Automatic Transmission Service

[gun_200]

4.0L V6 AUTO

Looking for recommendations for auto trans service in Sydney West(happy to travel 40km radius from Parramatta for the right shop/service dep), It would be great to hear some first hand experiences with dealers re this service, alternatively a recommended transmission workshop familiar with servicing this box would be great.

An indication of the expected cost for a service would be great too.

Cheers

Marco

[Alby]

Terry Shields Toyota is the Sydney Auto Transmission specialist for all Toyota autos in Sydney. They fixed mine under warranty and have no complaints

[gun_200]

Thanks Alby,

I spoke to the service dep at Terry Shields, who proceeded to tell me that the gearbox does not require a service ever? unless there is a problem...

Is this right?

My intention was to get a service after i fitted my trans cooler

[felix]

If you look in the service handbook you won't find any mention of auto gearbox service.....not even oil change !

[Quadcams]

Craigs Automatics at Chipping Norton.

Proberly one of the best Auto trans specialists in Sydney.

I actually had a full flush new better oil and filter in my 5sp auto today.

No service on the auto, they are off there heads, the oil will definately not last forever.

Here's a good write up on how to flush your auto properly, by your mechanic of by your self.

"Auto

To change and flush your auto oil perfectly you should go to your mechanic and have the auto flushed with a flushing machine, then have the pan dropped and change the filter and oil topped up again.

However, if this to too costly, we have a much cheaper way that will be for better than just not changing or changing oil without flushing.

With the auto warm, remove the bottom hose in to the radiator (think this is the return to the box in most cars) and fit a plastic tube on to the bottom hose on the radiator, put the other end or the hose in to a 20 Litre bucket in front of the car.

Start the engine and the auto’s oil pump will pump all the old ATF fluid in to the 20 Litre bucket, flick through the gears until the vehicle doesn’t try and move, now you have most of the oil from the auto in the 20 Litre bucket.

Only idle the car to do this.

Refill your auto with new oil and repeat the process about 3 times or until the oil comes out of the plastic hose from the auto clean, or the same colour as it’s going in.

You just flushed your auto without jacking the car up.

[tasibrett]

If you look in the service handbook you won't find any mention of auto gearbox service.....not even oil change !

Its near the back of the book,oil change every 80.000ks. They do it through the cooler hoses

[felix]

If you look in the service handbook you won't find any mention of auto gearbox service.....not even oil change !

Its near the back of the book,oil change every 80.000ks. They do it through the cooler hoses

Yes that's true but it comes under the heading of 'addtiomal service requirements' , don't expect toyota to do it as part of a regular scheduled service you have to tell them you want it done or they will never touch it.

[Alby]

Thanks Alby,

I spoke to the service dep at Terry Shields, who proceeded to tell me that the gearbox does not require a service ever? unless there is a problem...

Is this right?

My intention was to get a service after i fitted my trans cooler

I don't believe you need to do anything but change the fluid which I do more often than they recommend if you give your lux a hard time.

[gun_200]

Thanks All, thanks for the flush guide quadcam. I'll give craigs a call tomorrow

[leichlux]

I'm going to try that ATF flush out method on the weekend Quadcams... anything else I should keep in mind before giving it a shot? If Toyota service centres change the fluid this way, it can't be that hard!

[david100]

Toyota uses an Auto Trans Flush Machine flushing the fluid through the transmission cooler lines. Was told the WS type fluid should last the life of the vehicle unless its been through some heavy driving.

[leichlux]

hi david100 - yeah i've heard the same but my ATF is looking a little burnt, so going to change the lot.
does anyone know if there are any risks involved in dry running the transmission pump for a a few minutes?

[jap]

The trans fluid will degrade if you are putting more power through it, i.e. if your box is flaring on shifts.
Other than that, the WS fluid is pretty magical stuff

[9W6VX]

WS ATF oil for 5 speed auto A750

D4D 4 speed auto A340 uses Type IV ATF oil if I am not mistaken.

[Jordan]

Is there a problem with my auto trans level being way over full ?
I asked my local toyota service centre about it and they said no probs, but I know they are lazy, and I dont trust them.

[jap]

Ever overfilled an engine with oil?

Too much can cause foaming due to thrashing of rotating parts in the fluid.

Short answer, the full level is there for a reason

Also, how did it get 'way over full'?

[Jordan]

Was that way when I bought it, had it serviced by Toyota as soon as I got it, asked them to have a look at the auto fluid levels. No comment when I picked it up, so I assumed it was okay, then checked it a couple of days later, still over full, went back and hit them up, and I was told don't worry, it wont affect anything.

[Alby]

Mate I don't know how critical it is but mine was overfilled when I had the extra trany cooler fitted. At the next service when my mechanic noticed he was not happy to leave it and dropped the level back, he is pretty anal though!

[jap]

Do the autos in the diseasels have a dipstick?

[Jordan]

yeah, the level is about a centimeter above the hot full mark when cold