Basically, after taking my car for service I realized the transmission fluid in my car is black and burnt -- something that obviously isn't good. I'm going to get it changed, but I'm tight on both time and money for the next week. Questions:
1) How long/how many miles can I really wait until I change it, without doing any (minimal) damage?
2) Is it likely that it's all ready done permanent damage? Like if I were to have it changed right now, would the transmission %26quot;recover,%26quot; so to say, and be fine? Or is there permanent damage, now that the fluid was left in this state for... months? A year or more? The transmission does slip, and there is a %26quot;high pitched whistling noise%26quot; that the car makes -- probably from the transmission.
3) How much should it cost to change the transmission transmission fluid? I was told it would be $139.99 at a Valvoline.
Also, if it matters, that car's a 1998 Ford Escort SE Wagon. 2.0 liter engine 4 cylinder. It has 123,000 miles on it.Black transmission fluid? Problem? [ten points best answer]?
In all honesty, I only read your question up until you wrote, %26quot;The transmission does slip...%26quot;
Don't waste your money on a fluid change - it's too late.Black transmission fluid? Problem? [ten points best answer]?
LeAnne is most likely correct; that transmission is probably history. Black, overheated fluid like you have is a result of burned, overheated clutch disks that are likely too damaged to be much good any more. Quick check -- drop the pan. I'm willing to bet it and the filter will be full of clutch material. Time for a rebuild or a new tranny. :(Black transmission fluid? Problem? [ten points best answer]?
Slippage and the black fluid are related.The blackness is the material bonded on the %26quot;Bands%26quot;.Somewhat like a clutch material,it is bonded on the inside of the band and when the band is tightened against the ring gear the power gets transferred through the sun and planet gears.This basic design and principle dates back as far as1200C.E.If the band material is worn or glazed the transmission will slip.It also most likely has plugged the internal filter.In some cases the Band can be adjusted.Short of a total rebuild.Bendix makes a replacement band that can be installed without removal of the transmission.I would start with a fluid and filter change.Try to have the bands adjusted if the slippage gets to be too much then the fact that it is an Escort will come into play.What is the car worth to you?You may be able to coax it for awhile.The damage has been done to a commonly replaced part.Whistling noise could also be a source of slippage.Check the vacuum line(s) to the transmission regulator.Generally on the passenger side.Black transmission fluid? Problem? [ten points best answer]?
Your transmission is ruined. Would have never happened if you had changed the fluid per the schedule. Sorry. Black transmission oil is death. It should be light pink in color.
