GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

I was just wondering if anyone else has noticed if their transmission fluid gets dark quick after changing...

I just did 1 drain and fill last summer(about 20-25,000 km's ago) and noticed today that the fluid is already a brownish colour. Not dark brown, and nowhere near black.

It's still transparent and doesn't smell burnt. The transmission also seems to operate fine, doesn't slip or anything.

Is there a cause for concern about the fluid going brown that quick? The factory filled fluid is what was in it when I changed it and it was getting dark but still more red than anything. I was at around 125, 000 when I changed it.

Any reply would be great!

Thanks!

a lot of the old darker fluid is still in the torque converter won't drain out when doing a drain and fill.

^True you only got about 1/3 to 1/2 of the fluid out. I did the same but with a fluid change over.

Salsa Guy wrote:^True you only got about 1/3 to 1/2 of the fluid out. I did the same but with a fluid change over.

Makes sense. So it's probably just the old 1/2 of the fluid that's getting darker? I just didn't know if there was cause for concern. Like I said there's no noticeable problems.....I plan to do another drain and refill this summer...maybe I'll do it more than once this time...

A fluid change over is very simple. On the my 1st gen the bottom line from the transmission cooler (located in the radiator) is the return line. Disconnect that then connect a 3-4 ft. hose (I used a clear 3/8" tube) and put the other end in a 5 gallon bucket and secure it. The end going back to the transmission plug, I used golf tee. Start the car, add new transmission fluid, the whole time while running the engine, and watch the color of the fluid coming out, it's best to have 2 people doing this. When the fluid starts cleaning up, turn off the car and reconnect the lines. Add 2 more quarts, restart the engine and adjust level. You may find it will need 2-3 quarts to get the level up. All in all it takes about 10-12 quarts to do this. Most dealerships will discount the fluid to $6 a quart if you buy a case. The biggest pain is getting all the plastic crap off to get at the lines.

Doing a drain and refill, every 6 month or so, will work too. It's just a slower process but both never get 100% of the old fluid out.

Salsa Guy wrote:A fluid change over is very simple. On the my 1st gen the bottom line from the transmission cooler (located in the radiator) is the return line. Disconnect that then connect a 3-4 ft. hose (I used a clear 3/8" tube) and put the other end in a 5 gallon bucket and secure it. The end going back to the transmission plug, I used golf tee. Start the car, add new transmission fluid, the whole time while running the engine, and watch the color of the fluid coming out, it's best to have 2 people doing this. When the fluid starts cleaning up, turn off the car and reconnect the lines. Add 2 more quarts, restart the engine and adjust level. You may find it will need 2-3 quarts to get the level up. All in all it takes about 10-12 quarts to do this. Most dealerships will discount the fluid to $6 a quart if you buy a case. The biggest pain is getting all the plastic crap off to get at the lines.

Doing a drain and refill, every 6 month or so, will work too. It's just a slower process but both never get 100% of the old fluid out.

Thanks,

Maybe I'll try this technique in the summer. I had forgotten that doing just 1 drain and refill doesn't get anywhere near all of the fluid out. I slightly panicked seeing how dark and kinda brownish it was....thought maybe I had some issue I wasn't realizing. Like I said tho it runs and shifts just fine, no slipping either.

When I do my drain & refill, I do it 3 times ( a week apart ) to exchange all the fluid. Just did it last month. Shifts great at 184K

cptnsolo77 wrote:When I do my drain & refill, I do it 3 times ( a week apart ) to exchange all the fluid. Just did it last month. Shifts great at 184K

Sounds like a good plan as well! How often do you do this?

Every 60K as per the manual

cptnsolo77 wrote:Every 60K as per the manual

Never - according to the dip stick.

I just did a fluid and filter change for the first time at 245k miles, I don't notice any difference.