transmission fluid

[xvr843]

I notice on a cold start, my transmission fluid is dark burgandy, but as it heats it gets like a dark oranger color, is that normal?

[spoiledred94]

I have never noticed that color change in my ATF.

[renchjeep]

I notice on a cold start, my transmission fluid is dark burgandy, but as it heats it gets like a dark oranger color, is that normal?

Your ATF should be a nice light red color, easy to see through on the dipstick. It should smell slightly "sweet", and have no "burnt" odor. If it is any kind of "dark" color, or has a burnt smell, your trans is not happy. Not sure of "changing" color cold to hot.........that would indicate a possible trans problem to me.

[xvr843]

I.bough the transmission used back I'm April and the fluids then was so dirty it.looked.like motor oil so I had it flush. I went to the man who did my transmission installation and he told me it was somewhat normal because the old fluid that was left mix with the new fluid causing the new fluid to get darker. Being that its a old transmission it mY never get to that red Color again

[renchjeep]

I.bough the transmission used back I'm April and the fluids then was so dirty it.looked.like motor oil so I had it flush. I went to the man who did my transmission installation and he told me it was somewhat normal because the old fluid that was left mix with the new fluid causing the new fluid to get darker. Being that its a old transmission it mY never get to that red Color again

If the tranny works okay, I would do a trans service now, and again at 500 miles or so. And repeat that again until the fluid looks good. Replace the filter each time. Clean the pan and magnet, if you have one in the pan. Bear in mind that you may find that the trans is shot, and the new fluid may make things worse. The dirty fluid in the trans now, with the suspended particles of clutches and plates, may be the only thing keeping the trans "working".

When you do a trans service, you will only drop about 4-5 quarts of fluid. The trans holds 11-12 quarts total, IIRC. A lot of that is in the torque converter, which unfortunately does not have a drain plug.

You could also try a trans-flush, but that may lead to immediate trans failure.

Good luck, and keep us posted.

[xvr843]

Transmission I was referring to is already in the car since April. It shifts real fine just after he flush the fluids never got back burgandy. The previous owner of the tranny may of never changed the fluid. It only had 125,000

[renchjeep]

Transmission I was referring to is already in the car since April. It shifts real fine just after he flush the fluids never got back burgandy. The previous owner of the tranny may of never changed the fluid. It only had 125,000

If it works fine, leave it. If you want better looking fluid, try a couple tranny services at 500 mile intervals. Dropping the pan, replacing the filter, and cleaning the inside of pan and magnet is relatively easy, if a bit messy.

[xvr843]

Thanks you so much for your time

[Phantom]

If the trans filter was not replaced I would have that done. If it has been changed you can get a cheap fluid transfer pump and pull out some trans fluid probably up to a gallon, then replace with new fluid.

[spoiledred94]

And when the pan is dropped the first time install a drain plug in the pan out of the way of any components or movements. It will save you a lot of time and mess.

[myfirstbonnie]

A plug is nice, but it leads to lazy people who will just change the fluid and not inspect the pan and replace the filter. Not only does the fluid give a sign of transmission health, but also what is laying in the pan.

My first transmission failure was discovered by the roll pin from the diff in the pan that was stuck to the magnet.

[spoiledred94]

True enough, but if your fluid is clear and debris free and you changed the filter last time using the plug can save you a lot. If even just to drain the fluid before removing the pan