trans oil goes black

[toyotafan2006]

hi guys,
i have a 2001 3 speed corolla ( 80,000 miles ). i changed its trans oil at 35000 at the suggestion of a mechanic. He told me that the trans oil has gone black whereas it should have been normal redish color. At 75,000 i had it changed again after a similar suggestion. But it has gone blankish ( Not dark black ) again. I am told that this is an indication of the trans is not good it might go down in near future. As far as the drive is concerned it is smooth as ever i feel no problems when it is shifting gears.
Any suggestions, thanks.

[lcpaca]

Sounds like the oil is overheating for some reason, definitely not a good sign. I’d change the oil again & trade her in.

[arens]

If they only did a drain and fill on the 1st change you didn't get rid of all of the black fluid. Same thing for the 2nd change. Now the 3rd check 5k later just shows it dark, not black. A drain and fill leave alot of the original fluid in the tranny. I am betting this is the culprit.

It isn't good the tranny ran that long with poor fluid quality. However, you may want to see if you can get away with a tranny flush this time. That will replace all of the fluid in the tranny. Check the fluid when you get home afterward to make sure it is a nice reddish color. Then drive it a few weeks/months and check it again. If it is getting dark fast either sell it, trade it in, or take it to a tranny shop.

Now if the 1st 2 times were flushes and not just a drain and fill sell it, trade it, or take it to a tranny shop soon.

[pcgeek]

^^^ What he said was mostly correct, but Toytoa Transmission fluid is notorious for turning dark early on with no degradation of service life. A flush would be better for reasons noted above. If the fluid is burned you can tell mostly from the smell, disregard the color.

pcgeek

[arens]

For the discolored tranny fluid being normal, is that only for the older 3spd cars? My 05 has 29k on the original fluid and it still looks new. My wife has an 04 Lexus with 65k and a couple of drain/fills and her fluid looks nice as well.

[pcgeek]

Originally Posted by arens

For the discolored tranny fluid being normal, is that only for the older 3spd cars?

Incorrect. The fluid is still the same, it is normal and his vehicle has 80K miles.

pcgeek