5th & 6th Generation (2002-2006 & 2007-2011)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 2002-2006 & 2007-2011
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I have a 2004 Camry LE I4 with 90k miles. Changed the transmission fluid with Mobil One Synthetic at around 45k. No problem so far until two days ago after I had driven on the highway for one hour, I pressed the pedal for more speed, the RPM went up to 4K, 5K and 6K but speed didn't increase.
Later I got off the freeway and was driving about 50 MPH on the street, I pressed the pedal to go faster, the RPM went up to 6k but speed never increased. I then stopped and restarted the car again, the problem came back once more.
Ever since two days ago, it hasn't happened again. Hmmm. The transmission fluid change is in order. I have spent hours searching and reading the messages regarding transmission problems. I found some TSBs as well but didn't know which one applies since it cost money to access them.
As an aside, I have been lazy nowadays in maintaining my car. In the beginning when the car was new I would wash it every week and religiously maintained it. Now I still maintain but I would wait for few more days. It's been five years now and the battery is still good but my friend said I need to change it. It is still showing green so I don't know if I need to change that or not.
On the other hand, I have a timing chain but do I need to change the water pump, rollar guides (?). What about alternator and starter?
a) You need to follow the basic maintenance guidelines established by the manufacturer.
b) Replace the water pump if it is leaking or the bearing is noisy.
c) Replace the starter if it is failing.
d) Check your owner's guide for transmission service intervals. I think your year asked for fluid changes at 30k miles, so it might not be a surprise that the tranny is going south before its time if you have changed it once in 90k miles.
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2007 V6 Camry LE, Built TMMK 27 September 06
"People who think they know it all are particularly irritating to those of us who do."
d) I think your year asked for fluid changes at 30k miles, so it might not be a surprise that the tranny is going south before its time if you have changed it once in 90k miles.
As far as I remember Toyota does not recommend changing ATF in 2004 I4 in normal driving conditions. Only if you do towing, etc.
I would speculate that the problems are due to incorrect ATF.
By the way, did you check your fluid level? How does it look? How does it smell?
Sam
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2004 Toyota Camry LE
1999 Honda Accord LX
1992 Subaru Loyale
2010 Subaru Forester
As far as I remember Toyota does not recommend changing ATF in 2004 I4 in normal driving conditions. Only if you do towing, etc.
I would speculate that the problems are due to incorrect ATF.
By the way, did you check your fluid level? How does it look? How does it smell?
Sam
I have been using the Mobil One ATF since 40K, now it's at 90K and it has only given me the above described problems two days ago.
However, I do have a problem but I think it's more associated with the size of the engine I4 than something else. Whenever I press the gas pedal from a complete stop until car reaches 30MPH, I need to let go the pedal to let the engine 'breathe', otherwise, the speed wouldn't increase.
How's the ATF level? You can have accelerated wear if low ATF caused low line pressures. I know the new formulation of Mobil-1 is compatible with Toyota T-IV, which is relabeled Mobil-3309 dino oil anyway. But I'm not sure about the older formulation, which was primarily geared for Dexron II/III, Mercon V types of compatibility.
Mobil-1 ATF is great stuff. So I'd wonder about fluid level, and then the general health of the transmission (getting old).
Sounds like you have a U-660E transmission from the V6.
Quote:
Originally Posted by diamente
I have a 2004 Camry LE I4 with 90k miles. Changed the transmission fluid with Mobil One Synthetic at around 45k. No problem so far until two days ago after I had driven on the highway for one hour, I pressed the pedal for more speed, the RPM went up to 4K, 5K and 6K but speed didn't increase.
I have changed the transmission fluid with Mobil one ATF at 90K. The fluid level was not low and this time it is full as well. So everything was ok until today when the problem happened again except this time it's worse. I had a hard time reversing the car. Now my car has about 91K. The problem happens after I have driven for about 40 minutes in 100+ weather in SoCAL. I pressed the gas pedal but the car would only go about 30mph at the most. I had the shift to 2 or 1 and then quickly shift to D to get the transmission to get to "D."
This time I could NOT back up well. I shift to "R" and it took the car about 30 seconds to caught up to "R" and when it did, it shook hard.
The solution? After the weather has cooled down at night time, the problem seems to disappear.
So what now? I had owned 1989 buick lesabre, 2000 Daewoo Nubira, 2001 Civics, and while those cars except the Civics had more problems than the Toyota but none had the transmission problem. It is dangerous when you are driving on the street with people tailgating you but you could only drive 30mph. I did not expect this problem to be on a Camry.
I asked around and they said I need a new tranny. Question is
What tranny to get? This thread says a certain tranny comes with inherent problem or design defect. I don't want to spend $3k on a tranny that comes with a problem.
Also are you sure it is Mobil one that damaged the transmission? I remember I had changed the oil at 35K and then at 50K but never changed until 90K.
