tranny fluid
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tranny fluid
i have read that if your tranny fluid is "foamy" than it is time to get it changed. what is meant by foamy? my '92 f-150 (5L v-8) has been acting a bit funny. when i pulled out my tranny fluid dipstick to check, it definitely had some obvious bubbles in it, but i would not call it foamy. do i need to change the fluid?
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tranny fluid
Small bubbles(grain of salt size) are relatively normal in small quantities. There is no exact figure for how many bubbles is OK but if it is foamy you will know it. Normall would be say maybe a dozen or so small bubbles after a hard drive and they will be scattered around on the dipstick within the normal mark.
Foamy will mean a lot of bubbles stacked on top of each other and may even extend up the dip stick well past the full mark.
Foam may be caused by too little ATF, too much, a hydraulic system leak(ie you are sucking air) or the ATFmay be worn out.
If the ATF smells nice an oily/chemically and is a nice red color, wear out is probably not the problem so check the other symptoms. Be sure to follow the manual when measuring ATF level. The different brands and models have fairly specific procedures to measure the level.
If the level is correct and the color/smell is good then you probably have a leak. Probably most common is that the filter was not seated properly and the system is sucking air through the pickup tube.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
Foamy will mean a lot of bubbles stacked on top of each other and may even extend up the dip stick well past the full mark.
Foam may be caused by too little ATF, too much, a hydraulic system leak(ie you are sucking air) or the ATFmay be worn out.
If the ATF smells nice an oily/chemically and is a nice red color, wear out is probably not the problem so check the other symptoms. Be sure to follow the manual when measuring ATF level. The different brands and models have fairly specific procedures to measure the level.
If the level is correct and the color/smell is good then you probably have a leak. Probably most common is that the filter was not seated properly and the system is sucking air through the pickup tube.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
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tranny fluid
the tranny has not been serviced since i bought it. it has 130k on it and i bought it w/ 98k. i am thinking now that i should have done this 10k ago and that there is probably air getting in there somewhere. i am gonna change the fluid and filter and make sure everything is sealed properly. thanks alot.
brian
brian
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From: So Cal
tranny fluid
130,000 miles with no tranny service??!!!
Get thee down to the local tranny shop, it be time for ye royal rebuild.
Past 100K is a "typical" time that trannies will probably need a rebuild of some sort. That is assuming "normal" regular service. Most recommend intervals of 50,000 or less depending on how you drive, what you tow etc.
With 130K you are due for a rebuild and brown tranny fluid is a really bad sign. Things just wore out dude. My guess is you are looking at between $1,000 and $2,000 depending on whether any major assemblies need replacing(Planetary, Torque Converter(almost a sure bet), valve bodies, pumps etc). As a minimum I expect you will need new clutches and probably seals.
130K isn't bad for a tranny in a heavy van.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
Get thee down to the local tranny shop, it be time for ye royal rebuild.
Past 100K is a "typical" time that trannies will probably need a rebuild of some sort. That is assuming "normal" regular service. Most recommend intervals of 50,000 or less depending on how you drive, what you tow etc.
With 130K you are due for a rebuild and brown tranny fluid is a really bad sign. Things just wore out dude. My guess is you are looking at between $1,000 and $2,000 depending on whether any major assemblies need replacing(Planetary, Torque Converter(almost a sure bet), valve bodies, pumps etc). As a minimum I expect you will need new clutches and probably seals.
130K isn't bad for a tranny in a heavy van.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,968
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From: So Cal
tranny fluid
Ooops, I am hallucinating, I mentioned brown ATF. That was not a symptom you mentioned(it was from another posting where the guiys tranny failed completely)
Your tranny might have some hope if it still shifts kind of OK. A fluid change and seating the filter may do the trick. Still 130K is about when I expect the tranny to fail on a van.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
Your tranny might have some hope if it still shifts kind of OK. A fluid change and seating the filter may do the trick. Still 130K is about when I expect the tranny to fail on a van.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
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