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Old Oct 15, 2022 | 01:40 PM
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Default Transmission fluid change

Changing transmission fluid, filter, and gasket. What if the drain plug is overtightened? I know fluid will leak, but do you back the plug off a little to fix it? My brand new torque wrench isn't clicking, and it wasn't cheap. Also does the drain plug gasket need replaced?

I read it is 36ft lbs torque, but after more research sounds like its 8ft lbs. It's a 10mm hex.

What are the torque specs for the pan? 2nd guessing everything i even asked in another thread on this forum. Did i damage my transmission pan?

2005 Scion TC Automatic

Last edited by Doug21; Oct 15, 2022 at 02:30 PM.
Old Oct 16, 2022 | 06:04 PM
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According to the manual, the drain plug torque is 36 ft.*lbf. The manual also recommends a new drain plug gasket. The pan bolt torque is 69 in.*lbf. That's less than 6 foot pounds. Torquing the pan bolts might require another torque wrench. At that low of torque, a beam style would work better than the click style.

Fortunately, the drain plug is hardened. You likely did not hurt the plug. Whatever material the hardened plug is screwed into might be a different story.

Simply backing off the existing torque isn't precise and might not fix your problem. If it was mine, I'd drain the pan fluid into a clean container. Then I'd inspect the threads of both drain bolt and drain hole, then apply a new drain plug gasket and torque the plug to 36 ft. *lbf. Then I'd pour the drained fluid back into the transmission filler tube. At least that's the only way to know for sure.

If you don't want to go to all that trouble, just keep an eye out for leaks. Next time you do a drain and fill, try to pull your torque wrench slowly and evenly. It also helps to know how hard or soft your specific wrench clicks. Try to calibrate your wrench every 6 months and or every time it takes a lick.

Last edited by 62Fender; Oct 16, 2022 at 11:37 PM.
Old Oct 16, 2022 | 06:52 PM
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Originally Posted by 62Fender
According to the manual, the drain plug torque is 36 ft.*lbf. The manual also recommends a new drain plug gasket. The pan bolt torque is 69 in.*lbf. That's less than 6 foot pounds. Torquing the pan bolts might require another torque wrench. At that low of torque, a spanner wrench would work better than the click style.

Fortunately, the drain plug is hardened. You likely did not hurt the plug. Whatever material the hardened plug is screwed into might be a different story.

Simply backing off the existing torque isn't precise and might not fix your problem. If it was mine, I'd drain the pan fluid into a clean container. Then I'd inspect the threads of both drain bolt and drain hole, then apply a new drain plug gasket and torque the plug to 36 ft. *lbf. Then I'd pour the drained fluid back into the transmission filler tube. At least that's the only way to know for sure.

If you don't want to go to all that trouble, just keep an eye out for leaks. Next time you do a drain and fill, try to pull your torque wrench slowly and evenly. It also helps to know how hard or soft your specific wrench clicks. Try to calibrate your wrench every 6 months and or every time it takes a lick.
Going to the dealership tomorrow for the gasket. The drain plug didn't seem that tight when i took it off, and when i tried to do the 36ft lbs the plug got snug, and felt like i was going to damage something if i went for the 36ft lbs. My torque wrench is working now. Aldo picking up 18 new bolts for the transmission pan. They are rusted, and didn't think they'd all come out, but they did.
Old Oct 16, 2022 | 11:34 PM
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I said "spanner" by mistake. Here's a beam style wrench that will work well for the pan bolts. It's even on sale. They're usually $25, firm. This one's only $20.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/14295862546...Condition=1000
Old Oct 16, 2022 | 11:56 PM
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Should I use removable loctite for the pan bolts? The ones I took out had loctite on them.
Old Oct 17, 2022 | 03:15 AM
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Yes. Here's what's in the book:

INSTALL AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE OIL PAN SUBASSEMBLY
(a) Install the 2 magnets in the oil pan.
(b) Apply seal packing or equivalent to the 18 bolts.
Seal packing:
Toyota Genuine Adhesive 1344, Three Bond
1344 or equivalent
NOTICE:
Apply seal packing or equivalent to the bolts
and tighten them within 10 minutes after
application because the bolts should be seal
bolts.
(c) Install a new gasket and the oil pan to the transaxle
case with the 18 bolts.
Torque: 7.8 N*m (80 kgf*cm, 69 in.*lbf)
Old Oct 17, 2022 | 01:40 PM
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Ok I got the drain pan back together.

Anyway, i put in 5 quarts, and checked the fluid which is higher than the spot where it should be when hot, but I didn't drive it yet. I took out a little over 5 + probably a 1/2 quart came out after I took the filter out which hit the floor.

