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Beating a dead horse (transmission fluid)

Discussion in 'General Tundra Discussion' started by teedubbya, Mar 30, 2018.

  1. Mar 30, 2018 at 2:35 PM
    #1
    teedubbya

    teedubbya [OP] I like fat booty

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    Hate to be that guy to bring the same subject up, but...

    One dealer wants $259 for a flush and says that’s what they recommend <100k miles

    The next dealer wants $160 for a drain and fill and that’s what they recommend.

    So, if I call the third Toyota dealer, what ye think thy say?

    (13 tundra at 75k miles)
     
  2. Mar 30, 2018 at 2:40 PM
    #2
    teedubbya

    teedubbya [OP] I like fat booty

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    And third one says flush for $289 lol
     
  3. Mar 30, 2018 at 2:40 PM
    #3
    Upgrayedd

    Upgrayedd Toyotaholic

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    I’d go with the drain and fill dealer for $160.
     
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  4. Mar 30, 2018 at 2:50 PM
    #4
    Adam

    Adam New Member

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    is a drain and fill not getting the torque converter where a flush and fill is? Are they both changing the filter?
     
  5. Mar 30, 2018 at 3:09 PM
    #5
    Rica25

    Rica25 Got Bam? IG ......@TNDRA08

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    Filter not needed if flush is done ....i would recommend flush with no chemicals drain and fill will level .75 percent of old fluid in
     
  6. Mar 30, 2018 at 3:27 PM
    #6
    teedubbya

    teedubbya [OP] I like fat booty

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    No filter change. The drain and fill only gets about 4qts vs the whole 12qts in a flush.

    Thanks for the input. I hear a lot of controversy on the flushes, never knew if there were any validity.
     
  7. Mar 30, 2018 at 3:33 PM
    #7
    the_midwesterner

    the_midwesterner New Member

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    None, yet....
    If you’re going through the hassle of flushing the trans, why wouldn’t you replace your filter? Do you not replace the engine oil filter when you do an oil change?

    Also, if you are going to pay $160 for about 4qts of fluid, why not pay an extra $100 for 7-8 additional quarts for a full flush? Simple math here tells me the $259 service is a better deal.
     
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  8. Mar 30, 2018 at 3:35 PM
    #8
    15whtrd

    15whtrd Mr. Blonde

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    I was under the impression that there is no actual filter, just a screen. And I also I have always heard horror stories about flush’s being done. If it’s a flush using the transmissions own pump, it should be OK because it’s more of a fluid exchange, if they are forcing fluids through it I would steer clear.
     
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  9. Mar 30, 2018 at 3:37 PM
    #9
    Les7311

    Les7311 Look up, what do you see

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    Wait up!!!!

    YouTube has links how to do your own flush or drain......

    Go and get intimate with your ride, Ebay purchase the OEM fluids, call a bud over

    BAM!!!!!
     
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    #9
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  10. Mar 30, 2018 at 3:40 PM
    #10
    the_midwesterner

    the_midwesterner New Member

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    None, yet....
    Oh, I agree. WS fluid is designed to last hundreds of thousands of miles. There absolutely no need to maintain the trucks above and beyond what is recommended by the service manual, but OP seemed set on doing it.
     
    15whtrd[QUOTED] likes this.
  11. Mar 30, 2018 at 3:42 PM
    #11
    15whtrd

    15whtrd Mr. Blonde

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    This is true also. And I’m sure can be done without a tech stream. But with these no dipstick transmissions it makes me wary. I think I would be OK with a drain and refill of the pan adding exactly what I took out. On my old cars I would just disconnect one of the transmission lines preferably the return and let it pump into a bucket While the truck was running. Also adding fluid at the same time. Then just check it with the dipstick. These sealed transmissions are intimidating.
     
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  12. Mar 30, 2018 at 3:46 PM
    #12
    Les7311

    Les7311 Look up, what do you see

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    That’s just one way to intimidate anyone from doing their own.

    I changed mine within weeks after purchase, there is YouTube vids, others on the board has done theirs without problems. All over the forum

    My tech stream —-full until the fluid drains over. Start up and run truck for 10 minutes to temperature. Pull plug and drain off the heated excess. When stop dropping then plug up. Bingo.

    And this was after I did the flush, not drain which requires a bit more juice.

    I did his on my 08 tundra last year and also on mother’s 13” Avalon. No concerns.
     
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  13. Mar 30, 2018 at 3:49 PM
    #13
    teedubbya

    teedubbya [OP] I like fat booty

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    No thanks. Tundra transmissions are a pain in the ass. And 12qts of transmission fluid would cost about the same as getting the flush done.
     
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  14. Mar 30, 2018 at 3:50 PM
    #14
    Les7311

    Les7311 Look up, what do you see

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  15. Mar 30, 2018 at 3:51 PM
    #15
    teedubbya

    teedubbya [OP] I like fat booty

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    The recommended transmission service is at 90k...

    If you change your oil, why wouldn’t you change your other fluids?
     
