TRANSMISSION FLUID LV 4L $36

[Tony Prodigy]

I think I'll do it the safe way and do the multiple drains. I'll do this one soon and maybe another this time next year ??

It's already a big production as it is hey. Let's not complicate it I guess.

Thanks Ash !

[AurionX2]

On 3/20/2020 at 3:45 AM, Tony Prodigy said:

Will starting the engine and running the transmission 2+ LT short do any damage I wonder ?

It might, that's a very brave call 🙂

If you want it done properly do the full pan drop, filter change and fluid flush. But few drain / refills should also do the trick. Since you haven't serviced the transmission yet you don't know anything about the fluid level, so regardless of the method chosen - drain/refill or flush - it's probably worth spending the extra time and go through the fluid check procedure at the first service. For subsequent spill and fills you can skip it and put back in the same amount you drained.

[Tony Prodigy]

7 hours ago, AurionX2 said:

Since you haven't serviced the transmission yet you don't know anything about the fluid level, so regardless of the method chosen - drain/refill or flush - it's probably worth spending the extra time and go through the fluid check procedure at the first service.

Good call mate. Makes a lot of sense actually.

Can I ask how you approached the fluid level check ? There are a few different ways I've noticed.

I'm suspecting the laser gun approach isn't all that accurate as it measures the pan temp.

Then there's the bridge wire method, then the scan gauge.

Just had a thought, I wonder if my Autel MS906 BT has the transmission temp function. Have to look into that.

 

[Tony Prodigy]

Ok. So I got the device out and hooked it up and yes it does. I've only had it a short while and haven't really had the time to interrogate it's functionality all that much.

It's not too bad actually. I can see engine oil and ATF temp both at the same time on a graph if I choose.

So no fiddly bypass wire and silly maneuvering of the gear select etc and NO scangauge either. What a relief.

I'll include some pics of the live data when I do the service.

Have a great day everyone ! 

[Tony Prodigy]

Repco have a sale on for Penrite ATF LV guys !!

$36.39 for 4LT.

I ordered 2.

I also found a vendor on ebay for the service kit inc. filter, but I don't think I'll use the filter if the original is ok. I can clean it as it's a metal strainer apparently.

I have to postpone my transmission service until next week end due to the Covid -19 situation. We have some projects to get through with setting up the HVAC serving the  wards at the hospital, so looks like Saturday and maybe Sunday too.

If not Sunday, then I'll tackle it, but it may not be..

Interesting times.

Edited March 24, 2020 by Tony Prodigy
Update

[Tony Prodigy]

I was wondering what temprature the Factory actually used when determining the fluid level.

The range being between 40 & 45 degrees C. I wonder if the 5 degree difference actually does anything for accuracy. I'm thinking not, but I'm just curious if the factory had a magic number.

Has anyone actually performed a fluid level check BEFORE draining, say, the day before ?

My understanding is that the draining of the fluid must be done at around 20 degrees ambient so one must not do this if they car has been driven.

I'm at work right now and today was supposed to be the day I do this...

Hopefully next weekend.

[campbeam]

I recall reading that ambient factory temperature is 20C.

I did look for the fluid co-efficient of expansion and calculated that 6570ml expands by 490ml with a 80C difference.  

6 hours ago, Tony Prodigy said:

My understanding is that the draining of the fluid must be done at around 20 degrees ambient

Agree. 

[Tony Prodigy]

I came across this youtube video that you guys might find interesting

 

[ZZT86]

Wouldn't it be much easier if one had all the correct SST's as in this clip ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNcecuGzTDg

I acquired my late model GSV50R recently & I'm inclined to just handball this one over to my local Toyota dealer . . . .

Edited March 31, 2020 by ZZT86

[Tony Prodigy]

8 hours ago, ZZT86 said:

Wouldn't it be much easier if one had all the correct SST's as in this clip ?

It would be nice to have all the Specialised tools yes, but the guy in the video has a shop and those tools are absolutely necessary for him to run an efficient business. As for us weekend warriors, we can simply make do with what is at our disposal and still achieve the same outcome. It's part of the fun anyway I gues.

It looks more complicated than it is.

I am leaning towards doing a proper flush instead of a pan drain. Depends on how dirty the original fluid is.

I like the idea of over filling it with fresh fluid, then bleeding it out of the return line, then once the fluid comes back nice and clean, do the necessary fluid level adjustment.

