Ok . . I changed the entire transmission fluid to Amsoil over the weekend and it was a messy affair. I did the pan fluid, new filter, and then flushed the entire system with 16 quarts.

Then, I managed to read the level wrong and drove about 10 miles without sufficient fluid. Lots of slipping and hesitation.

So now I've got the level right and everything works great (even better than before) but I've got metal flakes in the fluid. They are very small, but visible. Is the transmission doomed? I switched to synthetic to extend the life of the tranny, but now I think I might have killed it. The fluid doesn't smell burnt and is still bright red.

I went ahead and drained the pan again, but would it be worth it to change all the fluid again? or is it a lost cause?

 

remove your hood, and exchange it for mine .. and I think you'll be fine.

 

If your hood will save my tranny - its yours bro

 

pm transdude he the transmission guy on this board .. very knowlegable (sp?) and very helpful. He actually has his number in his sig as well I think so you can call him.

Also Aamco offers a $99 complete power trans flush .. it might be worth it, if for nothing else then just piece of mind.

 

Thanks for the tip sdastg1. I'm hoping things will be ok long term.

 

Bump . . .

Anyone else care to help me out with their insights/experience. I'd greatly appreciate it.

 

Thats normal metal in the pan, I've seen cars drain silver fluid, if it has not been touched for the 1st 15-30k then that all the breakin stuff but in general thats how transmissions are

 

Metal flakes, no matter how small, are obviously wear... I'd do a complete drain and flush, then replace the filter.... I doubt it'd hurt much, but it's a safe bet to do so anyway. Big chunks of metal are obviously VERY bad.

 

These are really tiny particles and they are just here and there on the dip stick. What do you think about waiting a year and then changing the whole thing again. That Amsoil ATF is big dollars.

 

Fix it till it's broken camp of thought, ehh?

Drop some SeaFoam in there. Then report back to us where the smoking was coming from.

 

Greetings,
You can filter the oil depending on how small the particles are.

 

MvCrash - do you think the new filter inside the pan will take care of the small particles?

4RUNR - I think you may be right. Perhaps I'm stressing too much about this. You're saying - let it be?

 

it sounds like when you changed the fluid you disturbed what might have settled to the bottom... When you had the pan off did you clean the bottom of it, and did it have a magnet down there?

 

I'm not licensed to say anything here And certainly not going to pretend to know everything about transmissions in 3rd gen 4Runners.

But my bet is, if your manual says to drain and refill with Toyota fluids every so and so miles, doing that (mixed in with sensible driving habits) will net you no less trouble free miles than performing some voodoo rituals that you heard online.

 

I did clean the pan and the magnets, but there could have been particles in the old fluid up in the transmission itself I suppose.

4RUNR - I know what you mean about learning stuff on line. It is hard to know what to believe sometimes. North Pole aye? Cool.