[LDMaguire]

Fully realize that I am asking a question here that can slip into various 'religious' opinions, but I was hoping to hear people's thoughts on how often to swap out the Magnefine transmission oil filter and how often to do the ******* transmission flush.

I am personally also going to replace the stock transmission filter (part number 35330-08010) at the same interval of the ******* transmission flush. I realize that there are various opinions about this on the forums as well but that is something I am going to do no matter what.

My current thoughts are to replace the Magnefine transmission oil filter once a year and then look at the ******* transmission flush every 50,000 miles. But, I am not hard set on this at all and look forward to hearing other people's thoughts.

 

[LDMaguire]

Also, moderators, can you please move this underneath the "Problems, Maintenance, and Repair" section for the Gen 2. I thought I had selected that option but I guess I clicked wrong because it is in the "General Discussion" area for Gen 2 right now.

 

[paul r]

At 160k miles I installed a Magnefine filter in my 06. At 177k I replaced it and cut the old one to see what it looked like inside. I am now at 206k miles and I replaced another filter with 23k miles on it. I still need to cut it open to see what it looks like. With my Sienna I do drain and fills only. Here is the discussion I posted.

Changed the magnefine filter after 17 k miles 06LE

So today , after two years and 17k miles, I removed and replaced the magnefine filter that I had installed in my 06. I cut it open to see what it looked like inside. At the time of installation I also dropped the transmission pan and renewed the strainer. There are some filings on the magnet...

www.siennachat.com

 

[BillG]

If Toyota listed service intervals to 200k miles, they would probably put a trans. service (replace the filter and do a full fluid flush) at 100k interval. The fluid will last probably 120-150k without service, at which point it will likely start triggering issues like gear slipping, trans codes, etc. The filter will probably still be functional to about the same point. So, given that you want to be ahead of the maintenance requirement rather than trying to save a nearly dead transmission with a fluid and filter change when it starts failing, the ideal option would be to replace the fluid and filter every 100k miles. That gives you a simple answer for the filter. For the fluid, you can pay to have a machine flush done, do a manual flush by disconnecting the trans cooler lines (never done this personally), or just do drain-and-fills. The drain and fill only replaces 4(ish) quarts of fluid, so it's an "inferior" change which is so simple that it's probably the best option. The interval is the real question. My personal feeling is, if you were to start from brand new out of the factory, you should probably do 30k fluid drain and fill intervals. So you would do 30k drain and fill, 60k drain and fill, 90k drain and fill, 100k filter change. Since Toyota says fluid and filter are "lifetime" components, most people pick up a used Sienna with XXX,XXX miles on it and no record of fluid service ever done. If it's over 100k, I'd start with a filter change and then a drain and fill at every oil change for the next 3 and 30k intervals after that. If the fluid is really bad, I'd do a drain and fill, run it for 1000 miles, change the filter, and then drain and fill at every oil change for the next 3 followed by 30k intervals.

So, that's the stock fluid and stock filter. The question of the Magnefine filter interval is easy. The manufacturer recommends replacement every 12 months, but "time" doesn't really tell you anything when it comes to fluids in a close-loop system. So, using the industry standard of 10-15k miles per year of driving is the standard for "normal" miles, you can just pick a round number (i.e. 10k miles) for a filter change or, do like I do for an oil change and change it once per year in the late Spring/early Summer when the weather is nice, even if it's not at the mileage threshold yet.

 

[LDMaguire]

@BillG and @paul r - I appreciate the input.

On the transmission oil, I am not going to do the flush or the drain-and-fills.

For some reason, the system gave me asterisks when I typed a word that you would think would be fine. That word was (the color of a rose)+neck flush. That is the one I prefer because it does not pressurize the system and it gets all the fluid replaced or at least really close to this. This is the option you are mentioning of disconnecting the trans cooler lines.

 

[wag3719]

I have been doing transmission drain and fills every 30k miles since my 05 was new. At the first 30k drain and fill I installed a Magnefine transmission filter. I replaced the Magnefine at 60k and opened it up. Inside I found virtually nothing so I decided that changes every 30k were too often. At 120k I changed the Magnefine and again found virtually nothing. Personally, I don't think that 1 year or 12k replacement intervals are necessary, IMO the Magnefines will go much longer.

 

[sixto]

For some reason, the system gave me asterisks when I typed a word that you would think would be fine. That word was (the color of a rose)+neck flush.

Roses come in many colors

Does a Magnefine prevent damage or further damage? The transmission needs repair if the Magnefine catches anything. Hopefully you have a repairable/rebuildable transmission vs a core.

