The transmission oil didn't look too good when I pull the dipstick. Someone had recommended a complete transmission flush which can flush out all the oils in the gear box and torque converter, etc...

He also said I will probably need 20l of toyota geniune oil which doesn't come in cheap. (4L for about $100NZD, haven't checked out the price in Oz).

Has anyone done this recently? how much did it cost (either by dealer or private) and how many litres did it use? 20L sounds an awful lot of oil for a flush, but again he said he need to pump the oil through to clean the system.

What's your guys' opinion on this? how often do you do your transmission?

is it really necessary? or a simple oil change from the sump does the trick?

Simple oil change will do the trick IMO, and if you get really touchy with it get a new transmission filter, not expensive these days either LOL.

Will check when I get to work for the intervals

According to the Lexus IS200 servicing schedule the ATF should be replaced at every 30,000kms?! Seems a bit to rough actually considering Type T-IV ATF is quite dear!

Got mine done recently, cost 140 without labour, so that was the cost of just the fluid. Used good stuff though, used around 12l... Mine came out black... cars so much better now.

Sounds cheap, what transmission fluid did they use? Aren't the T-IV fluids usually $90 for 4L?

Called up Lexus today, they told me it's $53 for 4L and should be the same price from Toyota which isn't too bad..

Found this post in the UK lexus forum.

Someone said there is no transmission filter in is200. This can't be true?

http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/ind...showtopic=43463

Bahahahaha sorry if I offend anyone but what a twat!

IS200 Filter (GXE10R-AEPVKQ):


Its located right at the bottom of the trans sump pretty much under the valve body.

ACONZ/A knows best ;)

Thanks for the clarification, Nick....

I think I will go with an simple transmission oil change (just drain it from the sump) and a filter.

Anyone knows how many litres of fuild will come out from the drain? is it going to be 1/3 or 2/3 of the total transmission fuild?

:D Most if not all of the oil sits in or just above the sump
Alot of the autos i have worked on dont have sump plugs so you would be holding all of that oil with one hand while trying to undo those last few bolts .Im not sure of the altezza tho
You would save your self a big clean up if you used a hoist or a pit and a oil tray big enough to catch the sump (and oil) in when you take it off
Also cork gaskets dont work to well if you ring the neck of the sump bolts :blink:

So is there a sump plug on the Is200? Someone must have worked on this before.
If so, what sort of tools do I need to get it off?

It looks like to get the filter off, i will need to remove the sump. is this the case? What's the parts number for the filter??

I am looking at getting the parts tomorrow or Friday and do the service this weekend. Would appreciate if anyone has any information on this. :)

Cheers,

What's the filter worth Nick?

I presume the filter is different compared in a IS300/RS200 (5spd) compared to a 4spd IS200?

Correct filters are all different :)

RRP = $64+gst so its fairly cheap :)

What about all the oil that sits in the torque convertor? Surely it cant all drain back into the sump, it would have to pump it full of oil everytime you started it again!

I remember when I did a transmission flush on the trusty Honda Torneo. Basically drained the old liquid while pouring in the new stuff until the oil coming out was the same color as the stuff going in. Took something crazy like 5L

I did it with the handbrake on and the car in drive while idling, so fluid was circulating around the transmission/torque convertor. I'd recommend going with Toyota Genuine fluid, that Dexron III stuff is made for American transmissions (even though it says it can be used, it just doesn't seem right)

I did the Honda with Castrol Dexron III, it never felt the same until I used Genuine Honda fluid. Automatics are pedantic and expensive, its best to do it right and forget it.

Yep for sure. I do recall that Toyota actually developed a fluid specifically for the 5spd auto box, so it would definitely be a wise move to use the oem fluid.

Who the hell said you would need 20L of fluid :blink:

Depends on your flush method and how dirty the transmission is I suppose...

Unless you take the transmission out and drain every drop, even then you wouldnt be using mor ethen 10L, unless this persons method was to drain, empty, drain, emtpy about 5 times.

I assumed that would be the method for flushing. You can't get in there to get all the dirt out so your only option is to try and dilute it as much as possible.

I have no idea how you actually do a flush having never even owned an auto but that method makes sense so me. But only if you were being completely anal about it ;-)

I think the guy might just be thorough. lol

Good to see this has generated quite a bit of interests. So to get a bit of clarity, I called up lexus to find out what the professionals would do, the guy basically told me transmission flush is a NO NO. No lexus serviced there will be flushed as during the process the additives being added could do more harm than good.

A quick search on the WWW added more confusions. Apparently there is some serious debate about this. With a lack of conclusion response I'd go with an oil changed from the sump, and follow up with another oil change after somewhat 10,000km. I reckon i will get most of the dirty oil out even though the oil is quite dirty (almost black).

So the question is if I want to change the filter, should I change it the first time or 2nd time when the oil is relatively clean?

btw the filter costs $154 in Oz. Nick, pls add this to my list of items. Will PM you with all the details after I have done the oil change this weekend.

Just wondering if anyone knows where the transmission sump is located and what sort of bolt is the sump plug? Will save me some time looking for it.

I agree with you on dumping teh original fluid, replacing it then redumping it again after 6 months 5k kays.

Why dump the old fluid and then run $L of new fluid through it and dump it also. That method seems like a waste to me and an inefficient flush.

I would also replace the filter after the 2nd flush if that was me.

From what I can remember the ATF sump is close to the centre of the car, around about below the drivers seat. (Sorry that is a big vauge but it is dark, cold and raining outside - can clarify tomorrow if need be) It is a silvery (when clean) coloured pan and has a standard looking sump plug on it. Don't imagine draining the oil from it would be too difficult.

I read somewhere that you can take the oil feed line off the AT cooler run the car to pump the ATF out WHILE adding ATF at the same rate in the filler until the fluid comes out the line bright red and new looking. Although I'm sure this works in theory, I wouldnt dare try it myself because adding fluid too slowly etc and drying out the torque converter could become extremely expensive! Those more mechanically minded out there and with steady hands might be alright doing this, but definatley not me...

I agree with the others, go for a sump change now, then again with a new filter sometime in the near future.

You take the pipe off and run it till it sort of splatters out then re-attach it and top up the level.

So Saturday went according to the plan, not only I changed the transmission fluid but also an oil change while i am under the car. That oil filter was quite tight, it took me a couple of goes to loose it up and it was a mass when I removed it.. I ended up having degrease the whole area.

The transmission oil sump is located half way through the car in the centre. roughly right below the gear stick. The bolt is 14mm and has T-IV written on it.

Probably drained about 3.5L. So that means there was still about 2.5L of old (dark)fluid in there but interestingly after I refilled with new fluid and drove the car a bit, the mixed fluid shows clear cherry red colour which just looks like the new fluild. I checked the fluid again after I drove the car a bit more and still looked the same cherry red colour. maybe the transmission fluid does have very good clean property, even cleans the old fluid. :)

So will change the fluid again when it changes colour. Thanks guys for all your help.