Should i mess with the ATF

[bowlofturtle]

Another one of those threads.

The camry is rolling around 125k, most likely be 128-130k when if i actually change the ATF.

We owned it since 2002 and 60k, never did the ATF at all. Parents get suckered into buy a salvage title car. Front end damage, possibly T-Boned. Car has been solid but now all of a sudden they want me to do work to the car. Radiator blew this summer and Timing belt broke last year. THey want to drive this to the ground or so they tell me. So ATF and new suspension is what they tell me. I fear doing a drain and fill might do something bad.

It shifts pretty decent. FLuid spec on the dipstick is DEX2. Fluid is a little dark brown but still has a SLIGHT hint of red/pink. I wanna do it but i would really kick myself if that trans goes shortly after. Its a city car, not hard driven at all.

 

[widman]

It probably needs two changes. Although if you are just going to drain and fill, you will be doing 30 to 40% each time, so about 4 times to get out most of the varnish that has been forming and will soon screw it up completely.

 

[daman]

Why on earth would the transmission "go" after a fluid service? do it sounds like it could use it ,Ive done several dozen GM trans using the line flush method(described in another thread) and not one, not one problem ever occurred just a happy trans after.

what fluid is recommended?

 

[Obos]

Definitely worth doing

Make sure

Get the best fluid you can that's compatible

Change the filter

Find a way to change all the fluid either drain the TC or use cooler lines

 

[default]

Unless it has bits of metal in the fluid, or the fluid is black and burnt, changing the fluid will not hurt it at all. I want to say that trans has a separate differential, so service that too, it takes ATF as I recall.

 

[JC1]

Do one drain and fill and watch it for about 2 weeks. Then if it's ok do another drain and fill. Your parents seem like they don't want to shell out that much money. Two drain and fills will be 200% more than they want to do.

Regards, JC.

 

[bowlofturtle]

my parents dont shell out ANYTHING for this car really. Parts and labor is coming out of my pocket if its simple/quick jobs.

I paid for the axles, brakes, radiator and distributor and did the jobs myself. The only thing they ever did was pay for the battery and timing belt job cause i didnt want to do it in the winter.

I'm leaning towards maxlife ATF, since its like $17.99 per drain and fill. SPEC is DEX2.

There is a front DIFF separate on this?

 

[JamesBond]

I used regular walmart DexIII/Mercon in my old Camry 5sfe auto. Maxlife ATF is pretty thin compared to the previous specs for DexIII/Mercon. So maybe go with the regular Valvoline brand Dex/Merc as it was a little thicker the last time I looked up the specs. Some had a separate front diff but mine just had the diff integrated with the transmission. You will just have to get under there and look.

Suspension clunks might just be swaybar bushings. I wrapped my bars in duct tape and bolted them back up and they were nice and quiet for years.

I can honestly say I liked driving my old Camry. Boring, quiet, smooth, predictable handling, I've yet to find its equal.

 

[bowlofturtle]

i do like driving it around. Very simple and overall trouble free car. It is boring but thats the best part about it.

OEM speakers are horrible but i like listening to it. I got a little too much slop in the handling department. Back end is really bouncey so i'll most likely find shocks/ struts all around.

Wonder what the price of supertech dex/mer 3 is... maybe ill just get that. Another positive for the camry.

 

[Donald]

Unless you are pushing the car into the garage, a change will always be a good idea. It will however not fix a transmission that needs rebuilding.

A cooling line flush is the most cost effective way to do a fluid exchange, and pretty darn easy.

The Camry probably has a drain plug in the trans drain pan that unscrews with a big allen wrench if I remember.

It may also have a separate front diff. that used ATF.

 

[Doog]

Originally Posted By: JC1
Do one drain and fill and watch it for about 2 weeks. Then if it's ok do another drain and fill. Your parents seem like they don't want to shell out that much money. Two drain and fills will be 200% more than they want to do.

Regards, JC.


+1 With that mileage I would do 4 drain fills. One every 2 weeks for 2 months so you slowly introduce new fluid which will have more detergent and start loosening up the friction material in the pan which is like dirt. If you are really industrious drop the pan. Most Toyotas don't have a serviceable filter but a screen and pan magnets. I cooler line change all ATF every 50,000 miles and never drop the pan. The trans will last a very long time that way. The last drain fill you do use a new washer on the trans drain bolt.

 

[rk1407]

Yes, do it. Do a drain and fill, wait a couple of weeks and do it again. I have been doing this on my Camry about every 60k and I have 236k miles on my 99 Camry now. I would use the Valvoline Maxlife, its great and cheap.

Don't waste the time or money on changing the filter, its a pain and its just a screen and I have never seen anything in it. Just do the drain and fill, it doesn't get any easier. Make sure you refill the trans and then ride around and get it heated up and then check the fluid level while it is running.

 

[bowlofturtle]

Originally Posted By: Donald
It will however not fix a transmission that needs rebuilding.



Trans shows no remote sign of needing any repairs at the moment, are you just assuming base off miles or the non-changing of fluid would lead to a rebuilt requirement?

 

[Mau]

I'd want to drop the pan to at least clean the magnet off.

 

[wiswind]

You might also change the power steering fluid......which will use the same ATF fluid.
On my Sienna, I can unclip the power steering fluid resevoir from the inner fender and tip it to dump it into a shallow pan....and then just refill with new fluid.
If you cannot do that.....you can use a turkey baster and suck the old fluid out of the resevior.
You will be safe using the Dexron III fluid.
I use Red Line D4 in my Toyota that calls for Dexron III in the transmission and Dexron II or III in the power steering.
Mobil 1 ATF might be another choice.
I would not run around trying to find a Dexron II fluid in place of Dexron III.
Dexron II is a really old specification and GM no longer licenses Dexron III, let alone Dexron II.

 

[bowlofturtle]

not even bothering looking for DEX2. Was at wal-mart today super tech fluid normal ATF which is DEX3 runs $3.28/qt, no gallon form.

Yea i'll do the PS as well.