  16. Mar 30, 2018 at 4:02 PM
    #16
    Les7311

    Les7311 Look up, what do you see

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    Two month back I took advantage of Nissan oil change and points check. Haven’t taken my vehicle to a stealership for any oil change in over 20 years.
    Last week I was cussing like a $1 broke ass pirate hat just GOT robbed.

    Had to use a pipe wrench to remove the oil filter., and the drain plug screemed to loosen WTFFFFFF!!!! I ripped into the service advisor.
     
    Last edited: Mar 31, 2018
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  17. Mar 30, 2018 at 4:12 PM
    #17
    rons23

    rons23 Get The Led Out!!!

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    The 3rd tech will tell ya it doesn't need changing at all. I have had 3 different techs tell me that. Of course I will be doing a flush here shortly. A drain and fill would suffice as well. :thumbsup:
     
  18. Mar 30, 2018 at 4:30 PM
    #18
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Depending on use, 60k is the service mileage right from the book. I figured as much as I towed, probably put me into that category.

    If your going to do a flush yourself, there are way better fluids to use than ATF WS. Since your at it, do it every 20-30k miles as well.

    Personally, that was one of two things I couldn’t flippen stand about my Tundra. Sealed, pain in the ass to service.
     
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  19. Mar 30, 2018 at 5:23 PM
    #19
    teedubbya

    teedubbya [OP] I like fat booty

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    I also have to wonder if there’s any way to prove they actually do a flush
     
  20. Mar 30, 2018 at 5:25 PM
    #20
    the_midwesterner

    the_midwesterner New Member

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    None, yet....
    Negative ghost rider.

    upload_2018-3-30_19-25-15.jpg
     
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  21. Mar 30, 2018 at 5:39 PM
    #21
    teedubbya

    teedubbya [OP] I like fat booty

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    60kDE5811A1-C686-4023-A134-D9B54D7DDE99.jpg
     
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  22. Mar 30, 2018 at 5:44 PM
    #22
    the_midwesterner

    the_midwesterner New Member

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    None, yet....
    Touché. Missed that when I was looking it up.
     
  23. Apr 4, 2018 at 9:00 AM
    #23
    teedubbya

    teedubbya [OP] I like fat booty

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    Had this done at the Toyota dealership yesterday. They used MOC04114 for fluid - MOC products. Never heard of this. Any idea if it’s just rebranded Toyota fluid?
     
  24. Apr 4, 2018 at 9:40 AM
    #24
    Dabutcher

    Dabutcher New Member

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  25. Mar 13, 2019 at 8:27 AM
    #25
    Smoofers

    Smoofers New Member

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    The dealers and "techs" saying the trans fluid never needs changing are complete morons. What is even worse is that people believe this garbage. Exchange your fluid at 100k at a minimum.
     
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  26. Mar 13, 2019 at 8:49 AM
    #26
    neirbot

    neirbot New Member

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    I drain and fill annually. Mostly because I tow. This routine should keep things good.
     
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  27. Mar 13, 2019 at 10:35 AM
    #27
    Stumpjumper

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    Toyota dealer did same to me. I had to use a 2' cheater bar on oil filter cap. Also broke the first oil filter wrench I put on it. Yes it was a cheap one but I did not expect something that should be torqued around 20 ftlbs would be hard to get off. On my Tacomas I measured what came out and added a little more back. I then hit the outlet line with an IR thermometer to get a temp reading. This worked like a champ. Other than having to pump the fluid in I don't mind changing the fluid on a Toyota. Now it could be as easy as my daughter's Escape was with a drain plug and a fill tube.
     
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  28. Mar 13, 2019 at 11:20 AM
    #28
    JohnLakeman

    JohnLakeman Burning Internet Daylight

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    About as likely as your service manager not getting comped to buy the stuff. :cookiemonster:

    https://mocproducts.com/category/innovative-products/1-performance/tran-system/

    They cater to dealers with a line of virtually every maintenance product; low cost materials = more dealer service profits. If you ever have a transmission failure, and seek warranty relief, you better hope Toyota believes in MOC as much as your dealer. Note that there is a list of specs met, and Toyota WS is one of many listed (although there is an asterisk by it and others without explanation, and you know what an asterisk can mean. :D).
     
  29. Mar 13, 2019 at 11:41 AM
    #29
    JohnLakeman

    JohnLakeman Burning Internet Daylight

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    FWIW: Automatic transmission flushes by a dealer service shop are a BAD IDEA.

    The dealer's flushing equipment is left with a volume of fluid from the previous transmission flush. If the previous fluid flush was not Toyota WS fluid, and it's highly likely not since Toyotas do use other fluid types, then your new fluid is contaminated with that fluid type, PLUS whatever additives the owner added to that fluid, not to mention the dirt and debris that may have been left over from (or accumulated in the machine since) the previous flush. Automatic transmission valves are precision ground components. Somebody else's dirt will go long way toward quickly wearing out your transmission. Forget getting any help from the in-pan filter/strainer; Toyota doesn't call it a strainer for no reason.

    Post 14 recommending a full change per the video is the best advice you'll get, but you have to love your truck enough to DIY. Otherwise, draining the pan only and refilling to level more frequently is the best strategy.
     
  30. Mar 13, 2019 at 12:05 PM
    #30
    BigTree

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