70'srkool

I am considering buying my first Camaro, a 2002 SS with less
than 5000 miles. I have one major concern. When I check the transmission fluid, I noticed the fluid is not red, but kinda brownish. Also there is a decent amount of small "particles" in the fluid that is on the dipstick.
Would this be clutch material? I don't believe this car was abused knowing the owner, however these "particles" make me wonder if I wouldn't be needing to rebuild the tranny very soon. Please help!

blk/slvr02ss

iTrader: (21)

Its got less than 5000 on it and the fluid is brownish ? I would do a tranny flush and see how it looks from there after a few 100 miles.

70'srkool

Yes. About 4700 miles and the fluid looks crummy. I haven't purchased the car yet because I don't want to be faced with a tranny overhaul in a month or two.

ULTIMATEORANGESS

iTrader: (4)

was it ever changed?

70'srkool

I doubt it.

blk/slvr02ss

iTrader: (21)

I have a 02 Camaro SS a4 w/ 10.563 miles on it and just checked my tranny fluid and it is Red like its still new and should look and it has never been changed so i dont know what to tell you something is not right there.

70'srkool

I talked to two tranny guys today. One said to just change fluid and filter and do NOT do a complete flush right now. The other one said it is the clutch material coming off of the clutches do to the lack of miles and the bonding agents breaking down... This guy said do NOT change the fluid, period. He says new fluid will hasten the clutch deterioration. Both of these guys felt like the trans would likely need a rebuild very soon.

blk/slvr02ss

iTrader: (21)

WTF that makes no sence why would a tranny w/ that low of miles be deteriorating and mine only has 6000 miles more and is not something dont sound right !!! Well i would get a price to have it rebuilt and let the guy know how much and take it off the buying price and just change the fluid and filter and hope for the best.

ULTIMATEORANGESS

iTrader: (4)

id have that fluid changed and save for a rebuild.

joecar

Closeup pic of fluid on dipstick...

70'srkool

I am not having any luck getting a clear pic. If I wipe the dipstick off on my finger or a paper towel it looks like fine sand. Yesterday, after driving for awhile the particles were bigger. I guess I'd like for someone to say...
1.Yes, the trans is shot and will soon need a rebuild or
2. This can be explained by the age of the car and the lack of miles and therefore may be just fine for years to come with a tranny service.

ULTIMATEORANGESS

iTrader: (4)

ill say the person that said chANGING your fluid could speed up the failing process could be right.


i waited too long on a car and it went shortly after.

redbird555

iTrader: (14)

I suppose it could be the fact that the oil is very old and the clutches may have been breaking in so thats why you see the material in it but I doubt it. I'd change the fluid and run it but be prepared for a rebuild. I have also heard that letting the clutches sit a long time can cause them to deteriorate but I'm not sure how much merit there is to that. maybe a sponsor can chim in and shed some light on it.

lt1pwr1

iTrader: (1)

My guess is the car doesn't really have 5K on it. Who are you buying, or thinking of buying the car from? They original owner?

Does the car look like it has 5K on it? For that low mileage, there shouldn't be any stone chips in the front bumper paint, or faded paint, etc.- the car should look FLAWLESS.

Interior- This should be flawless as well with that low of mileage.

I"m sorry but I don't think a 5K mile tranny shouldn't have clutch material in it no matter how long it sits. Unless for those 5K miles the car was beaten to death.

mrvedit

+1. (I edited "shouldn't" to "should" to get rid of double negative)

70'srkool

Ok, so how about this. The dipstick tube has some rust on the inside. Likely because of condensation due to big Ohio temperature changes. The particles are rust. I took it to an expert transmission guy today and that is his analysis. He says the fluid looks and smells good to him and there is nothing to worry about. He recomends that I drop the pan and change the filter with a GM filter, and he says to NOT flush it. The car has 4750 miles on it now. I just wrote the check to the original lady owner. Thanks for the input guys.

blk/slvr02ss

iTrader: (21)

I thought something did not seem right there is no way a tranny can go bad just sitting there.My car was in a garage w/ A/C so there really was not much of a temp change and the manifold and rear just barley have surface rust on them.