Auto trans service

[johnnydrama Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close johnnydrama]

Is it the fifth gear change or the lock up torque converter not locking up till it gets to a certain temp.

In my instance it's the lockup torque converter. It will lock up independantly by itself but it would be reluctant to do it - to "trick" it into doing it I'd flick the stick into 4th and to make it drop back a gear, then back to 5th and it would then lockup the torque converter. Temperature of the fluid had nothing to do with it. Since the fluid change it does this much less for me.

[macaroon1 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close macaroon1]

If anyone wants any 'rough' pics or measurements please get in touch. Should be an interesting day!??

Well we did not take any pics, as the transmission oil was not too bad for the age of the car (2003), so a flush was not required. When the oil pan was dropped the oil was still quite red in colour, however it was measured accurately and 4 litres dropped out from it. Using Fuchs Titan ATF 4000 D3 and a 20l pumping stirrup we pumped 4 litres exactly back through the dipstick making sure not to overfill.

We assumed it had never been done as I had little documentation but it was in surprisingly good shape although it has got low kays!!

FWIW we used Castrol multitrax 80w 90 in both diffs (open for grande) and transfer box with some Nulon G70 squirted in for good measure. Castrol Magnatec diesel 15w 40 for crankcase. Just got to finish off the power steering oil and brake fluid now!! Thanks

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Shame you don't live closer could have dropped mine off to you and got you to do mine as well good practice for you lol at least I know it would have been done correctly..... Cheers Steve

[macaroon1 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close macaroon1]

got you to do mine as well good practice for you lol at least I know it would have been done correctly..... Cheers Steve

And charge you a princely sum...I bought my oils in 20 litre drums so I've got loads (@$250 left??) but my initial outlay was very large.. I've got to recoup that some how.. anyone want any Fuchs ATF Titan 4000 D3 or Castrol Multitrax?? Just going to have to get driving some kays now!! ...still it was done all correctly. Cheers C.

[pilgrim_traveller Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pilgrim_traveller]

Hi all. The 120 (2005 V6) is coming up for the 160k service. I'm working my way through fluids/filters etc but going to get someone that knows what they're doing to do the transmission oil replacement and/or full flush. I have no idea how this thing was treated in the first 150k of its life, and I have a 10k trip coming up tugging a 1.6t caravan around the countryside where I'm keen to avoid issues!

Obviously I'll avoid the dealers (this thread has confirmed my suspicions ). There's a 4WD service place up the road that I might try (SA Cali in Kenthurst), but there's also an automatic transmission place in Blacktown (Active Automatic Transmissions) that seems reputable. I called them and they quoted $450 for a full auto service on the Prado (replacing the internal filter, flushing the oil, putting new Valvoline Full Synthetic in). I asked them why they don't use Type-IV and they said they used to, but Valvoline actually exceeds Toyota's specs. Is this hogwash or is there some merit here?

Alternatively, any recommendations for good transmission specialists in North-West or Western Sydney?

Brett

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Vince's Advanced Automatic Transmissions

Transmissions - Car - Blacktown, NSW

11 Romford Rd, Blacktown NSW 2148..... I've been using this bloke for over 20 years and wouldn't take my vehicle any where else, and he also has a prado him self. I have found him very particular and has respect for your vehicle. Tell him Steve who use to work at Lander Toyota sent you.....Cheers Steve

[pilgrim_traveller Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pilgrim_traveller]

Vince's Advanced Automatic Transmissions

Transmissions - Car - Blacktown, NSW

11 Romford Rd, Blacktown NSW 2148..... I've been using this bloke for over 20 years and wouldn't take my vehicle any where else, and he also has a prado him self. I have found him very particular and has respect for your vehicle. Tell him Steve who use to work at Lander Toyota sent you.....Cheers Steve

Thanks Steve! I'll pop in there next week and say hi, sounds like that's the kind of service I'm after.

Brett.

[brooksy78 Member Find all posts View Profile Close brooksy78]

Ive done some searches but it all seems to be opinion ratherb than fact, so lets see if we can get fact:
Tonight on 4wd tv the transmission specialist said that "most toyotas" should only tow in 4th and not use 5th or overdrive as the gear box can not handle the presures and will fail.
Anyone able to cofirm with a transmission specialist?

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Think it depends on the vehicles in question. The 90's & 120 Prado auto never heard of anyone having transmission issues towing in drive/overdrive ... 150's there seems to be issues ? A lot of people saying they tow in I think it's called 4 the sports mode ?? As they have issues with transmission over heating warning light coming on... Then Toyota say they did a reflash of the transmission ECU and it's now stopped the problem BUT in saying that my mate still has the light come on when heavy towing so has added an extra cooler and problem seems to now be ok... I know a lot of manuals can't handle towing in say 5th as 5th gear cog is off the main shaft and doesn't like it. Patrols were bad for this. A lot of people also say there is minimal or no difference in economy using 4th/sports mode to towing in 5th/overdrive which to me indicates maybe towing in 5th is labouring the motor/gearbox as you have your foot down more but gearbox isn't changing back so is labouring ???...... I've always just towed in drive and only downshift manually to either stop it hunting between gears up hills or if going downhill to assist in braking......Cheers Steve

[muzza_ Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close muzza_]

I serviced my transmission yesterday dropping the sump and changing the filter also. let me just say the oil was so smelly and burnt that I can't understand how Toyota don't have a service interval for it. I replaced the oil with Nulon Synthetic trans fluid as listed on the Nulon website . This link came in handy when having to check the oil level after starting the engine http://www.lcool.org/technical/100_s...fluid/auto.htm
I put in 5 litres started engine ,got it to the right temperature and then let excess out of check plug in the sump. oil level was very close only about 200ml came out so better to have a little extra so you can drain it out.