Oil Analysis

[skiiirt]

My buddy works for an Oil Analysis company. He tested my transmission fluid. The results aren't very positive.

 

Based on a 0.4gram sample

Unacceptable Amounts:

Iron 375ppm

Lead 130ppm

Aluminum 30ppm

 

Reportable Amounts:

Viscosity 22.6cSt @ 40*C

Viscosity 4.56cSt @ 100*C

 

But I could look at it the other way. A tranny that has 230,000km and is running on original oil. Not so bad

 

I have the printout and it looks pretty cool. Has a pic of the sample with the ISO results. It's a neat thing to have in the maintenace records. I can post pics of it if anyone is interested

[fastbird232]

You've never changed your oil?

[skiiirt]

I bough the car at 200K. I have driven it 30K I cant find any record of it being changed. Its booked to the shop tomorrow to have a look at it. It runs fine, shifts smooth, no slippage and no problems so far. *Knock on wood*

[THe_DeTAiL3R]

All that metal in the oil is probably just due to the high mileage, don't you think? lol

[19Cutlass94]

wow thats an awful long way on that tranny fluid! Bet changing that eally helped it out!

[Crazy K]

tranny fluid is supposed to have trace amounts of metals I have read. These trace metals help the tranny parts last longer, on the same idea behind leaded gas. The lead in gas acted to cushion the valves of the engine as they slam shut, back when valves were softer.

Have your buddy do a sample of new tranny fluid and see what is in it.

[19Cutlass94]

Well most if not all oils now are suppose to take away all the dirt and all kinda of shit inside an engine and keep it clean. Thats one reason why its so dirty when it you change it. (Although last time I changed tranny fluid was at 50,000 and 42,000 miles later its still nice and red )

[skiiirt]

Just got back. Everything went really well. He said he is surprised the tranny was in as good of shape as it was. The guy says the oil wasn't too bad, it was kinda burnt but not "smokey" so it was still reasonable. Not acceptable, but alright.

So we got maybe 6 new litres in there and she shifts like a champ. Much softer shifting from Park to Reverse. And vice-versa. The 1st to 2nd shift is now very smooth. I also gave it some juice and tried out a 3500rpm shift and that was smooth as well, barely feel the tranny shift at all.

 

All in all it was worth the money and the time. Definately sets my mind at ease. Atleast a tranny rebuilt is off the list of things to do for now.

 

He also believes that the transmission was serviced within the last 100,000KM. So I guess thats a good thing to hear! I think I know why there were no records. The major tranny shop here will do it for cash and keep it off the books. Thus no paper trail.

[pitzel]

Okay the tranny fluid has thinned somewhat (normal viscosity of ATF is in the 7.6cSt range). But those iron, lead, and aluminum amounts are not atypical for that kind of use.

 

Certain parts of an automatic transmission, for instance, are designed to experience some wear. A virgin ATF will not, for instance, have high levels of iron, lead, etc. -- but its impossible to not have high levels of those metals deposited in the fluid.

 

A 100k mile change interval is probably more appropriate with modern fluids. Especially since all Dexron III on the market today is synthetic and/or synthetic blend.