Engine oil in my tranny? Damnit!

[Wakeboy1337]

So I bought a newtome car on monday. A 2001 Grand Prix GTP.(I had a 97 a while back and I loved it till it got wrecked) Got a good deal on it for the age and condition it's in.(So I think). Only mechanical problem is that the reverse doesn't engage much when it's warmed up, if it's cold it's perfect. Welp, it warmed up a little today so I messed around with the car a little bit and I pulled the transmission dipstick. ENGINE OIL IN THE TRANS? WHAT THE ****?! I know I could put the car on ramps, drop the pan, and change fluid and filter but what about all the engine oil in the torque converter and valve bodies? Aside from replacing the trans. what are my options.

 

[Wakeboy1337]

The dipstick on the left is the tranny stick. (Click to enlarge)

 

[1AJeremyD]

The oil you see in the transmission is just EXTREMELY used and has never been changed. I have seen this problem before and have heard it before. The GM transmissions do not do well at all to little to no maintenance done to it. If you have lost reverse it may be too far gone to just do a fluid swap and change the filter but its at least a start.

I am 100% positive that what you see in the transmission, really is transmission fluid

 

[Wakeboy1337]

But why does it smell EXACTLY like motor oil?