Can I change trans fluid? or is machine needed? - Diesel Forum

ClassicFordGuy · 10-14-2009, 10:37 AM

Our pastor's family has a 98 toyota Rav4 that is in desperate need of a trans fluid change. I was hoping I could do it and save them some money. My only concern is some torque converters don't have drain plugs.

Any idea if a 98 rav4 has a tc drain plug? If not, is there another way to do it? How does the shop deal with this?

I don't suppose drilling a hole and plugging it when I'm done is a good idea.

Thanks in advance,

-Rob

**Mark Kovalsky** · 10-14-2009, 02:43 PM

Most shops have a fluid exchange machine. It connects in the cooler lines. As the trans pumps the old fluid out the machine adds new fluid back into the cooler line. It's a very effective way to change all of the fluid.

I would NEVER drill a torque converter that I wanted to work again.

ClassicFordGuy · 10-14-2009, 06:26 PM

Ya figured drilling the TC was a bad idea, just thought I'd ask. So is there a way to find out if a rav4 has a plug on the tc?

Wait, couldn't I do it the same way? Unhook the cooler lines, let one dump into a pan while pouring new fluid into the other via funnel??? I would think the car would have to be in drive?

With the shops using a machine like that do they just not change the filter?

Thanks,

-Rob

**Mark Kovalsky** · 10-14-2009, 08:29 PM

Some do change the filter, some don't.

You are going to pour fluid in the cooler line? It's probably about 3/8". How are you going to get it to go in there?

I recommend reading this: Changing ATF: 7.3L PowerStroke Engine and 4R100 Automatic Transmission.. With some ingenuity you could adapt that procedure to work on your car. I've adapted it to several others that I've done.

**SmokeyWren** · 10-16-2009, 10:03 AM

What Mark said.

Drain the tranny pan and notice about how much ATF the pan holds. Now is the time to change the tranny filter if you want to change it. Button it up.

Pour the same amount of new ATF into the dipstick hole that you drained out.

Disconnect the cooler return line at the tranny, and aim it at a bucket. Start the engine and wait until about the same amount of ATF you poured in is again in the bucket - or when no more ATF is being pumped out of the tranny.

Pour in that same amount of new ATF again. Pump it out again.

Button it up and fill it up with ATF.

Drive it until the tranny temp is up to normal operating temp = several miles. Check the hot ATF level and top it off.