On my way home today my tranny started slipping. With the car in O, it would start slipping after around 50km/3500rpms. I was able to drive home in second gear.

The fluid was a light red color, but had bubbles in it. It didn't smell burnt at all. I've done a search, and it seems overfilling will cause the bubbles, but it's been 2 months since the filter was changed, and this is the first sign of any problems.

I'll likely take it to GM early next week, but I was wondering if anyone had any ideas what my problem might be. An easy solution would be nice, but I'm more interested in just knowing some possibilities before I walk in to the shop.

Thanks for any help.

 

sounds liek low fluid level totally

check fluid when hot and idling, make sure is up to full line at top of crosshatched area of the stick, dont check it when its cold

 

Does the fluid level get lower when it's hot? I was in a rush last night, so I just checked the fluid level cold really quick, but it was way past the full mark.

 

It will rise when it gets hot, due to expansion. The engine needs to running, level, hot, & in Park for the reading to be accurate.

 

I'd change the fluid again, and this time, set the level properly. I had a similar problem once, 2 months, noticed slipping, fluid too high. After that, all down hill and then 3rd went shortly. I'm not saying the fluid is the problem, just that it exacerbated the deteriorating tranny.

You're probably looking at a rebuild within 4-6 months.

 

Thanks for the info! I think I'm going to make an appointment with GM to verify. If it ends up needing to be rebuilt in the near future, I guess it's a good time to consider a T-56 swap.