Question about old transmission

[SmoothRide]

My LaCrosse's transmission is actually doing just fine right now <knock on wood>, but two different lube shops have reported that the fluid is dirty, brown, and should be replaced.

However, going to a reputable automatic trans. repair shop, I was first asked if I had always changed the fluid regularly. But I actually inherited this car in 2013 (so it was 6+ yo when I got it), and I have no record of its maintenance - and the previous owner is deceased - and knowing that owner, the fluid may never have been replaced.

Given this info, the trans. shop said that it would be cheaper for me to wait until the trans. started having problems because refilling with all new fluid very often caused problems to develop much more quickly in older, unmaintained transmissions because the new detergents quickly break down deposits that actually keep the trans. operational! It sounded honest, because they passed up the opportunity to change my fluid and charged me nothing for the consultation. They said one rebuild and one new fluid fill would be cheaper and only necessary much later, than new fluid now and a necessary rebuild much sooner, plus a second new fluid fill-up.

Thoughts, opinions, experiences?

 

[bobby49]

Do you know what causes transmission fluid to appear dirty and brown?

When fluid is new, it is typically kind of a transparent red. Then, as the transmission is used a lot, microscopic metal flakes get into the fluid. That reduces the transparency. Heat causes the red color to change to brown. Sometimes heat will also change the smell of the fluid.

First you might want to ask yourself when the transmission fluid filter was replaced? If the answer is "I don't know" then you may want to take it to a good transmission shop and have them do some general refurbishing work with a filter, fluid, and anything else that they find.

I had serious transmission problems one time years ago, so I took the car to a transmission shop. They put it up and pulled the pan. About a minute later they extracted a pebble that was about the size of my thumbnail. The mechanic felt sorry for me, so he charged me only $50.

 

[ClayBelt]

I would be inclined to say change it anyways

 

[Mad*Max]

the transmission shop gave you very good advice - do not touch the transmission at all - any time I have done any work on mine the transmission gave problems

My LaCrosse's transmission is actually doing just fine right now <knock on wood>, but two different lube shops have reported that the fluid is dirty, brown, and should be replaced.

However, going to a reputable automatic trans. repair shop, I was first asked if I had always changed the fluid regularly. But I actually inherited this car in 2013 (so it was 6+ yo when I got it), and I have no record of its maintenance - and the previous owner is deceased - and knowing that owner, the fluid may never have been replaced.

Given this info, the trans. shop said that it would be cheaper for me to wait until the trans. started having problems because refilling with all new fluid very often caused problems to develop much more quickly in older, unmaintained transmissions because the new detergents quickly break down deposits that actually keep the trans. operational! It sounded honest, because they passed up the opportunity to change my fluid and charged me nothing for the consultation. They said one rebuild and one new fluid fill would be cheaper and only necessary much later, than new fluid now and a necessary rebuild much sooner, plus a second new fluid fill-up.

Thoughts, opinions, experiences?

 

[SmoothRide]

Thanks, Mad*Max! Your advice and experience in support of the trans. shop helps me "chill out" until the transmission develops problems.

 

[kevinande]

If you are willing to do the work yourself or find a mechanic to do it for you, this is what I recommend. Drain 2 quarts and replace. Drive for approx 5000 miles and do it again. Drive approx 10000 miles and repeat. Drive approx 20000 miles and change it all. If you let it be, it will fail, not if, just when. I don't know if I subscribe to "if you change it 100% it will fail" theory, however there have been lots of cases where this seems to have been the case. At least this way you introduce the new fluid gradually. You have nothing to lose, again if you let it be, it will fail at some point.

 

[Mad*Max]

Thanks, Mad*Max! Your advice and experience in support of the trans. shop helps me "chill out" until the transmission develops problems.

my neighbour who is much older than me has never touched his transmission oil on any car and he keeps them for at least 200,000 miles and he tells me he has never had a transmission problem (FWIW)

 

[SmoothRide]

If you are willing to do the work yourself or find a mechanic to do it for you, this is what I recommend. Drain 2 quarts and replace. Drive for approx 5000 miles and do it again. Drive approx 10000 miles and repeat. Drive approx 20000 miles and change it all. If you let it be, it will fail, not if, just when. I don't know if I subscribe to "if you change it 100% it will fail" theory, however there have been lots of cases where this seems to have been the case. At least this way you introduce the new fluid gradually. You have nothing to lose, again if you let it be, it will fail at some point

Thanks, Kevinande. But can't do that work myself and my mechanic agrees with the transmission shop. Plus, can't ignore MadMax's advice based on actual experience. The transmission shop said, yes, the transmission will likely develop problems at some point - but in their experience (which seems to be the same as MadMax's), changing to new fluid right now would only speed up its breakdown, and consequently would not be cost-effective for me. I tend to believe them since they're not out to charge me for anything right now. And they have a good reputation.

 

[tmanp]

I'm in the "change it" camp. I had my fluid and filter changed for the first time at 140,000 miles, and have several times used a fluid extractor (siphon pump) to exchange 6 quarts of fluid through the dipstick hole. For what it's worth, it shifts better now than when I got it at 140,000 (now over 150,000). That said, it did have a little mild "slipping" immediately after the first change. But now it shifts very well. I'd say do an exchange, sucking out the old fluid. DO NOT have a flush done, that's where many problems occur.

 

[BuickLacrosse]

http://lubegard.com/~/C-112/LUBEGARD+Automatic+Transmission+Fluid+Protectant

Ask the forum for opinions on the use of the above.

 

[BIG ROCCO]

How many miles is on this car? If over 50K, I would drop the pan and change the filter if there is one (none on my '12) at your next engine oil change, if over 100K, I would also I would change the fluid (only) again with the next oil change