Tranny going bad? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

C&C Chevy · 11-21-2003, 08:18 PM

The last couple of weeks I've noticed a burnt smell outside my truck after I would drive it awhile. The oil has always been changed every 3000 miles and it looks fine when I change it. I decided to check the tranny fluid yesterday and I was a light brownish color. That's wrong, right? Am I smeeling the burnt discs? Is the tranny going out? I'm going to change the fliud and filter out this weekend. Will it help or just delay the inevitable?

Crapola...

C-10volvo · 11-21-2003, 08:31 PM

most atf is red in color. and from what ive heard, changing the fluid when you think your tranny is on its last leg can sometimes kill it. once it starts to go, there is nothing you can do. it sucks, i feel your pain. just pray its thoes disks

C&C Chevy · 11-22-2003, 12:09 AM

Thanks. Pretty much what I figured.

Looks like I need to start looking for a new (or rebuilt) trany.

C-10volvo · 11-22-2003, 01:37 PM

dont take my word for that. it could still be something else. go get it checked out before you do anything. but if the worst come to worst. check out this site http://www.700r4.com/trans/levels.html . ive heard great things about them.
they start out with a 88-93 700r4 because they are alot stronger. they start out at about 900 i think. just watch. next month, my 700r4 will start letting go.

toytruck · 11-22-2003, 02:53 PM

I would do a fluid and filter change. Shift kits a good for trannys too. Faster shifts=less slipping on the clutches.

toytruck · 11-22-2003, 02:59 PM

Just seen that you have a 700r. Dubble check the tv cable ajustment. Doing any towing? A trans cooler is a good idea too.

crackajacka · 11-22-2003, 05:40 PM

sry to hijack the thread but what about the level 3 trans from 700r4.com? would it be a good trans to start with if im going to upgrade my engine?

C&C Chevy · 11-24-2003, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by toytruck
Just seen that you have a 700r. Dubble check the tv cable ajustment. Doing any towing? A trans cooler is a good idea too.

No, towing or hauling. It has a cooler on it. The trans. has 180,000 miles on it, so I'm thinking it's time to replace the trans. Didn't someone here buy from 700r4.com? I wonder how his/her trans. is holding up?

Jonboy · 11-24-2003, 08:14 PM

I have heard good things about Bowtie Overdrives, too. I would think a rebuild is right around the corner at 180K, but why not try changing the trans fluid, and add a quart of Trans-X. That stuff kept my 83 Suburban trans alive a lot longer than it should have been.

MylilBowTie · 11-25-2003, 03:54 AM

Shiftkits are a nice idea but not a good idea for a dying transmission. Its also kinda hit and miss with the transmission fluid change with the transmission additive. The additive will soften the seals and they will expand. This will lead to the seals deteriorating at a pretty quick rate. It may dislodge so crud in there that has been holding your transmission together just enough to work.

Brown transmission fluid doesnt sound to good. That is one of the things that is almost always over looked and hardly ever changed. So if the transmission isnt slipping or anything I would just replace the fluid and filter and see what happens. At the worst it will need a transmission and it looks like youve already started to look in that area.

IMO I would get a shiftkit if that one is rebuilt or a new transmission installed. The fluid and transmission additive is a 50/50 chance just depending on how badly the transmission is in need of a rebuild or what failed in the transmission.

11-21-2003, 08:18 PM	#1
C&C Chevy Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Midwest City, OK Posts: 1,001	Tranny going bad? The last couple of weeks I've noticed a burnt smell outside my truck after I would drive it awhile. The oil has always been changed every 3000 miles and it looks fine when I change it. I decided to check the tranny fluid yesterday and I was a light brownish color. That's wrong, right? Am I smeeling the burnt discs? Is the tranny going out? I'm going to change the fliud and filter out this weekend. Will it help or just delay the inevitable? Crapola... __________________ Robert Current: 1986 SWB Silverado 4.3 / TH400 Past: 1985 SWB Silverado 305 / TH350 - sold 1995 1987 1/2 ton Silverado - FI 350 / 700R4 sold 2007

