DIY : Differental Fluid Change - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums


» Auto Insurance
» Featured Product
» Wheel & Tire Center

Go Back   Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums > Toyota Passenger and Sports Car Forums > Camry and Solara Forum > 3rd & 4th Generation (1992–1996 & 1997–2001)

3rd & 4th Generation (1992–1996 & 1997–2001) Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1992-1996 & 1997-2001 Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.

ToyotaNation.com is the premier Toyota Forum on the internet. Registered Users do not see the above ads.
Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 06-26-2007, 05:35 PM   #1 (permalink)
DIY : I believe
 
Maim Menu's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Québec
Posts: 859
Thanks: 5
Thanked 8 Times in 3 Posts
iTrader Score: 0 reviews
View Maim Menu's Photo Gallery
4th Generation DIY : Differental Fluid Change

Hey I love being on vacation, I got plenty of time to give some love to my baby, and post some DIYs!!!

My car is a '98 Camry 4cyl with 290 000 kilometers (around 180 000 miles), not all models of Camry have their Differential fluid in a separate casing, but if yours does, here's how you can change it. It's an easy job, but a messy one. This job shouldn't be overlooked, as it is as important to change the diff fluid than it is changing the tranny fluid.

Things you will need :




1.Engine degreaser / LINT FREE cloth : always a good idea to work on clean parts around the tranny.

2.2 Quarts of Dextron III auto transmission fluid, 1.7 Qts actually go in.

3. A piece of rubber tube, I used a 3 ft (I think) piece of fuel hose.

4.A small funnel that will fit in the rubber hose

5.A 3/8 hex bit or Allen wrench and a 17 MM socket or open wrench

6.A bucket for the used fluid.

THE PROCESS :

1. Securely jack the car up on tracks or jackstands, then carefully clean up the area around the differential drain plug and fill plug with engine degreaser.
Red = Drain plug
Green = Fill plug.





2. Use the Hex bit/Allen wrench to unscrew the drain plug and let the used oil drip in a bucket, then remove the fill plug with the 17 MM socket and a ratchet. I'm unscrewing the fill plug on the picture and the drain plug is still there, but yours shouldn't be, I just forgot to take the picture. It will be easy to access/unscrew by going around the exhaust pipe with your arm.



3.Put the drain plug back in securely, be careful not to bring up any crud/dust/foreing objects on the plug or around the area where it goes.

4.Now grab the piece of hose and push the funnel in one of it's ends until it securely in place. Then from the top of the engine snake the other end of the hose down until you can see it underneath the car, mine was right between the throttle body and firewall. Then crawl back underneath your beloved Camry, grab the loose end of the hose and put it in the fill plug, again be careful for rocks and foreign objects if the hose touched the ground. Don't push it too far in, just to it stays there while you pour the new oil in, you can also have a friend help you out on that. PUT YOUR OIL BUCKET BACK UNDERNEATH THE DIFFERENTIAL CASE, cause it's gonna drip when it's full.



5.You can put a full quart of Dextron III in there without looking, then start pouring down the second quart slower until you see oil dripping out of the fill plug and in the bucket, my second quart was just below half when that happened. There is no dipstick or anything to check the differential fluid level, the fill plug hole IS the correct level so when it drips out of it, it's full. My car was jacked up on tracks, and not jackstands so it wasn't level. When I pulled the hose out of the fill plug it started dripping out of the fill plug so I capped it off quickly, just a little "overfill" to compensate for the fact that the front of the car was higher than the back end so it would be alright when back on level ground. Re-tighten the fill plug securely and you are done. You can now witness a swarm of hot chicks in bikini running up your driveway, attracted by freshly changed differential fluid!!

Another well spent afternoon. Again, any questions/comments/additions are welcome.
__________________
Restoring '65 Chevy Impala Super Sport w/ 327-300 small block, Edelbrock carb/intake and T-5 tranny that will probably blow up.
Black '98 Camry LE 4Cyl Auto, 188 000Kms and counting
Black '98 Camry CE 4Cyl Auto, 295 000Kms and counting - SOLD

Last edited by Maim Menu; 06-26-2007 at 09:47 PM.
Maim Menu is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following 6 Users Say Thank You to Maim Menu For This Useful Post:
Brit101 (04-20-2011), Dodgertown (11-22-2011), fr00d (06-05-2011), leeneedshelp (04-19-2011), slavie (05-04-2012), WaxonWaxStillOn (09-12-2011)
Sponsored Links
Advertisement
 
Old 06-26-2007, 07:10 PM   #2 (permalink)
TN Post Wh*re
 
touringcamry's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: NorCal, USA
Posts: 6,894
Gameroom cash: $550225
Thanks: 5
Thanked 95 Times in 79 Posts
iTrader Score: 3 reviews
View touringcamry's Photo Gallery
It's a good idea to remove the fill plug before removing the drain plug. I say this because if you have an empty differential with a stuck fill plug, you can't drive it anymore. If can't take the fill plug out, at least you can still drive your car around until you figure out a way to remove the fill plug. I learned this the hard way after I had an empty differential and a rounded fill plug.

