Gray tranny fluid when draining?

[truwarrior]

The last couple times I've drained my tranny fluid, the fluid has been grayish. Is this normal? I'm I waiting too long between fluid hanges? Since I've purchased the car with 45K miles I've changed the a couple times. I've been switching back and forth between Synchomesh and Synchoshift. I just put in some fresh Synchomesh tonight for the 3rd change at 125k miles.

Thanks in advanced for and advice.

 

[twicks69]

It sounds like you are getting a pretty decent amount of bearing wear or gear wear in the transmission. I would strongly suggest flushing the transmission fluid more frequently, and you may want to use a better "coating" gear oil such as Redline Lightweight Shockproof Gear Oil or Royal Purple Synthetic Gear Oil (75W90 or the 90W140).

If your current shift quality does not improve with fresh gear oil, it might be in your best interests to contact a transmission builder; such as ShepTrans.com, Jackstransmissions.com or teamrip.com and get quotes for a refresh. Otherwise, go to their websites, and expect to pay the minimum price, and have enough money to cover additional parts required.

Are there any large flakes, chunks, etc in the gear oil? Can you take a magnet through the drain pan and pick up any material on it? If so, I would strongly reccomend a transmission rebuild.

If not, you may want to flush the transmission using a standard 80W90 gear oil (coastal or some cheap brand), 1 or 2 times (fill er up and drive it for 5-10 miles or so and then drain it and refill until fresh gear oil comes out), then drain it fully and switch over to the gear oils I reccomended or just keep on using Synchromesh and change more often. The problem with Synchromesh or Synchroshift is that it is extremely thin and doesn't leave too much of a coating on the gears or the case -- its viscosity is only useful in making it easier to shift than a thicker gear oil.

Good luck

 

[truwarrior]

Still appears to shift fine, but I'll try to change it every year. The fluid does seem thin, but shifts good and actually seems a bit quieter. I dont' see any noticable metal pieces. Thanks for the input!