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Transmission fluid change from atf cooler

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by dananderstein, Jun 19, 2020.

  1. Jun 19, 2020 at 7:35 PM
    #1
    dananderstein

    dananderstein [OP] New Member

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    Hello I have a 2017 Toyota Tundra. I watched a couple YouTube videos and they emptied the fluid from the pan as well as connecting a vinyl line from the transmission cooler. I circled the line I disconnected and had it put into a bucket to drain out. Was this the correct line

    6D2B6D2A-72D2-49C1-B61A-49E14EAE537D.jpg
     
  2. Jun 19, 2020 at 7:44 PM
    #2
    dananderstein

    dananderstein [OP] New Member

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    I looked at the bulletin that why I think it’s the right one

    7A800415-3C2F-4512-8B79-ECC45E1480DC.jpg
     
  3. Jun 19, 2020 at 8:06 PM
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    JohnLakeman

    JohnLakeman Burning Internet Daylight

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    Yes, appears to be the correct line, but the video I've seen shows the front coupling hose being disconnected on the "From ATF Cooler" line. Fluid will only come out of the hose end when the engine is running and the transmission pump is moving fluid through the cooler. This assumes that you have pinned the transmission thermostat "open" as the videos show.

    How are you managing the outflow?...The video I saw repetitively ran about 2? quarts out, then added two quarts of fresh fluid through the fill port until the entire fill of about 12 quarts had been changed. Two quarts at a time would give you a little margin to avoid running the pump dry, since the pan holds about 3.5-4 quarts.
     
  4. Jun 19, 2020 at 8:14 PM
    #4
    dananderstein

    dananderstein [OP] New Member

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    I connected a vinyl line and put the end in a container. I used over 3 gallons and 3 quarts of transmission fluid but I did not stop in time so now I have to find someone who sells the fluid I bought
     
  5. Jun 19, 2020 at 8:18 PM
    #5
    dananderstein

    dananderstein [OP] New Member

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    I put a paper clip in the thing but now that I think about it I don’t see why they was needed to be done
     
  6. Jun 19, 2020 at 8:22 PM
    #6
    JohnLakeman

    JohnLakeman Burning Internet Daylight

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    Connected a vinyl line to what?...the warmer cooler?...the hose end? I suspect you have overfilled the transmission.

    Have you tried checking the level at the overflow port? Let it cool overnight, then remove the overflow plug. If it's overfilled, fluid will run out until the level is close. Then replace the overflow plug, jumper the proper OBD terminals, and bring the transmission up to specified temp by waiting for the light to come on steady, then remove the overflow plug and let drain until it slows to a trickle, then replace the overflow plug.
     
  7. Jun 19, 2020 at 8:25 PM
    #7
    JohnLakeman

    JohnLakeman Burning Internet Daylight

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    The fluid expands as transmission temperature increases. If you check it cold, the fluid level could be overfilled when the correct setting temperature is reached.
     
  8. Jun 19, 2020 at 8:26 PM
    #8
    dananderstein

    dananderstein [OP] New Member

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    Basically if you look at my picture I disconnected the line from the ATF cooler but I did it from underneeth the car. Their is a clamp I removed and it exposed a metal tube so I put my vinyl tube in it.
     
  9. Jun 19, 2020 at 8:32 PM
    #9
    JohnLakeman

    JohnLakeman Burning Internet Daylight

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    If you connected your vinyl tube directly to a metal tube, then you connected to the warmer/cooler tube exposed when you removed the hose. That metal tube you connected to is RETURNING to the transmission "From ATF Cooler" (see your bulletin pic). But, the disconnected hose end should be pumping fluid out all over if you're running the engine. :confused:

    Edit: @dananderstein the thermostat MUST be pinned to do this fluid change procedure. If the thermostat is not pinned, there will be NO flow to the cooler until the fluid reaches the set temperature required to open the thermostat.
     
    Last edited: Jun 19, 2020
  10. Jun 19, 2020 at 8:50 PM
    #10
    dananderstein

    dananderstein [OP] New Member

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    I stuff a rag in the end so it would not leak
     
  11. Jun 19, 2020 at 8:54 PM
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    JohnLakeman

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    Yeah, well, if you have the thermostat pinned, then no rag is going to stop that flow. It's not real high pressure, but it'll be enough spit any rag out with force.

    You might want to review that video a couple more times.
     
  12. Jun 19, 2020 at 8:55 PM
    #12
    dananderstein

    dananderstein [OP] New Member

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    The line from the cooler would drain the fluid into a container. The line that was on the transmission I put a rag in because some fluid seeped out
     
  13. Jun 19, 2020 at 9:00 PM
    #13
    Vizsla

    Vizsla ☠️☠️☠️

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    Have to pin open or the loop is closed. As far as @JohnLakeman is concerned, ignore him, has never done it only giving advice based on his google research. I’m guessing it didn’t blow up lol.
     
