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Toyota Sienna Care & Maintenance

451 messages,  Last post on May 18, 2013 at 9:46 AM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Sienna, Van

Messages Page 5 of 46

#40 of 451 re: transmission fluid change by jtlanejr

Feb 20, 2003 (8:56 am)

You can change the fluid by way of just draining the fluid. Or you can drop the pan and clean the filter/screen as well as the pan and magnets I would suggest you drop the pan every 30,000 miles and then drain in 15,000 miles. This is not specified anywhere by Toyota - they just say change it at 15 if you are a severe user, etc. In my mind it is cheap insurance to follow this schedule. You won't end up posting one of these "my Sienna only has 65,000 miles on it and the transmission failed... the manual never said anything about changing the fluid....
 
I got a Mitchell repair manual (mitchellrepair.com) on CD. So, there is a "generic service manual for Siennas...." My only note is that for my 1999 LE, there is not much info on the CD - I refer back to the 98 model year.
 
The drain bold is on the pan. You will also see a differential drain plug right near the pan, but I cannot remember its size. Mine took the 3.7 quarts of fluid as specified in the owner's manual to refill.
 
In regards to rear plug changing, you can get a tool from Snap-on that will get to the back plugs without removing the Cowl. I would not invest the $50 for the socket/u-joint combo since you only have to change these plugs every 60,000 miles. The Cowl and plenum takes about 15 minutes to remove. (The guy who said 10 seconds has obviously never removed each piece... and I have an air wrench to remove the screws quickly...)
 
Hope this is of help.

#41 of 451 ATF change cont. by bthibodeau

Feb 20, 2003 (1:59 pm)

1. when i refill with new atf fluid, does this get added thru the aft dip stick shaft?
 
2. obviously, just draining thru the drain plug sounds easy. it has been about 25k miles since the last atf fluid change(it was at the dealer ship where they flushed thru the torque converter). so with the info you guys gave me i am thinking about dropping the pan since its been 25k miles. Now, when i drop the pan, do i need to replace the gasket??
 
3. when i clean the pan, what do you use to clean the pan? parts cleaner? brake cleaner? non residue spray?
 
4. Is there any filter that i should change?
 
5. is there a torque specification for the pan bolts?
I will check out the web site on the sienna manual!
Thank you for your input, it is a great help!!!

#42 of 451 98 Sienna XLE by dtagliaf

Feb 20, 2003 (4:02 pm)

I'm about to purchase a used Sienna and I'm curious to know when Toyota recommends changing the timing belt, at what mileage? This van has 58000.
 
thanks
Dana

#43 of 451 Greasy Tranny Pan by lsac

Feb 20, 2003 (9:53 pm)

At 33000 mi, my dealer did 30k service including ATF change. Now, at 45000 mi, my rear half pan looks greasy. ATF is a bit low. Do I just retorque all 17 bolts or I have to get a new pan gasket?

#44 of 451 Responses for #42-44 by jtlanejr

Feb 21, 2003 (11:33 am)

#42 - Refilling the transmission is done through the dipstick.
 
In your case, I would drop the pan. You will need a new gasket - around $8 I think. I think the torque spec for the pan is 70 ft. lbs, for the pan drain bolt is 36, and for the torque converter it is 30. I would have to check the manual to be sure, but I am 95% sure on that figure. Once you drop the pan, you will see a screen that has 3 screws. Remove each of these - be prepared for a pint of fluid to come out. Clean this screen with parts cleaner and then blow dry with air compressor or the like. You will want to check the fluid several times (over a few days) to make sure you have the fluid level correct. Mine did take the 3.7 quarts as specified in the manual. On another note, this transmission is not designed to have the fluid back flushed. I am really surprised the dealership provides this service. I know it is easy and a good moneymaker, but I would not have this done to my transmission.... Also, I bought the manual (on CD) off of Ebay for $30.
 
For Dana - the books says to change the timing belt at 90,000 miles. My guess is that you would be looking at a $600 repair item, but I have never had to have this done (yet).
 
For Isac, I would torque the bolts down to 70 ft. lbs. to see if that takes care of the leaking gasket. Otherwise, it is not a big job to replace the gasket. ATF fluid is something to check monthly.
 
Hope this is of help to each of you.
 
Cheers

#45 of 451 thanks jtlanejr by dtagliaf

Feb 21, 2003 (11:57 am)

Thanks for the advice. I'm having my mechanic take a look today, but how worried should I be that the dealer doesn't have maintenance records?

#46 of 451 by jeprox

Feb 21, 2003 (4:51 pm)

90,000 miles to change timing belt? wow, that's pretty high. my 1999 model recommends it a change at 96,000kms. which would be around 60,000 miles.

#47 of 451 Fill ATF thru filler pipe by lsac

Feb 23, 2003 (12:09 am)

When I filled ATF and power steering fluid, I used a magazine cover (any clean hard paper) and wrapped it like a cone. Job is very clean and no mess afterwards. Next time, I will do the same to add fluid to any container with small opening.
 
For jtlanejr, thanks for your advice.

#48 of 451 re: timing belt at 90,000 miles by jtlanejr

Feb 23, 2003 (12:07 pm)

I have a '96 T100 and it requires the belt at 60,000 miles. For the Sienna my owner's manual calls for 90,000. Of course, the belt on the truck is $210 to have the dealer to the service. I bet for the van it will be over $500.

#49 of 451 re: Dana and the 99 Sienna purchase by jtlanejr

Feb 23, 2003 (12:11 pm)

Dana,
 
You are smart in having the van inspected. My only concern would be the previous owner's lack of oil changes, etc. We all know of the "sludge" problem these engines develop with lack of maintenance. The mechanic that is inspecting it could pull a valve cover and check for signs of poor maintenance. I am convinced that if you regularly change your oil and keep up with scheduled maintenance you will not have any problems with this van. Mine has 66,000 miles on it and I have a T100 with 125,000. I have only put a starter on the truck. OEM parts and scheduled service will yield good results (at least that is what I am betting on...)

Messages Page 5 of 46

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