Hello.

I have 2000 SR5 4Runner with 185,000 miles. I regret to say I never changed the trans fluid till now.

Last week my cousin (mechanic) drained and filled the fluid with Mobil1 ATF.

Since then I have noticed a hesitation in the morning when first driving.

Can anyone help me diagnose what the issue is?

Thanks!

 

Possibly low on fluid. Have you checked the level?

 

I checked the level after engine idling for 15 min. and cycled through the gears about 5 times with the car in park.

Fluid is directly in middle of highest COLD mark and lowest HOT mark. Is that where it should be?

Interestingly when I check it cold in the morning with the car off the fluid is about half inch above the highest HOT mark. Not sure if that is normal.

 

Is the engine running when you check it?

 

Yes, running.

 

to properly check the ATF:
drive the vehicle around for 20 mins. then park the truck in a safe and level area and turn off the engine. check the ATF dipstick. the atf should not be below the lowest hot level.

also, what atf was used? what was the color of the old atf?
the correct atf should be dexron II or dexron III.
the color of the atf should be red or brownish red. if the original atf was black, then it means the atf was burned and you could have transmission problems.

 

The hesitation issue has gone away on it's own.

The original fluid was still red. I replaced the drained fluid with Mobil 1 ATF.

Thanks!

 

I spoke to soon. The problem is back and seems to be worse.

After doing me best google research I think people refer to it as "morning sickness". Does anyone have any advice on what to do besides taking it to a Transmission shop? Thanks!

 

If this were my truck, I'd drain the synthetic (if that's what MOBIL1 is) and go back to the type of fluid that the factory recommends (ie - non-synthetic dexron II / III ) .

 

by "morning sickness" does the symptoms happen only during first use in the morning?

or does the symptoms occur the whole day?

you might like to have the tranny filter checked. could be partially blocked and needs cleaning. that would also be chance to check if there are a lot of metal shavings inside th pan.

 

I know some will disagree but toyotas seem to act strange after switching trans fluid type. Go back to what was recommended in the FSM which should be Merc/Dex III. FLUSH 12 Qts of new ATF non-synthetic through it.

 

The symptom only happens during first use of the day.

 

I have an update. I found what I would consider a slow leak of transmission fluid. It is in the general area of under the steering fluid reservoir. I think it is the lines to the radiator. I noticed the trans fluid level was down about 3/4 quart since I did the drain/fill about 1 month ago. I added fluid and the trans is back to normal. Now I need to fix the leak.

 

Can anyone point me to a procedure with parts on replacing the lines from the trans to the radiator. I think I will replace the radiator soon too. I have been reading a lot about the pink milkshake.

 

The power steering system uses trans fluid as well. Are you sure this isn't what's leaking? To replace the hoses from the trans to the cooler just buy some 3/8's tranny hose and cut the old stuff off and put the new on. It's a little hard to get to the hoses by the crossmember but it's doable.

 

here ya go:

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/b...cooler-126953/

http://www.summitracing.com/search/b...g&autoview=SKU


B&M recommends to use as a minimum the size equivalent to B&M70266:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/bmm-70266/overview/