Wrong fluid in transmission?

This 99 Silhouette i just bought looks to have the wrong fluid in transmission.It's brown in color instead of red like dextron 2 should be..Don't really look burnt. Just more like maybe ATF type for a Ford. I plan to change it out soon. Van has 200k on it but seems to run great. Saler says he has run 10-w-40 in it besause of high miles.Calls for 5-w 30..What would you guys use in it with these high miles? Thanks

10-40 is not appropriate for a modern vehicle, maybe 10-30 or 20-50 which would be too heavy for cold weather, If the trans is really Ford atf, it must be completely flushed not just a fluid drop, that will only get 1/2 of it out. Are you sure this is not just burnt Dexron?

I'm really not sure that it's not just old and burnt, but it sure looks like its ATF to me. Will cahnge it out soon and flush several times to get everything old out. Hope it has a plug on the torq converter. Thanks for getting back with you'r advise too!

No convertor plug/change, there is a way to flush this let me know if you want the procedure.

and my moms van takes atf+4 just for a chrysler town and country and thats what it tskes i think it's a bunch of bull and a mopar oil filter says in book to use it. i guess you can cross reference it but have to use the atf+4 tranny fluid no other and i think one more but it's still mopar.

Yes, I'd love to find out how to get it all out.Was planning to dump pan then re-fill and run. Then dump again, several times. Any better way would be appreciated. Also haven't had any replies on my other post concerning that vibration I feel when in gear and with brake applied. It goes away as soon as I give it some gas, and returnes at stops. I feel like it may be that oval motor mount on right side,but cant see it. Feeling around it, it feels like ragged rubber.Is it hard to change do you know? Thanks again for the help.

Ok, you need to find out which cooler line going into the radiaor is the in line, disconnect that line from the radiator, slip a 5/16 id hose over it, get that hose into a bucket, start the car and while running it in neutral add new fluid to the trans as it is pumped out of the cooler line into the bucket, adding about 6 qts as it runs should do it, reinstall the line and fill to the proper level. This can be messy so plan on some fluid getting around the work area. BTW, I am on my way to Charlotte Wed, how is the sno situation?

we got maybe 5" near Greensboro.Thats north by 75 miles.Don't think they got as much, and most should be melted by time you get here as temps will be near 60 then..Thanks for the tip...Will do it that way..

What you have is tired Dexron III, this is fluid that has been overheated, and over time with the 4T65E this will happen... The fluid and filter needs to be changed, you can use Dexron III or the newer Dexron 6... The brownish tinge is that of fluid that has been fried a bit... Most all trans fluids start life out Pink or Red, they lighter they get the less additives they have, meaning the protecting agents or additive package is getting used up if that makes sense... For most FWD transmissions without a cooler you will find the fluid getting darker over time, some range of light brown would be almost normal.. If the fluid looked like a clear gold or honey, the additive package is long gone...

In either event, I would say change the fluid and filter and let it be...


As for the engine oil, this is a tight tolerance motor you should be running 5-30 in it year round... In the summer 10-30 would be ok if that is what you choose, but I wouldn't want to run 10-40 in it...

What you have is tired Dexron III, this is fluid that has been overheated, and over time with the 4T65E this will happen... The fluid and filter needs to be changed, you can use Dexron III or the newer Dexron 6... The brownish tinge is that of fluid that has been fried a bit... Most all trans fluids start life out Pink or Red, they lighter they get the less additives they have, meaning the protecting agents or additive package is getting used up if that makes sense... For most FWD transmissions without a cooler you will find the fluid getting darker over time, some range of light brown would be almost normal.. If the fluid looked like a clear gold or honey, the additive package is long gone...

In either event, I would say change the fluid and filter and let it be...


As for the engine oil, this is a tight tolerance motor you should be running 5-30 in it year round... In the summer 10-30 would be ok if that is what you choose, but I wouldn't want to run 10-40 in it...
Gotta disagree here, why mix old and burnt up fluid if you can effectively get it all out and still avoid the commercial flush issues?

And what happens if he manages to run the pump dry for any amount of time?

This can be done and I know of people that have done it.. I didn't say he could not do this, I just do not recommend this method..

We will simply agree to disagree.... I do agree that a full load of fresh fluid would be a good thing...