What are the dangers of a trans that has sat? I know for a fact that it's a good trans, but it's probably sat for the better part of a year, indoors, covered in plastic. Besides replacing the tiny converter, and changing the fluid, what else (if anything) should be done? What is there to look for? For instance, should I drop the pan and inspect any key parts, besides possible metal shavings? (Which I seriously doubt there to be) I know minimal about this...

 

I have let my trans sit on several occasions for up to 4/5 months with no issues. I always do fresh fluid and filter just for piece of mind.

 

Yeah, I thought I read somewhere on the site of possible dangers just by letting it sit, but couldn't think of anything, if its sitting covered up and out of the weather... but thanks for the info man

 

I've let transmissions sit for years, cores, when taken apart theres still fluid where it needs to be. Some even stored covered but outside.

I'm running a 4L60E now that sat in my garage for 2 years, still had fluid in it. I just bolted it up and didn't think twice about it.

 

As long as moisture does not get inside, I have seen other transmission than 4L60E's, sit as long as 20 years and work correctly when driven a few miles to get all of the air out of the clutch packs, servos, valve body, etc.

 

Makes sense

I ran across a MT HD 4L65E with 300 miles on it, my buddy wants $500 for it, after he totalled his car. Not that I don't trust him, but I don't wanna have to put another $500 in it, just because of something I can't see... thanks a bunch guys!

 

i had an orig 350 out of a 77 el camino with 50k on it, i know it sat in the garage for several years, i finally gave it to a buddy, he slapped it in and has been driving it every day

 

Sure appears that odds are in your favor. But never rule out the unknown of the long sitting time.

 

I agree with the masses above, but the only thing that i have ever heard to be worried about is/was that as an automatic transmission sits, the fluid drains down into the pan, and the internals eventually drip dry, and there is the very slight possibility that over time that rust and corrosion sets in. Never seen it happen personally, but they just say that as a precaution, if you plan on storing a trans/vehicle long term, to overfill the transmission to ensure all the internals are oil soaked, then just drain and fill upon recomissioning the transmission.

 

it might turn into a transformer and walk around the house in its under wear and not pay rent. Nah really shouldnt be a probelm I have had trans sit for a few yrs in mud pits and drive them. as matter fact i have a buddy in orlando that grows 400s in his backyard been trying to figure out his fertilizer. seems like there is a neverending flow of 400s at his backyard.