Well, I was checking the fluids tonight and as soon as the trans dipstick started clearing the tube  

It was coated with what looked like rust.

I went through a few puddles a couple of weeks ago, but they were about 30' long and maybe 1-2' deep.  I got through them with no problems.  I thought that water contaminated auto trans fluid looked pink when it had water mixed in, Yes/No?

Also, there were large metal shavings on the end of the dipstick.  Is that thing magnetized?

It was a mess  

It was slipping a little today; hence the fluid check.  But, it's still shifting for now.

I guess I'll have to figure on a replacement.  I know a local shop wants $1200 for a rebuild.  That's a lot of money to put into a vehicle that probably woudln't even sell for that much.

Has anyone here ever replaced their auto trans?  Anything unusual, besides the two driveshafts and the transfer case?

I've replaced an engine before, but that was a looonnnnng time ago.  This may be more work than I want to tackle.

Change the ATF right away,
you might be able to save it

Change the ATF right away,
you might be able to save it

++

Especially if it's still shifting alright.

So do you guys think this is just water related?

My guess is that water got in via the breather.

Change fluid and screen (about $20 total), and it'll probably clear up. $20 vs. a new/used/rebuilt tranny is worth a try. Keep an eye on the fluid and shifting (all the gears, upshift, downshift, etc. After a few hundred miles (and things seem cleared), I'd do another change (just to get the last remaining crud out).

I dropped my tranny pan last week, and had some shavings on the pan magnet. Didn't like seeing it, and was more than I expected, but I bet the trannny had never been serviced (in 128000 miles).

I wouldn't be so sure it was from driving through water

I run a 3 speed auto and a snorkel, water up to the windshield is a regular occurance for me been driving like this for just over a year now haven't had even a hiccup from the trans.  does yours have a leak? is it a 3 speed or 4 speed?

oh and you should be able to get a trans for less than $1200 bucks I didn't pay that for my whole truck just go to car-parts.com there's like 15 pages of transmissions starting at $83 bucks one of em's gotta be alright

I wouldn't be so sure it was from driving through water

I run a 3 speed auto and a snorkel, water up to the windshield is a regular occurance for me been driving like this for just over a year now haven't had even a hiccup from the trans.  does yours have a leak? is it a 3 speed or 4 speed?

Yes, it does have a slow leak, but like I said, I thought water in the trans fluid would turn it bright pink (like pepto-bismol) not rusty.  It wasn't like I was sitting in the water, I was through each puddle in like 5 seconds, but I don't know the condition of the breather tube :-/

I'm thinking something (a part or a clump of crud) broke loose.  I guess I'll go get a case of fluid & a filter and run that through and see what happens.

Yeah, I don't think I'd ever go the rebuild route.  I've seen 3-speed autos on eBay for < $300.  I'd love to figure out a way to put a 4-speed in there.

It's always something I guess.  I suppose I'd better check the diffs & t-case too

it will cost a more but you could bring it to a shop with a tranny flush and have them flush it.  I have seen it work wonders on sliping transmissions.

stu

UPDATE

OK, this is weird.  I forgot to put the dipstick back in while I had the pan off, but the dipstick does measure the level in the pan, right?  Or does it measure the level above the valve body

If it's the pan level, then I'm REALLY confused.  The pan was VERY clean.  There was some sludge on the magnet, but there was no rust, no debris, no discoloration (the fluid was just a little dark - not unusually dark though).  The filter was fine.  I changed the filter about a year ago.  But, with what I was seeing on the dipstick, I expected a complete mess in the pan.

What gives???

UPDATE

OK, this is weird.  

I agree ... yes, the stick goes into the pan.

What about the screen/filter?

What about the screen/filter?

Pretty much clean as a whistle.  I'm still  

I'd say the water was working it's
way out thru the dipstick tube and
it just rusted the stick.

ATF is a very high detergent fluid it probably
took care of the contamination already,
but it won't hurt to change the fluid.

I installed a drain plug last time I took
the pan off, I like it better than ATF in
my armpits  

Make sure to mark the flange on the
front diff, that way when you put it
back on you don't get a high speed
vibration


Wild

it will cost a more but you could bring it to a shop with a tranny flush and have them flush it.  I have seen it work wonders on sliping transmissions.

stu

I've thought about that.  In fact, the last time I had a problem I took it to the shop to have that done, but they told me that I had a leaking vacuum modulator.  They replaced it and I was hoping the problem would go away.  When it didn't, I thought about taking it back again to have the flush, but I decided to try to "change" the fluid myself to save some $$$.  I actually just drained a couple of quarts, topped it off, drained, etc., etc., until I figured I had more than 90% new fluid.  That "fixed" the problem for a while.  It started misbehaving again a wile ago and another pseudo-flush fixed it again.  I guess I'll see what happens this time, but I'm a little leary about spending much more money on this trans.  I'd rather get something with a few less miles (it has 160k) and definitely a few less problems.