Howdy everyone,
My name is Steve, I'm from Lansing Michigan, and I just purchased my very first Camaro. she is a 1985 IROC with the 5.0L TPI RPO LB9. I think I am the 4th owner and the PO owned for like 3 months, he just lost job and relocated is the reason for sale.
So I have read just about all the post on changing the fluid/filter on a 700R4 and everyone has an opinion, and good theories, but inevitably there is no correct answer. My tranny fluid is more grey than red, the first swipe on a white clothe indicated to me metal shavings. I want to change the filter, put the pan back on, and top-off the level. Will this be the beginning of the end, or should I leave it alone until next year (winter & salt just around the corner)? The tranny shifts like there is a kit in it, but I did read on these threads here that that is common for my car. I would think replacing the 3-4 qt from the pan is small percentage of the total volume and would not add too much "new" detergent that will break free any deposits.
Thanks everyone, this site ROCKS!

 

ATF is loaded with detergents in the first place.

"Changing the fluid will cause the trans. to fail" is hogwash; if it's on it's way out, just prepare for the inevitable as with any car wear and tear items. If you get some mileage out of new fluid & filter, great.

 

^^^This^^^^

There IS a "correct" answer, and this is it.

If there's metal in the fluid, it's smoked. Changing the fluid, or not, won't matter. Its days are numbered.

Of greater concern is, where did the metal come from; what's already ruined; what will get ruined even worse if it keeps on running; what else will get ruined by continuing to run it.

If it were mine, I wouldn't waste the money on fluid & filter. You'll just contaminate it and have to throw away 5 more quarts of ruined fluid, gaining no benefit from it. Rather, start investigating how to rebuild a 700-R4.

Most likely source of metal in the fluid in a transmission that otherwise seems to work properly, is the torque converter. It's conceivable if so, that you could change that, and also drop the pan, and that will get about 95% of the metal dust out of it. Determining what kind of metal it is - aluminum, copper/brass, steel - will give a hint as to what is disintegrating. Aluminum = converter; copper/brass = a bushing; steel = hard parts; steel + clutch friction material + black fluid = clutches; etc.

 

My tranny fluid is more grey than red, the first swipe on a white clothe indicated to me metal shavings.......

Grey to me would be aluminum. But it is hard to say, with-out knowing for sure.

Are those "metal" shavings magnetic?

I agree w/ sofa. I too am going to get a book and learn to rebuild that 700r4. I am tired of paying someone to work on my tran when I get a new idea to change something.

Sofa- you got any recommendations for a good tran repair book?

-D

 

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I did some more research perhaps it is the friction plate or clutch material? I guess I should have done more research before buying, hope I don't start throwing good money after bad....

 

on every used vehicle I have bought (at my age that's a lot) , one of the first things I do is FULL fluid & filter change . then monitor every thing till I learn more about all . many people ignore tranny fluids for life of the car . (my daughter is great at that) my advice is change filter & fluid , monitor & hope for the best . good luck with project ...

 

I changed all of my fluids on my "89" but I decided against a full flush.
To aggressive IMO.

 

change the fluid and filter, drive it for a couple of weeks, then change it again. you will know all you need to know about the condition of the trans when you drop the pan the second time and see if it has accumulated more gunk in the pan.

 

The ATSG manuals are the go-to source. DO NOT attempt to use the factory manual!! They ONLY apply to NEW cars with sudden infantile types of new-product failures, using the parts available AT THE TIME. A very different situation from rebuilding a totally worn-out one 30 years later. Those parts are no longer available and the ones that you can get now, ARE NOT the same; the ATSG manuals have kept up with the times, while the factory ones have not. You can use them for blow-up diagrams, theory of operation, and stuff like that, of course; but not clutch tolerances and the like.

There's also a lot of videos you can watch. Some of them are pretty thorough.

 

Thanks everyone I do appreciate the advice, looks like only a filter change, not much of a season left here in Michigan so not the end of the world if the tranny pukes out

 

My transmission lost 3rd gear. Fluid was black and smelt burnt. Picked up another 700R4 transmission for around 100$ with the torque converter. Swapped transmissions and it works flawlessly.. For now (knock on wood) And will be rebuilding my old one for my future plans with the car. 700R4's are pretty cheap in price if you can find a decent one. It will be worth it in the end.