dark tranny fluid

dozzy · Post by **dozzy** » 06 Feb 2011, 18:17

been having some issues with my 2000 s70 acting up in the cold weather we are having here in STL. i checked my tranny fluid and it was dark like used engine oil.not red like i would think it would be. it didn't smell burnt and tranny shifts fine so....?????? also the dipstick says that "special transmission fluid required" so i'm wondering if thats the case or is it old or worse?

Post by **JDS60R** » 06 Feb 2011, 18:23

What is STL?

Sounds like you need to change the fluid right away. The uber safe(and more expensive) method is to do a drain and refill several times so each time you are replacing 50% of the fluid in the unit ( other half is trapped in the torque converter) .
After several changes the fluid will appear red again.

Check your owners manual but you probably need a trans fluid that meets JWS3309 spec

dozzy · Post by **dozzy** » 06 Feb 2011, 18:31

thank you. how much fluid will i need to buy to replace what drains out?

Post by **tjts1** » 06 Feb 2011, 18:38

Its not that simple. Here is how IPD does it.
http://www.ipdusa.com/uploads/sku_files/7945_INST.PDF

Post by **JDS60R** » 06 Feb 2011, 19:32

The last procedure listed is the one I use and the one many folks warn against/worry about.
Although I have never had an issue with it, many with problems afterward, claim the procedure knocked loose debris that got caught elsewhere and caused an issue.

I'll let others chime in on the successes and failures when each method was used. You can make your own decision on which method to try.

Whatever you do - do not let someone hook a flushing machine up to it. Most here will agree it causes an issue with the reverse flush or with the pressure and pulsations during the flush.

Post by **JDS60R** » 06 Feb 2011, 19:34

dozzy wrote:thank you. how much fluid will i need to buy to replace what drains out?

I think it will be less than 5 quarts each time.

Post by **jblackburn** » 07 Feb 2011, 07:03

Agh, don't flush it! Especially if you don't know if it has ever been done before (sounds like it).

Do a series of drain and fills as JDS60R advised. Your car, if it is a non-turbo S70 with the 5-speed transmission will use the JWS-3309 fluid.

Just loosen the drain plug on the bottom of the transmission and dump the contents of the pan. Replace the amount of fluid that drained out (be sure to measure it!), and then wait a few weeks - a month to repeat the procedure. After 3-4 changes, your fluid should be a good color again, and your transmission will be happier.

dozzy · Post by **dozzy** » 07 Feb 2011, 16:30

would it hurt to put in a conditioner like lucas oil has?

Post by **Pauloil** » 07 Feb 2011, 18:40

conditioner not needed

Post by **jblackburn** » 07 Feb 2011, 21:58

would it hurt to put in a conditioner like lucas oil has?

I agree; new tranny fluid alone should do all the job you need. Once you get it back to a good healthy color again, change it more frequently in the future. I'm doing mine again at 40,000 miles (1 year, 3 months of driving for me), but probably every 2 years or 30,000 miles is a good flush interval.