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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. Oct 6, 2022 at 12:56 PM
    #31
    TILLY

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  2. Oct 6, 2022 at 1:06 PM
    #32
    Trooper2

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    I really don't understand how the amount drained vs. filled (both measured) would ever be different. Unless it was overfilled from the factory. If everything was running good before drained & measured then you put 99-101% back in. How could it be any different?
     
  3. Oct 6, 2022 at 1:16 PM
    #33
    16tundraltd

    16tundraltd New Member

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    Just put a level on the pan. Front of the pan is a little high, makes sense bc truck is leveled. I’m thinking that’s where the extra came from
     
  4. Oct 6, 2022 at 1:18 PM
    #34
    Joe333x

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    I agree, thats why I have personally done just 4qts and called it a day without checking. I recently installed a cooler though so now my fluid amount is different than factory so I had to do the check procedure. I've also dropped the pan and changed the filter so wanted to do the check procedure then as well. Once you've done it a few times it really isn't too difficult.
     
  5. Oct 6, 2022 at 1:24 PM
    #35
    TILLY

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    Pretty sure you will always get extra fluid coming out of the check plug if you pull it while the trucks not running.
     
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  6. Oct 6, 2022 at 1:30 PM
    #36
    16tundraltd

    16tundraltd New Member

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    From what I’ve read check plug is basically a high level overflow. Only time you should get anything from there is if the level is high. If the fluid is at ambient temp, shouldn’t be anything there because the fluid only expands when heated
     
  7. Oct 6, 2022 at 1:37 PM
    #37
    TILLY

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    The check plug is attached to a tube that gives a measurement of the fluid level, but that level is different with the engine running and the trans pumping fluid. Yes, fluid temp does matter also.
     
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  8. Oct 6, 2022 at 1:38 PM
    #38
    Joe333x

    Joe333x Member

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    I dont know of thats actually the case. The fluid gets sucked up into the transmission from the pan. If you do the check procedure, and shut the truck off without putting the check bolt back in, fluid will rush out. As the truck sits, fluid from the filter drains back into the pan. If you have a truck with a cooler, fluid from the cooler will also drain back down into the pan.
     
  9. Oct 6, 2022 at 1:42 PM
    #39
    16tundraltd

    16tundraltd New Member

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    Ohhh. I guess I missed the engine is running part. Thanks!
     
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  10. Oct 6, 2022 at 1:42 PM
    #40
    Joe333x

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    There actually is not much of a straw on ours like there is others, its just raised up higher. This is the pan on the inside.

    Screenshot_20221006-164149_Gallery.jpg
     
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  11. Oct 6, 2022 at 1:44 PM
    #41
    16tundraltd

    16tundraltd New Member

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    Ok thanks! I did bypass the cooler using a paper clip before removing check plug. I didn’t realize pan fills when truck is off and once running some of reservoir is pulled out
     
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  12. Oct 6, 2022 at 1:45 PM
    #42
    16tundraltd

    16tundraltd New Member

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    I don’t see a straw/tube at all
     
  13. Oct 6, 2022 at 1:49 PM
    #43
    Joe333x

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    Yeah there isnt, sorry the pic is dark. Like many of my projects they end up going later than expected. In the photo the check plug is on the right side of the pan. There might be a very short amount of a tube there but definitely not a straw like I have seen on other transmissions.
     
  14. Oct 6, 2022 at 1:51 PM
    #44
    TILLY

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    I thought there was a pipe, maybe they just call that indent a pipe now. :notsure:
     
  15. Oct 6, 2022 at 2:01 PM
    #45
    Joe333x

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    The transmissions that I have seen a straw utilized dont have a separate check plug. You open the drain plug, then remove the straw, then the pan will drain, then you reinstall the straw in order to do the check procedure.
     
  16. Oct 6, 2022 at 2:11 PM
    #46
    TILLY

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    Ah, I see. I thought the extended part on the inside of the pan was called the check pipe, I stand corrected.
     
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  17. Oct 6, 2022 at 2:55 PM
    #47
    moodywizard

    moodywizard New Member

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    I’ve done drain and fill before but prefer DIY flush instead if your starting with low mileage. Just remove hose going to cooler and pump out a few quarts at a time by start/stop engine and fill same amount. Takes more time but “flushes” entire system.
     
  18. Oct 6, 2022 at 3:02 PM
    #48
    TILLY

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    Seems I was thinking of the earlier version pans, here's a 2005.

    IMG_0362.jpg
     
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  19. Oct 6, 2022 at 5:03 PM
    #49
    16tundraltd

    16tundraltd New Member

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    My 2016 looks identical
     
  20. Jan 26, 2023 at 11:55 AM
    #50
    brandostundra

    brandostundra New Member

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    moodywizard , I like the idea of exchanging ALL the old fluid for new, can you walk me through your process of what you did at the oil cooler, and does it matter which hose ( in or out) at the oil cooler ? thanks
     
  21. Jan 26, 2023 at 12:03 PM
    #51
    Joe333x

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    If you do this method, you need to pull the hose that is bringing the ATF to the cooler from the transmission pan.
     
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  22. Jan 26, 2023 at 4:31 PM
    #52
    brandostundra

    brandostundra New Member

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    Is the easiest location at the actual oil cooler? or down below behind the oil cooler thermostat

    and I doubt you mean from the transmission pan?
    dont the cooler lines come off the side of the transmission?
     
