ok, i just took the trannie pan off to change the filter. the fluid color is a very dark but still red/marroon sort of color. the magnet was covered in a grey substance with a silt like feel to it. it was completely coated. i stuck my finger in it and it appeared to me that it is very, very fine metal dust mixed in with the dark colored fluid. I did NOT see ant sort of chunky or large debris. the same silty film was coating the bottom of the pan. i cleaned it all out with a cotton rag. I want to flush the rest of the old fluid out but I don't have enough fluid here at my family car garage. i don't know how bad or how worn things are since i don't have a trained eye, but I can say the fluid couldn't get much darker than it is. i'm going to put the new filter in and add fluid 2 QT's at a time until full. any recomendations from any one?

 

I'm not knowledgeable about transmissions at all, so take this with a tablespoon of salt. But I've heard from others on this forum that if you change the fluid in a tranny that's got a lot of metal in it, it won't perform well afterwards because the metal in the fluid was what was keeping things running alright.

I've heard what sounds like horror stories of people changing the fluid, and having to junk out the tranny afterwards.

However, be sure to get other peoples opinions before listening to me...lol.

 

Sounds about normal regarding the ATF condition and wear particles, which means time for a fluid change. If you can't do a full flush and fill, then a pan drop is the next best thing.

 

Thats friction material from the clutches, fine metallicish, granual, grey kinda stuff. Means wear, but I cannot tell you how much is time to pull the tranny and do a rebuild. I have heard and read different things. from leaving the clutch material in there because it will act as a friction modifier (I dont think I believe this), have heard that the material is so fine it goes through the filter (dont know if I believe that either).

 

Use a spray cleaner to do a final rinse on the tranny pan, to remove any residual cotton fibers, or deposit residue, before re-installing the tranny pan.

I agree it sounds like normal wear & clutch friction material debris on the magnet & in the pan.

Seeing as how things seem normal, no chunk debris, undue sludge, or varnish deposits, I'd maybe consider opting for a do-it-yourself complete tranny fluid pump out with new fluid.

 

Any transmission that has all this junk in it was dying anyway, and changing the fluid did not trigger a failure. Truth is, they neglected the transmission till it began acting up, and only then did they do something about it. The only chance you have of extending its life is to change the fluid. Leave that old junk in there, and more internal components will be damaged.

The material is fine enough to pass through the filter. Don't believe me? Take some old fluid and pour it through a transmission filter. It comes out just as dirty, and the fluid is still discolored and has a burnt barbeque smell to it.

No the friction material floating in the fluid doesn't act as a friction modifier, but it does act as a sandblaster, wearing away and enlarging small passages, tearing up seals, etc. It also causes the fluid to absorb and hold heat, which will increase the transmissions tendency to overheat.

 

That would be like leaving the "extra" parts in the bottom of a blown motor, running it and hoping that they fall back into place. Never in a million years!

 

well a few days later...and no problems. no leaks,nothing out of ordinary. I don't notice any significant improvement either, other than the fact it may last a while longer. so other than the trans filter change, i replaced pugs (i used the autolite platinum, AZ # AP764) and also replaced the wires. I went with the ones I could afford, Duralast. I've got a fuel filter to put in tomarow. and also a PCV valve. though i am having a little difficulty finding the actual valve and how to go about removing it to check it out. ( if it rattles it is still working...right?) what about the fuel filter?, is it easier with a near empty tank or does it matter? and is their a way to test it to see if it should be changed? after those two things the oil change is due soon. I would like to lube everything else as well. any other recomendations for major tune up? power stearing fluid? right now the truck is getting JUST about 300 miles to a tank. should i be getting more or is that the best I'm going to do? - thanks to any and all replies.

 

I'd suggest Auto Rx...

http://www.auto-rx.com/auto-rxnet/index.html

 

sounds to me like you are doing all the right things in trying to maintain your truck, clean all gunk out of the trans pan was the best thing to do and by no means does that mean your trans is going to fail.

 

The older automatics would dump all sorts of crud, while the newer ones leave a fairly clean pan even after thousands of miles. The 'sludge' you found is normal after a lot of miles. If you found chips of brown flaky material, then I'd be worried about the clutch frictions falling apart. If you found shavings, that would be a bad sign also.
I didn't see what engine you have, or year, but the 2.3 hides the PCV under the intake manifold in-line with the tube leading from the oil separator to the underside of the upper intake manifold. The new one will come with an F-shaped plastic piece that you get to discard. The tubes generally get so hard from heat and age that it is very difficult to remove the PCV without shattering them.
I have never been able to find a replacement fuel filter for my 85 EFI, so I still have the original after 23+ years. PCV is factory also. Guess there is not much gunk in my tank or I'd be at the side of the road somewhere...
If the fluid did not smell burnt and sour, most likely it has not been overheated enough to damage the transmission. If it smells burnt, then the oil has gotten hot enough that you could do french fries in it.. really. And that does not do good things to the gizzards, providing minimal friction reduction when that hot. IMO.
tom