brownish tranny?
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brownish tranny?
hey everyone i just recently bought a 94 trans am with 89k miles on it. i got a good deal, but a problem i've seen is that my a4 tranny fluid is like almost a brown color, and makes me start to believe the fluid was never changed in this tranny. I've heard from lots of people that if this is true, then my tranny can start messing up or hit the road soon if i flsuh my tranny. It shifts perfect now so, im not sure if i should do it or, if even a brownish red is so bad, even though its more brown then red. Also even though it shifts fine, the tranny lets me rev all the way up 6500 rpms, is that alright? because that seems kind of high, i dont even know if theres horsepower up there.
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,810
From: Indiana
Re: brownish tranny?
well, brownish tranny fluid is ok on a 89k mile car. this is normal of a car that has never had a fluid change. The old saying is that you "shouldn't have to" change the fluid in your trans and rear end. well, that is true, as it will go for 100k miles + without problems (sometimes), BUT it's certainly not the advisable thing to do. a good goal is to change the trans fluid every 25k miles. i wouldn't worry about rear end fluid.
A HUGE rumor that has been floating around for years is that it is bad to change the trans fluid after it turns a brownish color from never being changed before. It is said that the trans will accomodate leaks and never be right again. here's the scoop on that. If the trans operates properly, then it is safe to change it. you will only get leaks and other problems if the trans is already toast. if the seals are already toast, the older thicker fluid is better for it because it is much thicker and helps keep it lasting. But if the bands are not overly worn and the car is shifting fine, the new fluid will not affect the performance of the trans in a negative way. That rumor really needs to be justified. after many miles, the wear particles start being comsumed in the fluid, where the pump will constantly push dirty fluid through the system. this is much harder on the bands as they can stick and wear more easily.
CHANGE THAT FLUID!!!
A HUGE rumor that has been floating around for years is that it is bad to change the trans fluid after it turns a brownish color from never being changed before. It is said that the trans will accomodate leaks and never be right again. here's the scoop on that. If the trans operates properly, then it is safe to change it. you will only get leaks and other problems if the trans is already toast. if the seals are already toast, the older thicker fluid is better for it because it is much thicker and helps keep it lasting. But if the bands are not overly worn and the car is shifting fine, the new fluid will not affect the performance of the trans in a negative way. That rumor really needs to be justified. after many miles, the wear particles start being comsumed in the fluid, where the pump will constantly push dirty fluid through the system. this is much harder on the bands as they can stick and wear more easily.
CHANGE THAT FLUID!!!
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 159
Re: brownish tranny?
Originally Posted by blackztpi
well, brownish tranny fluid is ok on a 89k mile car. this is normal of a car that has never had a fluid change. The old saying is that you "shouldn't have to" change the fluid in your trans and rear end. well, that is true, as it will go for 100k miles + without problems (sometimes), BUT it's certainly not the advisable thing to do. a good goal is to change the trans fluid every 25k miles. i wouldn't worry about rear end fluid.
A HUGE rumor that has been floating around for years is that it is bad to change the trans fluid after it turns a brownish color from never being changed before. It is said that the trans will accomodate leaks and never be right again. here's the scoop on that. If the trans operates properly, then it is safe to change it. you will only get leaks and other problems if the trans is already toast. if the seals are already toast, the older thicker fluid is better for it because it is much thicker and helps keep it lasting. But if the bands are not overly worn and the car is shifting fine, the new fluid will not affect the performance of the trans in a negative way. That rumor really needs to be justified. after many miles, the wear particles start being comsumed in the fluid, where the pump will constantly push dirty fluid through the system. this is much harder on the bands as they can stick and wear more easily.
CHANGE THAT FLUID!!!
A HUGE rumor that has been floating around for years is that it is bad to change the trans fluid after it turns a brownish color from never being changed before. It is said that the trans will accomodate leaks and never be right again. here's the scoop on that. If the trans operates properly, then it is safe to change it. you will only get leaks and other problems if the trans is already toast. if the seals are already toast, the older thicker fluid is better for it because it is much thicker and helps keep it lasting. But if the bands are not overly worn and the car is shifting fine, the new fluid will not affect the performance of the trans in a negative way. That rumor really needs to be justified. after many miles, the wear particles start being comsumed in the fluid, where the pump will constantly push dirty fluid through the system. this is much harder on the bands as they can stick and wear more easily.
CHANGE THAT FLUID!!!
I agree with blackztpi, change the fluid.
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