badly burnt tranny fluid

[Mach1Mike]

Well here is the whole story. My tranny gave out totally. I thought that what had happened is that I dumped the tranny fluid all together (have seen that on here a few times, and thought I must have fallen victim to it as well)

Anyways, got the truck home, and that was not the case. There was plenty of fluid.....it was just really really bad. Burnt up. Looked almost like engine oil.

So far I have dropped the pan, and replaced the filter, and gasket. Tomorrow I am hoping to do a total flush. I am putting in that Valvoline Max Life fluid for Tranny's with over 75,000 miles.

When I dropped the pan there is a ton of metal dust....but no other bigger particals. I am wondering what might have happened if the tranny fluid was so badly burnt up that the tranny stopped working .

I will let you know if flushing with all new fluid, and filter saves the tranny, or if it is so totally dead that i need it replaced.

 

[mrboyle]

All that metal dust was clutch material. Most likely flushing the tranny wont do much as from the sound of it you are too late to save the tranny.

 

[Mach1Mike]

your prob right.

I will assume that you are right. I really cant see if it was so far gone that it stopped working that it would start just by flushing it. If all of that dust is clutch material, is this somethig that can be fixed short of a total rebuild, or will it need a total? Or is it to far gone for even that, and need to be replaced?

Thanks

 

[rgiles]

From the sounds of the fluid looking like oil, my guess is the transmission is gone. The fluid is the symptom of the problem, not the problem itself. Although it is possible if the fluid was changed sometime ago that the life of the tranny would have been extended.

Most tranny shops will recommend a complete rebuild even if only a couple parts would fix it. If you have the time and the inclination you can try and do a rebuild yourself to save money. Otherwise, find a shop that will only do what is necessary, one you can trust. Try doing an internet search on rebuilt transmissions you can purchase and have shipped. I think I've seen one for $850. Then you just need a shop that will replace it and ship the core back.

Good Luck.