The Supra passed inspection for the first time since 2001!!!

[SrBigbutt]

Well I finally got time to work on the Supra and got my Brakes and tail lights working properly. I had to buy a Minivac Brake Bleeder kit to get all the air out of the system after I replaced the master cylinder because I wasn't getting any fluid out the rear calipers. But now thats all fixed and I decided to drive it to work and get it inspected! And it passed, Woohoo!! I was a little worried it wouldn't, since its sat since 2001. Here are some pics

Now it still has a few issues that I have to get fixed before I can start driving it daily. First I'm getting Tranny error code 62. Which is probably why it feels sluggish at times. It seems to come and go. Also today I noticed that it was leaking ATF fluid. It looks like its coming from the cooler lines. It could also be from the Power Steering. I degreased the underbody today and now its time to find that leak! Then I will change the tranny fluid and filter and hope the error code goes away! :icon_conf

 

[rayall01]

Just changing the tranny fluid is not enough. When you drop the pan, you will only get out about 4 quarts of fluid. A tranny flush will replace all the fluid, and does a good job of cleaning the filter. Costs about 140.00, but it's worth it. I haven't actually looked up the fluid requirements of the A340, but most tranny's require about 12 quarts or more, and just dropping the pan don't get it.

 

[jdub]

A tranny flush will replace all the fluid, and does a good job of cleaning the filter.

You have to drop the pan and replace the filter...it's actually a screen. A complete fluid change/flush will not clean the filter. IMO, putting a real filter in the cooler feed/return line circuit is a very good idea.

If you drop the pan, it will allow you to inspect the #1 solenoid causing your code 62:
http://www.cygnusx1.net/supra/Library/TSRM/MK3/manual.aspx?S=AT&P=17

http://www.cygnusx1.net/supra/Library/TSRM/MK3/manual.aspx?S=AT&P=42

http://www.cygnusx1.net/supra/Library/TSRM/MK3/manual.aspx?S=AT&P=51

You can do a complete fluid change yourself...read this (especially post #16):
http://www.supramania.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3179

I use Castrol Import ATF (Dex III)...it's a semi-synthetic. I would buy 10 quarts if you decide to DIY a complete fluid change.

 

[SrBigbutt]

Thanks for the links. I've been reading most of the threads on here and have a pretty good idea on what I need to do to change out the filter and fluid. The underbody was an oily mess, so I cleaned that up a little yesterday. I need to find out if its tranny fluid or power steering fluid leaking. The lines all seem to be around the same place. Once i find the source of the leak and fix it. I will move on to inspecting the #1 Solenoid.

I'm hoping that its just some wiring issues. Since It looks like I got some ghetto wiring fixes down there. I will have to take pics later. But I have a plug that has some spliced wires together that doesn't look right.

 

[rayall01]

You have to drop the pan and replace the filter...it's actually a screen. A complete fluid change/flush will not clean the filter.

Sorry jdub, I stand by what I said, as that was what I learned in the training session for the system. It also seemed to be verified, by the results achieved, in before and after test drives. I'll stand by it until I see evidence to the contrary.

 

[jdub]

I don't have any pics, but I just tried the complete fluid change on a Cressida A340E about 6 montha ago. Still had hard shift and slip problems after 3 months of running the new ATF. Dropped the pan and the screen was clogged with all kind of crap...replaced it and flushed/changed the fluid again. Problem solved, no more slipping or hard shifts. FYI - I used Permatex "The Right Stuff" to seal the pan. The pan magnets also had some small metal shavings they had caught...only way to remove them is to drop the pan.

From my experience on this tranny (and other A340E's), you need to change the screen before you flush/change the fluid. Otherwise you get to dump 7-8 quarts of ATF for no reason

 

[rayall01]

I don't have any pics, but I just tried the complete fluid change on a Cressida A340E about 6 montha ago. Still had hard shift and slip problems after 3 months of running the new ATF. Dropped the pan and the screen was clogged with all kind of crap...replaced it and flushed/changed the fluid again. Problem solved, no more slipping or hard shifts. FYI - I used Permatex "The Right Stuff" to seal the pan. The pan magnets also had some small metal shavings they had caught...only way to remove them is to drop the pan.

