Tranmission Flush at home?

[TFCameron]

Does anyone have any idea how to do a transmission flush yourself on a 97 2.2L auto Camry? My wife's needs it's fluid changed and I would prefer to get out all of the old fluid, but I don't want to take it to a shop. So any ideas gentlemen?

[Dave's]

Haven't done it but try a search. Know many have done it and some included photos. Some remove line to cooler and pour new in as old is pumped out. Think it's hard to keep up though. Think you can disconnect both and have the return line pull in the new fluid as the other pumps it out but don't take my word for it.

[DxElite]

There's a sticky for what you're looking for in the Camry FAQ page: http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/sh...d.php?t=280006
I haven't tried it myself yet, but plan to do it this winter.

[Camry LE 94]

someone told me that if you do a trans flush that you might as well buy a new transmission...

[darkwingbenny]

I debated if I should chime in or not. I know that people are only trying to be helpful when they post a response, but one should pause before they pass on hearsay advice.

A quick search will show that there are different opinions on "flushing" a transmission. I will not get into the details. Some research will be a good exercise for anyone who is interested.

Part of the problem is the imprecise use of terms. What is a flush? I prefer the term fluid exchange. I have done it on my vehicles including a 99 I4 Camry at home using both the drain and refill method and cooler line exchange method. As far as I am concerned both are safe and effective.

You will be fine if you have the fluid exchanged at a shop using a dedicated machine by a qualified technician or if you do it at home using the cooler line method and use some common sense.

With regard to the gloom and doom stores about transmissions that croak after a flush. Bottom line, these were long abused and neglected units on their last leg. The unit had failed/ was in the process of failing when the "flush" was done as a desperate attempt to save it. Afterwards the unit fails so of course it had to be the "flush".

[darkwingbenny]

Originally Posted by DxElite

There's a sticky for what you're looking for in the Camry FAQ page: http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/sh...d.php?t=280006
I haven't tried it myself yet, but plan to do it this winter.

That link appears to be broken.

Here it is again.

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

[DFBonnett]

Originally Posted by TFCameron

Does anyone have any idea how to do a transmission flush yourself on a 97 2.2L auto Camry? My wife's needs it's fluid changed and I would prefer to get out all of the old fluid, but I don't want to take it to a shop. So any ideas gentlemen?

If you twist or break those cooler lines that have been in place twelve years and may be rusted up, you'll wish you hadn't. Your best bet is to drain the trans through the drain plug, use a new gasket, torque to spec, then refill. Do this at each oil change until you are happy with the color of the fluid. Write this down....
"THE OLD FLUID DOES NOT CONTAMINATE THE NEW. THE NEW FLUID REFRESHES THE OLD."

[JohnGD]

I'd drop the pan, clean it out, put a new strainer on there. The Fram ATF kit for about $15-20 works well with the rubber-cork gasket. Cleanliness and fluid level accuracy are important.

A fluid exchanger doesn't clean the pan for you. If you're mechanically inclined, go ahead and drop the pan. Change the differential fluid as well in the separate reservoir towards the firewall. Preferably you'd use a suitable torque wrench, like the $20 one from Harbor Freight. Up to you.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=2696

If there is a need, drain/refill two more times with a short drive in between. Walmart SuperTech Dexron III compatible ATF works well and economically.

Mostly, drop the pan and clean it out. Put a new strainer. Make sure no lint gets in there. Then decide if you want to exchange out all the fluid later.

Originally Posted by TFCameron

Does anyone have any idea how to do a transmission flush yourself on a 97 2.2L auto Camry? My wife's needs it's fluid changed and I would prefer to get out all of the old fluid, but I don't want to take it to a shop. So any ideas gentlemen?

[sc2dave]

Originally Posted by JohnGD

Change the differential fluid as well in the separate reservoir towards the firewall.

Does a 95 5sfe have this too?

[Mike Gerber]

Originally Posted by sc2dave

Does a 95 5sfe have this too?

Yes.

Mike

[sc2dave]

Originally Posted by sc2dave

Does a 95 5sfe have this too?

where's this at? what fluid do i use to change it out?

[islandboy57]

Originally Posted by darkwingbenny

Part of the problem is the imprecise use of terms. What is a flush? I prefer the term fluid exchange. I have done it on my vehicles including a 99 I4 Camry at home using both the drain and refill method and cooler line exchange method. As far as I am concerned both are safe and effective.

With regard to the gloom and doom stores about transmissions that croak after a flush. Bottom line, these were long abused and neglected units on their last leg. The unit had failed/ was in the process of failing when the "flush" was done as a desperate attempt to save it. Afterwards the unit fails so of course it had to be the "flush".

I prefer the "drain and refill" method - then again after you drive it for a week or two, then again. I only did that twice with my gen 5.5 because the fluid was already pretty clean. Now I just change the ATF annually on both the gen 5.5 and 3.5 so I don't need to "flush it" as the fluid stays relatively clean.

I agree that folks blame transmission service in general if their trans fails afterwards - whether it be 2K miles later or 100K miles later. I guess it doesn't occur to them that perhaps the trans was on its way out OR they don't realize that transmissions do fail on their own even if you maintained it religiously. It's just one of those things in life.

[flyeri]

You asked: "where's this at? what fluid do i use to change it out?"

It is on the back side of the transmission. Drains on the bottom (10mm hex)and the fill plug is on the back. Uses 1.6 qts of the same Dexron II - III fluid. You will need to attach a piece of hose (18-24 inches)to a small funnel and feed the hose down from the top side into the hole on the back of the trans. Slowly pour the fluid in until it runs out of the hole. Replace the fill plug and you are finished.