100 K mile service 2002 Camry 2AZ-FE

[sundarpn]

My 02 Camry 4 cyl will soon hit 100K.

History: Coolant (long life) / Trans drain-fill/PS fluid / brake fluid - all changed around 55K miles. Air filter changed later and also serpentine belt.

Here is what I have in mind for 100K

1. Should the water pump be changed? I can't do it. Needs to go to shop.

2. Drain & fill ATF again (type-4). I am planning to drain some from the cooler return line before I drain from the plug. Is it a must to drop the pan & change the filter?

3. Drain & fill coolant & change T-Stat. (I use distilled water & Toyota long life coolant. Not the super long life one).

4. Change PCV, Clean throttle body, sea foam.
5. Perhaps a brake job & brake flush. (at a shop)

[arabianobsession]

1) Water pump shouldn't have to be changed until you notice it's starting to spray on the liner of your hood
2) I've always dropped the pan and replaced the filter when changing transmission fluid. It won't get ALL the fluid though, there's still some in the torque converter.
3, 4, 5) Sounds about right.

[sundarpn]

I called the dealer, and per them they don't do pan drop-filter change.

He said, the transmission filter is a metal screen and don't need changing. That's why they do the flush with 16 quarts of Type 4. (160 bucks)

I read in different post here that the filter is made of felt? conflicts with the dealer...

[JohnGD]

The dealer doesn't know what they're talking about. The older Aisin A-series transmissions do use metal strainers. The newer U-series clunkers use felt filters.

Over time the felt filters do plug up. Now Toyota says it will last the life of the car, but it up to you to decide how long that "life of car" is.

IMO, especially if you can do your own work, every 30K miles is good. T-IV ATF is not that great of a fluid either if you read the discussions on Bob is the Oil Guy. Castrol Import Multi-vehicles ATF or Walmart's SuperTech Mercon-V (D-III and T-IV suitable) IMO are better alternatives.

BTW, flushing (really a fluid exchange) doesn't clean the felt filter for you or wipe clean the debris on the bottom of the pan.

Originally Posted by sundarpn

I called the dealer, and per them they don't do pan drop-filter change.

He said, the transmission filter is a metal screen and don't need changing. That's why they do the flush with 16 quarts of Type 4. (160 bucks)

I read in different post here that the filter is made of felt? conflicts with the dealer...

[71Corolla]

100% agree with JohnGD. On the U series automatics it is vital to change the fluid often and replace the filter. Highly recommended to drop that pan and do the job right.

As for the dealers advice, ridiculous how they don't seem to know anything about their own cars.

[sundarpn]

Whats defines "older Asin A-series transmissions"? any number/year or code?

If my 2002 has a metal filter, I rather do the drain & fill every 20K miles.

[JohnGD]

Pre-Gen5 Camrys use Aisin A140 series for the I4 and A540 series for the V6. These are generally more reliable and trouble free. Toyota probably found a simpler, cheaper design and called them the U-series.

Ask your dealer to show you the filter, it should look like:
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=539553

And this is the "strainer" for the A-series:
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=357008

Originally Posted by sundarpn

Whats defines "older Asin A-series transmissions"? any number/year or code?

If my 2002 has a metal filter, I rather do the drain & fill every 20K miles.

[warpedrotor]

Thanks guys for the info about the transmission filters. Dealer told me my 04 had a strainer too. I was told "It's not an old GM" I have just been swapping out 4 litres of oil every year. I'll drop the pan in the spring.

[JohnGD]

hehe they got that right. The U-series is not the old GM, it's worse than the old GM. Maybe Toyota should offer the 6T series Hydramatic as an option. And too bad that too many dealers don't know what they're talking about.

Originally Posted by warpedrotor

Thanks guys for the info about the transmission filters. Dealer told me my 04 had a strainer too. I was told "It's not an old GM" I have just been swapping out 4 litres of oil every year. I'll drop the pan in the spring.

[NoCode]

My dad has a 2002 XLE (2AZ-FE) and it has 102k mi on it, never had the fluid changed. I want to do a multi drain/fill and change the filter. from the looks of the other threads this doesn't look too difficult (I've done it many times on my Hondas).

Sounds like this is what i need:
4 qts T-IV fluid (per drain/fill)
filter/gasket from dealer

Correct? Any tips/tricks I should know before I undertake this job?

I'm usually scouring the Accord/Odyssey forums, my first time here at TN, looks like a great site. Thanks for any input.

[fatngs]

for anyone draining the tranny fluid i highly recommend getting a new drain plug gasket if not an entire new plug; when i did my tranny fluid i had leaking issues from the original plug gasket..... even with it very tight it still leaked; once i replaced it i was fine

[profuse007]

might consider changing out the water pump that's what I would do

[89molavi]

Why change the water pump if it is not leaking, it is not a routine maintenance item.

Are the spark plugs at 120K miles?

[Donald E. George]

Measure the amount of hot fluid you drain out the first time. Replace with like amount. Drive/run car.Repeate two of three more times and you have done exactly what most machines will do.The advice to use a new drain plug gasket is valid. I found that the OEM aluminum gasket leaked evern after being torqued to 36 psf.I believe the gasket is 18mm. I couldn't find an aluminum 18mm at any of the parts stores so had the Toyota dealer get me some[the dealer didn't carry them as a stock item.Regards