Transmission Slipping after Dealer ATF Flush

I brought my truck into the dealer (Toyota of Fort Worth) to have brake fluid, atf and coolant flushed. The service manager just walked up to me holding a quote for a new transmission and asked if my transmission had been slipping prior to the ATF flush (it wasn't). He says that the fluid removed from the vehicle looked brand new and that on their test drive after the flush the transmission was slipping. I'm currently waiting around while the service manager speaks with the tech.

Anyone else experience something like this? The truck is far from new at 128,000 miles, but like I said it was running fine prior to the flush. I still haven't personally driven it and don't plan on taking it back until I have some sort of resolution.

EDIT:

Long story short, the dealer and Toyota Corporate took care of me. My truck now has a new transmission. If you've got a higher mileage truck, I'd highly recommend you don't get your transmission flushed. At most do a drain and fill.

 

Depends on what kind of "flush" they did. If they just did a drain n fill, it may have been over or under filled. If pan drop, same as above, and/or incorrectly installed filter. If the actually flushed with a machine, they may have caused damage to the clutches by doing so. I'm not a trans expert, but those are likely cases. @gearcruncher may have better i put on the situation.

 

the tech possibly didnt have the lines connected all the way causing a pressure build up or used the pressure function on the machine an could have messed up your transmission. they better replace it. you shouldnt pay a penny

 

i never flush tacoma the transmission in our trucks. i always do a drain an fill or drop the pan. the toyota transmission at idle doesnt have alot of pressure so when using the bg flush machine you must use the pressure feature to get the fluid to move properly through the trans. an he could have put it the wrong way an messed up the trans.

 

Things to ask the dealer to do, preferably with you witnessing:
Check at the flushing machine that Toyota WS fluid was used as opposed to Type IV. (One possible source of error if dealer uses one machine for both newer and older Toyota models.)
Check for correct fluid level per FSM - Run engine until ATF temp is in range as observed thru Techstream. With engine running, open check plug on pan and watch for small trickle of fluid. (Time-consuming procedure that a flat-rate mechanic may be inclined to shortcut.)

 

the thing is you dont actually have to do that. you fill with engine off check plug removed wait for trickle. then start truck an fill till trickle again test drive vehicle till at operating temp then check again. no need for techstream.

 

Using Techstream just makes it more convenient/something you can do with the truck in the shop.

Same as a dynamometer--you don't need one to performance tune an engine, but it makes doing so more convenient...

 

^Yep. Techstream is just there as a convenient way to show ATF temp. A DIYer can plug in a generic OBD2 dongle and get the same info. Either way you need to see ATF temp, otherwise you'd just be guessing, not a good thing when the WS fluid can expand some 30% between hot and cold.

 

Although your statement makes sense, it is not exactly correct. Fluid must be at a specific temp range for it to be checked at the correct level. Too low of temp, the fluid will not have expanded enough and thus the probability of an overfill. Too high of a temp, and the fluid will have expanded more than it would have at the specified temp range, thus an under fill.

 

hence why i said operating temperature.

 

Toyota Customer Experience Center 1-888-270-9371

 

Operating temp is close to 150*+, temp check range is between 115* and 130*.

 

that is engine temp not trans. ive changed fluid in these countless times. never had a issue.

 

So they automatically want to replace your trans? They haven't diagnosed or done any possible fixes? Sounds fishy! You should talk to the manager if they won't own up to their mistake.
Another alternative is go to another dealer document everything and see a lawer. Because that's what it'll probably take to get your money back.
P.S. Are they still trying to charge you for the flush?

 

Thanks everyone. I still haven't taken the truck back. I took it on a test drive with the service adviser. I let the truck go from 1st to 2nd 5 times and it slipped once. There was also a harder than normal shift one of the times that it did not slip. The tech that worked on my truck is out to lunch. I'm going to speak with him when he gets back.

I verified with the adviser that it was a machine flush.

They claim that the input and output are different sizes on the machine. I'm wondering if pressure would be the issue here. Maybe the output wasn't connected when the machine was started.

They redid the whole service prior to the tech leaving without any change. I'll check on all this once the tech gets back.

Opened a case with Toyota Corporate. They said they'll likely defer to the tech though.

They aren't charging me for anything yet! I've got a buddy back home who is friends with a tech at another dealership. I'm trying to get his contact info. For the time being I'm not going to take the truck back. I had a ford bronco with the infamous E4OD, I know how quickly things go south after the first slip.

Edit: Defer, not differ

 

well they lied they are the exact same size on the flush machine. trust me i have one

 

What a mess OP, I hope it works out for you. It really sucks to hear these stories. You think you're doing the right thing by having regular maintenance done and then this happens. I bet you were livid when they approached you with a quote for a new tranny!

 

Yeah, this is the great minefield of "Do I change my ATF if it hasn't been changed before?". Several years of this discussion over on the BMW forums when BMW declared that the transmission fluid was a "lifetime fill", before switching to a 100k change interval a few years later (against an every 50k fluid change recommendation from the transmission manufacturer).

Tons of opinions. Everyone has one. Ranges from "Sure, better late than never" through "Change it but don't force flush it" to "If it wasn't changed in the first 100k, don't touch it!". Most of the leave-it-alone positions are based on the potential for new clean fluid with fresh detergents removing scale from the walls, which then clogs up some of the passages in the transmission.

Not sure this post is any help (hell, I'll admit it probably has no assistive value), but take it for what it is. FWIW, when I bought my truck (168k), I called the guy I use for transmission work (well respected local shop, not a chain) and asked if I should change the fluid (with him knowing he would be doing the work). His answer of "No" was out of his mouth before I finished asking the question. He stands with every 50k or not at all. Since I didn't have any info if it had been changed previously, he felt it was best to assume it never had and to not run the risk of failure after a fluid change. My mechanic holds the same opinion.

 

Thanks man, I called another toyota dealership. They said they would only recommend a drain and fill for a vehicle with 128k. Granted, I had already told them the whole story. I'm on the phone with corporate again. It sounds like they aren't too happy about different dealerships giving out different recommendations. Also, they only recommend the flush if you use your vehicle for towing (I don't). Toyota of Fort Worth has been sending me reminders about having this done since my last service here at 117K.

 

I'm in the camp of never touching it. Not going to do it.

OP, hope this gets fixed for you!