I drained my fluid into a bucket, and than funneled it into a 5qt empty oil container. That's how I know how much came out.



I checked the fluid before changing it, and it was high. I've driven this car for about 20,000 miles with no issues. Is this not the correct dipstick? I forgot to ask that before, but have so many projects I am working on, and trying to get then all completed.

Waiting on replies before i go for a spin. I am sure its fine, cause i took out more than 5 quarts and only put in 5 quarts for now.

Last edited by Doug21; Oct 17, 2022 at 03:18 PM.
Old Oct 17, 2022 | 04:12 PM
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Can't tell whether that's the correct stick. My manual is a different year so I can't quote precise ATF capacity.

The only info I found for a 2005 tc with auto trans is here:
https://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/20...s-t_fluid.html

According to the link, a drain and fill should only require 3.7 quarts of ATF. A dry fill is 8.56 quarts.

Sounds like yours might be overfilled by a quart or quart and a half. Too much fluid is not your friend.

The dipstick should have a "cold" capacity indicator on it. The fluid will expand as it heats up so there's also a "hot" capacity indicator.

The cold capacity indicator allows you to approximate the necessary amount of ATF before you actually drive it. After the fluid heats up, you can top off according to the "hot" indicator.
Old Oct 17, 2022 | 05:09 PM
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I just drove it, and seemed fine. I checked the fluid when the car was at operating temp. Looked like it was a tad over the hot. It's just strange that I got over 5 quarts out, and only put 5qt back in. Its shifting fine, and the fluid looks good no foaming or anything.

Last edited by Doug21; Oct 17, 2022 at 06:01 PM.
Old Oct 21, 2022 | 04:40 PM
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i got a picture on my phone somewhere that’s lists the correct amount of fluid per change, 4 quarts tops it off perfectly if you change the filter along with it.
Attached Thumbnails Transmission fluid change-5e641ca2-0cd6-4110-b08d-4f2eaa48013d.jpeg  

Last edited by TheRemyBoyz; Oct 21, 2022 at 04:53 PM.
Old Oct 21, 2022 | 07:49 PM
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Originally Posted by TheRemyBoyz
i got a picture on my phone somewhere that’s lists the correct amount of fluid per change, 4 quarts tops it off perfectly if you change the filter along with it.
I did the filter as well, but 5 quarts seems perfect for me. No issues shifting, and fluid still looks good.
Old Oct 21, 2022 | 08:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Doug21
I did the filter as well, but 5 quarts seems perfect for me. No issues shifting, and fluid still looks good.
Yeah just be careful i’ve never really heard of running excess fluid with no problems
Old Oct 21, 2022 | 11:51 PM
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Originally Posted by TheRemyBoyz
Yeah just be careful i’ve never really heard of running excess fluid with no problems
I got more than 5 quarts out, and when the engine is warmed up its barely over the full mark.
Old Oct 24, 2022 | 03:15 PM
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That sounds like an excessive amount of fluid. You sure you didn't drain the oil? lol.
Old Oct 24, 2022 | 03:16 PM
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Originally Posted by drizzoh
That sounds like an excessive amount of fluid. You sure you didn't drain the oil? lol.

Yes I am positive. I did the oil change about a month ago. I know that's about 5 quarts.
Old Oct 24, 2022 | 05:22 PM
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I checked the fluid again today after 15 min of driving. It looked a little high as shown in the video, than I set my phone down, and wiped the dipstick clean, and put it back in, and pulled it out again, and looks perfect. All on video. Seems every time I check it I either am perfect or a little over, but the beginning of the video I didn't see it go that high before except when I added it all in before driving.

Old Oct 24, 2022 | 05:54 PM
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Is it shifting fine? It'll tell you if it has a problem.
Old Oct 24, 2022 | 07:57 PM
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Originally Posted by drizzoh
Is it shifting fine? It'll tell you if it has a problem.
Yea shifting is fine. I scheduled an inspection for November 7th, and told them to check the transmission fluid level while they have it since I keep getting different readings.
Old Oct 26, 2022 | 03:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Doug21
Yes I am positive. I did the oil change about a month ago. I know that's about 5 quarts.
Engine oil is 4 quarts.
Old Oct 26, 2022 | 10:11 PM
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Originally Posted by 62Fender
Engine oil is 4 quarts.
I always buy the 5 quarts, and always have a little left over. I just round it up when I talk about it saying it takes 5 quarts. Probably is 4, but I don't look at the jug after filling it up I go by the dipstick.



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