A few months ago I purchased a 1998 limited 4Runner with an automatic transmission A340F. Everything was working FINE, but I thought I should start getting the fluids nice and fresh.

I decided to change my transmission fluid and transmission filter. Unfortunately (b/c I'm a noob) I didn't keep track of how much fluid drained out. I thought I would just fill it according to the listed drain and refill capacity listed in the Haynes manual--a lot of good that did b/c it's dead wrong. Anyway, when I realized it was still dreadfully low, I kept dumping more fluid in until it was registering in the hot range on my dipstick. (prob 4 to 5.5 qts) At first I wasn't measuring it right, but then I discovered my mistake and started measuring it after doing about 10mins of driving in medium hills by my house. I finally got it to the place where I had measured it 3 times with a consistent reading in the hot range on the dipstick. At this point I was fairly confident in the measurement.

However, about a week ago (maybe 500 miles later) I noticed that I was getting a burning smell whenever I accelerated hard. I wasn't driving it like the devil, this was one hard acceleration to highway speed after driving normally (all shifts at 3.5k rpm or less) for 30 minutes or so. I had smelled it a few times before but now I was certain it was my truck.

Anyway, I checked the dipstick again and this time it was measuring overfilled. I was sick of playing Russian roulette with my transmission. I decided to take about a quart of fluid out and drive it to the dealer because the fluid itself smelled really burnt. On the way back to the dealer I sensed a lot less friction in the transmission it was quieter and quicker, "lighter on it's feet" I guess you could say. The dealer did a transmission fluid flush and put new fluid in.

The next day, I got it back from the dealer it seemed to be working fine. Then a day or so after I wanted to try accelerating hard again and I smelled that same burning smell. It smells kind of like burnt matches and I can only really smell it from in the cab.

A few specific questions:

* How much driving do you do before measuring the transmission fluid level?

* Have you ever smelled this before?

* Do I need a transmission cooler for normal driving?

* Could this smell be something else?--I've pretty well ascosiated it with high RPMS.

Anyway, I'm really fed up and have run out of ideas. Someone HELP!

 

have you smelled the fluid since the flush? take the dip stick out several times and whipe it on a towel, if you still smell that smell then i would guess it is something with your tranny. do you have the windows up or down while driving when you smell this smell? if there up, i would think it is something different...good luck

 

Sunroof and rear window were both partially down.

No I haven't checked the fluid since I got it back from the dealer. I need to do that. Yeah, I'll have to smell it.

 

get-r-done and report back soldier!

 

if the sunroof & rear glass are partially open & it smells like a burning match try using a different brand or octane of fuel.i can hardly stand to be in mine sometimes with the rear glass & sunroof open due to the sulphur smell from the fuel.like fireteacher said smell the fluid if it doesn't smell that way its probably the fuel.is the smell like rotten egg?

 

If you can smell the fuel or a rotten egg smell then your truck is running to rich, your catalytic converter is bad, or both. Octane doesn't matter much on these trucks.

 

sorry man,but not according to the toyota tsb's,sulphur content in the fuel can lead to sulphur smell coming out.they do however have different cats for the newer models if customers complain of the smell.so i guess it may be a difference in the cat but not necessarily bad.whats it cost to try a different fuel,ya gotta gas up anyway

 

I was driving through the mountains this weekend and pulled off the highway to smell the fluid. It was still bright red and didn't smell burnt at all. It's been less than a week with new fluid though...

While on the highway, I opened up my sunroof and rear window, but didn't smell anything really--except for a very faint smell going up the hills. However, I wasn't pushing the rpms at all either. Then when I picked up about 3 more passengers and luggage, I smelled it going up the hills. RPMs weren't high but the truck was definitely working to get us up the hill.

Exhaust fumes is a good suggestion. I use either shell or chevron 87 octane fuel--I stopped using arco months ago.

Should I try going 89 octane? (It would be easy--I gotta gas up anyway)

Does anyone know what octane Toyota recommends for 3rd Gen's? (My used 4Runner didn’t come with a manual) Does it vary? I've heard exceeding the manufacturer’s recommended octane level won't do any good. But perhaps Toyota recommends 89?...

 

I second fumes

 

I believe I remember reading that you just need to put in regular. Unless you hear knocking, you should be fine with regular.