  23. Jan 26, 2023 at 5:00 PM
    #53
    Rocko9999

    Rocko9999 New Member

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    Good idea. As you said, not for high mileage infrequently serviced transmissions where the clutch material is the only thing helping it shift.
     
  24. Jan 28, 2023 at 7:49 PM
    #54
    Joe333x

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    Yes the lines run out of the side of the transmission, I meant that the fluid that is coming from the pan not in to the pan from the cooler. In all reality its just easier to do it the correct way and drain 4qts from the pan and if you want to do it again a couple times then go for it. I have a cooler on my 19 that I added and contemplated doing the method you're talking about but just don't really see the advantage to doing so. Messing with the hoses is more likely to introduce a leak so Im just going to leave them alone.
     
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  25. Feb 9, 2023 at 8:58 PM
    #55
    moodywizard

    moodywizard New Member

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    sorry for the late reply but haven’t done the flush on the tundra yet, only have 45k on my 2017. I did the method I described above on a FJ cruiser, another closed seal transmission..

    not sure how easy the access is to remove the lines going into the cooler as mentioned, when the time comes I’ll investigate. Otherwise yeah a few drain and fills are good if using oem fluid IMO.
     
  26. Apr 25, 2023 at 10:13 PM
    #56
    Jack_A_Lope

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    If you look at the PDF from Toyota you will see there is a procedure that uses the scan tool to put the truck into the check level state. You can do the very same thing by simply jumping the OBDII plug. You don't need a scan tool at all. It may make it easier but is not entirely needed. You just need to put a jumper connecting the 4th pin from the left on the top row to the 5th pin from the left on the bottom row. You just need a wire small enough to fit into the OBDII connecter terminals. A small paper clip work will also work. Just don't go trying to force something that is to big into the connecter terminals. It only needs to snug enough to keep the jumper from falling out. Be careful that you don't jump the wrong terminals as that could result in bad things happening.

    Here are the steps. Important: (Even if you can monitor your transmission temps through other means you still need to put the truck into the "check level state" to check fluid levels as it also maintains the proper stable RPM's needed to do this accurately.)

    Download the PDF file from Toyota linked to earlier in this post and read it.
    Do the drain, measure and refill procedure.
    If you are lucky to have a transcooler on your truck you will need to bypass the thermostat. (The procedure is discussed in the PDF file linked to earlier in this post.)
    With the truck off and with the trucks transmission in a cold state jump the OBDII
    Just remember "From the left- top to bottom- 4 to 5".
    Start the truck and cycle through the gears with your foot on the break.
    With your foot still on the break shift into "N"
    Keep your foot on the break and start shifting back and forth from "N" to "D" and back to "N" back to "D" while monitoring the little screen on the dash that indicates the gear you are in. You can NOT take longer then 1.6 seconds between shifts and you MUST keep doing this for 6 seconds.
    If you do this right, after 6 seconds while in "N" BOTH the "N" and the "D" will show on the display at the same time. When this happens put the truck in park and take your foot off the break. Keep the truck running
    Now remove the jumper. You are now in the check fluid level state. Do NOT turn the truck off or hit the accelerator.
    Just sit there watching the little screen and wait for the "D" to show. When the "D" shows on screen you are at the right temp to check fluid level.
    Keep the truck running and get to checking it quickly because it won't be in range for very long. It helps to have two people to do this. (You should already know how to do this because you downloaded and read that PDF file mentioned in step one.)
    Once the "D" begins to flash, the temp is out of range and if fluid is still pouring out you will need to put the over flow plug back in and wait for the transmission to cool back down before doing this procedure again.
    Once the flow turns to a trickle put the plug back in and tighten it down. Make sure that the drain and fill plugs are also back in and tightened as well. Turn the truck off to take it out of the "check level state".
    You are now done and your transmission thanks you.
    Restart the truck and go do those things your wife has been asking you to do for the last two and a half weeks. You are going to have to do them eventually so you might as well go do them now. And maybe get her something nice while you are out.

    I just did this to my 2019 Crewmax with roughly 38,000 miles on it. (No trans cooler) I can tell you that Toyota is full of KaKa when they claim the transmission fluid is good for the life of the transmission. Unless they are considering the life of the transmission to be until the warrantee expires at 60,000 miles. Then maybe, but if you plan on driving your truck for more then that and don't want to have to worry about transmission problems, get used to doing this every couple of oil changes. At 38,000 miles my fluid was black and was showing signs of wear. It wasn't completely spent but it wasn't fresh either.
     
  27. Aug 7, 2023 at 12:05 PM
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    Heath423

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  28. Dec 27, 2023 at 7:09 AM
    #58
    RustyShackle323

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    Drained and refilled transmission. To my knowledge this has never been done from all service records I have. Truck has 42k miles, so I’d be shocked if it has without being documented. From everything I read, most you see if 4qts. Well, I collected right at 5qts.. Anyone else see 5qts when doing your first drain and fill?

    Truck is a 2019 without the cooler installed.
     
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  29. Dec 27, 2023 at 7:30 AM
    #59
    19PlatinumCrew

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    My 19 drained 5.5 qts when I did mine but it had sat in the garage for several weeks.
     
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  30. Dec 27, 2023 at 7:35 AM
    #60
    DZ_

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    I believe I recall reading several accounts of transmissions seemingly being overfilled from the factory.
     
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