differential fill opening on 91 V6 auto?

[metrodriver]

I need to know exactly where the fill opening is for the differential on a 91 camry V6 automatic. I'm losing transmission fluid somewhere but the transmission fluid level has not changed. So I'm suspecting the differential.
If anyone has a picture or drawing, I would be very thankfull.

[igonuts2]

if your transaxle doesnt lose fluid
consider, pwr steering uses the same fluid.
thats asuming you have an auto trans

[metrodriver]

Yes, I know, I'm not losing powersteering fluid either. Reservoir level has not changed. The car makes some weird noise when you start driving in a turn and that is not from cv-joints either.

There has always been some transmission fluid on top of the differential, that is not there now. I have seen what looks like a plug with a metal cap on it. Is this the fill plug?

[igonuts2]

dipstick. the trans and diff are not isolated. they are one unit. open cases, to each other. same fluid. some of the older ones might be seperate.

[jamiec]

The plug with metal cap is just a breather for the gear oil.
Mine had oil on top of the housing but it was coming from the
distributor oil seal that was leaking.

[Justin727]

I did a write up on trans/diff fluid change if doing it at the same time. But in the write up it will tell you where the fill plug you are looking for it located. HTH

Originally Posted by justin727

Tools needed. 10mm socket, 3/4 wrench, 10mm allen socket, 10mm allen wrench, Quart hand pump with hoses to fill up differental part # W1139 made by performance tool @ O'reillys, and of course a funnel. About 6 cans of brake cleaner and 6-10 quarts of Dexron mercon type II/III trans fluid.

This is a write up I did since I did it on my 91 Camry LE V6 automatic

1:Pick up a trans pan gasket @ toyota. Champion toyota online has the best prices they are located in houston tx. I personally picked one up at my previous employer (toyota) part # 35168-33020 @ $10.42.

2: You can either take out the existing trans filter and clean it w/ brake clean since it is stainless steel mesh or pick up a new one for the added piece of mind as well. I picked up a new one. Part # 35330-32031 it costed me $26.95. I ended up getting both gasket and filter from yota for 39.99 with tax.

3: Remove the plastic under cover if you still have one there 10mm bolts hold it in place. You will need a 10mm allen socket for the trans drain plug. Commence drianing the fluid. Once it's drained remove the 10mm bolts holding up the pan. The pan should fall after this.

4: You will see the filter. 3 10mm bolts will be holding that up along with a wire that comes across and is also held up by the filter. Unplug/Remove the wire gently and set it aside.

5: BE PREPARED. More fluid will drop out once the filter has been loosened. Of course remove it and either spray it with brake clean or replace it. Be sure to get it real nice and clean before you reinstall it.
Once you're done with that reinstall it the opposite way you took it apart.

6: Don't bother with the pan and gasket just yet. Atleast I didn't. If you look at the back of the transmission on the driver side near the cross member you will see another 10mm allen socket drain plug. DON'T loosen it right now. That is your differential and that allen is the drain plug!

7: Look about half way up you'll see A 17MM bolt... That is your fill hole plug. Open it first and then remove the plug.

8: Now remove your other 10mm allen head drain plug. You will actually need the Allen wrench itself not the socket and wrench because it will not fit it's way in there. After removal let it drain please.

9: Once it's drained put the drain plug back in. Pick yourself up a hand pump that will work in either gallon or quart bottles. It screws to the top of them and allows you till fill up hard to reach places with it. Fill it up with Dexron Mercon type II/III until a little starts to come out of the hole. Once this happens reinstall the 17mm fill plug. Congratulations you changed the differential fluid.

10: Reinstall the pan and the new gasket. Do not over torque anything. Add about 3 quarts of dexron mercon typer II/III. Check your dipstick. Turn the vehicle on allow it to warm up for about 2-5 minutes check the dipstick agian. Add if neccesary. Drive it down the street and back and check it agian. Add if neccesary. Congratultions you just did a trans pan service to your Camry.

[metrodriver]

Thanks a lot all, I finally found it. A 17 mm plug on the fire wall side of the differential. I did a search on this forum and didn't find what I needed. After changing the wording for the search many times I finally found this last post, and the plug. I first thought that breather plug someone mentions was the filler plug. Anyway, I took the car to a Walmart across from the hotel I was staying it, and after dilligently explaining what I needed and showing the plug (they had no clue either) they refilled the differential with gear oil, according to their shop manual. I had talked with my mechanic who has been working on japanese cars for years and he also suggested gear oil. It's a little bit thicker than automatic transmission fluid and will not run out of the seals so quick. All the bad sounds are gone too.

[Justin727]

good good glad after some searching you found it. Wish the writeup could be a sticky.

Toyota recomends ATF type III in the diff and I wouldn't throw anything else in there. I worked for toyota a few years and have been working with nissan for a few years now. I personally wouldn't recomend switching up to gear oil but if it works it works. Just wouldn't want nothing bad to happen to your diff.
Some people on here have been using it with no problems so you should be ok..

[schaff70]

Originally Posted by metrodriver

Thanks a lot all, I finally found it. A 17 mm plug on the fire wall side of the differential.

Thanks for the info. I just finished up changing the fluid & filter. I also had to replace a steering rack bushing (pass side). Driver's side is almost impossible to get to.
Total PITA for tranny fluid - 6 out of 10
Total PITA for bushing - 8 out of 10.

I also tested the 16" rims I picked up last weekend for clearance before buying tires. I'll post pics once they're installed.
Thanks for all the help.
-Todd