What does Milky transmission fluid mean?

The milky substance you are seeing on the transmission dipstick is a result of cross-contaminated coolant and transmission fluid. More than likely, your radiator has failed which has allowed coolant to enter the transmission system.

What color is transmission fluid when its bad?

The reason why transmission fluid changes from bright red to brown to black as it ages is that is it oxidizing. Oxidation is bad for transmission fluid. Dark brown or black transmission fluid is dirty and incapable of lubricating the hundreds of transmission parts. It will cause damage if you don't have it changed.

Does transmission fluid turn white?

The new fluid will just be contaminated again. There are only a couple of ways that trans fluid becomes milky and it always comes from water getting into the trans fluid, ie disruption of the barrier between the cooling system and the trans lubricant.

What does water in transmission fluid look like?

If your transmission fluid looks like a strawberry milkshake, you've got water in the transmission. Once water gets into the transmission enough to affect operation, a rebuild is required. It doesn't take much–less than an ounce of water can cause problems.

What causes dirty transmission fluid?

Just like the oil in a cars engine, automatic transmission fluid {ATF) suffers from heat, friction, oxidation and electrochemical degradation. Once this process starts, a transmission's vital parts begin to clog with sludge and varnish deposits.

COOLANT IN TRANSMISSION FLUID LOOKS MILKY HERE ARE THE CAUSES

What are the signs that your transmission is going out?

Why you should never change transmission fluid?

Don't do it unless your transmission is running fine and the fluid is first-rate, because it can make transmission failure imminent. Some shops will not change the automatic transmission fluid on high-mileage cars due to the risk of problems arising after the service.

How do I remove water from my transmission?

What happens if water gets in torque converter?

Being a fluid coupler, your car's torque converter relies on transmission fluid to operate correctly. If the fluid becomes contaminated, anything that uses and relies on the fluid can be damaged. Contaminated transmission fluid can cause damage to your converter parts and your transmissions parts.

How much does transmission flush cost?

Your transmission flush cost can range anywhere from $150-$400, depending on vehicle size and whether you visit an independent mechanic or the dealership. Plus, every so often you see mechanics offering a transmission flush for around $100 to get you in the door, so keep your eyes open for deals.

How often should transmission fluid be changed?

If you drive manual, most manufacturers will recommend changing your transmission fluid every 30,000 to 60,000 miles. If you have automatic, you can typically boost that range up to 60,000 to 100,000 miles. There's no harm in changing your fluid early.

Does changing transmission fluid help shifting?

Though changing transmission fluid can't fix mechanical problems, it does make for smoother shifts and can extend the life of your transmission. And even when manufacturers recommend fluid change intervals of 150,000 miles under normal conditions, it may be a good idea to change it more frequently.

What does bad transmission fluid smell like?

#3 Burning Smell

Fresh transmission fluid tends to smell sweet or tart. When that smell turns burnt, your transmission fluid has broken down and the system is burning too hot, leading to an increase in friction and corrosive activity in the engine.

How do I know if my transmission cooler is bad?

You hear odd noises coming from the transmission: Your transmission may have difficulty shifting between gears, or there may be clunking or grinding noises during shifts. This can indicate transmission fluid loss, high internal transmission temperatures, or both, which can be caused by a bad transmission cooler.

How does water get into the transmission?

When a leak occurs, the transmission fluid and engine coolant mix with each other causing your transmission to seize up. Immersion in deep water. Driving through large puddles, torrential rains or getting stuck in a flooded area can expose the transmission to water.

Can driving through water damage transmission?

If you must drive during a storm, remember that deep puddles of standing water can cause damage to your car. The water can even damage your transmission by causing your gears to slip.

Does transmission fluid absorb water?

Transmission fluid contamination — whether it's from antifreeze or plain water — is a real problem. That's because the transmission clutches are hygroscopic; that is, they want to absorb water. They'll even push ATF out of the clutch lining to absorb water.

Is it better to flush or drain transmission fluid?

Indeed, changing your transmission fluid is very important maintenance. The problem with a transmission flush is how the service is being performed. Most car manufacturers recommend only draining your transmission fluid, and then refilling it.

Can you mix old and new transmission fluid?

This fluid starts to lose its standard properties and should be changed to keep the transmission parts and its performance at its peak. Mixing old and news fluids wont give you the ideal viscosity and the reduces the performance of the transmission system.

Can dirty transmission fluid cause shifting problems?

3. Shifting Issues. When the transmission fluid isn't clean or is blocked by a clogged filter, the internal components won't have the lubrication they require to function properly. This could lead to shifting issues, grinding gears, slipping transmission or other common symptoms of transmission problems.

How do I know if my transmission filter is clogged?

What does a slipping transmission feel like?

When the transmission slips, it might feel like the vehicle is slow to respond. Sometimes it doesn't respond at all when you press the gas pedal. The noticeable change in the transmission's performance might be accompanied by a noise or change in pitch as it changes gears.

Is it worth it to replace a transmission?

Rebuilding a transmission can save you a lot of money over the short-term, while keeping car payments out of your monthly budget. For many, rebuilding their transmission is worth the initial cost. Rebuilding a transmission may cost you twenty-five hundred dollars or more, which is a significant chunk of change.