Transmission Service

[rty]

I think it's time to change my transmission fluid and filter. I was wondering how is the filter attached? Does it just snap on?

Also to reseal the gasket do I just put a little oil soluble grease on top and bottom of the gasket?

And finally what fluid does the gen 4 V6 transmission take? Dextron III?

Thanks.

[Hajoca]

1 filter is held in place with a bolt

2 Use RTV instead, there should be 3 to 6 holes in gasket that are smaller to help hold bolts in place for refitting.

3 Use Dexron 3 is recommended. I use Dex 6 currently and have used Mobil1 Multi application ATF two years ago.

[toyomoho]

Keep in mind draining the pan only gets about 1/3 of the old fluid, the rest is in the torque converter.

To really get the old fluid out do 3-4 drain and refills over a period of time.

[rty]

Are you sure about the RTV? I got the filter kit and it has a rubber gasket. I heard with rubber gaskets you're not supposed to use RTV.

[bronzemaxell]

when i changed my ATF and filter, i drain and refill ATF, then drive around, then drain and refill again for about 3 or 4 times, and one final time, drain ATF, un-bolt the AT transmission oil pan, the AT transmission filter is a screen, embraced by a small retangular metal box, held by two or three bolts, 10mm size think. clean out the metal dust debris from oil pan and the magnetic weight, but anyway, the transmission oil pan gasket i bought from toyota dealer's part dept is not silicone or RTV or rubber, it feel like paper material. then refill ATF again.

[toyomoho]

Form in place gasket sealer was used on later model cars.

If possible torque up the bolts so you don't squeeze out the gasket.

[Kep]

A good trick with form-in-place is to prep the surfaces, squeeze on the gasket material and hand tighten the bolts. Let the gasket matterial set up (overnight works nicely but I suspect 90 mins or so would work) and then torque to specs. (actually, not much tighter than hand tight). That way you don't squeeze out the gasket matterial.

Kep

[rty]

I didn't use any sealant, just put the rubber gasket on. I went on a short test drive and there are no leaks. The hardest part was getting the old sealant off pan. It's easier to strip the paint off the pan than to take the old sealant off. At one point I just had to say fuck it and put the gasket on it.

The old filter looked like new, and the magnets were clean. If you've never done this before, and are thinking about doing it, my advice is unless your fluid is really nasty, just do a drain and refill.

Also, 2.5 quarts came out plus a shitload of fluid that went all over my garage. Seems more than 1/3. It made a bit of a difference.