The drain plug is actually 10mm. 3/8" bit is 0.5mm smaller.
__________________

2007 Camry 2.4L 5M

Last edited by touringcamry; 06-27-2007 at 09:13 AM.
touringcamry is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-26-2007, 07:22 PM   #3 (permalink)
DIY : I believe
 
Maim Menu's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Québec
Posts: 859
Thanks: 5
Thanked 8 Times in 3 Posts
iTrader Score: 0 reviews
View Maim Menu's Photo Gallery
I did loosen up both of them before taking them completely off, always a good thing to remember. Thanks for the precision about the drain plug size, I felt just a little slack in there I tought the plug was a bit worn.
__________________
Restoring '65 Chevy Impala Super Sport w/ 327-300 small block, Edelbrock carb/intake and T-5 tranny that will probably blow up.
Black '98 Camry LE 4Cyl Auto, 188 000Kms and counting
Black '98 Camry CE 4Cyl Auto, 295 000Kms and counting - SOLD
Maim Menu is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-26-2007, 09:30 PM   #4 (permalink)
TN Pussy Man
 
Eye8Pussies's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: GTA (III)
Posts: 13,079
Gameroom cash: $395960
Thanks: 1
Thanked 93 Times in 70 Posts
Lifetime Supreme Member
iTrader Score: 13 reviews
View Eye8Pussies's Photo Gallery
touringcamry makes a VERY good point...

and it may be a good idea to rotate the first two pictures as well so people have a better idea of how hard it is actually to reach the fill plug.


Also, for those who drive v6's and are looking at this thread, it's the same procedure. BUT if you can't get the fill plug off (I couldn't on my car), we don't have to worry because luckily our differential and tranny are connected and the fluid goes through both so as long as you drain and fill your tranny enough, it cleans out your differential as well.

But for those with a 4banger, this is a must.
__________________
HaHa

__________________

"Life is a deep sleep, of which love is the dream..."
Ripped...and the girls are loving it.
Eye8Pussies is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Eye8Pussies For This Useful Post:
azcat90 (03-18-2011)
Old 06-26-2007, 09:46 PM   #5 (permalink)
DIY : I believe
 
Maim Menu's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Québec
Posts: 859
Thanks: 5
Thanked 8 Times in 3 Posts
iTrader Score: 0 reviews
View Maim Menu's Photo Gallery
No pun intended, but I don't think it's that hard to reach, What I did was put the socket on the plug, then snapped the ratched on the socket and sneaked my hand up from the other side of the exhaust to grab the ratchet handle.

But yes touring camry makes a good point.
__________________
Restoring '65 Chevy Impala Super Sport w/ 327-300 small block, Edelbrock carb/intake and T-5 tranny that will probably blow up.
Black '98 Camry LE 4Cyl Auto, 188 000Kms and counting
Black '98 Camry CE 4Cyl Auto, 295 000Kms and counting - SOLD
Maim Menu is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Maim Menu For This Useful Post:
Owner_of_2_Camrys (02-02-2011)
Old 06-27-2007, 09:27 AM   #6 (permalink)
One with the force
 
nodrogkam's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Fremont and Irvine, CA
Posts: 3,116
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
iTrader Score: 0 reviews
View nodrogkam's Photo Gallery
strangely i couldnt find my fill hole! hahaha...i'll take a look at it again when i drain/fill the tranny, cos i know its there.

good write-up!
__________________
nodrogkam is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-27-2007, 12:09 PM   #7 (permalink)
mixed bag 'o vehicles
 
ghettosled's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: cleveland
Posts: 2,645
Gameroom cash: $140095
Thanks: 0
Thanked 61 Times in 54 Posts
iTrader Score: 0 reviews
View ghettosled's Photo Gallery
great write-up and photos!
__________________
ghettosled is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-27-2007, 01:20 PM   #8 (permalink)
Official TN Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Pac. NW
Posts: 78
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
iTrader Score: 0 reviews
View Yanpapa's Photo Gallery
Great Write Up!! this is just what I needed to follow up on a question that I had while back about how to fill a differential fluid.
Yanpapa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-27-2007, 01:28 PM   #9 (permalink)
College owns my wallet...
 
