ATF change pictures

[negativentropy]

Well if you're curious what the insides of your transmission looks like...

https://picasaweb.google.com/1048081438 ... directlink

1. Support transmission from below.
2. Remove cross member. 14 mm bolts
3. Open drain nut, let fluid drain. 14 mm bolt
4. Remove transmission pan. 10 mm bolts
5. Remove filter - careful there is at least a liter of ATF that has yet to drain. 8 mm bolts
6. Clean pan and gasket. I was lucky, the gasket came off totally intact. Otherwise install new gasket or make one. Be clean.
7. Clean the magnets. The gunk is probably friction plate material from the clutches. Apparently some gunk is normal. Metal chips are bad.
8. Clean the filter.
9. Reattach drain nut.
10. Reattach filter to transmission.
11. Reattach pan to transmission.
12. Clean any fluid on the outside of the pan. This will allow you to detect any leaks later.
13. Add ~5L of new ATF to transmission.
14. At the bottom of the radiator are two small diameter hoses. The one beside the large coolant hose is the oil feed. Unplug the other hose (the oil cooler return line) and catch fluid.
15. While simultaneously adding new fluid to transmission start car and allow fluid to exit from oil cooler return line. Shine a light on this fluid and stop engine when the new fluid is flowing out.
16. Reattach oil cooler return line.
17. Add another ~4L of new ATF.
18. Drive the vehicle for a few minutes to get the ATF warmed up.
19. Move gear selector through all its gears. Place transmission in "N". Apply parking brake.
20. Measure ATF level, add remaining new ATF as required.
21. Check for leaks at the pan and oil cooler hoses.

Important notes:

Support the transmission before removing the cross member.
Be very clean.
The pan and filter holds ~5L of oil. The oil cooler and lines hold about another 4L. Keep track of volumes gives you confidence in how much needs to go back in before you can drive to warm up ATF.
Dont over torque the pan bolts when reattaching the pan. The bolts are steel, the transmission body is aluminum.
I bought two 5L jugs of ATF and that was just enough to do the job.

This did not resolve my transmission problems, but while the oil still looks reasonable, a change was needed soon anyway. Off to the transmission specialist tomorrow =(.

[Diver]

That's a great write-up!

[negativentropy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcNH9AFWaNI

Later in the video he rotates the transmission. The model number says 30-43LE - which is similar to the Aisin 30-40LE we have in the L400s. Kind of neat.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_A_transmission

This lists all the various transmission, the gear rations, etc...

The following are also very useful videos for understanding automatic transmissions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQhzruw2Qh8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szu-0IqMygA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ByVBBfEXWk