a/t oil

Where did you hear that? I have my transmission flushed and refilled every 50K miles.

There are a couple of things that should be clarify, if you have the car since new and you have allways replaced the oil on schedule-you will have no problem. On the other hand-if you buy a used car then the story is different. Many people do not replace the a/t oil. You don't know what the previous owner habits were. If your car was a used one then maybe the previous owner had good habit and replaced the oil on schedule and for that reason you had no problem. You might be correct, but the rezoning is incomplete. I heard about the possible bad consequences from automobile mechanics and many a/t specialists. You r personal experience might be simply good luck.

Well, if it's a '92 with say 130K+ miles on it and the fluid had never been replaced before, replacing the fluid and filter wouldn't necessarily be advised unless there were problems, but it doesn't sound like there is much option. Drop the drain pan, replace the filter, and make sure to clean off the magnets in the bottom of the pan and put them back where they came from.

What caused all the fluid to drain out?

Changing the transmission fluid and filter about every 40-60K on a regular basis is a good practice.

If you are determined to not use new transmission fluid, I have a small quantity of contaminated, burnt and overheated transmission that came out of another person that did not believe in changing transmission fluid. It is very hard to find pre-used transmission fluid in this part of the world. If you desire some, I would be willing to sell you limited quantities. The price would have to be US $6.75 per quart. Plus shipping and handling. Please do not wait too long as the demand is high. (Limit is currently 55 gal) Best regards.

I never said that I was determined not to use new a/t oil. It was a clear question. Probably a mechanical engineer can provide a knowledgeable and valid answer.

I am not sure that a mechanical engineer can give you a knowledgeable and valid answer. A ME would tell you how things will be based on certain criteria. You have a vehicle that has been operated outside of the established normal for vehicles. To compound matters, you now have a transmission that needs fluid. Every engineer that I know is always trying to prepare for the worst case scenario. For that reason the expected answer would have to be: Rebuild the transmission to factory specifications. You knew that already. You posted here to get other ideas. I know damn well you don't want to buy used transmission fluid from me, or anyone else. What you do want, is a way to be able drive your vehicle without having to rebuild that transmission.

If I operated a transmission rebuilding shop, I would spread stories that transmissions that have never had their fluid changed, will only fail if it is changed now.

I will tell you exactly what I would do if the vehicle that you described was mine.

1) Try to determine why the fluid is not in the transmission pan.

2) Drop the transmission pan replace the filter, or clean the screen. Spray mineral spirits into the open transmission pan area to remove as much old fluid as possible.

3) Refill with new fluid, and add a pint of viscosity booster, such as STP, or another similar thick engine additive. This would help to protect metal parts that have worn from debris being pumped through for so long, and help seal any rubber piston seals that have worn.

4) If the transmission works properly, I would do the same thing again in three to four weeks. This to further dilute the old fluid that does not drain when dropping the pan. At this time, I would only inspect the filter-screen for signs that it needs to be cleaned or replaced.

5) One last repeat of the fluids again. Now return to regular fluid changes. I would use the additive until the trans is rebuilt, or I sold the car.

Please do not be led to the transmission shop because someone thinks everything must be "as new" . Good luck.

I don't know who told you not to change the A/T oil but that is contrary to everything I know and have read. Check Toyota's owners manual/shop manual and follow their recommendations. All lubricants become contaminated with dirt and particles after they have been used; the additives are used up and the oil becomes oxidized. In short it must be changed and I recommend that you use the "severe duty" interval which is shorter than the ordinary change interval. Failure to change fluid regularly is probably the main reason for premature transmission failure.

I also suggest that you check with the Toyota dealer to see whether Toyota recommends the use of a specific AT fluid. In the late 80s they recommended off-the-shelf AT fluild. Hondas recommend a fluid specifically formulated for their transmission and it will give much longer life than off-the-shelf AT fluid.

One must realize that transmission fluid is not like oil that just does one thing. Transmission fluid is a wonder in all that it does, it not only lubricates but also acts as a hydraulic fluid and provides cooling for the transmission.

Here's the skinny on why it would be bad. If the car has over 100K miles on it, and if the transmission fluid has not been changed, that fluid has become dirty and gritty with microscopic pieces of metal and other foreign objects from the wear down of the internal parts and at this point it is actually giving needed friction for those worn parts. If you remove the fluid and put in clean, slick fluid then you have a good possibility of slippage.

If the transmission fluid has been changed on a regular basis, then there will not be a build up of 'junk' in the fluid and as you can guess, the more friction causing material in the fluid, the more the fluid wears down the internal parts. That, in a nutshell, is why it would be bad.

If the only thing keeping the transmission working is the clutch dust that has worn off the clutch plates in the transmission, this transmission has no future. The only time I had a problem from changing old transmission fluid was when I left the vehicle overnight with the pan off on a high mileage truck. I curred it by overfilling until i had primed the pump. then it sucked the oil and sent it to the clutches as needed. For insurance, after I drained the overfill, I added a viscosity booster. That truck worked for another 8 months.

Hey. Cut the crap. You are going to scare my customer.

You said ''I do not know who told you not to change a/t oil…''.That is a very general answer for an specific question.

Have you ever read or know for a fact that it is safe to replace the a/t oil from a transmission you do not know when it was last changed or you suspect it has never being done?

For that specific question, I have never heard or read an official answer. Maybe it is no problem; I do not want to assume that it is not.

This whole thread is completely bonkers...

I have never seen an 'official statement' telling me not to put peanut butter in the transmission...but I don't have any reason to think it's a good idea.

What do you think the make transmission fluid for? If not for putting into the transmission?

Do you inhabit some strange contrary world which makes you question the glaringly obvious at every turn?

What we offer here is OPINION... there are no 'facts' in a case like this.

However if it will assuage your concerns. KrisDel^TM corporation can issue you a Certificate of Veracity from the Ministry of Truth (for a nominal fee) assuring you that, Transmission Fluid (as recommended in your manufacturers handbook) is indeed the correct fluid to use.

I'm ashamed to admit that my previous suggestions of Chicken Soup and Peanut Butter were merely in jest.

Del