Almost Black transmission fluid!!! Hi there. i have a feeling my auto box is on its way out. It runs perfectly fine as far as i can tell but i just checked the trans fluid and it is almost black, there was also solids on the dipstick when i pulled it out. it was only serviced 3 months ago too( the trans). is it stuffed? ps its a vs with 275,000 k's
It should be Red, and slightly darker after a while, but not black. Flush it out. When last did you do the filter ? Change filter, add 4 new litres, and flush a litre at a time, drain it our from return hose to radiator, then top up what you take out by running engine, let a litre come out, switch off, top up a litre, and do it all till comes out clean. Seeing as trans was recently services, dont change the filter, just flush it all out.
agree with above, with the exception that: a. You dont know if the service actually changed the filter b. If the fluid is in such bad shape and you have seen solids, the filter will probably have been busy removing a fair bit of junk already, and will be worthwhile changing while you are at it. Does not mean your box is definantly stuffed, just means previous servicing was poor, and the recent one did not change enough fluid.
If your description is correct, I'd be saving my pennies for a reco auto. Spending money on a fluid/filter change may be an exercise in futility. Oil colour plus solids on the dipstick means that the clutches are breaking down. Don't go on any long trips. Sorry.
Change the fluid, its there for a reason and if its broken down it obviously isnt working as well as it should be. Dont use synthetic, use a mineral one like Penrite ATF 3 - Its for long drains as well. Probably cost you 50-60 for oil (8 litres) 4 when you drop the pan and change filter, and 4 for the flush should be enough.
It may seem OK but once the filter clogs you will have no gears. Take it back to where you got it serviced 3 months ago and see what they say. Solids found in the oil can only come from the clutch packs which will eventually be fatal to the trans. But first see what they say. Good Luck.
Don't waste your money changing the fluid and NOT the filter. All you will do is contaminate the new fluid with rubbish.
He's only just changed the filter 10,000k's ago. If the new oil is gonna be contaminated just by replacing it, then whats the filter there for ? I'd flush, that way you get it all out of the torque converter then in 20,000k's do filter and oil again. By changing all the fluid and the filter, the new filter will get clogged up real quick in anycase as the new fluid will the doing a cleanup.