I think most people mean what you describe when they say flush. Hooking up a dialysis machine is typically called a power flush. I’ve read about a reverse flush and not many good things about the process.

Sixto
‘04 LE FWD 201K miles

 

[paul r]

Just to expand on my initial response , I did a complete renewal of the transmission fluid ( 06 LE ,Toyota T-IV) at about 65k miles by disconnecting the return line to the transmission at the radiator end. I utilzed the transmission pump in this case to extract 2 quarts at a time ( conservative), refilling by the same each time. In all it took about 12 quarts before I was pleased with the color of the fluid coming out, then buttoned up everything . I believe the flush machine at a shop might be more forcefull, I really can't tell and so the opinion of most is to not do this especially with higher mileage vehicles for fear of stirring up things. Since then I have been doing drain and fills . I still have the second Magnefine filter , yet to be opened up to see what it is like in there after 23k miles. Perhaps the first one that I removed at 17k trapped most of the crud in the system up to 160k . After I open up the second one , depending on what I see , will definitely give me an idea of the intevals for renewing. I'll post pics then.

 

[LDMaguire]

@paul r Yes, agree with you on the type of flush using the pump on the car versus something pressurizing the system. I feel much more comfortable with this as well. I did the same about 40,000 miles ago and now debating when I will the same again.

I am also thinking the same on the Magnefine filter. But, I am going to probably do that more than is necessary only because it is so easy to do and the filter is so cheap. Almost assuredly overkill. But, given the cheap and easy factor as compared to the cost of replacing a transmission, I am inclined to lean in there more even if that means I am being a good bit more aggressive than necessary.

 

[paul r]

I used a dremel and cut open the second Magnefine filter . This was removed after 23k miles. The filter material looked dirty enough for me and there was crud on the magnet. You can clearly see the shavings on the magnet which was located at the input side of the filter. I wiped the magnet clean to show the difference.

 

[LDMaguire]

@paul r You have encouraged me that much more on being generous on replacing that filter a bit more frequently.

 

[wag3719]

If you cut it open with a Dremel, most of those metal shavings likely came from cutting it open. The filter actually looks pretty good and was doing it's job IMO. I'm still using the model that had a screw cap opening on one end, I purchased a half dozen of them at least 16 years ago. This model was supposedly able to have the filter element replaced, but I never saw them for sale.

 

[paul r]

If you cut it open with a Dremel, most of those metal shavings likely came from cutting it open

The magnet was at the opposite end to where I cut and most of the crud were not filings but a fine "dust" if you will. This one fell off my work bench and jarred the smooth crud and made it looked like filings. I used a hack saw when I cut opened the first and I could definitly see the filings from the cut. I think 20k miles will be my service interval for the Mag filter fro now on.

 

[sixto]

I expect it’s the same sediment that collects on the pan magnet.

Does it matter whether you install the Magnefine in the line into vs out of the radiator?

Sixto
‘04 LE FWD 201K miles

 

[wag3719]

Does it matter whether you install the Magnefine in the line into vs out of the radiator?

Sixto
‘04 LE FWD 201K miles

No. Just make sure that you get the flow direction correct. I found it easiest to mount high on the left side of the radiator next to the battery. It is also easier to service at that location.

 

[wag3719]

The magnet was at the opposite end to where I cut and most of the crud were not filings but a fine "dust" if you will. This one fell off my work bench and jarred the smooth crud and made it looked like filings. I used a hack saw when I cut opened the first and I could definitly see the filings from the cut. I think 20k miles will be my service interval for the Mag filter fro now on.

Some of it is coming from the transmission, but when you use a Dremel, it generates metal shavings as fine as dust, and that magnet is strong enough that it will draw the super-fine metal dust particles to it from several inches away.

 

[LDMaguire]

@wag3719 I actually installed my on the other side of the radiator (passenger side) over by the fill tank for the windshield wiper solution. I copied that off of suggestions on this board and some pictures that were posted.

Not that it matters a great deal. I just find that really easy as I had also attached a secondary transmission oil cooling radiator as part of helping for when I am towing.

 

[ericreyn]

What size is everyone using ? 3/8 ?

 

[LDMaguire]

@ericreyn Yes, but be careful. A lot of stores will say it is 3/8ths when, in fact, it is actually 11/32nd's. I know it sounds like a small difference but can make for a real bear in getting the house attached.

Here is a link to an actual 3/8ths hose online at 4.5 feet:
Amazon.com

Here is the same company at 25 feet:
Amazon.com


I have also attached an image that I got from a forum posting that is close to how I placed my inline transmission filter.

 

[ericreyn]

Cool, thanks.