From my experience on this tranny (and other A340E's), you need to change the screen before you flush/change the fluid. Otherwise you get to dump 7-8 quarts of ATF for no reason

Worked great for my A340, which now has 188000 miles on it and still runs tops. Also worked great for my girl's Sorento, done two weeks ago. The difference was amazing. Before, it was shifting very hard, and after, like new. Maybe the best of both worlds is possible, drop pan, and replace filter, then do a complete flush. I'm sorry to hear that you had a bad experience, but mine has been all good.

 

[jdub]

Dropping the pan is not that hard

 

[rayall01]

^^ Certainly not! It's getting all the fluid changed that's the point. Dropping the pan, nets considerably less then half the fluid replaced, as opposed to the flush.

 

[SrBigbutt]

I think I will remove the pan and replace the filter. Then try to do the flush myself. I usually try to do as much work on my car myself as I can.

I'm starting to think that the leak is coming from the Power Steering. I haven't had time to look into it completely yet. I will see if I can clean it some more and track down the leak.

 

[rayall01]

I think I will remove the pan and replace the filter. Then try to do the flush myself. I usually try to do as much work on my car myself as I can.

I'm starting to think that the leak is coming from the Power Steering. I haven't had time to look into it completely yet. I will see if I can clean it some more and track down the leak.

I applaud you're initiative, but I've never done it myself, without the machine that is, so I wouldn't know how well that will work. Good luck with it though.
As for the leak, I definitely vote power steering, as the Supras at my house have had a few PS issues, (not mine of course), and it seems likely that it will happen a lot with these cars.

 

[SrBigbutt]

I guess I will see how it goes. I've never done any Auto Tranny work. But you have to learn one way or another.

I think its the power steering because it leaked real bad when I backed into a spot and turned the wheel to full lock. It hadn't leaked that bad before that. I may have kinked a line or put a lot of pressure on the line.

I just wish it wasn't 150 degrees outside!!

 

[jdub]

I have doe it, just like the link I pointed you to. It's not a hard job, but you will need a helper to tell you when the tranny pumps out fresh fluid into your container. This link should help as well:
http://www.cygnusx1.net/supra/TechTips/transmission_filter.aspx

 

[SupraJerry]

I'm with jdub, change the filter.
They can not be adequately flushed.
Any hydraulic system uses fine screen as inlet filters to the pump.
Every filter & pump manufacture on the planet
says that this type of filter will clog with fine particles that wedge themselves into the weave.
They will not flush out, and can not be blown out with compressed air.
Mesh filters are considered one-time use only.

Do yourself a favor, spend the $25 or so, and buy a new one.

 

[SrBigbutt]

I spent most of the weekend cleaning out a spot in the garage to clear up space for the Supra. So I now can work out of the sun!! I did however find that the leak is definately Power Steering Fluid. I sat under the car and ran it and had no leak I could see. Then I turned the wheel to full lock twice and checked again and their was a nice puddle. Now I just need to track it down.

I also bought a tranny filter and ATF Fluid. So I will hopefully do the filter and flush this week as well.

 

[rayall01]

^ Pressure line most likely, at least in my experience.

 

[SrBigbutt]

^ Pressure line most likely, at least in my experience.

Yep. Its coming from the pressure line. Hopefully I can get that swapped out this week. Will probably get one from Autozone. Hopefully I don't have a hard time swapping it out like some have mentioned.

 

[rayall01]

Yep. Its coming from the pressure line. Hopefully I can get that swapped out this week. Will probably get one from Autozone. Hopefully I don't have a hard time swapping it out like some have mentioned.

Be extremely careful installing the banjo bolt in the rack. It's very easy to cross-thread, as my stepson found out.

 

[SrBigbutt]

Thanks for the tip. I almost did the same thing when I was reinstalling the fuel lines.

 

[SrBigbutt]

Swapped out the Power Steering pressure line and I now understand why some people say its a pain. But overall it wasn't to bad once I figured out how to attack it. So far it its not leaking. I haven't driven it yet. But I think it will be good.

Up next is the tranny. Filter, flush, and check out the solenoid!