Auto trans clunky when hot

[Devin]

In my 2004 3400 after a nice, long, hot commute I've noticed my transmission gets a bit notchy. When accelerating or deccelerating even softly the transmission will slam into gears. Normally when it is shifting well I can hear and feel the RPM change, but I don't really feel or hear the gear change. When it is hot and have been driving for over an hour there is a definite noise and tactile feel to the shifting. Could the fluid be getting a bit old? I have 96K on it. The fluid is see-through still, not oily or burnt looking. I went to check it according to the dipstick instructions (hot, idling in park, level surface) but it kept reading above the crosshatching, and was bubbly. Ideas?

[1990lumina]

Transmission is overfilled and bubbly fluid is NOT good for the clutches in the transmission. When the hydralic part of the transmission goes to engage a clutch the bubbles will compress and cause it to not have full pressure (air compresses, fluid does not).

 

How much over the FULL mark is it?

[xtremerevolution]

I also agree bubbly isn't good Dexcool 6 is made in such a way as to remove the bubbles. What's the level at just a couple minutes after you turn the car on?

 

If you've never replaced the transmission fluid before on that car and it has 95k now, I would definitely say it needs to get done regardless of how it looks. 95k is a long, long time to go without a transmission fluid change.

[RobertISaar]

it's ok to overfill... as long as you DON'T get bubbles... apparently it will save a 4T60E in hard cornering to overfill by ~1 quart, i'm sure it applies to the 65E as well.