Aluminum powder in trans pan

[tomcat27]

Tonight I changed the trans pan gasket for a neighbor since it was leaking. after dropping the pan I found what appears to be aluminum residue in the pan. bright silver, in the grooves. certainly there was some metal stuck to the magnet, but nothing unusual. I did test drive the car before I worked on it and told her that the trans was making an unusal whining noise in first and second gear. she agreed - she had noticed it for a few months now.

I suppose it's just a matter of time before it self-destructs. it's a 2000 with only 69k miles. also, I found it odd that they still used cork gaskets from the factory. it had the torque-limiting metal rings around the bolt holes...

 

[crazyoildude]

its a 2000 What??

 

[demarpaint]

Aluminum usually indicates a problem with the torque converter IIRC.

 

[SteveSRT8]

ouch. I've not seen a vehicle lately that did not have a reuseable rubber gasket.

Since there's no aluminum in most TC's, how does it get there?

 

[demarpaint]

As I said "IIRC". Several years ago I remember a mechanic telling me they used aluminum for the inner workings in a TC, some units used ferrous metal for clutches and bands. Which is why they have magnets inside a transmission that collects them, and the non ferrous metals don't get collected. Maybe a transmission expert can weigh in and set me straight.

A fried blew up an old Ford automatic transmission and when the shop dropped the pan there was a ton of metal in it. They put a magnet to it, some of the metal went to the magnet, some didn't. The mechanic said the metal that didn't collect on the magnet was aluminum from the TC. Seemed like he knew what he was talking about. If he was wrong I'll be finding out soon. They could also be using different materials today. I know the clutch packs they used years ago in the Turbo 400 and Ford C6 were very thick compared to today, so things might have changed.

 

[Donald]

Try and either change it a few times or do a flush. Go with decent fluid and a Magnefine filter.

I had above average aluminum (via used oil analysis) in my 1994 Camry and it was still going strong at 220K when I sold it. I had Amsoil ATF and a Magnefine filter.

 

[Kestas]

I agree with a good cleaning and fluid exchange. The stuff on the bottom of the pan is only the contaminant material that settled out. I'm sure there's more material in suspension, albeit finer. When you do the fluid exchange, I suspect the old fluid will have a shimmer in it, like metallic paint.

 

[lexus114]

it`s the whine in 1st to 2nd gear that I`m concerned about.

 

[demarpaint]

Swap out the fluid, and add some Lube Gard transmission fluid additive to it, the stuff is great. They make a few different kinds, just make sure you get the right one for your type of ATF.

 

[morris]

i have used rear end lube in my chrysler torqueflites, for a long time. i put 2 qts in each trans. it shifts better, and lasts longer. dont know if it will work in other trans