Does $250 sound like a good price for a trans flush using the t-tech type machine followed by a pan drop and filter change? The shop quoted me a price. They use an aftermarket filter but I was going to buy the toyota part for them to use.

I would attempt this one but in reading more on what's involved with the pan drop I'm not sure my skills are up to it.... although seeing the magnets and fluid myself would draw me to try.

 

I've only ever payed between 100 and 150 for a flush and filter change. Small local shop though. You could always ask to see the fluid and magnets when they change it. I doubt any reputable shop would tell you no.

 

Seems a little steep. I would just DIY fluid change minus the pan drop filter change unless you really feel the need to do so.

 

I would do a few drain/fills and call it a day.

 

I have 200K and have never dropped the pan. I was under the impression that a drain/fill would only replace a few quart and there would always be that old fluid still technically in there. I would do a flush but worried about flushing a high mileage trans without ever inspecting the condition inside. Do you all just replace those few quarts once or twice a year?

 

When I got my truck I had no idea of the service history, so I did a drain and fill (about 4L I think, measure what you catch out of it, and replace the same amount, then check the level and top off as required), drove for a week, and did another drain/fill the next weekend. This way the new fluid mixes with the old, and after a few of these you have mostly new fluid, without the shock to the system of a power flush.

You will hear horror stories of tranny failures following a power flush here and there, but I have never heard of anyone suffering a failure following a drain/fill.

 

From what I've read the filter is just a mesh screen. I don't think its critical that its changed. Considering Toyota doesn't even list it as a service item.

I've got 155k on my truck and never dropped the pan. I didn't do any transmission maintenance until about 90k and the fluid was pretty dark by then. Initially I was really aggressive and did drain/fill every month for about 5 months while daily driving it. That got rid of most of the darkness. Now I just do it every time I change the oil. My fluid is nice and red now when I blot it.

Yes the drain/fill does not do a complete exchange but it does take 4qts so its a decent qty of clean fluid going in.

 

Another vote for the standard drain and fill. No need to drop the pan or power flush if there are no other issues currently. Mine takes about 4.5 quarts on the refill thru the ATF dipstick. You can get Castrol Synthetic blend ATF. After your fill drive for about 15 miles and check the fluid level on the dipstick while the truck is running and in Park.

To answer your oringinal question, $250 for the power flush, dropping the pan, replacing the filter and refilling with new ATF is slightly high. Ask for a 10% discount. Just have to tell them you don't have $250 for this but you do have $225.

 

To drain really good I start and run through gears a few times, with front jacked up.Then stop and repeat. gets like another 2 quarts out.
takes 5/6+quarts doing that way!

 

$250 is price gouging in my opinion. Just do a few drain and fills within a couple weeks of each other or until your ATF looks bright red again and smells clean then regularly drain and fill when you change your oil (or every other oil change, your preference) and you will be in the good graces of your 4runner trans.

 

if you've never done a fluid flush in that 200 k DO NOT do a flush, just do the pan and filter, your asking for trouble if you do. And even then your taking chances. The new detergent in the fluid has been known to loosen alot of crud that has built up over that time and clog passages in the valve body of the trans not to mention the clutches. Next think you know your either not shifting properly or the trans is slipping.

 

Ok xxxtreme that makes a lot of sense. Would it be good then to add a remote tranny oil filter, like the one here. Would that help crud from clogging things up?

 

A power flush some are saying may damage your transmission if you've never had one done before, however a normal DIY (do it yourself) trans flush is totally safe if you feel that the complete removal of the old fluid is absolutely necessary.

Do a search for the DIY trans flush. In a nutshell you disconnect the transmission return line and have it empty into a bucket, start your truck and run it through the gears, continue to add new ATF until fluid from the return line looks clean (this could take several courts). This is a safe method because you are "flushing" your tranny with the normal amount of pressure it endures every day. Find the DIY thread for the exact process and how to locate which line is the return line. This is a very inexpensive and effective way completely change your fluid.

Good luck

 

Jburt it wouldn't hurt to run a filter. Not sure how much it would help, the DIY "flush" would probably work as well. But it's tricky and you DO NOT want to run it low on fluid. It will be real hard to add as fast as it will come out.

 

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