Transmission fluid weird color

Hello, I'm Danny.

The fluid looks kinda burnt. Does it smell like it's burnt? If it's burnt it will do more damage by changing it.Once the fluid gets that way the friction material from the clutches stays in the fluid.After changing to fresh fluid usually the transmission will start slipping.Here is a transmission service tutorial if you want to change the transmission fluid:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-service-an-automatic-transmission

Hope this helps and let me know if you have any more questions about this.Thanks for using 2CarPros.

What does it look like on the dip stick? If it's foamy and light pink, the cooler built into the radiator might have corroded through. Antifreeze in the transmission fluid will melt the soft first layer of bushings, so the radiator must be replaced right away, then the transmission must be flushed to get the antifreeze out of it. Transmission fluid in the cooling system will rot the rubber radiator and heater hoses from the inside, but that will take some time.

If the fluid looks real dark and / or smells burned, the transmission was overheated at some point. If any damage done was minimal, you may get away with a simple fluid and filter replacement. That exchanges about half of the fluid. That is usually enough to replenish the additives. Overheated fluid can form varnish that can build up in the bores of the valve body, resulting in delayed shifts of even failure to shift.

Hi Danny. I've heard this warning before about slipping after a flush due to the friction material being torn off the plates. If that is what happens, wouldn't the slipping still occur with the old fluid? One person told me the friction material circulates with the fluid, but seems to me that would destroy the lip seals in the clutch packs. Chrysler had a problem with that when they developed lock-up torque converters in the mid 1970's. The clutch material apparently made it through the filter and tore up the seals.

My thought was people have their transmission flushed hoping to head off a problem when they start to notice symptoms, but no flush of filter change is going to fix mechanical damage that has already been done. When the symptoms get worse right after the flush, of course the flush gets the blame, but those symptoms had already been noticed, and they were going to get worse any way.

Half the people we talk to believe in the value of flushes and half don't want anything to do with them. My feeling is they aren't needed except right after fluid contamination, and for general maintenance, a filter and fluid change is sufficient. If symptoms have developed, the damage has been done and a flush isn't going to fix that.

I should qualify that. I remember GM having a lot of trouble in the 1970's that was solved with a filter replacement. As I recall, that caused delayed engagement into "drive" but it still shifted okay.

Yes, tThat is the risk that gets taken when the transmission is burnt. If the fluid is dirty that is one thing, But burnt transmissions 99% of the time will start slipping. I've seen it firsthand numerous times. I usually tend to tell people to be careful when their transmissions gets to that point.

Hello again.

How many miles on the transmission or mileage since last change?
Danny-

Hello again.

The reason why all the quick lube places do a flush is so they don't have to remove the pan. They simply place the flush machine in line with the transmission cooler lines and just change the fluid leaving the old dirty filter in the transmission. The right way is to drop the pan change the filter and fluid. If you think the fluid doesn't smell burnt or feel gritty then you can change the fluid. However, If fluid smells burnt, service neglected or other internal transmission problems then be prepared to possibly experience slippage in the future. Hope this helps and thanks again for using 2CarPros.

Hello again.

Yes, I would wait like a month before changing again. Just drive around for that length of time to see if any symptoms like slipping start to happen. Black is bad so I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. Hope this helps and thanks again for using 2CarPros.