Drain and Refill + Transmission Filter question

[redtigerrocks]

I have around 172,000 miles on my Gen 3 Camry (94 V6) and I did a tranny flush around 160k miles . I just checked the dipstick and the fluid is dark purple. I was wondering, is it safe to have the fluid drained and refilled along with the transmission filter changed? Their is not much problem in the transmission except shifting from 1st to 2nd gear in cold start is lagged a little bit (up to 2.6k RPM). Also whats the normal RPM for cruising around 65 MPH?

[Chris Crash]

It should be fine!

[redtigerrocks]

Thanks! I don't know why people keep talking about how transmission fluid should be pink because I have 2 bottles of Dexron that are dark dark red..

[JohnGD]

When you look into the bottle it'll be dark red. However, with a drain/refill it should look almost bright red on the dipstick. After a few rounds of commute the "brightness" disappears a bit and it's either a dull red or pink on the dipstick. What you drain out usually looks much worse than on the dipstick.

Don't forget to do the differential. It's about 1.7qts or so. I'd use a synthetic blend in the differential, even if you use plain dino in the transmission.

So get 2 qts of Castrol Import Multi-Vehicles ATF or Mobil-1 ATF for that. (always read the labels and make sure D-III -- or whatever your application is, such as T-IV, etc -- is on there.) Just don't use Dexron VI in these older transaxles.

RPM varies I guess, but should be around 2100-2300.

~$4.5/qt Walmart:
http://www.castrol.com/castrol/secti...tentId=7028224

~$9/qt parts stores:
http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Mot...hetic_ATF.aspx

I would also use Walmart SuperTech Mercon-V (suitable for D-III, T-IV) in power steering and the differential/transmission. ~$3.77/qt

Originally Posted by redtigerrocks

Thanks! I don't know why people keep talking about how transmission fluid should be pink because I have 2 bottles of Dexron that are dark dark red..

[Camry LE 94]

Originally Posted by redtigerrocks

I have around 172,000 miles on my Gen 3 Camry (94 V6) and I did a tranny flush around 160k miles . I just checked the dipstick and the fluid is dark purple. I was wondering, is it safe to have the fluid drained and refilled along with the transmission filter changed? Their is not much problem in the transmission except shifting from 1st to 2nd gear in cold start is lagged a little bit (up to 2.6k RPM). Also whats the normal RPM for cruising around 65 MPH?

I had the same exact problem after a rebuild. The engine rpms would increase with no speed increase, then it would almost slam into gear. This also triggered a Shift Solenoid "E" CEL. I readjusted the kickdown cable that connects from the tranny to the throttlebody, did a fluid flush, and now it shifts just fine. I think after the rebuild, the mechanic didn't set up the TB side of the kickdown cable properly, which made it lag or delay shifting from 1st to 2nd. The CEL didn't go off, however, but probably because I haven't reset it. Someone was saying on a V6 Gen 3 Camry, if the kickdown cable is improperly adjusted, the computer recognizes this and throws a CEL. I'm wondering if this is the same case for the 5SFE?

[fenixus]

drain & refill on tranny and differential is the way to go. you can't go wrong with synthetic blend Castrol Import Multi-Vehicle ATF <- good stuff! it made a real difference for me in differential (drained & refilled the very first time). also used it in tranny and in P/S, all looks (and feels & sounds) good

when doing tranny drain & refill you can also install a Raybestos/Magnafine magnetic oil fitler on tranny cooler line. I will be doing it next time I drain it. you can get cheap those filters on ebay, manufacturer recommends changing them every time you drain ATF or every 10k miles (10k mile interval is printed on its sticker).

[redtigerrocks]

Just did the drain and refill - transmission shifts smoothly but now the fluid looks the same purple color with a hint of red.

[rty]

Their is not much problem in the transmission except shifting from 1st to 2nd gear in cold start is lagged a little bit (up to 2.6k RPM).

From my understanding this is normal when the engine is cold.