Transmission filter cleaning (inside)

[quintessentiallyenigmatic]

hey guys how do you know when its time to clean your transmission filter thats inside.
1. what symptoms would warrant that
2. what does it entail......how big a task & possibly cost factor

[spanglish1]

good question especially for rb men!!!

[QG]

I would like to know also

[slow323]

check your car manual it should have when to change the filters etc
it would go by how much kms you are doing
also i would guess the colour of your fluid when you change, if it is burnt and is dark brown or black in colour then you know to change the filter as well as the fluid

[SR]

if its dark brown or black ou have other issues than just the fluid

a good practice is to replace the fluid once a year

[krack korn]

hey guys how do you know when its time to clean your transmission filter thats inside.
1. what symptoms would warrant that
2. what does it entail......how big a task & possibly cost factor

Typically you don't clean any transmission filter, you replace it. Cleaning a transmission filter is for if u cannot get one or some kind of emergency. Some filters are just a stainless steel mesh screen, some are a screen plus filter media.

What it entails is removing the tranny sump pan (about 2 million 10mm bolts), the filter is accesible in there and u change it , usually just a single 10mm bolt. A typical 3 year old can do it. A cordless screwdriver is usefull with a nut driver tip to save the wrist for more worthwhile endeavours.

Typically filter replacement is recommended at flud replacement or every two fluid replacements, check manufacturer recomendations.

Cost is:

Cost of filter, maybe gasket and/or silicone sealant, cost of fluid, and finally labour which should just be a lollypop for the 3 year old.

Some transmissions also have an external filter like an engine oil filter, this needs to be changed as well.

The sump pan will invariably have at least one magnet, u remove these by pushing them to the side and they slide up onto a bump and this gives clearance to remove them. Wipe the magnets with a clean rag until all the metal filings have come off.

Inspect filings, they should be very fine like powder, large filings are a sign of trouble, look at the fluid as well at an angle in the light for suspended gold or silver looking particles, this would indicate brass or aluminum/white metal in the fluid, another sign of trouble. Brass and aluminum being non magnetic will not be removed by the magnet and may be removed by the filter depending on the micron size.

If the trouble signs are there, seek professional opinion on the route to take, eg repair or replace, Alternativley u busy change the fluid and sell the car as lady driven and dealership maintained.

[quintessentiallyenigmatic]

Thanks krack korn....................didn't realise was so easy

[krack korn]

^no problem....................me too until a 3 yr old had shown me how, had to buy a sno cone with real condensed milk for that one though. Price come down now.

[Jonathan]

Good info here..
All my cars before my present one had only manual transmissions, so I'm new to this.. My (newbie-ish) question: is a transmission filter as easy to get as, oh..say, an oil filter at our friendly car parts establishments?

*note: it's for a 4A-FE auto tranny

[Rayden6]

I did a filter clean on a JZ Trans, washed with kerosene sprayed with water to wash of passed, flexible plastic around and inside filter screen corners. Blow out with air and install
Using permatex ultra gray on sump

[Musical Doc]

I have a 2018 local 171 corolla. When I take down the sump, do i put a new gasket with no sealant or I use something like ultra gray and no gasket?

[*KRONIK*]

I have a 2018 local 171 corolla. When I take down the sump, do i put a new gasket with no sealant or I use something like ultra gray and no gasket?

Some toyotas (not sure for the NZE) carry a silicone gasket only.
Sold as Toyota FIPG (form-in-place-gasket)

Its like $200+ a tube and you only end up using ½

You can use an oil resistant RTV in its place

[Musical Doc]

I have a 2018 local 171 corolla. When I take down the sump, do i put a new gasket with no sealant or I use something like ultra gray and no gasket?

Some toyotas (not sure for the NZE) carry a silicone gasket only.
Sold as Toyota FIPG (form-in-place-gasket)

Its like $200+ a tube and you only end up using ½

You can use an oil resistant RTV in its place

great thanks! want to change transmission oil and will change the strainer as well. Project for the long weekend coming up

[SamsMobileMechanic]

hey guys how do you know when its time to clean your transmission filter thats inside.
1. what symptoms would warrant that
2. what does it entail......how big a task & possibly cost factor

Depending on the vehicle a scantool will show transmission error codes with no check engine lights displayed on your dash, thats a good indication for sealed automatic transmissions. Another way is simply checking the transmission fluid if its dark brown instead of bright red. ideally the filter is cleaned or changed everytime you change your transmission fluid. Another obvious indicator is the performance of the vehicle especially during acceleration.

Job like that now (2024) cost around $500-$800 in labour