Hello there,
I have a 2007 Lexus ES with 170k miles on it. The problem is I noticed a shifting flare between the 3rd and 4th gear three years ago, only when the transmission is cold. How to reduce this flare? It's only common with this model year. I'm thinking about adding some addictive (Lubeguard or Lucas) with only one-quarter of Tran fluids to the transmission. Many owners have used it in another car and said it helps. An owner of the same vehicle said an ECM reset or software reset might help. I tried this by disconnecting the battery, but it didn't help. The next step could be to diagnose the solenoids. If nothing works, then replace the valve body or the whole transmission. Any advice/suggestions?
How to reduce this flare?
Take the vehicle to a transmission expert who can diagnose the problem using a fancy scan tool. Has the transmission been properly serviced over the last 18 years? At that mileage it should have had at least 3 fluid and filter changes.
I'm thinking about adding some addictive (Lubeguard or Lucas)
Snake oil that's a temporary bandaid to get a little more life out of cars that have three wheels in the junkyard and the 4th on an oil slick. It will not fix any underlying problems. How much longer are you planning to keep this vehicle?
I live in Tennessee temporarily. Is it possible to take a picture with you, Scotty?
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@chucktobias
Thank you,
I went to four Transmission experts, and I was told that if I changed the transmission fluid, it would get worse. It was a common issue in 2007, and many owners have experienced it. I got this car in 2019, and the transmission fluid was changed only once on 70-80k miles. I'm planning to keep using this car for the next two years.
If the transmission has not been maintained up to this point, yes, changing the fluid now could make the problems worse. You could try the Lucas product but there's always a chance that it either won't work or might make matters worse.
It's tough to make plans about how long you want to keep a vehicle when it has a hinky transmission.
@chucktobias Thank you,
I don't know what BG has in their secret sauce but I was told they put cleaner solution in 1st with the old fluid then let the solution run through a while then drain it and chase new fluid after it then add a conditoner in the final step.
Whether that's going to do good or harm depends on what the problem is. If friction surfaces are worn then the gritty fluid may be all that's letting the transmission work at all and cleaning it out can make matters worse. If the problem is due to dirt in the valve body that kind of treatment may help.
It also helps to have specific diagnostic information for the transmission. On my own car flaring between 3rd and 4th gear is usually caused by a weak or broken accumulator spring in the valve body, which is a pretty easy fix. (In fact there was a TSB for it.) If the shop manual or TSBs for the Lexus transmission are consulted it's possible that sort of troubleshooting information may be found.
My local dealer will only do this type of flush/exchange.
Why are you taking an 18-year old vehicle to the dealer for service? In most cases that's going to be the most expensive option and they may not even be very competent. Many of their technicians were probably toddlers when that thing was built. A good independent shop is generally best bet in most cases for anything not related to recalls or warranty repairs.
I had the exact same problem after asking the local Toyota shop to change the transmission fluid. I took it back to them and they said it was a torque converter clutch and assumed no responsibility for damaging my transmission when it worked fine before they touched it. I took then it to a transmission specialty shop, left it all day and they said they could overhaul it or replace it with a used transmission.
I noticed my regular mechanic had a BG sign in the window. I asked them to do BG transmission service, problem solved. I don't know what magic they performed to fix it but the service advisor said they don't force fluids through the transmission with high pressure but let the transmission pump move the cleaning agents throught the valve body passages at normal pressure. Then drain the old fluid and pump in new fluid. You could try that for your car. I have an '07 ES350 with 286K miles.
i should add that I have been having a shop change my transmission fluid for me every ~75k miles. I went to Toyota that one time because they were open on Saturday and my regular mechanic isn't.
@jdavidm Thank you for sharing this before replacing either the valve body or the transmission as I had been told. I will think about BG Service, but it sounds like a flush. Did they use the Lexus fluid, and did they use any addictive?
I don't know what BG has in their secret sauce but I was told they put cleaner solution in 1st with the old fluid then let the solution run through a while then drain it and chase new fluid after it then add a conditoner in the final step. I think the dealer mechanic used high pressure to push fluid through and plugged some holes in the valve body causing the flare and the BG was able to disolve the clot.
@jdavidm My local dealer will only do this type of flush/exchange. Not only do they 'recommend' it, they insist upon servicing it this way.