2007 tundra crewmax put wrong transmission fluid in

I'm hoping to get some feedback as well all the information I can get. I have a 2007 tundra crewmax. Absolutely love this truck. I had the transmission fluid changed at a quick lube type place as they said it was in need when I was getting the oil changed. About 3 months later my transmission started to slip at take off. I went back into the same place as it's where I've always gone for oil changes and other mechanic work as they also have a full shop and a tire shop. So I told them my tranny is acting funny and I want them to make sure they filled it up last time. They argued with me a bit and I finally just told them to change it again and make sure it's filled correctly. I left the shop and everything seemed great again for 10 miles or so and the slipping got ten times worse. I called them and they told me they don't work on transmissions. So I got the truck home and called the Toyota dealership. Had it towed in and first thing they found was there was no fluid level tube to even tell how much fluid was in it. So I had to order one of those, they put it in and found fluid level was correct. They drained the fluid and found it to be full of metal so I had to get a new transmission. I looked at the receipt from having the fluid changed and noticed they used a universal synthetic fluid. Toyota tells me that's what caused the damage to transmission. I just want to be 100% this will cause the damage before I go try making them pay for this repair. It cost me $8000 for new transmission and tow bill. Another $6500 in rental fees as I had to have a truck for my business. So I'm out $14,500.00 absolutely nothings been wrong with this truck and no signs of transmission issues until they changed my fluid. Please give me all the thoughts and knowledge you can. Thanks

 

Are you the original owner? Mileage? Have you ever changed the fluid?

 

If the fluid was a decent brand of universal synthetic, it probably was not the cause. WS is not a magic elixir, and many of the universal fluids work fine.

Incorrect fluid level, yes. But it unfortunately could have just been time as well.

 

Aisin transmissions are not known to just fail. The problems began after you had it serviced. I would pursue the oil change place for reimbursement of as much of it as possible. Document, document, document.

 

I bet the fluid was really old and those places don't just drain and fill they probably pumped it and dislodged 15 years of accumulation and gave it a death sentence. Learning to maintain your own car is probably the biggest single reducer of headaches in alot of people's life lol I wouldn't trust those places to change my wiper blades.

 

I think there is more to the story. Not saying OP is lying, just that more explanation is needed. What is the “fluid level tube” that Toyota charged him for? I bet the quick lube didnt fill it properly the first time. They might not have known the proper check procedure or not cared and were in a hurry to get to the next car.

 

Sorry friend, but sounds to me that you're SOL with this. I don't see any way you're going to prove liability on their part.

 

Side quest, what transmission did you put in?

 

Wow thanks!! I've owned the truck for 2 years now, 119k when I got it with all service records since new done by toyota. It now has 170k. My only question is would putting a universal synthetic fluid in this truck cause damage? Obviously not right away but like I said the first time they did it, it took around 3 months. It was my next oil change that I came in and told them it had slipped on take off a few times within the last 2-3 days. I knew I couldn't check fluid myself so I told them to make sure it's not low as I figured maybe they didn't fill it properly. The slipping made me assume low fluid. They told me it's full and fluid looks like new. I told them to change it again it has to be low or else it wouldn't have done that..they changed it and it didn't make another 10-20miles before I towed it to toyota. I'm not out to get anyone to buy me a new tranny, I'm a business owner as well. I want them to do exactly what theyde want done if it were there truck. And really want it to be known they can't continue using the same fluid on every truck that pulls in there. I've talked to several people, called several minute lube places and even found 2 people that have had simular experiences. But nobody with a toyota. So again I just want to know for sure if this fluid will cause damages if used in this truck??

 

I'm also aware that this shop isn't just going to write me a check.. I know the owner well and done alot of work on his house years ago. But if in fact I can prove this type of fluid can cause the damage then I'm going to give him the option of doing what he'd want done or I'll take him to court. If there's no way putting this fluid in my truck could cause the damage then it's on me n I'm cool with having a new transmission in my truck .if in fact it just needed it..

 

I would guess it was more the flushing process that killed your trans. And not necessarily the fluid type.

It is pretty common to kill a high mileage transmission with a fluid flush or even a complete fluid replacement without friction modifier added.

Many have not has issues with decent quality synthetic ATF, but I still use the Toyota WS for all of my drain and fills.

Doubt you have much of a leg to stand on with the quick lube place, but I wish you the best of luck anyway.

 

Universal synthetic won't cause damage. In fact my local Toyota dealer uses a universal synthetic to service all transmissions instead of WS. I had them do my first two or three ATF changes before I started doing them and never had an issue from bought new until I sold the truck with 220k.

