Agreed with everything that's been said by Chris and others. There IS sludge in your tranny and pan, no doubt. That why the pan needs to be dropped and cleaned off, and a new filter installed. And a full flush.

As for the tranny being the "weak point" on the 7.3L, the 2001 trannies had the much-feared-and-talked-about diode problem. But, guess what? Bullet proof jackets have weak points too...doesn't mean the jacket is bad or not effective. There will always be areas on specific vehicles that are more likely to have issues first or more often. And if a tranny only lasted 150k - 200k before going out is considered a weakness, then I wish I had more things that were as "weak."

 

When I purchased my truck I had no idea what maintenance was done so I started with the oil and fuel filters then moved on to the powersteering fluid after I added powersteering fluid and not knowing about using Mercon until I found FTE. Then I moved onto the transmission because I knew he towed a 5er. I dropped the pan and changed the filter and good thing I did because it wasn't red it was almost black. I did the full flush according to Mark K's instruction and have almost 8000 miles on it now with no ill effects. Now I need to address the transfer case since I put Mercon V in it. As others have said get it done or your on borrowed time.

 

The fluid does two things. Act as a hydraulic fluid and provide lubrication. I'd drop the pan, change the filter, and try my best to get every drop of old fluid out of there and replace it with new fluid. (flush)

I'd probably also put a magnafine filter inline just to catch any little metal particles that may be floating around in there because what could it hurt? (If you drop the pan and look at the little magnet, you'll understand)

 

It lasted 160,000 (200,000 total) with me as an owner, so it must be tougher than I thought.......

 

Duly noted.


I'm dropping off the truck early before work on Monday. Pick it up late in the afternoon.


I think I know what my final instructions will be.........

 

Ya,hang on to your wallet

 

Now dagnabit! Why'd you have to go off and say that!!!

Now I'm going to get wishy-washy all over again......lol

 

I want to see how this ends, subscribing.

 

this is gonna end in about 15 years when Steve comes back and says"dagnabit!! i should have never changed that trans fluid, i only got another 213,000 miles out of the trans!!!
it should have made it to 500,000 miles, but i HAD to listen to these guys and it blew up at 413,000 miles!!!

 

Damn. I'd hate to have to wait another 15 years to finally buy a Chevy!

 

Steve mine was questionable on trans maintance. Nothing on carfax with 191,000 miles. Mid summer I decided to do Mark K'S flush.

Friend helped me. I thought fluid looked ok win I bought the truck. At 203,000 it didnt. WOW was it nasty once it flowed into the bucket. Pulled the pan.

Holy Smokes! What the h&ll is that on my magnet? It looked liked a mini silver pomeranian. Wiped with a rag first and my heart sank.

Under the fuzzy stuff was several huge metal piece's. Size of a .177 pellets. Screw it! Trans has no signs of problems, so we finish the job. Clean pan, install filter flushed.

No problems as of yet. 7 days later I towed my new to me 9500LB TT over 450 miles round trip. Bought a scanguage to monitor temps. I only put about 7,000 miles a yr on the truck. I will be happy to reach 250,000 on my trans.

After that long story my point is you still have high mileage transmission with nasty fluid or clean fluid. I decided to risk the $100 service and so far it has paid off.

Flip a coin if you have too. LOL

 

This thread is pretty funny!

 

Maybe this belongs in another thread, but has anyone seen my silver Pomeranian?

 

check the korean fast food joint down the street.

 

Dang, Tom....I left you an opening!


You were supposed to say "look in the bottom of your tranny pan".......


Dummy. Geez!