 

Edited March 31, 2020 by Tony Prodigy

[campbeam]

2 hours ago, Tony Prodigy said:

As for us weekend warriors, we can simply make do with what is at our disposal and still achieve the same outcome. It's part of the fun anyway I gues.

The fun is the frustration and satisfaction of getting the job done. It is also my "hobby" being taught by my Dad to have useful hands rather than having to pay someone else. From these savings, I "invest" in tools. Still investing and finding more useful tools to have. I do have that infra-red temperature scanning tool but still unused.

Through trial and error and input from other members, I have simplified the ATF change procedure. Maybe time to do a fluid level check just to be sure.

 

 

[Tony Prodigy]

1 hour ago, campbeam said:

The fun is the frustration and satisfaction of getting the job done. It is also my "hobby" being taught by my Dad to have useful hands rather than having to pay someone else. From these savings, I "invest" in tools. Still investing and finding more useful tools to have. I do have that infra-red temperature scanning tool but still unused.

 

 

Unfortunately, my Dad was a carpenter and had zero mechanical skills. My brother and I became car heads very early on we practised on our dad's TF Cortina lol..

I learned from trial and error and eventually got to the point where I gained mechanical, spray painting and panel beating skills. Some electrical too.

I've always serviced and repaired my own cars and have never had to pay any one. Like you said Ashley, the money you save you invest in tools. How true.

I have a decent tool kit now. Can always have more, but this will come in time. I buy bits and pieces as I go along.

Hey Ashley, have you ever done the flush on any of your Aurions ? It looks pretty simple and I think this will help purge more bad fluid than you would if you pan drain.

[ZZT86]

I get what Ash is saying as I usually do the same however without a scan gauge proving what the exact AT temp is has the potential for an expensive disaster.

I also prefer to do a flush rather that drain & refill, that part of it is pretty easy.

Edited April 1, 2020 by ZZT86

[AurionX2]

1 hour ago, Tony Prodigy said:

I have a decent tool kit now. Can always have more, but this will come in time. I buy bits and pieces as I go along.

Hey Ashley, have you ever done the flush on any of your Aurions ? It looks pretty simple and I think this will help purge more bad fluid than you would if you pan drain.

 

20 minutes ago, ZZT86 said:

I get what Ash is saying as I usually do the same however without a scan gauge proving what the exact AT temp is the potential for an expensive disaster is great.

I also prefer to do a flush rather that drain & refill, that part of it is pretty easy.

If I could do it, anyone can 🙂 Here's the link to my post on this topic, it's on the previous page on this topic:

 

There are heaps of other, much better documented articles on how to service the U660E POS, my favourite one is by far the TN topic here:

https://www.toyotanation.com/threads/diy-2007-2011-v6-and-2010-2011-i4-camry-6-speed-auto-transmission-flush-with-pics.576361/

[Tony Prodigy]

Come to think of it, I did read your thread. I plainly forgot. But the idea was always in my head to see if I can actually get more old fluid out while I have the big production going. Makes sense to do the full flush  as opposed to the drain + refill. The transmission will love you more I think and because we're putting in synthetic over the mineral, this will provide better longevity I suppose.

I'm gonna try the full flush and see how it pans out.. (pun intended 😁)

[campbeam]

3 hours ago, Tony Prodigy said:

Hey Ashley, have you ever done the flush on any of your Aurions ?

Not yet. At the time, I did not know how to the fluid level check procedure and to locate the return hose. I dropped the transmission pan and changed the filter/strainer. Lots of frustrating fun with that bolt. SInce then I have done a fluid changes of the ATF in the transmission pan. Now a annual task in keeping with my over servicing regime. Did some calculations in an excel spreadsheet and worked out that 6 fluid flushes over an extended period of time would end up giving the same result as a full flush i.e. 100% new fluid.

I am planning upon dropping and cleaning the transmission pan on my project Aurion then doing a full flush. Also making a note of that Toyota Nation URL posted by AurionX2 for future reference.

[Tony Prodigy]

1 hour ago, campbeam said:

. Also making a note of that Toyota Nation URL posted by AurionX2 for future reference.

Roger that. You can also watch the video version I linked a few posts up.