 

Not all universal trans fluids are compatible with WS, even if they can be used instead of it.

 

If you want to prove liability you've got to know Exactly what fluid was put into the trans. If you know the staff ask for the tech sheet - it will say if compatible with WS or not - what else would prove liability?

 

If it was not a fluid compatible with controlled slip transmissions then, yes, it takes a few weeks to finish the frictions.

 

Playing devils advocate, the shop mentioning the trans fluid needs changed and the fact you say you need the truck for business makes me suspect it was used to do heavy work, and that the trans was probably on its way out already.

Changing the fluid (even with oem) is likely what caused the issue to come to the forefront, but it wouldnt "damage" the trans, not that quickly.

If you can prove the shop used a totally wrong fluid maybe you can threaten to take them to court over it. But i doubt it will hold up, as they also have on record the fluid was bad to begin which you indirectly agreed with when you authorized the service.

 

These aren’t chevys guys. The transmissions are very reliable.

 

Wait, did you say the dealer told you there was no fluid level tube??? They don't have 1, and I'm not sure what you bought for someone else.... These are sealed transmission. 170K and no transmission fluid exchange and the transmission flush may be the real culprit here as stated. Mine had issues about the same mileage, but it was minor and went away with a drain and fill, until ultimately it ended up being sensors dying.

 

So I had this happen with my old ‘03 Ranger. Granted it’s a Fix Or Repair Daily, it still was a great truck. Well I got it at 180,000 and the transmission had never been serviced. I took it to a shop and the flushed it, meaning as said by others they’re damn near cleaning out the entirety of the transmission by flushing new fluid through till it’s clean. Now I only work HVAC and am no professional auto mechanic but that’s my understanding of the process. That being said, I took it and about two weeks later I was stalling, slipping, hard shifting, you name it. Till eventually it wouldn’t go. So odds are that quick line spot did the same thing and it is possible that your truck even with all the service records never got a fluid change. This resulting in a similar story as my Ranger.
Just my two cents since you say there was never an issue before!

 

Toyota says it's lifetime fluid so if it wasn't specifically requested it probably was never done.

 

Here's a rule of thumb I live by. Always use/demand original Toyota parts. As soon as you veer off course and cheap out on "universal" or "economy" parts, you've essentially downgraded your Toyota's reliability and now have "rolled the dice". Your truck takes care of you, always give it the best! Anyways, best of luck to you.

 

The missing overflow tube is what gets me. How did the dealer confirm the level was correct after discovering it was missing? A good portion of the fluid would have drained off before they realized it was gone.

Who removes it and doesn't put it back? It's a must-have for setting the level.

Perhaps that transmission has been messed with before?

 

I'm just gonna put it out there, and probably sound like a douchebag but here goes....
Toyota literally says "don't screw with it" and Ive heard this exact story so many times (quite a few from folks on here) My question is, if it wasn't having issues then why did you mess with it?
If it ain't broke dont fix it. I've got 220k miles on this fluid with zero issues, alot of that hauling well over capacity.

 

Shots fired

 

I've never had the pan off an AB60, but the two Toyota/Lexus vehicles I own, the overflow height is part of the pan and is not removable.

I looked at a couple parts diagrams and see nothing but two plugs. Drain and overflow.

JM2C on a 70°F degree day it takes less than 10 minutes of idling let alone driving and the oil temperature shoots right past the check temperature. Point - you cannot drive in, do a drain and fill, set the level and drive out. It takes 2 to 4 hours to cool enough to check it properly.

A primary leg OP has to stand on is them not following manufacturers procedure but that ship has sailed based on date of post.

And as another stated, people need to know exactly what additive pack is in the ATF used.

I've been running Amsoil synthetic for 5 years in one trans, 3 in Tundra. No issues.

 

The universal WS fluids are pretty much DexVI. The Ab60 has run on Dex3, typeIV, DexVI type fluids. Some have had issues with Idemitsu, valvoline, Castrol etc causing confused or delayed shifting. Some Transmissions seem to have a mind of their own.

 

The straw is under the check/overflow bolt. Once you remove the bolt and you can remove the straw that goes up into the pan. At least that’s how it is on the LC.

 

My pan was waiting for a pic.

 

So, different years get different pans? Some have removable plastic part, others don't?

Edit - mine looks identical. Although it's 10 4.6, with tow package.

 

Sorry. I forgot this was 2nd gen.

My 2012 did not have a removable tube.