Venom_5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Ca$hville, TN
Posts: 6,603
Thanks: 0
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
iTrader Score: 4 reviews
View Venom_5's Photo Gallery
nice DIY, too bad im too lazy to do this to my 4cyl ... ill have the mechanic do it when i get my tranny flushed next [its still pink/brown now, so i can wait a few more miles]
__________________

R.I.P. '95 Camry LE | Welcome "Blurple" '96 240SX SE
Buy My Weapon-R Intake [Here]
http://sck388.mybrute.com
Venom_5 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-21-2007, 01:10 AM   #10 (permalink)
Official TN Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: no where
Posts: 169
Thanks: 6
Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts
iTrader Score: 0 reviews
View FishyMan's Photo Gallery
is this the auto transmission? sorry im not too familiar.
FishyMan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-21-2007, 07:51 AM   #11 (permalink)
Official TN Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: usa
Posts: 470
Thanks: 0
Thanked 11 Times in 11 Posts
iTrader Score: 0 reviews
View 1996camry's Photo Gallery
i call the toyota dealer...they want $54 for differential fluid change...and $67 for transmission fluid change...

now, my question is...

the services guy said i have to refill some kind other tank beside the drain plug (tank)...does anyone knows what else has to refill beside refill back the drain plug of differential? Service guys said u can tell when differential fluid is full. it has someone kind of gage level..not sure if the services guy know what they're talking....

please filll me in..before i plan this DIY project...

Last edited by 1996camry; 12-21-2007 at 07:54 AM.
1996camry is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-21-2007, 11:05 AM   #12 (permalink)
Darkside Cut Me!!!
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Vaughan' Ontario
Posts: 1,908
Gameroom cash: $135123
Thanks: 0
Thanked 14 Times in 14 Posts
iTrader Score: 3 reviews
View Hajoca's Photo Gallery
Fishy - Yes this is for the automatic transmission

1996- If you have the 4 cyl engine, then this post describes what you need done, the differential needs to be filled as it does not share fluid from the transmission.
__________________
2004 RX330 Sport
2003 Cam I4 XLE
2000 Cam XLE Gold Edition V6
1998 CamCE I4 Super Commuter!
Hajoca is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-21-2007, 11:33 AM   #13 (permalink)
One with the force
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Diego CA, Glen Cove NY,Fairford UK,Cedar Rapids, IA
Posts: 1,171
Gameroom cash: $279892
Thanks: 0
Thanked 62 Times in 60 Posts
iTrader Score: 0 reviews
View csaxon's Photo Gallery
__________________
It worked fine until I fixed it!
csaxon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-21-2007, 01:40 PM   #14 (permalink)
Official TN Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: no where
Posts: 169
Thanks: 6
Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts
iTrader Score: 0 reviews
View FishyMan's Photo Gallery
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hajoca View Post
Fishy - Yes this is for the automatic transmission

1996- If you have the 4 cyl engine, then this post describes what you need done, the differential needs to be filled as it does not share fluid from the transmission.

I have a 97 - 4 cynclider and i haven'tt really thought about this. Does it apply to me?

thanks.
FishyMan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-21-2007, 09:03 PM   #15 (permalink)
DIY : I believe
 
Maim Menu's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Québec
Posts: 859
Thanks: 5
Thanked 8 Times in 3 Posts
iTrader Score: 0 reviews
View Maim Menu's Photo Gallery
I would assume so since it's the same tranny
__________________
Restoring '65 Chevy Impala Super Sport w/ 327-300 small block, Edelbrock carb/intake and T-5 tranny that will probably blow up.
Black '98 Camry LE 4Cyl Auto, 188 000Kms and counting
Black '98 Camry CE 4Cyl Auto, 295 000Kms and counting - SOLD
Maim Menu is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
Advertisement
 
Reply

  Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums > Toyota Passenger and Sports Car Forums > Camry and Solara Forum > 3rd & 4th Generation (1992–1996 & 1997–2001)

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
1997 Camry Transmission Fluid Change Question cyman73 3rd & 4th Generation (1992–1996 & 1997–2001) 16 12-07-2011 08:10 PM
how do i change the transmission fluid in 90 toyato pickup dissturbbed 89-95 Toyota Pickup/Hilux 1 02-09-2007 05:53 AM
15K miles trans fluid change? Joe B Archived Corolla threads 3 04-25-2006 05:35 PM
Tranny fluid change? megamac83 Camry & Solara Lounge 17 04-11-2006 08:14 AM
Transmission Flush Scare 03ESimposter Camry & Solara Lounge 14 12-07-2004 01:19 AM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.2

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:35 AM.



Powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2012, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Garage Plus vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.
ToyotaNation.com is an independent Toyota/Lexus enthusiast website. ToyotaNation.com is not sponsored by or in any way affiliated with Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. The Toyota, Lexus and Scion names and logos are trademarks owned by Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.