Transmisson oil change

[red_rocket]

Hey,

I have about 180,000 miles on my car (2.0L). There hasn't been an oil change on the tanny in a long time. Maybe like 80,000 miles ago (i learned from the previous owner). The car is still shifting pretty good, there is a slight kick when the car changes gear from 1st to 2nd and a few others times etc.....makes me think the tranny isn't preforming to its best.... I was thinking to change the oil. My mechanic thinks that the chances of it not developing problems after the oil change are slim......since it has high miles and the oil hasn't been changed in a long time. So I'm not sure what to do.... I do a lot of hwy driving.

Any comments or storys would greatly help.

Thanks.

[AlmightyCamry777]

I'll concur with your mechanic. I have read many several posts here where people changed the ATF on their very high mileage transmission and then had big problems. I think so long as it functions i'd leave it alone at this point.

[atobe]

doctorJ said that the a140 is every picky about it's fluid levels might want to check that first

[white90dx]

I would vote for a drain and refill or two. Make sure you get the trans fluid level correct after the fluid change.

-Charlie

[joeykrim]

is there a good interval or range to change the transmission fluid at? 80k is good as any? 60-80k?

[white90dx]

Originally Posted by joeykrim

is there a good interval or range to change the transmission fluid at? 80k is good as any? 60-80k?

LOL, no. Check the owners manual. I think it says 30k for a drain and refill. Keep in mind that only gets about 1/3 of the fluid.

A quick drain and refill is pretty easy and should be done fairly often to keep things happy. (then again, I haven't done my Alltrac for 45k now...)

-Charlie

[Darwin686]

Hey bud. i would recomend changing your fluid. My 91 camry 2.0 4cyl automatic was easy to do and its run so much smoother than it was. Let me give you a couple of helpful hint to make this really, really easy you will need a good hour or two depending on your speed. it really helps to have a friend but you can DIY.

Start off by draining the fluid from the pan after the car has run a little while to heat up the fluid. using a 10mm alan wrench open the pan drain and drain hot fluid. Replace the plug. Consider yourself lucky most cars do not have this drain.

if you want this is a good time to change out the filter and gasket for the transmission. With any luck you won't run into the problem that i faced with a cork gasket that had been glued into place that i had to scrape off after soaking the old gasket in accatone. The transmission filter is held in place by three bolts and is quick and easy. I think i paid like 15 bucks for the gasket and filter combo at autozone. i did put a thin layer of dialetric grease around the gasket before putting it back on all 18 bolts took a while to get into place.

Refil your pan with DEX III or equalvilant ATF. Now as others have said this will only get 1/3 of the fluid out. Here is the fun trick. If standing infront of the car on the lower left side of the radiator is a hose comming from the transmission. Disconnect this hose from the radiator and using some 3/8 tubing, a inline hose splice and clamp you create a drain for the transmission. Hook up the hose and you have created your own atf drain kit.

Now the tricky part. have somone pour DexIII atf through the dipstick while a helper starts the car. The tranny pump will engage and fluid will flow into the bucket. Pour at an even rate while your helper runs the transmission through all gears with the ebrake engaged.

When clean fluid starts to come out have your friend turn off the car. reconcet the house to the radiator. allow the car to sit for an hour so any remaining fluid in teh dipstick tube drains into the pan. Check your fluid levels with the car running and add as neccessary.

SAVE THE HOSE YOU MADE
Here is a little known secret.

While your changing your AFT you might as well change out your Power Steering Fluid because it uses the same fluid as your AFT.
If ya want to know how to change your Power steering let me know and I'll give ya directions.