Gen5 transmission pan questions

[clacker]

I'm going to drop the pan and replace the filter on the tranny now that my 02 Camry has done 100K Km.

I've read up on everyones experience but two questions to clarify.

1) All 18 bolts are accessible with a socket wrench and extension, are the 3-4 PITA bolts everyone talks about a result of left hand drive cars or am I missing something here?

2) Pans from the factory are sealed with a silicon goo while service kits include a gasket? Does the goo come off easily enough with a knife and solvent as mentioned?

TIA.

[Donald E. George]

I've never removed an AT pan but I do know Toyota lists a special tool that is used to cut through the FIP gasket. The tool uses a hammer to cut the gasket material away. I would guess that this tool is available by Proto or other suppliers of tools used to repair automobiles.Regards

[jermag24]

I have an '04 and have never removed the pan, it has a screen assembly instead of a filter so there's nothing to replace. I stick to the recommended drain & fill schedule and have had no issues.

[JohnGD]

ATF-safe RTV is used on the pans because robots can assemble them easily. But gaskets are easier for periodic filter replacements.

ATF-Safe RTV (ATF eats engine oil RTVs):
http://www.permatex.com/products/Aut...TV_Sealant.htm

The U-series do have felt filters. The I4 has the 4-speed U241E and the V6 the 5-speed U151E. I'd change them out every 30-40K miles, or every other ATF drain/refill.

U241E,$19.72+shipping:
http://info.rockauto.com/WIX/DetailW...asp?Part=58618

U151E, $13.02+shipping:
http://info.rockauto.com/WIX/DetailW...asp?Part=58010

Originally Posted by jermag24

I have an '04 and have never removed the pan, it has a screen assembly instead of a filter so there's nothing to replace. I stick to the recommended drain & fill schedule and have had no issues.

[clacker]

Thanks guys,

Appreciate the help.

[89molavi]

I did my 2005 (I guess U250) 3 times so far. The first time was at 60K. I have had the car since 35K miles and I do not believe the previous owner (lease) had dropped the pan. I had a regular gasket there. Your problem is going to be getting to the bolts. The 3-4 would NOT be accessible with a socket. You will save yourself getting a ratcheting wrench. Helps some but still those bolts would keep you busy for a while. I jacked the transmission up a bit to give myself some room. I have done this 3 times so far. Once because the gasket Toyota sold me was defective. Either way, I have now gotten it down to 2 hours start to finish.

[clacker]

Originally Posted by 89molavi

I did my 2005 (I guess U250) 3 times so far. The first time was at 60K. I have had the car since 35K miles and I do not believe the previous owner (lease) had dropped the pan. I had a regular gasket there. Your problem is going to be getting to the bolts. The 3-4 would NOT be accessible with a socket. You will save yourself getting a ratcheting wrench. Helps some but still those bolts would keep you busy for a while. I jacked the transmission up a bit to give myself some room. I have done this 3 times so far. Once because the gasket Toyota sold me was defective. Either way, I have now gotten it down to 2 hours start to finish.

Which side of the pan are these bolts located? I admit not putting a socket on yet but I can access all 18 pretty much vertically with my finger.

TTowards the front seems the most narrowest clearance.

I'll get that wrench anyways.

Thanks

[clacker]

Almost fell off my chair after getting a price for the service kit from my local (Western Australia) Toyota dealer.... $170! Gasket and Filter.

No filters this side of Aus either, he said they never sell them and many times they are just cleaned and reused.

I gave the correct model number of the car so he can't be quoting the older model screen mesh filter do you think?

[89molavi]

I changed the filter, got one from autozone. Then I was a bit worried and bought another screen from Toyota and re-did the work. It was $55 here in US. I think you are just fine cleaning the pan and the filter. NAPA here has the gasket for $6 and it works just fine.

The difficult bolts on mine were on the driver side, under the cross bar. Yours might be different.

[fatngs]

when i did mine all the bolts had blue threadlocker on them so it took a bit or work and cursing but i was able to remove them all eventually

i used a standard and ratcheting wrench for the hard to access bolts

[hardtopte72]

In the US these cars use a gasket instead of FIPG. I did a pan removal on a 1ZZFE and got rid of the gasket and used Toyota orange FIPG.

The 3-4 bolts that are a pain are on the LH side of the car (your passenger side) and are a pain because they run under the subframe. Jacking up the transmission may help but pretty much all Camry based cars (Highlander/Kluger, Lexus ES, Sienna, Lexus RX/Harrier) these bolts are a huge pain.

[clacker]

Went to a local auto shop (Malz) and they had no stock over in WA either but the cost for the kit was $25...much better!

I guess because the manual says no need to change the ATF no one does.

The pan bolts on the LHS front of my car (near the wheel) are the closet to the subframe but I can get at them with a 10mm socket on an extension bar.

[clacker]

Originally Posted by 89molavi

I changed the filter, got one from autozone. Then I was a bit worried and bought another screen from Toyota and re-did the work. It was $55 here in US.

What made you worry, quality of filter or fit?

[JohnGD]

^ yeah I was wondering too. GM ones are made by Filtran, which is a high quality felt filter. I'd go for Filtran in a blink. Did the aftermarket one say Filtran? Some do.

Some have problems with these bolts others don't seem to. Mileages vary I guess.

So are you planning to use dealer T-IV fluid? How's Nulon in Aus?
http://www.nulon.com.au/products/Aut.../#.TzDLzch2St8

[89molavi]

Originally Posted by clacker

What made you worry, quality of filter or fit?

What made me worried was I got 5 qt out on the next drain. So the new filter was not holding enough fluid in. I thought it might have worked itself loose, which was not the case. Since I had to go through the pain, I put the OEM filter in so I can sleep better. Did not know the Toyota cork gasket is going to rip open just 2 days after install due to poor quality, and pour ATF all over my garage. So then I had to redo the whole thing with a rubber gasket from NAPA which knock on wood has held up well so far.