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Dirty Transmission Fluid

6 messages,  Last post on Sep 05, 2009 at 11:52 AM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Sienna, Transmission, Van

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#1 of 6 Dirty Transmission Fluid by arodory

Feb 18, 2009 (4:34 pm)

On my 2005 Sienna, we changed the transmission fluid at 30,000 miles and just checked again at 67,000 and it is nearly BLACK. I had it changed along with the filter and 4 days later it is black again...the transmission is running well but I know this is not normal and want to avoid problems down the road. My mechanic advises against a full flush because it can cause damage to the seals.
Is it normal for the turn dark so quickly in this vehicle?

#2 of 6 Transmission of Sienna 2005 dirty or turning black by karrosha

Sep 03, 2009 (4:48 pm)

Arodory, I got exactly the same issue, but the fluid turned black after 9k miles. The dealer flushed at a little over 30k, and now almost 40k and the color of the fluid is still dirty. I decided not to go to the same dealer ever again. Because when he came back recommending flushing the fluid, I told him it has been done not even a year ago. He goes like oh okay then maybe the technician made a mistake. What a f#$ed up answer. Have you find the problem yet, please advice. Thanks

#3 of 6 Re: Dirty Transmission Fluid [arodory] by ateixeira

Sep 04, 2009 (11:41 am)

Replying to: arodory (Feb 18, 2009 4:34 pm)
You could drain and fill only, not flush, but do so more often. Maybe every 15k miles or so.

#4 of 6 Re: Transmission of Sienna 2005 dirty or turning black [karrosha] by arodory

Sep 04, 2009 (1:52 pm)

Replying to: karrosha (Sep 03, 2009 4:48 pm)
Karrosha, I had it flushed about 7000 miles ago and it still looks good. They flushed and replaced 12 quarts at the time. This machine sucks out the old fluid from the dip stick tube and no detergents are used to clean the transmission so I think it is a safe procedure. Before it gets black again or at 15,000 miles I will just do a drain and refill to keep it clean. Once it gets black, the drain and refill (which is only a few quarts) does nothing...in a few days it is black again as it mixes with the rest of the fluid. Maybe the dealer did not flush all 12 quarts...did you check it after a few thousand miles to see if it was still clean or not. In any case, I think it should be flushed again. I understand the toyota fluid turns black faster then some other brands...but of course you HAVE to use the Toyota fluid.

#5 of 6 Re: Dirty Transmission Fluid [ateixeira] by arodory

Sep 04, 2009 (1:57 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Sep 04, 2009 11:41 am)
The fluid was still black after 2 drain and refills. I did a "safe" flush...12 quarts were sucked out by special machine and replaced (no detergents were used). Now before it gets black (15,000) I will keep up on the drain and refills. I will never let it get black again. Thanks

#6 of 6 Re: Dirty Transmission Fluid [arodory] by wwest

Sep 05, 2009 (11:52 am)

Replying to: arodory (Feb 18, 2009 4:34 pm)
A single, simple, drain and refill (4 qts) will NOT result in anything close to prestine appearing ATF. It takes at least two 5 quart drain and fill procedures to get to decent looking ATF.
 
Even my Lexus dealer service did not know that the front diff'l case must be drained separately and has its own drain plug, that's why 5 quarts are required.
 
I went through the above procedure, as the ATF was burned and dirty, at only 40,000 miles and am now at close to 80,000 miles and am keeping a close eye on the ATF condition.

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