Transmission Problems

[29palms]

hello. ok i just changed my trans filter and fluid. i put all the bults back on exactly were there were and the new gasket it runs good but when i get goin like 80 it starts smoking and then i would slow down it would stop. whats wrong? why would it be doing that? did i do something wrong? please help. thanks u.

[jcrome04]

have you checked the fluid level??

[29palms]

yes. i believe it is at the correct level. how many quarts should i have put in of the trans fluid?

[jcrome04]

..... you should KNOW if it is or not...

Pull out the dipstick... and see what it tells you...

you can't just add fluid "willy nilly" :D

[Marklouis]

what color is the smoke? what does it smell like? where is it bellowing from?

[29palms]

yes it is at the right level.

[29palms]

the smoke is like a light grey. it first blows out through the back then starts comin through the air vents.

[jcrome04]

AIR VENTS??

What does it smell like??

So if you go out and pop the hood with the engine running.. will the engine bay be filled with the same smoke??

[29palms]

no it only smokes when i am driving. and when i get to around 75-80. mph.

[jcrome04]

..so go out to your car ..and hold the RPMs at the same level they would be at it you were going ~80mph.

~3k??? That's not too high.

[Marklouis]

is the transmission fluid check performed on the LS when the car is running in nuetral or park? i dont have my manual at the moment.

[29palms]

while runnning in park.

[nc211]

What kind of transmission fluid are you using?

[29palms]

it was coastal dextrex. they gave it to me at auto zone

[17LexusOwner]

it easily could be the wrong tranny fluid.

why would it be coming outta the AIR VENTS though for god sakes.......

[nc211]

it was coastal dextrex. they gave it to me at auto zone

That's your problem. This is one time where the $130 at the dealership to have the system "flushed" with the proper fluild is well worth the money. If you don't have a Lexus dealership nearby, then find a Toyota dealership, as they too can flush the system. You want to FLUSH it, not "drain n' fill" it, as this will only address 2 quarts of the entire 9+ quart system. Flushing it will get all of the old out, and clean the screen, and replace it with the proper. I would do this pronto, before you do anymore potential damage to the transmission. There are two types of transmission fluid that appear to work in these cars (judging from all the posts on here that I've been a part of), 1) Aimsoil 2)Genuine Toyota OEM Type IV. All others seem to create problems. You've got some cheap, wrong, and potentially damaging fluid in there now that isn't working. The longer you drive with it in there, the closer you're going to come to a significant transmission failure, which will make that $130 look like candy money to repair. No question about it; you've got the wrong fluid. In this regard, it DOESN'T all taste like chicken, if you get my point.

[dcfish]

I concur 100% with nc211, I only use toyota type IV

[python]

what is detrex?

[nc211]

what is detrex?

detrex = determined to wrex your transmission. ;)

[17LexusOwner]

What about Oriely's Global ATF? On the back it says it meets the standards of Toyota Type IV

I've put that in both my LS400's and it seems to be working fine. Has anyone heard anything about it?

[29palms]

so why would auto zone give me that if its the wrong one?

[17LexusOwner]

Maybe because an LS400 is not a very common car to come into Autozone and so they didn't have the knowledge to give you the right stuff?

Happens a lot.

[jcrome04]

Autozone's and other auto parts stores don't sell OEM products.

Just equivalents.. that most of the time... aren't very equivalent :D

[nc211]

so why would auto zone give me that if its the wrong one?

Because it's Auto Zone. There job is to move product, not give advice. If you don't believe us, just call any Toyota or Lexus dealership's service area and tell them what you've got going on and what type of transmission fluid you've got in the system. I'd be willing to bet $20 that they'll tell you exactly the same thing we're telling you, and they would be correct. Transmission fluids aren't as "generic" as motor oils. They're very specific, designed very specifically to operate in a very specific manner in a very specific environment. Think about all the switches, pressure plates, pressure points, rolling gears, solenoids, and gyro thingy mobops in an automatic transmission. They're more complicated than the engine itself.

[17LexusOwner]

...I think I'm gonna change my tranny fluid back to actual Toyota Type IV