Stopped by a local Toyota dealer (not the one I normally go to) and inquired about AT service. They can do either a:

drain and refill of 3 qts @ $480.00 for this service; or

a full 12 qt flush for the bargain price of over $600 (assuming I bring in my 3 qts of WS).

The pricing is simply absurd. Sorry, Ill do my own drain and fills with my 6 qts (@$12.50 per qt approx from a different Toyota dealer).

Just an fyi for those interested. Seems like others had dealers do a d&f for under $180. Ymmv.

I also was surprised at approx $400 quote for coolant d&f radiator only, not including block drains. I already did my radiator with 1 gallon sllc pink for $21 plus the lisle spill free coolant funnel kit.

 

My dealer quoted considerably less when I inquired. Still not cheap but…

“That service is $398.79 plus tax. It is a complete exchange of fluid, removing a cooler line and hooking up to a machine.”

 

Nice!! DIY makes a lot of sense....if you have minimal skills...and interest I suppose.

I do the ATF "flush" by disconnecting return line at (pinned) thermostat on transmission, and briefly run engine 30-60 seconds to pump out old fluid out and fill as I'm going. I'm debating installing an in-line Magnefine filter in same location. I've done it on 2 old (cheap...) Volvos I have as test run, and it works like a charm

And I also love that Lisle spill free funnel with assorted adaptors for various radiator caps (Well....Amazon knock-off. I'm cheap). I can't believe I struggled for years doing coolant with soda bottles cut in half, duct tape, etc. Thanks ClubLexus!

.

 

Did my first drain and fill with the Toyota ATF WS this morning at about 57,500 miles. Just returned from road trip to Colorado. Put gx on rhino ramps in front. Removed fill, then drain and overflow plugs.

First drain was 3 quarts from drain plug even on ramps. Nothing from overflow plug. Refilled with 3 qts then cycled gears. Drove for 20 miles. Felt fine. Will do 2 more and the last one Ill add a bit more (1/2 qt). Then do temp check with obd fusion and open overflow plug.

Only difficulty was getting the fill plug off. Might need to use a smaller ratchet next time. Just awkward position and needed better lighting. Used a small flashlight b/c couldn’t find my larger light.

All the info on this thread was helpful. 2 more d&f to go. The factory fill was brown and I saved some to send off to lab for UOA. (Along with diffs, tx case and oil).

Thanks for all the advice and procedures here!

Adding photos of used atf-ws from first and second d&f. May wait a month for the 3rd d&f. 6 quarts total replaced so far.

 

Nice work!!
Keep us posted on the UOA? I have not seen any analysis posted for transmission servicing so I am very curious about their feedback and report!

 

Will do. Probably be a week or two before I can send the samples to the lab. There are UOAs of WS on bob is the oil guy - for Tundras, tacomas and a few other models. Most look pretty good. But, I have not looked or found one for the GX yet on the factory fill.

 

 

I noticed GXBOB didn't pin open the thermostat. I like the idea of a long tube and funnel to fill from the top instead of pumping it in.

 

I pinned the thermostat open and fluid came out of both the thermostat side and cooler return line side. Still flushed through new fluid though.

 

Just rolled 200k miles on my 2010. Had the shop change out the filter and fluid....they had to do several flushes cause of how black the original fluid was. Definitely should have done it sooner, but good luck to those that plan on never changing their transmission fluid

 

I pinned thermostat with punch and plugged port (with kludged clear tubing, plugged with square drive and clamped.) It's been so long...not sure why I had to do that. But it's going strong and smooth 30,000 later...

 

At the end of the video Bob mentions the oil coming from the thermostat is basically negligible for the job. I am thinking I may skip it.

 

IMO.. it’s fairly trivial to open that thermostat. It pushes in easy and even a large paper clip will hold it open