First transmission drain and fill finally

So I finally did my first drain and fill this evening due to having the @Genuine Cooling Systems installed and a transmission flush done a few weeks ago. The shop that did the install used non Toyota WS fluid and the truck felt weird so I decided to do a drain and fill with proper fluids. I drained out 3 quarts put 5 quarts in and when I did the check fluid at the right temp a quart came out after a trickle. Will check back if any issues come up over the next few days.

 

Sounds about right. Draining out 3 quarts sounds a bit low, but you are on the right track around 4 quarts.

 

Do you know what they used?

 

I do not just that it was better supposedly than WS fluid

 

None of that sounds quite right aside from pinning the thermostat. And I reckon your transmission might be severely underfilled right now.

Proper procedure is:
1. Drain the pan (measure what comes out, its typically about 4 quarts).
2. Replace drain plug.
3. Fill trans with 0.5 qt more than what drained out.
4. Warm up truck until trans temps reaches 99-111°F.
5. Crack the check valve and drain excess fluid until flow decreases to a trickle.
6. Replace check valve plug.

*Note some will just fill trans with exactly volume they drained and then skip the temp check procedure entirely, and that's probably fine too.

 

Yea I have the genuine cooling system on my truck so I did pin it and only 3 quarts drained out.

 

I'm curious, how many miles on your unit? Changing the fluid ?

 

I have a bit over 61000 miles but after the cooler install the shop did a flush and used non Toyota ws fluid and the truck didn’t feel right

 

https://tenor.com/view/clown-prank-punishment-powder-hit-gif-13601544

 

I’ve been using Valvoline Maxlife ATF for over 100k miles. No issues, shifts fine, tow a decent amount each year with it.

 

I believe the fluid was fine that they put it in but it seemed to be low to me when i drained it

 

Yeah homey. You have that special tundra with the double capacity transmission pan. Considering the trans only holds about 11.5 quarts, non tow and 12.5 tow package and the converter itself holds 6qts, the math aint mathing. Unless you are turning the truck on and drain it through a trans line, you aren't getting 8 qts out of the pan. And you are definitely not taking it out of the converter.

 

Plot twist, he actually has been draining the engine oil and filling with ATF WS.

 

Dang you guys flamed the 8 quarts tranny fluid guy so hard he deleted his account.

I was genuinely interested on how that was possible.

 

This thread had me lost for a minute, I scrolled around thinking wait a minute I missed something. Nevermind.

 

lol this has to be it. Dude probably couldn’t believe how dark his “transmission” fluid was when he drained it

 

What is pinning the thermostat? I have a 2019 with no trans cooler.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUAuGmDGntY

Jump to 10:45. I don't think you'll have the thermostat though

It's actually worth watching the entire video though.

 

If it sits a long time, you can get nearly 8 quarts out of it. Talking 2 weeks without driving and leaving the drain plug out overnight.

 

Yea that step only applies to 2018 and earlier trucks with a factory cooler or 2019+ trucks that have added a cooler with a factory thermostat. Non-cooler equipped trucks won't have a thermostat.

But to answer your original question, pinning the thermostat means placing a pin of some sorts (I typically use a very small allen wrench) into the thermostat to keep it open. It would otherwise be closed throughout the draining process and temperature check procedure, and you wouldn't get any old fluid out of the cooler lines and manage to put any fresh fluid in (until the truck was driven after the procedure and fully warmed up).

 

Am I correct in that there is no gasket on the fill plug, and the drain plug has a re-usable rubber one?? If not, what should I order to do the job?

 

Yes the fill plug has an O-ring p/n:90301-15004 is what my package says.

 

There is an O ring for the side fill plug. I went to my Ace hardware and got one...

 

Agreed my 2021 has no external transmission cooler, and when I went to change the trans fluid, nothing to pin open. I did a good look and watched a bunch of videos and at first was surprised I didn't have it. Car care nut seems to make sense of that. Please let me know if you disagree.

 

I finally added the genuine cooling system to my 2019 and I'm definitely seeing lower temps but at the same time I was also debating even having it installed cause I don't use my truck to tow anything either.

 

What are you guys using to DIY measure your trans temp?

 

Scangauge2 ... it's small and out of the way.

 

Same here

 

Excellent, thanks