I never expected to change the tranny on a camry especially on a 04 and 90K miles.. It is so unexpected.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BlackCamSe
your tranny is shot. time for a rebuild. ur only suposed to use toyota ATF fluids.
i had problems with mobil 1 synthetic too, though its supposed to be compatible with the toyota type iv (which is relabeled mobil 1 dino atf fluid anyway). it was a while ago, but i think i had similar issues... sluggish to accelerate, weird shifts, etc.
i drove it for a week like that: i didn't do a complete flush, i had just drained and refilled... i was planning on doing a full flush the weekend after. since the transmission was acting weird, i returned all the mobil 1 synthetic and went to the dealer to buy 18 toyota type iv bottles for my flush. after i flushed with the type iv and reset the ecu, the transmission was back to normal.
i would suggest doing a full flush with type iv and reset your ecu before you go shopping for a new transmission... its worth a try and relatively cheap compared to a new one.
__________________
2005 Camry "LE"
TL HID Retrofit | OEM Fogs | SE Bumper | SE Grill | Factory Spoiler | Kosei K1 TS 18x7.5 | BC Racing Coilovers
TRD [RSB | Strut Tower Brace | Exhaust] || Rear Drum to Disc Swap
yeah, thanks Leo5. you are the man. If it works, I treat you to lunch. Do you live in SoCAL? I didn't know Mobil 1 can be problematic. My problem with transmission problem is it happens at day time after you have driven it for 40 minutes in hot weather. Luckily I am still able to drive it at night time. So given that I am hoping my transmission is not a goner.
How did you flush the transmission? Did you change out 4 qt and then drive for few hundred miles and change out another 4qt?
Quote:
Originally Posted by LE05
i had problems with mobil 1 synthetic too, though its supposed to be compatible with the toyota type iv (which is relabeled mobil 1 dino atf fluid anyway). it was a while ago, but i think i had similar issues... sluggish to accelerate, weird shifts, etc.
i drove it for a week like that: i didn't do a complete flush, i had just drained and refilled... i was planning on doing a full flush the weekend after. since the transmission was acting weird, i returned all the mobil 1 synthetic and went to the dealer to buy 18 toyota type iv bottles for my flush. after i flushed with the type iv and reset the ecu, the transmission was back to normal.
i would suggest doing a full flush with type iv and reset your ecu before you go shopping for a new transmission... its worth a try and relatively cheap compared to a new one.
yeah, thanks Leo5. you are the man. If it works, I treat you to lunch. Do you live in SoCAL? I didn't know Mobil 1 can be problematic. My problem with transmission problem is it happens at day time after you have driven it for 40 minutes in hot weather. Luckily I am still able to drive it at night time. So given that I am hoping my transmission is not a goner.
How did you flush the transmission? Did you change out 4 qt and then drive for few hundred miles and change out another 4qt?
nope, i'm in jersey. as for the transmission flush, i took the lines off the radiator to flush it... you get a more complete flush than simply draining and refilling.
i basically followed this DIY: DIY: 5S-FE Transmission Fluid & Strainer Replacement Procedure
its for a gen 3, but its essentially the same for a gen 5. do a drain and refill to start the pan out with fresh fluid... then start from step 15 in the DIY. i highly suggest having a helper when doing this method... for me i had remote start so i didn't need a helper, but it was still difficult.
__________________
2005 Camry "LE"
TL HID Retrofit | OEM Fogs | SE Bumper | SE Grill | Factory Spoiler | Kosei K1 TS 18x7.5 | BC Racing Coilovers
TRD [RSB | Strut Tower Brace | Exhaust] || Rear Drum to Disc Swap
yea try the flush. i don't think the tranny is shot at all. it would be doing it all the time. if after the flush you still have problems then you can worry about finding a new tranny or replacing some parts.
You should have the U241E transmission in there. That transmission has a defective fluid circuit, and a clutch (?) chamber (Chamber A) has problem draining. This keeps the clutch unable to release at times and cause jerking and rough shifts.
The flaring issue you described was more prominent on the V6's U660E. IMO, the entire U-series is bad news.
There are two types of Mobil-1 ATF on the shelf still. The newer formulation is said to be compatible with dino Mobil-3309 (T-IV). I don't think the earlier one is however. So which one did you use?
Did you ever drop the pan to clean off the black sludge from typical wear and to install a new strainer?
Quote:
Originally Posted by diamente
I have a 2004 Camry LE I4 with 90k miles. Changed the transmission fluid with Mobil One Synthetic at around 45k. No problem so far until two days ago after I had driven on the highway for one hour, I pressed the pedal for more speed, the RPM went up to 4K, 5K and 6K but speed didn't increase.
Another thing is to see if you can reset the ECU. Maybe pulling the ECU fuse for a minute will help clear the transmisson ECU and get rid of the learned pattern. It may be used to the old T-IV fluid in there.
At least before you head out to get dino Mobil-3309 (T-IV).
Quote:
Originally Posted by diamente
yeah, thanks Leo5. you are the man. If it works, I treat you to lunch. Do you live in SoCAL? I didn't know Mobil 1 can be problematic. My problem with transmission problem is it happens at day time after you have driven it for 40 minutes in hot weather. Luckily I am still able to drive it at night time. So given that I am hoping my transmission is not a goner.
How did you flush the transmission? Did you change out 4 qt and then drive for few hundred miles and change out another 4qt?
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