Transmission problem
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Junior User
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 63
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From: Andrews
Transmission problem
I have a 81 ford f100 with a 302 and aod tranny, I just recently got it back together.
Noticed when I checked my tranny fluid it was a milky strawberry color so I drain the fluid and changed the filter and bought a tranny cooler.
I've flushed it 4 times and the tranny fluid looked a little better, so I took it for a test drive after I set my tranny pressure and 1st and 2nd gear was good got to 3rd and the truck started shaking.
Do I need to flush it again or replace the tranny.
Noticed when I checked my tranny fluid it was a milky strawberry color so I drain the fluid and changed the filter and bought a tranny cooler.
I've flushed it 4 times and the tranny fluid looked a little better, so I took it for a test drive after I set my tranny pressure and 1st and 2nd gear was good got to 3rd and the truck started shaking.
Do I need to flush it again or replace the tranny.
Senior User
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 477
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Milky color in the transmission fluid means friction material. Friction material is essential for the correct operation of the transmission. You need to rebuild the transmission, not replace it. Continually flushing the fluid isn't going to replace friction material.
I won't lie. It's a tough job. Lots of hours of manual labor to remove and install the transmission. You can expect to spend a few hundred dollars in parts too.
I won't lie. It's a tough job. Lots of hours of manual labor to remove and install the transmission. You can expect to spend a few hundred dollars in parts too.
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,730
Likes: 2,658
From: SE Florida
Milky color means water or engine coolant in the fluid, not friction material. Is there ATF in the engine coolant? If so, the trans cooler in the radiator has failed.
It still means a rebuild. Water in the ATF will quickly destroy the friction material.
It still means a rebuild. Water in the ATF will quickly destroy the friction material.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,239
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From: Northeast Ohio USA
Reads like there's a breach between the trans cooler and the radiator. ATF will present in the coolant as milky pinkish white if that is the case. Mine has a separate trans fluid cooler which You may want to consider.
Senior User
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 477
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Ok, but when I took off my transmission pan last year, I too saw lots of white/silvery color in my transmission fluid too. Some spots were dark. It stuck to my hands and wouldn't come off without gasoline. Definitely not water. I've seen the same thing too when taking off an oil pan (the bearings pulverized into a silvery liquid).
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Northern Indiana USA
a "silvery liquid" is different from a "strawberry milky color". That means the ATF is being diluted by water/antifreeze. The silver stuff could be bearings, clutch lining, or a host of metal things.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2015
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From: Northeast Ohio USA
A few suggestions....1-Install a separate trans fluid cooler. 2-Drop the trans pan and do a fluid/filter change. 3-Place a magnet in the trans pan before re-installing it (that will capture those pesky metal shavings). 4-Do a coolant flush and fill. I would also suggest using regular coolant (not the 50/50 pre-mix stuff) and dilute it yourself. It makes a difference depending on which region/environment/climate you reside in.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
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From: Angier, NC
My self if I changed out the fluid & filter and now "got to 3rd and the truck started shaking" I would say time for a rebuild
Before the built is installed by pass the radiator trany cooler and add a big after market one and flush out the lines.
Don't reuse your converter with out getting it flushed out as it still has the "milk shake" inside it.
Dave ----
Before the built is installed by pass the radiator trany cooler and add a big after market one and flush out the lines.
Don't reuse your converter with out getting it flushed out as it still has the "milk shake" inside it.
Dave ----
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,239
Likes: 5
From: Northeast Ohio USA
My self if I changed out the fluid & filter and now "got to 3rd and the truck started shaking" I would say time for a rebuild
Before the built is installed by pass the radiator trany cooler and add a big after market one and flush out the lines.
Don't reuse your converter with out getting it flushed out as it still has the "milk shake" inside it.
Dave ----
Before the built is installed by pass the radiator trany cooler and add a big after market one and flush out the lines.
Don't reuse your converter with out getting it flushed out as it still has the "milk shake" inside it.
Dave ----
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Apr 30, 2011 02:11 AM