Transmission fluid change-which method is better? - READ ONLY

99 messages, Last post on Jul 10, 2002 at 6:37 AM

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#44 of 99 Recent Experience by armtdm Apr 01, 2002 (9:53 am)
Had the filter (metal frame holding a fine mesh/nylon screen), and fluid changed today in my Camry. The last time the filter was changed and pan dropped was at 25,000 when I switched it to synthetic ATF. Changed the fluid every 30,000 via a drain and fill (has a drain plug) since and now at 143,000 decided it was time to drop the pan. 118,000 since last filter change. So, filter had caught very little contaminants, a few specs of debris here and there but basically clean. Now, the magnets (3 of them in the pan) were all covered with debris, more like thick oil and pan was basically clean. From what I could see into the transmission after removing the filter it looked really clean, no varnish, no build up of any kind, clean metal and whatever else was used. However, based upon the debris on the magnets it was due for a clean out. In the future, if ever done again I will just drop pan and clean magnets. The screen was a waste of time and money. Been using Amsoil synthetic ATF since 25,000 miles on transmission.
#45 of 99 clean the magnets by swschrad Apr 02, 2002 (7:46 pm)
the magnets perform a valuable service, picking up all the little flash, wear, machining, and oopsie steel that the transmission had in it. these little knives didn't get a chance to slit the filter, get in the clutch plates or the valve body, and foul things up. really ought to brush and flush these iron filings off the magnets... either in or out of the pan.. to insure you have done a complete job. I seem to remember the old GM '76 shop manual I had with my Buick insisted on that step.
#46 of 99 Magnets by opera_house_wk Apr 03, 2002 (4:50 am)
I always put four in when I drop the pan the first time. My 97 Explorer had one (plastic sheet magnet) installed I guess from the factory and added even more. These catch the really fine particles that a filter won't pick up. I like the ceramic ones that they sell (Radio Shack). They loose their effectiveness as the material builds up so it is wise to clean them. They clean the oil mostly when you are parked over night. There is a lot of turbulence in the pan that they can not compete with. I dropped a pan one time and found 3 needle bearings in the filter. Quite a flow to suck them up.
#47 of 99 Rotate flush and pan drop by mdey Apr 04, 2002 (11:50 am)
My system has been to have the pan dropped, the filter replaced, and the torque converter rotated and drained at the first service (about 25,000 miles). At 50,000 miles I have the flush done, then back to the pan drop at 75,000, and so on. I've done that on my last two cars and it seems to strike a balance between getting all of the fluid out and getting the filter replaced from time to time. I got 108,000 out of a Windstar before the engine gave up, but no trouble with the transmission. I have 135,000 on an Explorer on the original transmission, no troubles there either (I even pull a 2,000 pound trailer with it from time-to-time). I plan to stay with that system until it lets me down.
#48 of 99 Any thoughts on the BG PF5... Experiences? by cmack4 Apr 30, 2002 (7:20 am)
My local GM dealer uses the BG PF5 for Transmission Flushing with Synthetic ATF. http://www.bgprod.com/autodrive.html Anyone have any experiences with it? How well does it work? They recommend the service every 25K and they drop the pan/change the filter at 50K and 100K. Price quoted is $119 per flush, and they'll throw in the pan drop/filter change for free at the 50K and 100K service.
#49 of 99 Toyota ATF T-IV mixed with dexron III by stans40 Apr 30, 2002 (9:43 am)
3 weeks ago bought a new 2002 camry. Was there when they did the dealer prep. When he checked the ATF after it had been driven a few miles it was still at the cold level. He added some fluid(I don't think it was more than 1/2 quart) to get it up to the hot level. When he checked it was at the first notch of the hot level so I said leave it there since I though it might go up a little more since it had not been driven that far. I then noticed he was using Shell dexron II III ATF. I then went to the parts department and bought some Toyota ATF which also said Dexron II III so I thought every thing was OK. When I got home and looked at my owners manual it said use only T-IV ATF. I called the dealer(50 miles away) and asked if this would hurt my car. The parts man didn't know about T-IV fluid and transferred me to the service department and he didn't know anything about T-IV fluid, but said he didn,t think it would hurt the car . He said I might want to change the fluid at 15,000 miles to be safe. I told them to check on it and let me know. Didn't hear anything from them so I called Toyota customer to ask them if it would hut my car, but the lady couldn't provide any useful information. Then I called the dealer owner and he said he would check on it. He had his customer service man call me, and after he investigated he said they poured the T-IV out of big jugs(I checked and these are 4 liter containers or a little over a gallon) into the quart Shell containers. He also said the man I talked to in service was the assistant and hadn't been briefed on the T-IV. So they aren't going to admit that they put the wrong fluid in my car. So my question is still will putting about 1/2 quart of dexron in my camry do any damage. Even if I drain it it will only get out half the AFT. I think it has a drain plug so they won't have to pull the pan. Any information on this problem will be appreciated.
#50 of 99 Interesting by armtdm Apr 30, 2002 (11:48 am)
Never heard of this new fluid? Toyota specific like Honda?
#51 of 99 Follow up by armtdm Apr 30, 2002 (11:56 am)
Never trust anyone to properly fill your ATF. 99.9% or shops cannot take the time to drive the car 10 miles (as the manual recommends) to heat the fluid up and then check it. You are better off having it underfilled then heating it well and checking yourself and adding up to full. Much easier then an overfill and having to syphon some out etc. I have yet to see any shop get the level correct, independent or dealer. they just do not take the time to do it correctly, Letting it idle ten minutes does not do the job, it has to be driven 10 miles at least, especially if temperature is cold outside,
#52 of 99 tntitan trans oil burnt by hobieslug May 04, 2002 (7:43 am)
titan that guy who told you that you didn't finish the job is right a trans change on hondas only replace approx. 25% of the oil and when it remixes it throughs that % off. 2002 odessey tells you to change the oil 4 times with a short drive in between each change at 30,000 I think all hondas could probably fall under the same maint. scheduale my used honda had a bad color to it so i changed trans oil every eng oil change till it looked healthy again now every 2nd or 3rd oil change i change the trans oil
#53 of 99 nice feature about the honda by gsleve May 04, 2002 (7:51 am)
it has a drain bolt for the transmission like the oil pan , no need to drop pan and change a filter.

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