11-21-2003, 08:31 PM	#2
C-10volvo Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Lake Oswego, Oregon Posts: 1,028	most atf is red in color. and from what ive heard, changing the fluid when you think your tranny is on its last leg can sometimes kill it. once it starts to go, there is nothing you can do. it sucks, i feel your pain. just pray its thoes disks __________________ Ken Morgan For fun: 1964 Volvo 122 For slow: 1984 Chevrolet C-10 For everything else: 1997 BMW M3

11-22-2003, 12:09 AM	#3
C&C Chevy Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Midwest City, OK Posts: 1,001	Thanks. Pretty much what I figured. Looks like I need to start looking for a new (or rebuilt) trany. __________________ Robert Current: 1986 SWB Silverado 4.3 / TH400 Past: 1985 SWB Silverado 305 / TH350 - sold 1995 1987 1/2 ton Silverado - FI 350 / 700R4 sold 2007

11-22-2003, 01:37 PM	#4
C-10volvo Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Lake Oswego, Oregon Posts: 1,028	dont take my word for that. it could still be something else. go get it checked out before you do anything. but if the worst come to worst. check out this site http://www.700r4.com/trans/levels.html . ive heard great things about them. they start out with a 88-93 700r4 because they are alot stronger. they start out at about 900 i think. just watch. next month, my 700r4 will start letting go. __________________ Ken Morgan For fun: 1964 Volvo 122 For slow: 1984 Chevrolet C-10 For everything else: 1997 BMW M3

11-22-2003, 02:53 PM	#5
toytruck 5-7 dropped 87 CC Dually Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: bay city mi Posts: 326	I would do a fluid and filter change. Shift kits a good for trannys too. Faster shifts=less slipping on the clutches. __________________ I rather be in my 77 Sanger Picklefork Jet Hydro!

11-22-2003, 02:59 PM	#6
toytruck 5-7 dropped 87 CC Dually Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: bay city mi Posts: 326	Just seen that you have a 700r. Dubble check the tv cable ajustment. Doing any towing? A trans cooler is a good idea too. __________________ I rather be in my 77 Sanger Picklefork Jet Hydro!

11-22-2003, 05:40 PM	#7
crackajacka Stylin Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Tuttle, OK Posts: 620	sry to hijack the thread but what about the level 3 trans from 700r4.com? would it be a good trans to start with if im going to upgrade my engine? __________________ Ive been traveling for some time, with my fishin pole and my bottle of shyne. Most Girls like finished products and just dont understand what a good addiction does for you http://www.paulwall.us/

11-24-2003, 08:14 PM	#9
Jonboy Slots go on anything! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 5,957	I have heard good things about Bowtie Overdrives, too. I would think a rebuild is right around the corner at 180K, but why not try changing the trans fluid, and add a quart of Trans-X. That stuff kept my 83 Suburban trans alive a lot longer than it should have been. __________________ 1974 Jimmy- 5.3/4L80e/NP241

11-25-2003, 03:54 AM	#10
MylilBowTie Right turn Clyde Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 2,911	Shiftkits are a nice idea but not a good idea for a dying transmission. Its also kinda hit and miss with the transmission fluid change with the transmission additive. The additive will soften the seals and they will expand. This will lead to the seals deteriorating at a pretty quick rate. It may dislodge so crud in there that has been holding your transmission together just enough to work. Brown transmission fluid doesnt sound to good. That is one of the things that is almost always over looked and hardly ever changed. So if the transmission isnt slipping or anything I would just replace the fluid and filter and see what happens. At the worst it will need a transmission and it looks like youve already started to look in that area. IMO I would get a shiftkit if that one is rebuilt or a new transmission installed. The fluid and transmission additive is a 50/50 chance just depending on how badly the transmission is in need of a rebuild or what failed in the transmission.



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