Avanza: DIY Removal of Excess / Overfilled ATF

1 day after I replaced the ATF, even with around 2.3L of ATF, I still felt overfilled. So that prompted me to perform this next DIY: To siphon out excess or overfilled ATF.

I connected the hand soap nozzle to a rubber hose as my siphon device. Insert the other end of the rubber hose into the transmission via the transmission fluid dipstick entrance. Use an empty drinking bottle as a catch, keep pumping the ATF out. It takes less than 3 minute to get rid of my following excess ATF. Don’t forget to check the ATF level once in a while during pumping to avoid over siphoning of the fluid leaving insufficient fluid in the transmission..

Check out my state-of-the-art device.. LOL!

The ATF I managed to siphon out.. Check out how dirty the fluid is despite only 1 day after the ATF change. This is because only less than 40% of the oil fluid is drained through transmission oil pan. The bulk of it still stuck in the torque converter. So moral of the story, replace your ATF more often. I am practicing every 40k km but I certainly recommend 20k km if your time and budget permit. In fact every litre of the genuine Toyota D-III ATF sold by the authorised service centre only cost MYR19, so 3L only cost less than MYR60. You can even fill your empty fuel tank with that amount of money. By the way, the balance fresh ATF can be used to replace your power steering fluid in the power steering reservoir. They share the same type of fluid. To siphon your power steering fluid from it’s reservoir, same technique, via the power steering fill / dipstick cap.

Avanza: DIY ATF Replacement

Unscrew the drain bolt under the transmission oil sump/pan, it’s a size 14 bolt.

Don't understand why the ATF drain bolt is not located at the lowest point of the sump, how to fully drain the old fluid on the sump? The only explanation I can think of is IF the bolt were lost, not all fluid "escape" so gearbox may survive.. I had to lift the front right wheel using the jack until maximum the jack can provide.. to tilt the pan to try get as much of the old fluid out. Next time can consider siphon technique, releasing from drain bolt doesn't get rid of old lube as well as siphon technique since the siphon tube can reach the bottom of the pan.

Only about 2L is drained..

I bought the drain bolt washer from the authorised service centre, the metal o-rings are for the rear diff, one each for drain and refill screw. The “paper” type is the same as engine oil drain bolt gasket, meant for transmission drain bolt. Didn’t get to use though because lazy to remove the old gasket. Very tightly stuck onto the ATF pan.

 

For refill, I joined some larger diameter straws, to be exact, 3 of them together using salophen tape to pipe the fresh ATF in.

 

I bought extra ATF but seriously, 3L is more than sufficient.

Check out the DIY funnel.. heh! liquid medicine measurement cup for the kid + silicon sealant nozzle, hot glued together..

Avanza: DIY Fix to Air Filter Box Leakage

Been noticing a loud hissing sound at he engine compartment, coming from behind the engine, towards the firewall. A close inspection discovered that there’s a tear on the air filter box seal. The fix is very simple, just use some 3M double side tape to secure the loose foam seal.

Check out the red colour 3M double sided tape, with the protector yet to be removed.

Discovered this while cleaning my K&N air filter, cleaned my throttle at the same time.