2001 Camry Differential - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

TC01 · 12-09-2011, 11:40 AM

I own a 2001 Camry 4 cyl that's going on 150,000. I don't know if this year and model has a differential that can be drained. One place I read said it dosen't, another place said it does with a drain & refill plug. Another place said you refill it where you add the transmission fluid for your transmission. Which is right?

If it does have one that can be drained, where is the drain plug located and is there a filler plug as well. How often should this be drained and filled? Thanks

carsrus · 12-09-2011, 12:03 PM

Its a seperate chamber. Drain and fill plug are on the differential. Uses regular dex III, not to much of it, well under 2 qts.

Loosen filler and then drain. Its a pain to refill I used one of these http://www.harborfreight.com/automot...gun-95468.html to refill. There are better tools but this ones great for sucking our power steering and brake fluid too.

Also, just refill until it starts dripping out. Its a pretty simple job but it takes some time.

TC01 · 12-09-2011, 12:20 PM

Thanks Carsrus for the reply. I'm going to asume that since you use a suction tool to empty and fill the differential, there's only one plug. Am I right?

cmryhldr · 12-09-2011, 01:17 PM

Go to the FAQ - DIY section at the top of this forum. Scroll down to the transmission section and find the one "Differential fluid change' It has photos and instructions.
Heere is a link to it.
Hope this helps.

DIY : Differental Fluid Change

carsrus · 12-09-2011, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TC01

Thanks Carsrus for the reply. I'm going to asume that since you use a suction tool to empty and fill the differential, there's only one plug. Am I right?

No, there are 2. Loosen and remove the fill plug first. If you drain all the fluid through the drain plug and the fill plug is stuck your SOL.

The suction tool is nice to refill with and it has a pretty good capacity.

TC01 · 12-09-2011, 02:49 PM

Carsrus & Cmryhldr thanks for the help. Cmryhldr, the pictures really helped. I'll get to it this week. Thanks to you both again

TC01 · 12-10-2011, 01:21 PM

I changed the differential fluid today. I'm glad I did, it was black. In order to loosen the filler plug, I had to go down between the engine and firewall. I could'nt get enough leverage on it from under the car and the work space was too cramped where it was located. BUT, got it done

. Thanks for the help guys, I appreciate it.

***JohnGD*** · 12-10-2011, 02:04 PM

+1 that's the way I'd recommend, and a funnel and PVC tube to fill from top too. But it also depends on if people have PopEye arms.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TC01

In order to loosen the filler plug, I had to go down between the engine and firewall. I could'nt get enough leverage on it from under the car