Hi guys-

I just got a 2001 xle camry, my first yota, on a trade/cash deal for my camper van I rebuilt.

I got it for CHEAP. I took a chance on it as the engine was covered in oil. I could see other work that needs to be done, much of which I've already managed to do on the cheap. Luckily the major issue is just the valve covers and not the heads, Im wrapping those up today.

I just changed the automatic transmission (transaxle??) fluid and this is what the old fluid looks like compared to the old.

http://s62.photobucket.com/user/ericralphs/media/IMG_5573.jpg.html
(sorry can't seem to make the thumbnail links work...)

There wasn't a lot of metal gunk around the magnets either, which was a weight off, and the filter wasn't that dirty or clogged.

No idea when the last time it was changed was. The girl who owned the car before me didn't really seems to know too much about it...

That fluid is dark. I'm new to the DIY game with cars. Is there anything important about the car that can be determined from looking at the old fluid?

 

I got the image there for you

the thing here is smell of the old oil ..if it smelt burnt ..the box is ageing
no metal on the pan magnets is good
there is still red in the old oil

I think you have done the service in time


change the automatic oil and filter once a year (well I do )
fit a new filter and new oil dexron

...

 

how'd you do that? I tried using the pic URL and embedding at code...

 

I use photobucket daily in other car forums

I double clicked on the last line IMG
till it flashes copied then right clicked the mouse it pastes the line in the forum post

and you get the image

 

The blacker the worse the condition. Sometimes the fluid thickens. The black fluid still has some reddish tone which is kind of good.

To compare put a drop on a paper towel and compare to photos at the link below:

https://www.google.com/search?q=Dexr...tml%3B286%3B68

Take note the trans pan holes 1/3rd of the trans fluid, the other 2/3rd is in the torque converter. To completely change the fluid requires a good number of pan fluid changes or doing a complete change.

 

Take it from a guy that let his trans fluid go way over the mark to change: change it and the filter like a religion. Easy way to do your own "flush" is to go buy a 2 foot or so section of 3/8 tubing from your favorite parts chain, then disconnect the return trans hose from the bottom of the radiator (hose nearest the driver side), and pop on your new tubing. Run it into a collection container (I like to use old 1 gallon quart marked containers) and run out a quart of fluid. Then put a quart back in via the dipstick. Do this until the fluid coming out is new.

I am tackling my busted tranny this weekend, new wire is in, so fingers crossed.