2000 Toyota Corolla manual trans fluid colour

[HondDiy2sve]

Hello to all,

History:
Purchased a year 2000 build Toyota Corolla with a 5 speed manual and 1.8L engine. Car has travelled 16,000 miles and looks, smells and drives like brand new in every way, 10 year old low profile tyres look like new except for 16,000 miles of light wear, no weathering or cracking anywhere.

All weather stripping/exterior rubbers are like new. I lifted the rocker cover and the top end look like new, no varnish and no sludge, just clean oil, engine bay looks like new.

Owner was by an 85 year old who kept in a shed and drove it to the local shops a few times a week and the occasional 250 mile round trip (all highway) very dry hot area with very low humidity and short cold winter. (South Central Australia)

Replaced engine oil and filter and drove back home 800 miles mostly 60mph highway.

Had the timing belt replaced when I got back, old one was like new but 10 years old. Also had the manual transmission oil replaced.

Toyota service centre asked if any additives had been used as the trans oil was a greyish colour. From what I can find out this was the factory fill oil.

Question:
Could age account for the colour? Any other ideas, the gearbox is silent and feels like new.

 

[Herz]

Ive drained transmissions with new Gear oil due to clutch repairs and the were dirty already, I doubt the color means much. Lots of metals probably from the break in period.

 

[pidster]

First drain on my mom's 2004 corolla came out BLACK. Was in there a while, maybe 40000 km, last drain was around 100k, so roughly 60 on the newer fill, came out looking clear amber, like new. I'd guess breakin as well.

 

[John K]

You might want to replace the tires. Stories out there about tires bought new were on the shelf for years and recommendation I read say 6 years is old enough to replace. Belts tend to separate and the rubber dries out. Even if they look new....

 

[kr_bitog]

If the drained oil is from 1st drain, I would also think that color comes from breaking-in. For subsequent fill, the color normally is almost no change compared to new when you are on synthetic. Greyish color also can come from moly additive.

 

[panthermike]

The 2000 Corolla's in Australia still had timing belts? My 2000 had a chain.

I would change the fluid due to age, same with the tires.

 

[HondDiy2sve]

Thanks to everyone for the replies:

John K: Tires………. I read say 6 years is old enough to replace. Belts tend to separate and the rubber dries out. Even if they look new....

I agree on both, I have seen this before with tires, at the moment it’s being used for low speed local shopping only. I will keep an eye on it though as I want to change the tires for a quieter tread. And of course that is why I replaced the Timing Belt even though it looked new; it annoyed me that they didn’t replace the Tensioner at the same time. Just noted it should be ok, Sigh!

Kr_bitog : Greyish color also can come from moly additive.

That would explain why they asked about an additive, unfortunately I can’t find out for sure.

Panthermike:

Already replaced the fluid; the 1997 to 2001 Corollas sold in AU have the older 1.8L 7A-FE motor.

From the other posts it looks like I have nothing to be concerned about. Thanks again.

 

[panthermike]

Oops, missed that part, sorry. Good luck with it, should last a long time

 

[TwsT]

Originally Posted By: HondDiy2sve

Toyota service centre asked if any additives had been used as the trans oil was a greyish colour. From what I can find out this was the factory fill oil.

Question:
Could age account for the colour? Any other ideas, the gearbox is silent and feels like new.


My Mitsubishi Lancer manual transmission oil (factory fill) also looks greyish when first change at 10k km.