Transmission flushing at home: Really easy, really effective

[JRL]

I've owned a '01 XC70 for only a few months now. Car was in great condition for the 117K miles on it when we bought it. Found this thread through the FAQ sticky thread. Have a problem with the trans not coming out of park, I have had to rock the car back and forth to get it to come out.

This is not a fluid issue it's a micro switch/sensor issue OUTSIDE the transmission

[TKC2000]

thanks for the tip JRL.

BTW, where can I find this micro switch and/or sensor?

[duncan]

Santon........head to your nearest Toyota dealership and purchase 16 litres of T-IV trans fluid

Just wondering how much fluid is recommended for one job? Is 16L assuming an additional flush? I noticed the original instructions seem to suggest 8L, so why do some recommend more than others?

I have 8L of Type IV in my trunk, but want to make sure I don't have to pick up any more

Thanks!

[Forkster]

I purchased 12L of T-IV to flush the tranny - I ended up buying four more before it started running clear.

[Aviator]

I purchased 12L of T-IV to flush the tranny - I ended up buying four more before it started running clear

Yeah, Duncan you're gonna need 16 litres. You'll use about 12 to 14 before you see absolutely clean, new oil coming out. You want to be thorough....do it right!! Get a new green clip and yellow O rings for the cooler hose; the clip is a tiny bit fragile. Mine didn't break taking it out 'cos I know how to deal with them, but over time the heat affects the plastic and it will become brittle, and I did replace mine. It's cheap insurance against having the hose pop out while on autopilot!!

Dave.

[duncan]

Sounds good, I will do that! So I presume you keep pumping the oil out through the tube you inserted, and only drain from the plug the one time?

[gibbons]

Wow, this thread is getting long! Yes, drain from the plug only once, that's when you get the most 100% concentrated dirty fluid out. After that, the new fluid you put in pushes the old fluid out through the body and components of the transmission.

[PaperToast]

Incorrect
3309 CAN be used with no ill effects in a 4 speed. There's even a Volvo bulletin about using it if you have harsh shifting. It will not hurt anything and may help

could you post a link to that bulletin so i can read up on that.
i need to do a trans flush and that info would help me out as to what fluid to get

[Forkster]

could you post a link to that bulletin so i can read up on that.
i need to do a trans flush and that info would help me out as to what fluid to get

You have three options:
1. Mobil 3309 anywhere from $5-7 a litre: available at any Mobil reseller and online
2. Toyota Type T-IV (equivalant/rebranded Mobile 3309) at $5-7 a litre: available at any Toyota dealership
3. Volvo Trans Fluid (rebranded Mobile 3309) at $20 a litre: available at any Volvo $tealership.

[Aviator]

So I presume you keep pumping the oil out through the tube you inserted

Just so there's no confusion Duncan......pump out about 2 litres at a time, then put in 2 litres, pump out 2 litres put in 2 litres, etc, etc. I went and bought 5 x 4L jugs of spring water, measured and poured out 2 litres from one and then marked on the jug where 2 litres was/is. Then I drank the water from the other jugs and marked them also (had a very long piss after that). Then it was easy to keep track of what was coming out and when I was finished I only needed to do a level correction of .5 L.

Dave.