  14. Jun 19, 2020 at 9:04 PM
    #14
    dananderstein

    dananderstein [OP] New Member

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    Before it started raining I let my car idle for 20 minutes and drive it around the block slow. I checked the check plug and nothing came out
     
  15. Jun 19, 2020 at 9:31 PM
    #15
    Vizsla

    Vizsla ☠️☠️☠️

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    You will need to make sure it is full, pm if you need help with that but it’s pretty simple.
     
  16. Jun 20, 2020 at 6:34 AM
    #16
    JohnLakeman

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    The fluid level is checked by removing the standpipe or overflow plug in the bottom of the pan (see photo below). Nothing coming out of that opening after 20 minutes and driving around the block means either (1) the fluid level is low, or, (2) there is no fluid in the transmission. If you've mistakenly removed the "Refill plug" (see photo below), and nothing comes out, it means nothing except your transmission is not grossly overfilled.

    Since you say you've put in 15 quarts of fluid and only "seepage" came out, I suggest you forget about replacing the fluid and just concentrate on confirming you have fluid in the transmission. Once you're sure you have fluid in the transmission, you can take the truck to a dealer or other mechanic to have the fluid level checked properly.

    dananderstein4.jpg

    Once you've gotten fluid running out of the overflow with transmission cold, and the flow trickles to a near stop, you can replace the overflow plug and take the truck to the dealer for a proper level check.
     
    Last edited: Jun 20, 2020
  17. Jun 20, 2020 at 8:04 AM
    #17
    dananderstein

    dananderstein [OP] New Member

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    I did not start the car yet when I opened the drain plug fluid came out
     
  18. Jun 20, 2020 at 8:10 AM
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    JohnLakeman

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    If you remove the "Drain Plug", then fluid is always going to come out because the transmission pan is being drained. If the drain plug is removed, the pan will drain, it doesn't matter if the engine is running or not.

    If this was this morning with the transmission cold, replace the drain plug, remove the "Refill Plug" and the "Overflow Plug". Add about 3-4 quarts until fluid just trickles out of the standpipe/overflow opening. Replace both the "Refill Plug" and the "Overflow Plug". On Monday morning, take the truck to the dealer to have the fluid level checked.
     
    Last edited: Jun 20, 2020
  19. Jun 20, 2020 at 8:31 AM
    #19
    JohnLakeman

    JohnLakeman Burning Internet Daylight

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    To avoid any misunderstanding, let me clarify: If you DO remove the "Drain Plug" when the engine IS running, you will drain the pan until your entire transmission is dry, and that is NOT what you want to do. Don't run the engine with the transmission "Drain Plug" removed.
     
    Last edited: Jun 20, 2020
  20. Jun 20, 2020 at 8:32 AM
    #20
    dananderstein

    dananderstein [OP] New Member

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    I removed check plug and fluid came out when it was cold
     
  21. Jun 20, 2020 at 8:35 AM
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    JohnLakeman

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    If the plug you're calling the "check" plug is the one labeled "Overflow Plug" in the diagrams above, then that means your fluid level is high. Let it run out until it drips, then replace the overflow plug. Take the truck to the dealer Monday morning to have the fluid level checked at the proper temperature.
     
  22. Jan 26, 2023 at 1:07 PM
    #22
    brandostundra

    brandostundra New Member

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    Thought id bump this post to the top in case anyone out there is searching how to service their transmission (like me)

    The pan will have 2 plugs, a drain plug which is located near the rear of the pan and is the lower of the 2 plugs and is used for draining the fluid thats in the pan , and a check plug which is used to check fluid level which is located mid pan and is set higher up.

    NEVER remove the check (aka overflow) plug with the vehicles engine off.
    If you remove this check plug with the engine off ( or worse yet) after its been sitting overnight, you will be draining out A LOT fluid that is supposed to be in there.
    Dont forget, when the engine is running the 11-12qts of fluid are moving throughout the transmission and associated parts and the pan is only approx 1/2 full (and correct) . ,
    But when the engine is off, the pan will fill up as fluid will travel back down to the lowest point and return to the pan for storage.

    To check your fluid level using the check plug, 1st you need to bypass the oil cooler thermostat (if you have one) , your engine has to be running and your transmission fluid has to be within a certain temperature ( I believe it is 104 to 113 (please varify) .
    With the oil cooler bypassed and the fluid within the temp range At that time you are to remove the check plug to test fluid level.
    For the fluid level to be correct, the fluid should trickle out of this check plug opening. If you try to check it with the fluid not at the correct range, or without the thermostat bypassed , your reading will be wrong.
     
    Rc23 likes this.

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