Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: SLO_Town
But, based on color at least, the fluid absolutely needed to be changed.
You know what they say about changing fluids based on color...
My failing memory tells me that's more of an engine oil topic (color not mattering).
With the transmission not having combustion byproducts a color change in ATF suggests that some of the oil properties have changed.
As I said, I'm one of the old guys on this forum. Had I thought in advance I would have captured some for Blackstone. I have a half dozen sample kits sitting on my workbench. Duh! It would have been interesting.
I will say this, oil color aside. I strongly urge everyone to change their MANUAL transmission fluid within 1,000 miles (new car). Manual transmissions do not have oil filters because the oil is not circulated by an oil pump. As a consequence, all metal particles will splash around inside the gearbox until it's changed.
When I changed the 5-speed manual transmission on my 2003 BMW 330Ci I was MORTIFIED with how much metal drained out with the factory fill. So much metal came out I actually saved the oil in case I had a defective gearbox. But everything was okay, apparently, because the gearbox shifts like new at 80K miles (and many oil changes later using either Redline MT or MT-85).
Anyway....oil color....not looking for trouble. Just chatting with you guys.
Scott