Jeep Guy

Okay about a year ago I had my transmission oil changed along with a new filter. The trans oil was black. I checked the oil again earlier this past week and it is turning a light brown color and has a burnt smell to it. It doesn't seem to be burning at a rapid pace but I know this isn't good. Is there anything I can do to fix this problem? how long do I have before this trans is finished? IF I need to do a rebuild is it better to rebuild sooner than later? It's not slipping. the only weird behavior is that it shifts hard from 1st to 2nd. and if I have been driving it for a while that seems to go away. Any help would be appreciated. thanks.

fantic238

How many miles after the fluid change? What kind of oil?

Jeep Guy

It's been about 10k miles since the fluid change and I used the recommended oil that is written in the manual.

Wicked_Warren63

you NEVER EVER change it if its black or you shouldnt to many people come to me (im a mechanic) tellin me they did that and since have had problems with there trans take it to a transmission specialist and theyll tell you the same sorry man you probably need a new 1 after awhile

Jeep Guy

well I'm not really having problems right now. other than the hard shift from 1st to 2nd. I was mainly concerned with the fact that it seems to be burning the oil and what can I expect in the future or if there is anything I can do right now to extend the life of the trans. how much time do I have before I could start experiencing some bigger problems?

Jeep Guy

Bump.

Wicked_Warren63

maybe a couple thousand miles itll ussually start to grind and you can usually smell it smells kind of like a radiator burnin up but a little less pungent

Jeep Guy

will i be able to feel it grinding? like in the gas pedal? or somewhere else?

sv41878

I disagree with the opinion that you shouldn't change black trans oil. In such a situation, you should never change the filter and do a mini flush before actually changing the fluid, that is drain half the fluid, put some new in and run it for like 2 weeks like that to get the goop out of the holes and let the tranny get used to good fluid but not to rapidly. Done this a million times and never had a problem.
Now, however, you better start looking for a tranny, may only be one issue for the moment and could be a week til the next pops up, could be a month, could be a year, but your tranny will smoke at some point. Hard shift into second is most likely a combination of a clog inn the vacuum system, shift solenoid and the 2nd gear band wearing out. If that diagnosis is correct sometime you will be ready to shift into 2nd and it won't be there.
I'm assuming you have the AW4 auto. Where are you, I have one for sale right now if you want to grab it before you have to search high and low for one.

Jeep Guy

would a rebuild be a good option? I'm in northern MI and I have a friend who rebuilds tranny's and he's willing to do the work for free. Would that take care of my problems? and also I would be getting a new torque converter with the rebuild.

fantic238

There is no such vacuum system in the AW4.

fantic238

Jeep guy, do you tow a trailer?

Jeep Guy

No i do not tow a trailer. I have only done this maybe twice and both times were maybe 6 years ago.

fantic238

When you did the fluid change did they/you flush ALL the old fluid or just changed what came out of the pan?

danimal

I'm no tranny expert, but I'll share an experience I had on my last truck. Tranny was a 4L60E and the fluid was brown and smelled burned. It had 99,000 miles on it at the time. I took the truck in to two different transmission shops all worried that it was on it's way out. Both shops asked me the same question, "is the trans slipping or making any noise". My answer to both was no. They said to leave it alone. Don't change the fluid or filter and just keep an eye on the level. If it drops a little put a little in. They said that the longer you can drive it (provided it's not slipping or making noise) you're money ahead. Apparently the detergents in the new ATF will break down whatever material is left and it will hasten failure and you're better off running the old fluid. Like I said before, it was just my experience. I might've questioned their advice, but two shops told me the same thing and both could've just rebuilt my trans and made some money off me, but advised me instead. This would've been an excellent tactic to get my business eventually, however the tranny never failed.

I continued to drive that truck without any problems. When I sold it, it had 187,000 miles on it and it still had the original transmission in it.

It might be too late for yours since you've already changed the fluid, but maybe someone else can benefit.