Cheers

[ZZT86]

@AurionX2  &

@campbeam

Much appreciate the encouragement guys ;) Although I've only had my Aurion a few months with 35K kms, I will definitely consider doing this myself when it gets to about 50K kms. Big fan of the Penrite oils too. I will also consider getting an OBD scanner despite having access to my mate mechanics. Cheers all 👍

[Tony Prodigy]

8 hours ago, ZZT86 said:

@AurionX2  &

@campbeam

Much appreciate the encouragement guys 😉 Although I've only had my Aurion a few months with 35K kms, I will definitely consider doing this myself when it gets to about 50K kms. Big fan of the Penrite oils too. I will also consider getting an OBD scanner despite having access to my mate mechanics. Cheers all 👍

Having your own tools is very convenient, especially an OBD scanner. Waiting on others can be painful and having one on tap gives you instant gratification and peace of mind.

[campbeam]

Today, I put my project/standby Dec'08 Aurion Prodigy up on car ramps. I used Krigeroz's spanner method to undo that difficult pan bolt which is obscured by a chassis sub-member. Copied Krigeroz's photo from Page 4 of this thread below. Used a light and took a few attempts to finally loosen that bolt. Approx. 15 minutes for that bolt.  Approx. 2.3 litres of ATF in the transmission pan. There was no sludge on the pan, only around the 2 magnets. Vehicle has done 109000kms but I do not know whether the original owners had the transmission serviced. It only took me 45 minutes to remove then replace the transmission pan. I left the strainer/filter alone.

In comparison, it took me at least 3+hours when I replaced the strainer/filter on my 2006 Aurion ATX. This included a frustrating 1 hour trying to get that problem bolt undone after jacking up the transmission for working clearance. 

For the transmission flush, I referred to the URL posted by AurionX2 to identify the return line. Photo below is from that link

https://www.toyotanation.com/threads/diy-2007-2011-v6-and-2010-2011-i4-camry-6-speed-auto-transmission-flush-with-pics.576361/ 

I refilled the transmission then started the flush procedure. Stopped the engine then refilled. Repeated. I ended up using approx. 6 litres of ATF which is the bare minimum. I could have easily used another 2-4 litres for a better flush result. 

[campbeam]

On 3/25/2020 at 4:45 AM, Tony Prodigy said:

Repco have a sale on for Penrite ATF LV guys !!

$36.39 for 4LT.

I ordered 2.

Repco Online Sale currently 35% off $33.79  Also ordered 2 Penrite ATF LV

[Tony Prodigy]

7 hours ago, campbeam said:

Repco Online Sale currently 35% off $33.79  Also ordered 2 Penrite ATF LV

Wow ! Just when you thought it couldn't get any lower. I think their trying to get people away from Bunnings. You should've seen my local Bunnings. Went there yesterday to grab a few items and the carpark was absolutely chokkers and the line up to the door was horrendous. Like you were lining up to get into a night club... When I saw this I turned around and drove home. There was no way I was going to line up. This Corona thing is out of control.

[campbeam]

My stash was starting to get low; only 2 left after doing the flush which I admit was done a bit stingerly. Thinking was that I could do just a change of the ATF in the transmission pan at Xmas. Also been thinking and procrastinating a long time to either fit an inline filter or an oil cooler.So more ATF will be required.

Plan was to keep an eye out for future specials and after re-reading this thread, I saw your recent post. Prompted me to then look at Repco and price was too good to wait.

Before I would mainly focus upon SuperCheap, thinking that AutoBarn and Repco were going to always be dearer. Certainly have changed by thinking but old habits die hard and can cost you $$$.

[Tony Prodigy]

3 minutes ago, campbeam said:

Plan was to keep an eye out for future specials and after re-reading this thread, I saw your recent post. Prompted me to then look at Repco and price was too good to wait.

Before I would mainly focus upon SuperCheap, thinking that AutoBarn and Repco were going to always be dearer. Certainly have changed by thinking but old habits die hard and can cost you $$$.

Morning mate. I had also started to fall into the same trap there Ash. I'd see an great price at SCA and never bother to check to see what the competion is doing. I now do a crossectional check just to be sure, but typically Repco have been known to be a rip off, but it seems they have changed this perception somwhat in recent times.

 

[campbeam]

27 minutes ago, Tony Prodigy said:

typically Repco have been known to be a rip off, but it seems they have changed this perception somwhat in recent times.

Agree. Still think that they are trade focussed  but becoming more price competitive with the DIY products. Maybe SCA and AutoBarn are encroaching upon theor trade market and they are returning serve.