Just got my GS4 500 miles ago and want to start on some preventive mantence right away. I'm planning on draining the tranny and putting a new filter on. Then of course doing full drains every 12-15k to promote transmission life. I've already gotten the fluid (T-IV) and when I went to lexus to buy a genuine filter they said they didn't carry them and don't recomend changing them. How can putting a new filter in be bad? Also what kind of gasket have you all used? I read something about an RTV like sealent that lexus uses? Does lexus not make a rubber gasket?

I inquired more at the lexus service department and found out that this dealership's idea of a transmission flush is taking 2 quarts out and topping off the transmission at every major service. Never do they ever drop the pan. I already looked at BananaGS's DIY article, however its more pictures than words and I just want some thoughts from people who have done this themselves. I've dropped the trans pan on my old eclipse and done this before, it was quite a job. Any thing I should know before I tackle this on my GS4 (obsticals, etc) or is it a basic job? Maybe I'm just a little aprehensive about starting my first big project on the GS?

 

Ok, went back up to my lexus dealer today to order a filter however they claim there is no filter in the GS400 tranny, there is a screen that can be cleaned and reused. Is this correct? Furthermore they said its better not to mess with these tranny's, don't flush them it will only cause problems, and that I should follow the mantence scedual of taking 2 quarts out and topping off every 15k.

I told the lexus service manager that I drive my lexus fairly hard every now and again, plus with 155k on everything figured it was time to freshen up the fluids and filters. He didn't know what to tell me except lexus does not recomend changing the screen, nor flush the fluid, and then told me I should slow down and not drive so fast.

I told him "If I wanted an uninspiring driving experince I guess I should have bought a Kia and saved my self 20 grand" and walked out --- nothing but azzclowns at lexus, some advice please from someone who's got hands on experience with their GS4 tranny.

My local autoparts store has some generic filter/screen I can order for like 25 bucks. Should I get that and make a gasket with rtv?

 

well i have expierence with the GS400 tranny

1st

they dont change the filter unless they feel there is a problem with the trans

hell the filters are on national backorder

2nd
i wouldnt put a generic filter up there ...use only toyota products when it comes to major components ...trans..engine...drivetrain...etc

3rd

you can take down your pan if you like ..its a ton of bolts and a messy job

but you can check the condtion of your trans ...you know how right ??

and as far as a gasket goes ...just use RTV sealant ...oh let me tell you

the pan is up there pretty good make sure you have the right tools as too not damage the pan

any other questions ..ask away ill be here all night lol

 

wow, your dealer wasn't very helpful were they?

I've heard on this board the same thing about "power flushing". There may be a valid concern about the *possibility* of there being excessive pressure against certain internal seals.


I've also heard/was told that being said, the "filter" is a wire mesh so personally, I woulnd't bother replacing it. I agree it seems odd, like we'd want a paper filter, but, I WOULD recommend at least makeing sure the pan is well cleaned out.

If you do perform the work yourself, my experience with Copper RTV is that the stuff is flawless.
Personally, if it were me and I were doing the work myself, I'd still get the factory gasket and then dabble a very thin thin layer of RTV on one side of gasket only.

I don't recall if the pan actually has a drain plug or not. You can buy them if you are so interested.
Keep in mind that a bunch of your fluid is up in the convertor so, draining the pan only gets some of it. You could always run it for a year and do it again to increase the percentage of newer fluid.

Good luck yo.

 

Dropping the pan only gets rid of a few quarts of oil. There is still oil in the TQ. So taking it to a shop that flushes the oil through is way better than just draining just the pan oil. Thats why the dealer is adding only a couple of quarts, cause they are just draining the pan oil. Also note, unlike most cars, you have a drain plug on the tranny, so dropping the pan is not needed. Since with the flushing process you are basically mixing some of the old oil with new, you can end up using several quarts of fluid to get a good flush. I can't remember, but it's something over 10 quarts of oil in the end and probably closer to 13.

I dropped the pan before and after removing all the bolts, the pan still won't come off easy because of the gasket glue. There is NO gasket on the tranny, just the glue. All you really accomplish by doing this is a chance to clean the screen, which will never really get clogged like an engine filter. It looks like fine screen door material and is really just for catching larger chunks of metal (which you shouldn't find). There are magnets in the bottom of the pan to catch the finer metal particles, so again it becomes a lot of work to drop the pan for very little gain.

Also change your oil type to Amsoil synthetic. It's the only synthetic approved for use by Toyota/Lexus. Don't dare use anything other than Amsoil or factory Toyota Fluid or your tranny will be very un-happy. No additives either. While you are at it, change your differential to Amsoil or Redline or other recommended synthetic gear oil.

If you follow my recommendations, I guarantee you will feel a world of difference. Smooth shifts, especially down shifting in e-shift. Talk about smooth as butter shifts.

 

there is a filter ...i dont think it looks like a screen ..reminds me of any trans filter ..or a least the one on my cousins 74 blazer

it comes down with the removal of 3 10mm bolts might be 4 but for sure it comes down

how they can say flsuhing the trans is a bad thing ill never know

ive personally used the machine myself

all they do is look up how much total fluid your car needs you put that into the machine

hook up the lines

and they machines does the rest ....takes out the old and puts in the new

the trans in the 300/400 is one of the strongest out there

but it does have its limitations and i know it wasnt designed for huge hp numbers

but like you said you wanted to do to preventative maintenance..

justg drain out the old around 4 quarts and i think youllbe god to go

 

are you sure about this ...i would want to switch over to amsoil

the additves i cant agree on though ...iused Lucas products and they worked amazingly well

made the shifitng very smooth ..with no problems whatsoever

 

So johonny....All said and done my gs 4 has 54,400 on the odometer... It sounds like to me that the machine is the way to go when changing the tranny fluid. Is that what you recommend.. Also when should i change mine... what mileage etc... Does Toyota use the machine for the swap?
Thanks Tony

 

they say every 30,000 miles

but i guess it depends on your use

just called lexus and they say they do it

im not sure if its the same machine but it probably is

hes going to call me back ill find out

but thats up here in jersey

id call around you and check also

johnny

 

Thanks johonny. I'll check into that at lexus or Toyota.. Cars running fine but I've read some posts that you shouln't mess with the tranny at all.. So i don't want to change it just not yet.. Maybe at the 60k tuneup... I want this car to last so i want to do it right...Thanks johnny for all your help....Tony

 

sure thing man

just passing on what i know

 

Back to square one with conflicting reports of a screen or filter in the trans

 

Amsoil just got approved for Toyota Type IV requirements. I just came back from the local speed shop the other day and saw the approval label on the last shipment. It's not posted on the web or anywhere else I checked. So yeah I am confirming it with my own two eyes.

I am only saying don't use additives because they are not Lexus approved for use in our cars. Those people still under warantee should think about that. I believe you could feel an improvement short term, but you don't know the long term reliability effects, like if it will shorten transmission life by 20k miles. None of us can tell that, so I'm just playing it safe.

So my choice would be to change over to Amsoil Synthetic and don't worry about the additives

 

All you need to decide is if you want to go to the trouble of dropping the pan just to clean it. Mine was clean as a whistle at 30K, you obviously might find more.

 

sounds good thanks

i had them do a flush when they did my valvebody

but i want to redo it with amsoil now for the ultimate benefit

thanks