ATF & PS Fluid Question

[Kai]

I know the TSRM recommends Dexron II for both the Power Steering and the A340E. However, ATF is INSANELY expensive here ($12 a quart), and obviously, i'm wondering if Dexron III or IV (which are significantly cheaper) are able to be used in both systems.

I would like to believe that Dexron III is 'backwards compatible' with Dexron II in terms of application, but again, horror stories like this:

http://www.forum.mkiiisupra.net/showthread.php?t=29760

and

http://www.forum.mkiiisupra.net/showthread.php?t=14505

keep me from biting the bullet.

So - can i get a definitive answer on this?

 

[IJ.]

Only ever used Toyota Type 4 in mine after reading a lot of horror stories from locals that had experimented with other brands/types.

 

[Kai]

Well, i don't MIND using Dex II or Toyota T-IV, it's just insanely priced here (20 litres is about $120 AUD). However, i can get a 20 litre drum of Generic Dex II for £45 ($90 or so AUD), so i might just get that.

More than anything this was for clarification as to whether i could use other things. I wonder if jDub can clear up the 'why not' bit

 

[grimreaper]

That’s shitty! All of the dex III + say backwards compatible and replacements for dex II over here! in for jdubs tech talk...

Quick search does not show a lot except opinions..

 

[Poodles]

IIRC jdub recommends the mobil 1 synthetic ATF in this case.

 

[jdub]

Well, i don't MIND using Dex II or Toyota T-IV, it's just insanely priced here (20 litres is about $120 AUD). However, i can get a 20 litre drum of Generic Dex II for £45 ($90 or so AUD), so i might just get that.

More than anything this was for clarification as to whether i could use other things. I wonder if jDub can clear up the 'why not' bit

The A340E was designed for Dex II - unless you're puting out HP in the 350+ range, it will do just fine. The big advantage of the later version Dex ATF is in longevity...even more so for the synthetics (like Toyota T-IV).

There's two things you can do to increase auto tranny life by defeating it's biggest two enemies - heat and crud:
1) Get a real cooler - mine is a Trucool with a 7" fan.
2) Install a filter. I'm using a Trasko bypass on a standard oil filter head. A conventional oil filter will work too.

That’s shitty! All of the dex III + say backwards compatible and replacements for dex II over here! in for jdubs tech talk...

Quick search does not show a lot except opinions..

It is backwards compatible, but I have had some issues with the synthetics in my A340E - a fully built IPT tranny with a 3000 RPM stall converter. I went with Amsoil at first, but experienced slippage. Mobil 1 did the same thing, just not as bad. Finally settled on Castrol Import ATF - it's s semi-synthetic - the slippage completely disappeared.

IIRC jdub recommends the mobil 1 synthetic ATF in this case.

Mobil 1 is an excellent ATF. Didn't work well for me, but I use it in my power steering (it's got a cooler & filter too).

 

[BrandonW]

i was originally going to get this for my ps
http://www.valvoline.com/products/consumer-products/automatic-transmission-products/automatic-transmission-fluid/32
but i pick up this instead which i believe was a better choice and plus they didn't have the valvoline
http://www.castrol.com/castrol/sectiongenericarticle.do?categoryId=9012227&contentId=7028225

 

[Kai]

In this case then, i'll stick with the recommendation, and go for Dexron II in both, and just bite the bullet on the cost. There goes the idea of a laptop before my birthday!

 

[jdub]

Kai - Maybe you misunderstood...Dex III will work just fine. The Castrol Import I mentioned above that I use is a Dex III. If it's significantly cheaper, that's what I would use if I were you.

 

[Kai]

Found a special deal on Dexron II now

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250521941151

$40 cheaper than Dexron III

Still baffles me as to why its so cheap compared to the shops...

 

[jdub]

Maybe because the shops are gouging people? It's interesting that Dex II is even available in the UK - very rare bird here in the USA.

 

[Jeff Lange]

Toyota doesn't even sell Dex II in Canada, only Dex III.

I'm not sure of anywhere to buy Dex II really... which is probably why it's so expensive over there Kai, it's not common anymore.

I'd use Dex III (well... I do use Dex III).

I've never seen or heard of any issues like were mentioned in those links using Dex III in an A340E.

Again, Dex III is what Toyota here in North America recommends/sells. Now that Dex VI is out, it is all that GM will license, and as such more recently Toyota has been branding theirs as Toyota ATF Type D/M.

Jeff

 

[ae86ma70]

So, what about the PS? Spec is DEX II, will DEX III be okay?

I seem to remember reading it somewhere, still looking for that thread.

 

[grimreaper]

yes just fine, dex VI will work too.