Transmission Strainer/Filter?

[ricamryman]

I have a 1993 V6 LE Camry. This morning at the dealers parts counter I was gonna buy a Filter/gasket to drop the pan, & replace. He told me that the filter is essentially a strainer, & not to worry about it......I replaced it just over a year ago with a new Toyota one after a flush. Do I ever need to replace it again?......Trans runs silky smooth & want it to stay that way...130K miles.....

[Chris Crash]

Yeah just take it off and tip it over and shake it around to get some crud out.

[Mister_Perkins]

FSM doesn't indicate to replace filter, although every once in a while it doesn't hurt. I usually change the filters out if I replace shift solenoids.. but even then you REALLY dont have to change it either.

If your filter is damaged (bent) or you can see noticeable damage to it, replace it.. Other than that, Just do what chris said and you'll be A-OK

The only thing the FSM Indicates related to the transmission is to "Replace, change or lubricate" the ATF every 24,000 miles if the following conditions apply:

• Towing a trailer, using a camper or car top carrier.
• Repeated short trips of less than 8 km (5 miles) with outside temperature remaining below
freezing.
• Extensive idling and/or low speed driving for long distances, such as police, taxi or door–to
–door delivery use.
• Operating on dusty, rough, muddy or salt spread roads.

If the following conditions don't apply to you, then it recommends "Inspect and correct or replace if necessary" every 24 months.

It also reads:

Maintenance services beyond 98,000 km (84,000 miles) should continue to be performed
at the same Intervals shown for each maintenance schedule, (Use odometer reading or
months, whichever comes first)

Originally Posted by Chris Crash

Yeah just take it off and tip it over and shake it around to get some crud out.

[deadrx7conv]

Every decade or 100k miles whichever comes 1st. The biggest problem is that its gasket starts leaking and allows air to pump into fluid stream.

And, you should ALWAYS use a new gasket if you plan on 'blowing out' your old filter.

Clean or replace the pan magnets every 100k/10yr whichever comes 1st.

After you change your ATF filter, if you don't want to ever do it again, invest in a Magnefine/ATP/SPX/Filtran inline ATF/PSF filter. An inline filter will remove more than the the screen could ever dream of doing. And, it only takes a few minutes to replace every 30k.

[JohnGD]

You don't have to according to Toyota. But in general I'd replace the strainer if you take the effort to drop the pan and wipe clean the magnets. DeadRx7Conv is right, you don't want a suction side leak because the strainer gasket got old and took a set. But you should be able to reuse it a couple of times without problems.

I don't believe in cleaning a screen inside its casing. Air or fluid takes the path of least resistance anyway. And ATF kits are about $20 with a new strainer and gasket (Fram at parts stores, for example). If you get these parts from local transmission warehouses they are like ~$10 (prices are going up these days).

If you only did one a year ago after an ATF flush, then leave it alone for now. Just drain/refill the ATF and differential. I'd use a synthetic blend.

Originally Posted by ricamryman

I have a 1993 V6 LE Camry. This morning at the dealers parts counter I was gonna buy a Filter/gasket to drop the pan, & replace. He told me that the filter is essentially a strainer, & not to worry about it......I replaced it just over a year ago with a new Toyota one after a flush. Do I ever need to replace it again?......Trans runs silky smooth & want it to stay that way...130K miles.....