differtential fill plug on 97 Camry V6

[tony1967]

Does anybody know if a 97 Camry V6 1MZ-FE have a fill plug for the differtential or it is fill through the dipstick where the transmission is filled?

[TrailDust]

From the DIY sticky thread at the top of the forum page:

DIY : Differental Fluid Change

[eevee11]

Um, that sticky thread is a 10-page disaster with respect to this question, pretty mean to send OP there ...

Here's what I can tell you: on my 98 with 1MZ-FE, the differential fills through the dipstick tube. No fill plug.

Your car, I don't know about. But there is hope, here is an easy way to check if you can't figure it out:

1) Park the car, put it on ramps, then check the trans fluid level on the dipstick with the car NOT running. Note where the level is.

2) Pull the plug that drains the differential, trans fluid will shoot backwards be sure the pan is in the right place to catch it. Let it drain a long time. Check the level on the dipstick, did it go down? If "yes," then transmission and differential fill from the same place.

3) If "no" or you can't tell, then just to be sure, add about another quart through the dipstick. Pay close attention - does fluid now slowly run out the open differential drain plug? If yes, then they fill from the same place. If the answer is no to both questions then you better find that fill plug, because you need to refill the differential!

4) And in either case, the next thing to do is drain the transmission pan. Note that it is 1 quart overfilled if step (3) didn't drain out through the differential. When you are done, refill it.

I have actually never tried (1) and (2), I figured it out on my car using (3). And when I drain both the differential and the transmission pan, it takes 3.7 quarts, in the dipstick tube, to get them both back up to level. Check again after driving a couple miles, top off if needed.

[tony1967]

Originally Posted by eevee11

Um, that sticky thread is a 10-page disaster with respect to this question, pretty mean to send OP there ...

Here's what I can tell you: on my 98 with 1MZ-FE, the differential fills through the dipstick tube. No fill plug.

Your car, I don't know about. But there is hope, here is an easy way to check if you can't figure it out:

1) Park the car, put it on ramps, then check the trans fluid level on the dipstick with the car NOT running. Note where the level is.

2) Pull the plug that drains the differential, trans fluid will shoot backwards be sure the pan is in the right place to catch it. Let it drain a long time. Check the level on the dipstick, did it go down? If "yes," then transmission and differential fill from the same place.

3) If "no" or you can't tell, then just to be sure, add about another quart through the dipstick. Pay close attention - does fluid now slowly run out the open differential drain plug? If yes, then they fill from the same place. If the answer is no to both questions then you better find that fill plug, because you need to refill the differential!

4) And in either case, the next thing to do is drain the transmission pan. Note that it is 1 quart overfilled if step (3) didn't drain out through the differential. When you are done, refill it.

I have actually never tried (1) and (2), I figured it out on my car using (3). And when I drain both the differential and the transmission pan, it takes 3.7 quarts, in the dipstick tube, to get them both back up to level. Check again after driving a couple miles, top off if needed.

Hey thanks, the drain plug on the differential was located on the back wall side and not on the bottom like the transmission pan? I will try your method on Thursday when I change the transmission fluid. Thanks for the advice.

[eevee11]

That's right, on my car the differential drain plug is on the back wall. That's why when you pull the plug the ATF shoots backwards (pretty far! be prepared to move the pan around as needed, put down some cardboard).

[TrailDust]

Originally Posted by eevee11

Um, that sticky thread is a 10-page disaster with respect to this question, pretty mean to send OP there ...

With no one responding to the OP's question, it was an attempt to send him to a relevant thread. My mission here on TN is not to be mean or cruel but to be helpful, as opposed to lurking 99.9% of the time and offering up critical comments to others trying to lend a hand. If you can provide a different thread (or perhaps this thread now with its answer) which provides a better answer, then by all means offer it up to a staff member for inclusion into the DIY sticky so future answer seekers can get the same help.