Clear water like transmission fluid?
#1
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Clear water like transmission fluid?
I recently bought a 99 RX300, 160K. We cruise 70-75 MPH on free way for about 100 mi, Trans. Temp. light came on. I stopped at a gas station and check the fluid, it was on the mark but clear color, like water. When restarted the car, light was off, and managed to drive home. Any explanation about the clear water like fluid?
Brought it to the shop the next day, looks like they did the drain and fill, cost $55. Now it kind of slip between 1 and 2 gear. Check the hot trans. oil level, it is on the mark (It is light pink color now). But the cold trans. oil level is way higher than the hot mark. Could it be too much oil that cause the slip?
I check these threads and found very helpful, knowledgeable DIY. I will do another D&F myself tomorrow and propb. check or change filter after 200mi. Found the filter&gasket at autozone for $17, the box said meet or exceed OEM part. I wonder if we could use these? Any one use these parts before? Thanks everyone.
Brought it to the shop the next day, looks like they did the drain and fill, cost $55. Now it kind of slip between 1 and 2 gear. Check the hot trans. oil level, it is on the mark (It is light pink color now). But the cold trans. oil level is way higher than the hot mark. Could it be too much oil that cause the slip?
I check these threads and found very helpful, knowledgeable DIY. I will do another D&F myself tomorrow and propb. check or change filter after 200mi. Found the filter&gasket at autozone for $17, the box said meet or exceed OEM part. I wonder if we could use these? Any one use these parts before? Thanks everyone.
#2
My theory (and it's just a theory): The previuous owner decieved you or someone screwed them when it came to the tranny. The reason I state this is that everything I know about Toyota Type T-IV ATF is that it's always cherry red in color. Type T-IV ATF (or an acceptable equivalent) is the only fluid that allows Toyota trannys to work properly.
Because it now looks "pink" is because the shop you took it to didn't do a full flush (I hope they didn't charge you for one). It sounds like they used the proper fluid this time (the cherry red color) but did a simple DIY drain, which means there were at least a couple of quarts of the old clear fluid left in the tranny. Cherry red + clear = pink.
Doing at least one (or two) DIY drain and fills should hopefully clear up your shifting problems. To have some piece of mind, it might be worth it to take it to a shop that can do a true tranny flush so you get all that old fluid out.
Because it now looks "pink" is because the shop you took it to didn't do a full flush (I hope they didn't charge you for one). It sounds like they used the proper fluid this time (the cherry red color) but did a simple DIY drain, which means there were at least a couple of quarts of the old clear fluid left in the tranny. Cherry red + clear = pink.
Doing at least one (or two) DIY drain and fills should hopefully clear up your shifting problems. To have some piece of mind, it might be worth it to take it to a shop that can do a true tranny flush so you get all that old fluid out.
#3
Lexus Champion
My theory (and it's just a theory): The previuous owner decieved you or someone screwed them when it came to the tranny. The reason I state this is that everything I know about Toyota Type T-IV ATF is that it's always cherry red in color. Type T-IV ATF (or an acceptable equivalent) is the only fluid that allows Toyota trannys to work properly.
Because it now looks "pink" is because the shop you took it to didn't do a full flush (I hope they didn't charge you for one). It sounds like they used the proper fluid this time (the cherry red color) but did a simple DIY drain, which means there were at least a couple of quarts of the old clear fluid left in the tranny. Cherry red + clear = pink.
Doing at least one (or two) DIY drain and fills should hopefully clear up your shifting problems. To have some piece of mind, it might be worth it to take it to a shop that can do a true tranny flush so you get all that old fluid out.
Because it now looks "pink" is because the shop you took it to didn't do a full flush (I hope they didn't charge you for one). It sounds like they used the proper fluid this time (the cherry red color) but did a simple DIY drain, which means there were at least a couple of quarts of the old clear fluid left in the tranny. Cherry red + clear = pink.
Doing at least one (or two) DIY drain and fills should hopefully clear up your shifting problems. To have some piece of mind, it might be worth it to take it to a shop that can do a true tranny flush so you get all that old fluid out.
And additionally, I have NEVER yet seen clear trans. fluid. Not saying it doesn't exist, though I doubt it, but have never seen it if it does exist.
#4
Lexus Champion
Personally I make "The Zone" the LAST choice for parts, only if no one else has the parts. If you have an O'Reilly's in your area, I believe they carry a better line of parts, more like the shops use. A lot of parts say "meets or exceeds OEM" that I wouldn't choose to to use. Fram is definitely one of them.
#6
OK, I stand corrected on the flush advice, what I meant to say is make sure it all gets pumped out, but not necessarily by an external machine. But I still say someone pulled a fast one with the supposedly clear tranny fluid....
#7
Lexus Champion
I couldn't agree more with that. Can't even imagine what they used because I have NEVER in all my years seen "clear" tranny fluid. And, as stated, I'm a firm believer in "pumping" all the fluid out (with the vehicles own pump). I can't stand the thought of not cleaning the pan either. Also, by the time the vehicle has a 100k mi. it should have a new gasket even if it has always been "pumped" by the vehicles own pump.
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#8
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Like magic, I did the drain & fill incl. the trans. case following Lexmex DIY instructions, put in exactly 4.5 qt. of T4, right on the mark. It shifts so smooth now. The whole process took about 30 min. incl. cleaning the MAF in between.
Can't wait to do the pan drop and check the filter.
Glad to have very informed people in DIY. These tranys. really need juice or go thirsty. Thanks guys.
Can't wait to do the pan drop and check the filter.
Glad to have very informed people in DIY. These tranys. really need juice or go thirsty. Thanks guys.
#9
Lexus Champion
Yea Quincy, and even though some guys report no problems with alternative "universal" fluids, I don't think in this case it's worth taking the chance on anything but T-IV.
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