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Flush or drain & fill the transmission?

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by djpg2000, Jul 29, 2016.

  1. Jul 29, 2016 at 7:16 PM
    #1
    djpg2000

    djpg2000 [OP] New Member

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    I have a 2011 4Runner Trail Edition. I am going to be changing the transmission fluid out at 60,000 miles because I do a lot of towing. Should I be doing the flush or the drain and fill? And, should I change the filter?

    Also, when should brake fluid and power steering fluid be changed?
     
  2. Jul 31, 2016 at 11:12 AM
    #2
    j cat

    j cat New Member

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    drop pan clean out the pan/magnet clean the filter screen and fill. new pan gasket/plug seals .
    flush may cause problems with torque converter.

    some just after the pan drop , drain and then fill and drain 2-3 times to get most of the old fluid removed.

    toyota recommends on normal use 130K for any fluid servicing.

    power steering about 7 yrs 100K. brake fluid depends on how the brakes have been serviced and bled. on a pad change a good brake fluid bled will usually take care of any fluid issues. open bled screw then push back the cal pistons. this prevents bad fluid to enter the system. if fluid comes out clear on all bleeding then there will be no issues.
     
  3. Aug 2, 2016 at 8:56 PM
    #3
    fajitas21

    fajitas21 New Member

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    Currently have a 2011 Silverado that's going into the shop Monday for Torque Converter clutches slipping @ 69100 miles. At 60,000 I did a transmission flush, having never done it before. I'm not saying this will happen to you, but I'm not the first person to have an issue such as this.

    I'd stick with J cats suggestion.

    With my 4runner, that's what I plan on doing.
     
  4. Aug 3, 2016 at 5:30 AM
    #4
    wnelax04sr5

    wnelax04sr5 New Member

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    i had my trans flushed at 144k without my knowledge by toyota when they replaced rotted lines, haven't had any issues since.
     
  5. Aug 3, 2016 at 7:47 PM
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    j cat

    j cat New Member

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    you can flush a toyota after the pan drop screen cleaning.

    you cannot do a flush on a gm tranny truck 4L60/4L80.this is because the clutch material GM uses will damage the torque converter ...

    some owners with toyota 4 runners have had torque converters get damaged because the pan/screen was not cleaned prior to flush .. shops do this to save on time/make more profit at your expense.

    also the guy doing the flush can damage it .. safer to do the exchange method.
     
  6. Aug 4, 2016 at 6:13 AM
    #6
    wnelax04sr5

    wnelax04sr5 New Member

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    if they had asked me before doing the service i would have said drain and fill, but alas they did not
     
  7. Aug 4, 2016 at 8:14 AM
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    fajitas21

    fajitas21 New Member

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    J Cat,

    Thanks for the information. I wanted to get more specifics from this for my own learning. When you say "this is because the clutch material GM uses will damage the torque converter," are you saying that when flushed, the material from the clutch is removed and then "washed" through the transmission?

    Just trying to wrap my head around that and understand the root of what could have been my issue.

    Also, regarding the exchange method, I assume that's drop the pan, clean/replace the filter, reseal, and re top-off the Fluid?

    Thanks!
     
  8. Aug 5, 2016 at 2:55 PM
    #8
    j cat

    j cat New Member

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    gm has clutches these wear like brake pad dust that is why GM has a filter not a toyota screen.

    GM silverado : after the pan is put back and the fluid added like 5qts deep pan you then remove the tranny line at the radiator . use the line that comes out of the tranny flow . place a container marked with lines for qt amounts . a clear type plastic container works best. as 1QT comes out you add 1 qt into the dip stick tube .. after about 7 qts your done it is all replaced and no damage. total 12 qts. you tube videos on this are available.

    flush uses external pumps not good loosens the debris then the damage to torque converter.
     
  9. Aug 5, 2016 at 4:09 PM
    #9
    fajitas21

    fajitas21 New Member

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    Ahh thank you for the explanation. When my friend did it (works at dealership) I did note he disconnected the line at the radiator and only ran the truck to allow the transmission to pump it out. So in that regards, it's as you described. There was no machine pushing fluid, it was just a fluid exchange with some machine he has, letting the transmission pump do the exchange. I watched the whole thing, I'd say took about 15 minutes? Anyways, thanks for the info J cat.
     
  10. Aug 5, 2016 at 5:56 PM
    #10
    j cat

    j cat New Member

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    good .
     

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