Is there something wrong with my tranny??

Hi I posted this at clubgp but no one seems to help or know what the problem is.

I checked the tranny fluid today and the level seems fine and it was a reddish color, but when i went to clean off the dip stick there was some grey on the paper towel.. I put the dip stick back in and tried again but this time there was just reddish fluid. Is this a sign of some kind of tranny problem?? The car (http://www.clubgp.com/newforum/tm.asp?m=3249900&p=1&tmode=1&smode=1#) seems to shift fine and everything but the grey stuff really scares me.. and since i'mm taking my car in wednesday to get an oil leak fix (warranty) i wouldnt mind checkin it out.

I guess i could also add that a year ago i had grey tranny fluid and got that fixed.. maybe it's just residue from back then?

Hope I'm wrong here -- but if you can get more of the grey stuff out, stick a magnet near it and see if it flies toward it.

Could also be bits of an old (or the current) gasket and/or sealant.

Welcome to AF!!

I recommend you pull the pan and see what the inside looks like. There should be a magnet inside and if there is any metal it should be attached. Change the filter and clean the pan and then refill with new fluid. Don't have the transmission flushed as you can damage it internally. I suspect that the gray material you found may be the remnants of the clutch material that is gradually wearing but there must be a build-up in the pan or around the dipstick. Changing the fluid won't hurt anything and if there is a build-up you can clean it out at that time.

How many miles do you have on your GP?

Sometimes that residue which can even look black goes with the terriitory so it is not uncommon to see it. Probably just fair wear and tear.

BTW - I have the residue (97.5 GTP, 92K miles). You'll notice it on the first wipe on the paper towel. On subsequent checks it is clean.

Great thanks for all the information guys. My car actually has 64k Miles on it. I'll check the pan and see if there's anything there thanks!

I've rebuilt mine and I still get some black crap on the stick from time to time.

I googled my way here. I was freaking out about the same thing about my "new" GP although the car drives like a dream but that black residue was driving me crazy.

Thanks for the info.:runaround: