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        General >> Give/Need advice to/from others >> Auto gearbox oil colour
        
(Message started by: Coloz on Nov 17^th, 2006, 9:14am)

Title: Auto gearbox oil colour
Post by Coloz on Nov 17^th, 2006, 9:14am

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

Title: Re: Auto gearbox oil colour
Post by Dave2302 on Nov 17^th, 2006, 11:46am

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

Title: Re: Auto gearbox oil colour
Post by Coloz on Nov 17^th, 2006, 12:43pm

thanks for that. will do

Title: Re: Auto gearbox oil colour
Post by TiberiuS on Nov 17^th, 2006, 5:23pm

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.

Title: Re: Auto gearbox oil colour
Post by Dave2302 on Nov 17^th, 2006, 5:35pm

[]

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

Title: Re: Auto gearbox oil colour
Post by howiedintheplace on Nov 17^th, 2006, 10:36pm

Yeah it's crazy really the box should have a easy changeable filter & a sump plug ;D

No oil lasts forever after all, cheap skates >:(

Title: Re: Auto gearbox oil colour
Post by harry.m1byt on Nov 18^th, 2006, 10:56am

on 11/17/06 at 09:14:44, Coloz wrote:

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.