transmission oil, shady mechanics

[JoeTheCactusGuru]

how long would it take for NEW transmission oil to turn black??

some nine months ago my 2014 Mazda Cx-5 had some 120,000 miles, so I went to the mechanics shop to have them do a transmission flush on it

Silly me I forgot to change out the transmission filter before getting it flushed. I was going to do that the other day so I dropped the oil and it was completely black.

What are the chances the new oil turned black after being poured in??

I'm thinking this mechanic guy didn't do anything.

[maxwedge]

Complete flush or, drop the pan and change it? Btw, welcome to AF

[JoeTheCactusGuru]

Originally Posted by maxwedge

Complete flush or, drop the pan and change it? Btw, welcome to AF

they where supposed to do a complete transmission flush. I am now going to do a pan drop to change out the filter and simply replace the oil with some new since I thought the oil in there was new- ish. I figured it would be ok. The oil came out all black though, strange.

[maxwedge]

Usually a complete trans flush is done with specialized equipment, just a fluid change does not drain the torque convertor, so that fluid can contaminate the new fluid. I would ask how they flushed the unit.

[Blue Bowtie]

If the vehicle has been driven for 9 months after a fill with clean fluid, slipping clutches, heavy use, and elevated temperatures could blacken it already.

[JoeTheCactusGuru]

Originally Posted by maxwedge

Usually a complete trans flush is done with specialized equipment, just a fluid change does not drain the torque convertor, so that fluid can contaminate the new fluid. I would ask how they flushed the unit.

I took it to Firestone, they're supposed to have a machine to flush out the tranny

[JoeTheCactusGuru]

Originally Posted by Blue Bowtie

If the vehicle has been driven for 9 months after a fill with clean fluid, slipping clutches, heavy use, and elevated temperatures could blacken it already.

I can see this being the case. It is heavily used, it racks up many miles every month. I have a van that had the trans fluid changed about 6 years ago, fluid is still clear and golden, mind you, it doesn't get used nearly as much.

I slipped up. I usually make sure the mechanics get the work done. Kinda just trusted it was done. Never again

[shorod]

Originally Posted by JoeTheCactusGuru

I can see this being the case. It is heavily used, it racks up many miles every month. I have a van that had the trans fluid changed about 6 years ago, fluid is still clear and golden, mind you, it doesn't get used nearly as much.

I slipped up. I usually make sure the mechanics get the work done. Kinda just trusted it was done. Never again

Let's make sure we're talking transmission fluid here and not engine oil. Automatic transmission fluid typically wouldn't be referred to as "golden" but rather red or pink. Recently the manufacturers may be shifting away from the typical red color, but they still tend to go with a color noticeably different from "golden" engine oil. Over 9 months and a lot of miles engine oil could pretty easily turn black....

-Rod

[RidingOnRailz]

Happy New Year everyone..

[Matt Biondi]

If the transmission oil turned completely black after nine months, it’s likely due to not changing the filter, an improper flush, or significant transmission wear at 120,000 miles. A clogged filter can cause contaminants to circulate, and if the mechanic didn’t properly flush the old fluid, it could have mixed with the new one, darkening it quickly. New transmission fluid should not turn black so soon, suggesting either the mechanic didn’t do a thorough flush or the transmission is experiencing significant wear.

[CruAutomotive]

It’s highly unlikely that new transmission oil would turn completely black within nine months, even with an old filter, unless there’s a significant issue with the transmission or excessive contamination in the system. Typically, transmission fluid darkens gradually over time due to heat and wear, but it shouldn't be entirely black so soon after a flush. This raises concerns about whether the mechanic performed the flush as claimed. If the fluid wasn’t actually replaced, it could explain its condition. You might want to consult a trusted mechanic to inspect the transmission, replace the filter, and ensure the system is properly serviced this time.