fine metal in trany pan

[p8ntman]

I bought a 95 suburban with 135k. I have put about 1000 mi on it. I changed the trany fluid and filter. when i dumped the oil from the pan into the drain pan there was a bunch of very small metal particals shining in the sun. more than I have ever seen when servicing other tranys. there were no problumes what so ever, just changing before a trip. the fluid looks bright red and clear. thanks for any help

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by p8ntman

I bought a 95 suburban with 135k. I have put about 1000 mi on it. I changed the trany fluid and filter. when i dumped the oil from the pan into the drain pan there was a bunch of very small metal particals shining in the sun. more than I have ever seen when servicing other tranys. there were no problumes what so ever, just changing before a trip. the fluid looks bright red and clear. thanks for any help

There is something wearing out if it has metal shavings in the pan.

[010175]

I bought a use Tahoe with 150,000 miles and had the Trans fluid change at Trans shop. They found metal shaving in the pan and they cut the filter open with me watching and there was more metal inside. Of course they wanted to rebuild the Trans but I said no. I now have 188,000 miles and no problem but it could go any time.

[idmetro]

All auto transmissions wear over time and it is expected that you will see some metallic particles in the pan when you drop it (obviously they should be small and the fewer the better; the ideal would be more of a gray sludge). It is possible that what you found in your pan was a normal accumulation of material that appeared worse than it was because the trans had not been serviced at the recommended interval?? I'd say put a trans cooler on the truck if it doesn't already have one, keep the fluid fresh and drive it.

[sub006]

I second the cooler suggestion. Get one at least as big as your tow-package ENGINE oil cooler mounted on the radiator.

I hope you put in Mobil 1 ATF as a MINIMUM quality level fluid. In my experience most trans friction surfaces are not metal. The metal flak that has killed my trannies at high miles has been from bearings, which are not properly lubricated by ATF, though the engineers expect this to work. And it does for at least the 50,000 warranty miles. Best ATF I have found is Red Line D4, which does have oil or additives to protect metal friction surfaces, about $10 a quart but cheap insurance.

My OE trans died at 85,000 miles. Second one went at 300,000 with cooler at the start and Mobil 1 the last half of its life. I am on my third transmission and just rolled over 401,000 original miles on the truck. I service once a year, about 30,000 miles, and my pan is dead clean, no metal particles with Red Line D4.

[p8ntman]

I used hydrotex hy-torque gold trany fluid. Crossed my fingers and just went from SD to MI and back 1200 mi each way. I was pulling a empty car trailer on the way and loaded with 55 ford pickup on the return trip. I used 3rd and ran 75 mph all the way with no problumes except the fuel gauge. I was thinking that maybe the metal particals were normal and just showed up because i was out in the sun.
Thank you for the comments.