Need help with VVT-i transmission...!

[wyldejackyl]

My fiancee has a 2003 vibe that's nearing 25,000 miles. On all other cars I've worked on, the transmission fluid had a recommended change interval of every 30k miles. She drives the car hard and it sees most of its road time in the city. I intended to change it a little early to be paranoid, and replace it with Mobil 1 synthetic ATF.Besides changing the fluid, I'd imagine there is one or more filters/screens that need to be changed around the pickup area in the transmission pan, in addition to a new gasket for the pan. I need to know where to get OEM parts cheap, and what parts I need (part numbers if you got 'em) to get this done. I've never had to buy parts for this car other than a K&N panel filter, oil and filters - so I need some sort of a hookup for parts so I can avoid going to the $tealership at all costs. Thanks for your help!

[wyldejackyl]

PS: it's an automatic. Not sure what the tranny code is, but it's probably the same for all Vibe auto trannies since Toyota hasn't changed much (that I know of) on its platform.

[Caretaker]

uh, pardon me for saying so, but doesn't Vibe manual page 7-6 say that the automatic transmission fluid should be changed at 60,000 miles under short trip driving conditions? I hate to see you waste your time and money.

[joatmon]

I don't know where to get a good price on the parts, but maybe the tranny has been out there long enough for the parts to be available at your local auto parts store. Probably same tranny used in Corollas, and there are a gazillion of them out there. Definitely same tranny in a Matrix, so if you end up at a dealer for the parts, check both GM and TOyota delaers for the best price. Does she have the base or AWD?There is a filter in there, and there are also a couple of magnets in the pan to catch metal pieces. when you change to synthetic ATF, do you need to flush the old stuff out? How do you get the old stuff out of the tranny cooler and torque converter?

[wyldejackyl]

Thanks for the advice - I didn't look at the manual because I don't know where it is, and I didn't think the procedure for changing it would be in the owners manual anyway. I forgot that the basic manual usually has change intervals though. 60,000 seems steep for me. That's just like changing oil at 15,000 miles. Sure you can, and to me 3000 seems to early, but I usually change the filter at 3k, top it off, then go another 3-5k since it's mobil 1 and will keep its integrity far longer.Also, the fluid smells burnt. It's brown, and doesn't have the characteristic smell - it smells like it needs to be changed, and it looks a little "muddy". I intended to put synthetic in since it's better than chemicals distilled from dead dinosaurs.As for flushing it, I have no idea here. I know M1 synthetic fluids are fully compatible with conventional ones. Having them intermingle shouldn't be a problem. However, I would like to flush as much as possible. Perhaps some brake cleaner (evaporates with 0 residue) and compressed air might get more out? Perhaps there's a hose inside I can disconnect and pump new fluid thru to drain the old stuff (like a pressure brake bleeder) I have no idea. I was hoping you guys would know.I try to avoid automatic transmissions whenever possible in favor of a manual gearbox. But she wanted an auto for sitting in city traffic and I can't say I blame her (although I think the car would have been more fun with a stick - certainly more lively when power is needed). The reason I asked about parts is I get all of my european parts through a broker, and their prices are ALWAYS a mere fraction of what the stealer charges. Usually half or less. I've never had to source parts for a Toyota before so I'm not sure if there's a popular website or store that caters to the Vibe/Matrix crowd. Do you think it's normal that the trans fluid has an unpleasant (read - burnt) smell and is not the characteristic clear/red color? EDIT: It's a base model, no AWD.

[joatmon]

Vibe's have been out for a little over 2 years, and not many have yet reached the 60K mile tranny fluid change interval, so when you change the fluid take and post lots of pics. I have the 5-speed, but in AT cars I've had the AT fluid seemed to always be clear red. I might be concerned about muddy brown. AT owners, what color is your ATF? probably just blow out the tranny cooler with low pressure air, I wouldn't run brake fluid through it. probably also just deal with whatever fluid is in the torque converter, unless there's a drain plug, but I doubt it. I'll try to look in the service manual to see if there are any useful tips. the vibe owners manual can be downloaded in PDF format from GM, there are links in this thread http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=1010I don't remember anyone mentioning any great low price source for general Vibe/Matrix repair/maintenance parts .

[wyldejackyl]

I will take pix if I remember, but I will probably need some place to host them, along with a writeup if I do one (if you guys think it might be useful). I've done this job a few times, but never on a Vibe before, mostly on old GM cars. It's not muddy like coffee that would suggest moisture, but it's dirty red, dirtier than I'm comfortable with. My fiancee is indifferent, but she agrees that if there's a problem, it's better to ignore the suggestions of the dealer's intervals and do what I think is right. I was going to run brake *cleaner* over the exposed parts I could see, not brake fluid. BC is a nice residueless solvent that takes everything off, and it won't hurt rubber seals. When I open the pan there might not even be anything for me to clean with it, I would just try to clean as much as I can out of it. And you're right, I can live with whatever is in the TC. If there isn't a drainplug, which I doubt there is, the M1 fluid is compatible with conventional fluids anyway. Mostly synthetic is better than non-synthetic. I find it odd that you guys don't have a source for parts. Sure, your cars are new and not in need of maintenance, but there has to be some place that caters to the Vibe/Matrix crowd. http://www.germanautoparts.com and Gruven Auto Werks are a few places I buy my VW parts from - they get parts directly from europe in bulk and can afford to sell them at a deep discount as they also cater to shops. Their parts sometimes even exceed the quality of those at the dealer because the dealer sources a lot of its stuff from mexico, whereas they will go overseas if they can. But that's another matter - again apples and oranges, but I was hoping here that someone might have some links or info. Car nuts always have a way of finding what they need and not selling their soul to pay for it.

[Caretaker]

As a Ford 626 owner, I totally agree: 60k sounds like waaay too many miles to me too. A rule of thumb from one who is on his 3rd Ford transmission, and power flushes his fluid out every 12k, if it smells burnt, you are probably too late. Get it out today if you think the fluid smells acrid. More appropriately: If you are still under warranty, which at 25k, you are, take it to the dealer and have them smell it and test it. You might need a new transmission at this point. Don't mask a problem by simply changing the fluid yourself. Press the dealer for answers.