, 2022 at 12:39 PM
    #25
    16tundraltd

    16tundraltd New Member

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    Maybe because my truck is leveled?
     
  26. Oct 6, 2022 at 12:42 PM
    #26
    16tundraltd

    16tundraltd New Member

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    I only started the truck to move it to the middle of my garage and that was hours ago. I don’t think a minute of running would have raised temps? I’m unsure at this point. It is 83F outside.
     
  27. Oct 6, 2022 at 12:44 PM
    #27
    Rocko9999

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    Should have just removed fill plug, then drain, replace with exact amount.
     
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  28. Oct 6, 2022 at 12:48 PM
    #28
    16tundraltd

    16tundraltd New Member

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    Yea I agree. I’m just going to put in same amount I drained
     
  29. Oct 6, 2022 at 12:51 PM
    #29
    Rocko9999

    Rocko9999 New Member

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    Put check plug back. Open fill and open drain. Put back total amount drained.
     
  30. Oct 6, 2022 at 12:55 PM
    #30
    Joe333x

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    Yeah that actually makes sense. As the fluid settles down into the pan it will fill, thats why when you do the check procedure you need to wait until its between 99° and 111° to pull the check plug and let it slow to a trickle. It very easy to do the check procedure if you own a megnet level and OBD adapter. I have also done it myself by just draining the pain and filling with 4qts but I have the check procedure down now so don't mind doing it especially since now I have a cooler so the pan amount maybe end up being different.
     
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