dark transmission fluid
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 190
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dark transmission fluid
I serviced my tranny (E4OD) about 10,000 miles ago - put in PenZoil DexronIII/Mercron fluid. I drained the torque converter and put in several quarts before even starting the truck back up, then I made sure it was full.
When I checked it recently (after driving a pretty good ways, stopped on a level surface and put it in Park) the fluid was very dark and fluid was much too high up on the dipstick. It wasn't like this when I serviced it! I was able to get it exactly on the "Full" mark.
Sometimes at higher RPM's (3000+) right before shifting I can hear something "rattling" in the transmission. It sort of sounds like someone faintly shaking a tambourine.
Any ideas? Thanks in advance for your help.
When I checked it recently (after driving a pretty good ways, stopped on a level surface and put it in Park) the fluid was very dark and fluid was much too high up on the dipstick. It wasn't like this when I serviced it! I was able to get it exactly on the "Full" mark.
Sometimes at higher RPM's (3000+) right before shifting I can hear something "rattling" in the transmission. It sort of sounds like someone faintly shaking a tambourine.
Any ideas? Thanks in advance for your help.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,388
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From: Live Oak, FL
dark transmission fluid
It's that darned gypsy tranny fluid you put in.
I'm with jwtaylor, I think dark fluid = burnt up. Can you tell if it's slipping?
Then again, maybe your tranny fluid has an additive in it that desolves varnish and that's what you're seeing. I'd run it a couple of hundred miles and drain it again. But first pump out the excess and get the level right.
I'm with jwtaylor, I think dark fluid = burnt up. Can you tell if it's slipping?
Then again, maybe your tranny fluid has an additive in it that desolves varnish and that's what you're seeing. I'd run it a couple of hundred miles and drain it again. But first pump out the excess and get the level right.
Last edited by Bubba Shrimp; Aug 13, 2003 at 10:22 AM.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 280
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From: Iowa
dark transmission fluid
This is probably an idiot question, but did you check it with the vehicle running? (both times)
My fluid is already turning dark 1500 miles after changing it. Some of it is probably crud from the previous fluid's excessive lifetime (125k miles).
I'm having it changed at AAMCO this Saturday because they do a free scan of the engine/tranny before pulling the pan, and I could use that info.
Plus it's only 20 dollars more to have it changed there than do it myself. And we all know what a mess it can be.
My fluid is already turning dark 1500 miles after changing it. Some of it is probably crud from the previous fluid's excessive lifetime (125k miles).
I'm having it changed at AAMCO this Saturday because they do a free scan of the engine/tranny before pulling the pan, and I could use that info.
Plus it's only 20 dollars more to have it changed there than do it myself. And we all know what a mess it can be.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
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From: Live Oak, FL
dark transmission fluid
I took my truck to Mr. Transmission for a free computer check. After I drove 50 miles to get there, they said, gee, your truck is too old and we can't check it with the computer. They did charge me 259.00 to pull the transmission out and check it. The next day they said it was shot and it would be $1588.00 to rebuild it. I said no thanks. It took them TEN DAYS to put it back together and give it too me. They didn't even change the filter (I asked). I bought a $6.00 can of Trans Tune and now my truck is shifting again.
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Nova Scotia, Canada
dark transmission fluid
I have a 1995 Cougar XR-7 with a 4.6L SOHC and 4R70W 4 speed automaitc tranny. The tranny was rebuilt at 92,000km in 1999. It now has 60,000km since the rebuild and the fluid still looks and smells new. My 63 has a C4 in it and the fluid always looks and smells like new, and I drive the crap out of that car. My 1988 F150 has a 5.0/C6 in it, the fluid is brown looking but does not smell burnt. I had my buddy look at it (he owns a tranny shop) and he said it was just old, so I am going to flush it and change the filter. If its really dark its either burning the clutches or its loosening old dirt, has the tranny been working ok?
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 280
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From: Iowa
dark transmission fluid
so what causes the extra stress on the transmissions in the trucks? Just the added weight of the vehicle, or is it the wind resistance at highway speeds making the overdrive really hot compared to the cars?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 190
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dark transmission fluid
The truck was running each time I checked the fluid level. It pulls and shifts fine, although my RPM's are a little higher going down the highway than they used to be (used to be 2000RPM = 75MPH, now its about 2200 roughly). Should I break down and just have it rebuilt?
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
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From: Live Oak, FL
dark transmission fluid
Personally, if it shifts good and don't slip, and the only problem is dirty transmision fluid, I'd change the filter and fluid again and see what happens. $25.00 for a do it yourself fluid change sure beats $1600.00 for a rebuild.
Don't know what to tell you about the RPM's going from 2000 to 2200. Your sure it's not slipping? Your sure it shifted into OD? Maybe someone has an explaination for that.
Don't know what to tell you about the RPM's going from 2000 to 2200. Your sure it's not slipping? Your sure it shifted into OD? Maybe someone has an explaination for that.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 423
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From: Nova Scotia, Canada
dark transmission fluid
Maybe it just needs a band adjustment. I have always been told that changing fluid in a good working tranny is a mistake...you know- don't fix what isn't broke.....I personally like to keep up on my maintanence.
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