Black transmission fluid 3 months after service

[Smallone67]

hello. I recently had my transmission pan replaced and new transmission fluid 3 months ago.

I took my truck in for an oil change to another shop and they are now telling me my transmission fluid is black.
Wondering if there would be any reason for this?

It’s the ZF transmission on a 2014 sport 5.7. Thanks!

 

[Tony Donato]

What kind of transmission fluid did you put in it 3 months ago? If you give me some details, I can help you with this. Are you up to doing a transmission fluid swap on your own?

 

[Smallone67]

No I paid a transmission shop. They put in ZF transmission they say. Thanks!

 

[HunterCat]

How would they know your transmission fluid is black? Did the 2014 models have a dipstick?

 

[Smallone67]

The original pan was a sealed unit. They are saying they checked the fill hole on the new pan.

 

[EdGs]

When I serviced my '15 at 100k miles, the fluid was dark. IMO, the OE fluid does turn dark. New OE fluid is green, and a normal drain and fill only replaces about 5 quarts or so (~60%, maybe?).

New fluid vs. old:

 

[andymax]

scratch my comment...drain/fill hole is perfectly logical, but it still seems odd to me that during an oil change they'd bother to check your trans fluid.

 

[Scottly]

I took my truck in for an oil change to another shop and they are now telling me my transmission fluid is black.
Wondering if there would be any reason for this?

You're not the father.

 

[StateOfMind]

OK Maury.

 

[ppine]

Hard to change all of the fluid at once without the right machine. Left over trans fluid could absolutely look black. It will show up when mixed with the new fluid. I would not worry about it.

 

[Jeepwalker]

Transmission shops seem to have a knack of trying to 'scare' the general public into doing more work (or replacing tranny's).

 

[Burla]

A while back for some unknown reason manu's went to black clutches or friction packs in transmissions instead of nude in the previous generation. It really confuses transmission fluid checks because black fluid doesn't mean what it used to. Best unofficial way to tell fluid is smell not visual, it should smell nasty but not burnt. For sure you can have black looking fluid after 3 mos drain and fill, but if you take some fluid out and spread it likely wont look black at all.

 

[Tony Donato]

No I paid a transmission shop. They put in ZF transmission they say. Thanks!

What turns both motor oil and transmission fluid black are the anti-oxidants.

If the fluid is blended with GTL or PAO, there isn't much need for aminic antioxidants (or other types). However, if it's a Group III or lesser ATF, then it will turn dark really fast. Basically in a couple of heat cycles. That being said, not all Group III ATFs are the same. For instance, Castrol TranSynd 668 (I run it in a 8HP70) is Group III+ and PAO. I can run it for 30K miles and it's barely darker than when I put it in.

Shell makes the ATF for ZF at their Texas plant. A few years ago the reformulated it with GTL. So Lifeguard 8 / Mopar 8&9 Speed should take a long time to turn dark. It actually never turns completely dark.

My best guess is that your previous shop used anything but Lifeguard 8 / Mopar 8&9 Speed fluid.

 

[Atcer2018]

Did the shop that did the oil change and told you the transmission fluid was black follow the ZF fluid check procedure? If they put the truck up on a lift and pulled the fill plug with the engine off you lost a quart of fluid. The fluid level check procedure requires the engine to be running. You may want to check into how they made the fluid assessment.

 

[Smallone67]

Did the shop that did the oil change and told you the transmission fluid was black follow the ZF fluid check procedure? If they put the truck up on a lift and pulled the fill plug with the engine off you lost a quart of fluid. The fluid level check procedure requires the engine to be running. You may want to check into how they made the fluid assessment.

Thanks. The transmission shop that performed the service “mister transmission” is going to check it out for me next week.

 

[zrock]

scratch my comment...drain/fill hole is perfectly logical, but it still seems odd to me that during an oil change they'd bother to check your trans fluid.

not strange at all, sounds like this is a shop that has trained their guys to look at everything to generate more income. If it needs it or not.

 

[Sherman Bird]

hello. I recently had my transmission pan replaced and new transmission fluid 3 months ago.

I took my truck in for an oil change to another shop and they are now telling me my transmission fluid is black.
Wondering if there would be any reason for this?

It’s the ZF transmission on a 2014 sport 5.7. Thanks!

These slimy oil change places use color to sell fluid services. Color is only an indicator, and not a reason unto it's own merit.
Get another opinion/ inspection. I think it is likely that they are trying to put on over on you, OR, your trans is going out! Cheers!

 

[Smallone67]

went down and had a look at the pan. Looks like they opened the drain plug to look at it. Wonder what would make them do that given the fill plug wouldn’t cause me to lose fluid. Seems pretty sketchy.

 

[Wild one]

went down and had a look at the pan. Looks like they opened the drain plug to look at it. Wonder what would make them do that given the fill plug wouldn’t cause me to lose fluid. Seems pretty sketchy.

I wouldn't trust any of the Mister Transmissions in Calgary.Do the fluid/pan swap yourself,it's not really hard to do,and then you'll know it's done right. Here's the instructions for checking the fluid level after you've done the pan swap,pay attention to the very first paragraph,it's important you jack the truck up high enough in the rear to level the transmissions pan rail,very few shops do level the transmission.