Valvoline MaxLife ATF OK for 94 Camry?

[waynearny]

I've got a 94 Camry with 153,000 miles on it. It's been in the family for about 6 years, and the ATF has never been changed. I'm doing it now and am about to put Valvoline MaxLive ATF in it. Any problem with that? The product says it's for vehicles with > 75K miles on it, and it list Toyota Type T, T-III, and T-IV as fluids it can replace.

I'm also just dropping the pan, draining, cleaning the filter and replacing filter and pan using a new Toyota gasket. Any potential problems here?

Thanks. Been working on mostly air-cooled older stick shift vehicles, so I'm new to the ATF business! Thanks!! Wayne Arny, Galesville, MD

[wahed3001]

Originally Posted by waynearny

I've got a 94 Camry with 153,000 miles on it. It's been in the family for about 6 years, and the ATF has never been changed. I'm doing it now and am about to put Valvoline MaxLive ATF in it. Any problem with that? The product says it's for vehicles with > 75K miles on it, and it list Toyota Type T, T-III, and T-IV as fluids it can replace.

I'm also just dropping the pan, draining, cleaning the filter and replacing filter and pan using a new Toyota gasket. Any potential problems here?

Thanks. Been working on mostly air-cooled older stick shift vehicles, so I'm new to the ATF business! Thanks!! Wayne Arny, Galesville, MD

That Camry takes Dextron II ATF. If the bottle says Mercon or Dextron II/III type then it's okay to put it in. The one you got is for the newer Toyota vehicles. I Personally use Valvoline Dex/Merc
ATF which works just fine.

There's no problem in cleaning the pan and filter. I doubt you'll find anything in the filter/screen (I didn't!) but if you do take the screen out replace the cork o-ring around it with a new one ($2 at the dealer) as the old one should be crumbly and break apart. One more thing: don't forget to replace the two magnets on the pan as they are designed to catch metal fragments small enough to pass through the screen. Put the magnets back at the same points on the pan as before. If you want an 'upgrade' you can replace those weak ceramic magnets with the new super strong neodymium magnets. But make sure you get the ones with higher operating temperatures (over 100 deg C) as the cheaper ones may start loosing their magnetism at the ATF operating temperatures. I got my high temperature magnets here: http://www.kjmagnetics.com/proddetai...=D82SH&cat=167

[V6LE_CAMRY]

yea you can use that, i've acutully have been using that valvoline atf in my 96 for two years now

[waynearny]

Thanks! I'm putting it in tonight!

[waynearny]

Many thanks for the advice. This time I had to reuse the old magnets, but I will get new ones for the next time, and fortunately, the cork seal for the screen was in decent shape, so I reused it. It's amazing what the books and the dealer don't tell you! I cleaned everything as well as I could, put in the new seal, reinstalled the screen and the pan, tightened it all down, and replaced the fluid. It all worked well, but now I am better prepared when I do it again! Thanks, also again! Wayne Arny, Galesville, MD

[wahed3001]

Originally Posted by waynearny

Many thanks for the advice. This time I had to reuse the old magnets, but I will get new ones for the next time, and fortunately, the cork seal for the screen was in decent shape, so I reused it. It's amazing what the books and the dealer don't tell you! I cleaned everything as well as I could, put in the new seal, reinstalled the screen and the pan, tightened it all down, and replaced the fluid. It all worked well, but now I am better prepared when I do it again! Thanks, also again! Wayne Arny, Galesville, MD

Good Job!

[jatt lehmber]

Originally Posted by wahed3001

That Camry takes Dextron II ATF. If the bottle says Mercon or Dextron II/III type then it's okay to put it in. The one you got is for the newer Toyota vehicles. I Personally use Valvoline Dex/Merc
ATF which works just fine.

There's no problem in cleaning the pan and filter. I doubt you'll find anything in the filter/screen (I didn't!) but if you do take the screen out replace the cork o-ring around it with a new one ($2 at the dealer) as the old one should be crumbly and break apart. One more thing: don't forget to replace the two magnets on the pan as they are designed to catch metal fragments small enough to pass through the screen. Put the magnets back at the same points on the pan as before. If you want an 'upgrade' you can replace those weak ceramic magnets with the new super strong neodymium magnets. But make sure you get the ones with higher operating temperatures (over 100 deg C) as the cheaper ones may start loosing their magnetism at the ATF operating temperatures. I got my high temperature magnets here: http://www.kjmagnetics.com/proddetai...=D82SH&cat=167

yo can u explain to me what filter screen is, the cork o ring, and explain where the hell the magnets are located, sorry for bothering u but i seem not to know too much about trasmissions

[Venom_5]

yes, MaxLife ATF is compatible with almost everything ... theres a few exceptions, but nothing youd have to worry about if youre posting in this section

thats what mine had in it

[Camry LE 94]

Originally Posted by jatt lehmber

yo can u explain to me what filter screen is, the cork o ring, and explain where the hell the magnets are located, sorry for bothering u but i seem not to know too much about trasmissions

DIY: 5S-FE Transmission Fluid & Strainer Replacement Procedure

check this link out. most of your questions will be explained in this thread.

[JohnGD]

No, you don't have to use "new magnets". Just replace "old magnets" back to their proper locations on the pan.

You should consider getting a Fram ATF kit next time (~$15-20). It has a cork rubber pan gasket, a new strainer and the strainer gasket.

You can also try the Walmart SuperTech ATF compatible with Dexron II/III. Works fine and economically. I think SuperTech Mercon V is also compatible with Dexron II/III (but not all are). Mercon V is a synthtic blend. Good deal.

Originally Posted by waynearny

Many thanks for the advice. This time I had to reuse the old magnets, but I will get new ones for the next time, and fortunately, the cork seal for the screen was in decent shape, so I reused it. It's amazing what the books and the dealer don't tell you! I cleaned everything as well as I could, put in the new seal, reinstalled the screen and the pan, tightened it all down, and replaced the fluid. It all worked well, but now I am better prepared when I do it again! Thanks, also again! Wayne Arny, Galesville, MD

[JohnGD]

The 2.2L Camry uses Aisin 140 series transmission. Takes Fram filter kit #FT1169 (replaces FT1137). Rockauto has wholesale closeout for $12.39+shipping. Good deal. Normally they're $20.79.

Here is a picture of the "strainer", you called "filter screen" with cork gasket:

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=55970

The magnets are around the pick up port. Just make sure when you place them back you don't block the fluid flow. You can see the rectangular pick up port in this picture:

http://198.208.187.182/internet/Part...cpartnbr=TF328

Originally Posted by jatt lehmber

yo can u explain to me what filter screen is, the cork o ring, and explain where the hell the magnets are located, sorry for bothering u but i seem not to know too much about trasmissions

[JohnGD]

BTW, the kit should also contain a large pan gasket. NOt shown in the pictures except the ATE one.

[JohnGD]

Here is a Beck Arnley one with the pan gasket picture. They should all have it.

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=478691