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Trans fluid pressure- help!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Jimbo913, Jul 15, 2017.

  1. Jimbo913

    Jimbo913 Junior Member

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    2006 Prius with 130k miles. Bought at around 115k and it had been serviced at a dealer with new brakes, oil change and ???

    I decided to change the trans fluid now that it has 130k since I was unsure how old it was. The car was about as level as can be expected so I jacked it up in front to loosen the fill so I could slowly lower the jack to find out what the starting level was as added precaution. As soon as I broke the fill bolt loose I could hear air escaping and as I loosened it more the fluid shot out. I got about 1 cup in the catch pan and lowered the jack to level the car and ended up with 2 cups. Initial thoughts are it was roughly 2 cups over filled. Has anyone ran into this pressure situation and is it normal or could it have built pressure due to being too full?
    Secondly the fluid looks as red and clean as the new fluid so I am inclined to just tighten the fill cap and wait another 15k miles.

    Thoughts?
     
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    When the transaxle is hot, some pressure will develop. That is normal.

    I agree that the transaxle was overfilled. That took some effort.

    If you want to defer the ATF fluid replacement that seems reasonable.
     
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  3. 05PreeUs

    05PreeUs Senior Member

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    There is supposed to be a vent for the transaxle assembly, some have just a plastic cap and others a piece of hose that runs up to the passenger side of the Inverter. The pressure indicates that this vent is plugged and while not a critical condition, it could potentially cause seal failure, which is to be avoided given the cost of the unit to replace.
     
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  4. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    If the fluid is red, it's been replaced before. The original fluid at 130k would be really dark.

    I also noticed air coming out when I drained my fluid.
     
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  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Proper level is determined by filling with the car level, till it starts coming back out. It sounds like you're struggling with getting the car raised AND level.

    I would work out a safe way to do that, or get the car on a hoist. Sounds like someone has already changed the fluid, fairly recently. Maybe just have one qt of the Toyota ATF WS fluid on hand, raise and level, remove fill bolt, try putting a bit on (via funnel and hose extension from above is very easy), till it comes back out.

    Or: do nothing, what you already did mighta accomplished this more or less.
     
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  6. 05PreeUs

    05PreeUs Senior Member

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  7. Jimbo913

    Jimbo913 Junior Member

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    Thanks everyone for input so far. I think I duplicated a thread, as I was getting "server errors" when I attempted to post. Hopefully the mods can delete the other one.

    To answer some comments, I started with the car on a level surface and only raised the front above level to get a reference for how much was in it as I slowly lowered it. In the end I lowered it the entire way to level or just above (definitely wasn't low), and let fluid drain out the fill. Final outcome (measured) was 2 cup extracted.

    Based on feedback I feel confident torquing the fill plug and waiting another 15k although I will check the thread about the vent and see where that leads.

    Oh, and car was not operated 13 hours before messing with the fluid so it was cold. And that fluid stinks! I had to smell the new fluid just to make sure the correct stuff was in the trans.

    The vehicle appeared to be dealer serviced so odd it was over filled. I assume it had to be raised fairly high in front to stuff in the extra 2 cups. OR my front struts are sagging from the time fluid was changed.. but it drives fine.
     
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Is the fill bolt towards the rear on 2nd gen? If so that'd lead to excess draining if you started level and just raised the front. Also, strong smell sounds odd: "alternate" fluid in there??

    I'd seriously look into getting the car raised and level, it's not that hard. Then maybe do a complete drain and fill with proper fill, just so you know where you stand. Expense is about $40.
     
  9. Jimbo913

    Jimbo913 Junior Member

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    Drain is in the front and the new fluid stinks just like the old. I have worked on autos my entire life, so I have smelled all kinds of fluids but the smell of this fluid is unique.
     
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  10. Jimbo913

    Jimbo913 Junior Member

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    Just put a level on the concrete pad for a sanity check and it was level. I knew that because I poured the pad but wanted to ensure it didn't settle or something.
     
  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Yeah then it's probably all good. Somebody probably did a DIY refill with front raised.
     
  12. 05PreeUs

    05PreeUs Senior Member

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    with that fact in hand, I would certainly verify the breather is open, pretty sure the fitting can be removed from the case. I would not want excessive pressure inside the case, if a seal fails and the fluid gets out that would be a very costly repair.
     
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  13. Jimbo913

    Jimbo913 Junior Member

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    I just thought of something.. What I thought was pressure may have been vacuum. That might make sense why the oil wasn't being forced out while I was unscrewing the plug. Had it been pressure it should have started leaking out past the threads being over filled but it didnt rush out until I pulled the plug completely.

    This kind of came to me while reading on the internet that these transmissions will form a vacuum when they cool.
     
    #13 Jimbo913, Jul 15, 2017
    Last edited: Jul 15, 2017
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  14. 05PreeUs

    05PreeUs Senior Member

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    Based on that, seems like it was a vacuum, which is good.
     
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