Author |
Topic: Auto gearbox oil colour (Read 614 times) |
|
Coloz
Newbie
I'm rusty like my car
Posts: 21
|
 |
Auto gearbox oil colour
« on: Nov 17th, 2006, 9:14am » |
 Quote  Modify
|
I read in the blurb about gearboxes that if the colour of the oil wasn't a proper red colour that failure was imminent. The colour of my fluid has been
tan but clear since i bought it 2k ago.How imminent is it I was brought up to believe if it changed from drive to reverse quickly several times in succession the box was fine. I have also questioned transmission experts who say that discolouring is normal over the life of the box. The 96 model has now done 118k, should i expect to be giving the RAC a call any day?
signed
PARANOID
|
|
 IP Logged |
|
|
|
Dave2302
Senior Member
2006 Mercedes S55 AMG, Retired Barefoot Waterskier
Posts: 1119
|
|
Re: Auto gearbox oil colour
« Reply #1 on: Nov 17th, 2006, 11:46am » |
Quote Modify
|
Hi,
The time for concern is when the fluid is Dark Brown / Black and smells burned. 
It sounds to me that your oil shows signs of normal wear and tear, and you are at the point where changing the transmission oil and filter will significantly extend the life of your transmission. 
Regards
|
|
IP Logged |
Dave "The 'ol Bear" ex Footer !
|
|
|
Coloz
Newbie
I'm rusty like my car
Posts: 21
|
|
Re: Auto gearbox oil colour
« Reply #2 on: Nov 17th, 2006, 12:43pm » |
Quote Modify
|
thanks for that. will do
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
TiberiuS
Senior Member
Ex. 1996 2.3 Ultima - RIP P789 KHJ
Posts: 2257
|
|
Re: Auto gearbox oil colour
« Reply #3 on: Nov 17th, 2006, 5:23pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Fluid/filters changed before symptoms start to show up is a very good idea if you plan to keep the car.
Those of us who bought cars with dying gearboxes rue the day when ford took the autobox oil change out of the standard service schedule.
Regards, Bruce.
|
|
IP Logged |
Bruce - '07 Jaguar XKR coupe, '95 Jaguar XJ Sport 4.0, '82 Ford Capri 2.0 Ghia, '15 Honda Civic (sloooooww..)
|
|
|
Dave2302
Senior Member
2006 Mercedes S55 AMG, Retired Barefoot Waterskier
Posts: 1119
|
|
Re: Auto gearbox oil colour
« Reply #4 on: Nov 17th, 2006, 5:35pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Spot on Bruce, says it in a nutshell!
If the oil and filters were part of service schedule, say 70k miles, us auto specialists would be out of business.
Regards
|
|
IP Logged |
Dave "The 'ol Bear" ex Footer !
|
|
|
howiedintheplace
Senior Member
Based near Evesham
Posts: 1194
|
|
Re: Auto gearbox oil colour
« Reply #5 on: Nov 17th, 2006, 10:36pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Yeah it's crazy really the box should have a easy changeable filter & a sump plug 
No oil lasts forever after all, cheap skates 
|
|
IP Logged |
Dave
|
|
|
harry.m1byt
Full Member
What's YaBB?
Posts: 792
|
|
Re: Auto gearbox oil colour
« Reply #6 on: Nov 18th, 2006, 10:56am » |
Quote Modify
|
on Nov 17th, 2006, 9:14am, Coloz wrote:| I read in the blurb about gearboxes that if the colour of the oil wasn't a proper red colour that failure was imminent. The colour of my fluid has been tan but clear since i bought it 2k ago.How imminent is it I was brought up to believe if it changed from drive to reverse quickly several times in succession the box was fine. |
|
I have been keeping a closer eye on my gearbox since learning what I should be looking for.
It has 83k on the clock. Checking the oil colour on a bit of tissue it shows as a yellow (Ok tan) colour which is perfectly clear and not much of a smell.
I'm not quite clear on this point from what I have read, but the colour may be the as installed colour of the oil used by Ford, or the colour has changed to yellow due to use.
The gears go in almost instantly hot or cold and all of its changes on the road are imperceptible.
My only concern with regards to the autobox was that the dip stick was rather rusty particularly near the upper end. I suspect this might be due to it being stood for long periods and the oil draining down leaving the dipstick exposed.
I have yet to check out the autobox cooler pipes which run to the front - which I read are prone to rusting through due to their being mounted in the spongy material on the engine under pan cover, which gets soaking wet.
|
|
IP Logged |
August '95 2.9 12v auto Ultima -
Now flashing 
|
|
|
|
Home
Help
Search
Members
Login
Reply
Send Topic
Print