Additional Vehicle Details:
Miles on vehicle: 58,188
Last transmission oil change: never ... still original.
Tools used:
14mm wrench ... for transmission drain plug.
Pliers ... to get off old hose clamps
3/8 wrench ... for new hose clamps
1/4 wrench ... for new hose clamps
2 feet 5/16 automatic transmission cooler line ... for Magnefine filter.
5/16 inside diameter clear tubing ... used to drain old fluid from cooler line to container
Funnel ... to add new transmission fluid.
Drain pan ... for old transmission fluid.
Clear 1 gallon jug ... used to track how much of the old fluid I had pumped out.
Fluid used:
AMSOIL ATF 2.5 gallon
Filter used:
Magnefine 3/8 transmission filter
I have pictures, just not with me; but in the mean time, I thought I would give my initial observations for 9th generation Corolla owners out there with regards to a transmission cooler line flush.
1. The cooler line is the "lower" line that connects to the bottom of the cooler/radiator and to the passenger lower side of the transmission.
2. The cooler lines are 5/16 inside diamter.
3. My original plan was to simply cut the transmission cooler line in two, insert the Magnefine filter and I would be good to go. With the angle and the spacing however, this simply did not work, I had to purchase 2 feet extra of transmission cooler line (may have only used 1 foot though) to make the bends and angles smooth without kicking the hose. I originally purchased 3/8 thinking that is what I had ... way too big
... went back to the store (Napa) and got 5/16 line ... fit like a glove
4. I really really really had to push the lines over the Magnefine filter due to the fact that Magnefine folks told me 3/8 and my cooler lines were actually 5/16
I purchased an extra set of clamps (that is why you see the two different sizes above) just to be on the safe side so the hose did not pop off.
5. With the clear one gallon jug I actually marked cups and quarts on the side with a marker. Using the clear hose, I simply slid it over the cooler line and into the clear jug. I positioned the jug by the driver's door so I would not need a spotter and simply turned the ignition on, watched it pump out a quart, and then turned it off. Added a new quart ... and repeat.
6. When I drained, I added 3.5 quarts new back. I flushed about 5.25 quarts adding the same new back. I flushed in 1 quart increments. I then used maybe a half a quart to get it to the proper level.
7. Call me lazy, scum, lower than scum ... but I did not drop the pan. I do not have jacks or ramps so I wanted this to be as simple as possible. My Corolla just has a metal screen as a filter. I believe I read more posts than not that the screens were clean after people dropped the pan anyway. Yes, there could be stuff at the bottom of the pan and on the magnets. My thoughts were however that if that stuff did get stirred up and into the system ... that is what I have the Magnefine in there for.
8. When the car pumps out the fluid from the cooler line, it actually is quite slow. 10 to 15 seconds maybe per quart. It is not like a fire hose spurting the stuff out.
It has only been 30 miles, but it is shifting very firm and running very very smooth.
I have been running it and then checking the fluid level. I am pretty sure I got just the right amount in it ... I will continue to monitor however the next week or so to make sure. Once I am sure the level is fine, I probably won't worry about it for a good while (a year or so at least).
I might have been able to get away with 2 gallons of ATF fluid. After flushing 4 it was actually looking really good. Considering I did not drop the pan though, I thought I would flush a little extra. Plus, this was my first time doing this, so I would sooner have a little extra for "oh <insert bad word>" moments. Thankfully ... I did not have to use those words
I have some pictures, but I will not be able to add them until after the weekend ... sorry ... going camping.
Edit:
So here are the promised pictures ...
Here is a picture of the Magnefine filter taken apart:
Here is a picture of the make shift measuring device I used from a 1 gallon jug. The jug was an old vinegar jug. To get the measuring points I just used a measuring cup with water and a marker. There are four cups to a quart, so I would just add a cup of water, and make a dot with a marker. I would simply pump the old fluid out, and then easily tell how much (about of course) I needed to add back in.
Here is a picture of my first attempt of taking the existing ATF line and putting in the filter. Again though, the filter was simply too big for this set up as the lines would kink.
Here is the final result. I have the transmission line go around the engine block mount with the filter resting on the engine mount. I had to purchase some extra transmission cooler line to do this such that the curves on the line were smooth and did not result in kinks.
I purchased the Magnefine filter via Ebay.
My 05 Corolla CE Auto Transmission Flush Experience
Linear Mode
