black / silverish sludge in Automatic 4T45E

falloutboy · 10-16-2011, 05:31 AM

Hi folks,
just dropped my oilpan and found a huge amount of black sludge with a thin layer of sliverish sludge beneath it.
The first question, where does the black studd come from and should I be worried
second: where does the silver stuff come from and should I be worried.

Transmission works fine, never had a issue and don't have one right know.
Oil changes were almost done regulary, sort of

fast replies are very welcome cause I have to have the car running on monday again.

robalero · 10-16-2011, 09:09 AM

did the oil smell burnt?

falloutboy · 10-16-2011, 12:15 PM

No,
oil is good. Not as red as a new one but almost. Well it has about 30k KM on it, since the last change.

Nothing that points to a failing part, just the thick black gooey layer and the thin silver layer.

robalero · 10-16-2011, 01:16 PM

what oil did you use last time? did you use any additive's?

falloutboy · 10-16-2011, 02:01 PM

no additives

Liqui Molly ATF dexron III-E -- the newest one from GM as far is I remember.

robalero · 10-16-2011, 03:30 PM

dex 6 is the newest one

Nate's Alero · 10-16-2011, 03:40 PM

Scrape it off, clean with brakeclean then replace lost fluid and install a new filter.

falloutboy · 10-16-2011, 04:10 PM

I think the newest you could get in Germany was 4 or something like that.

So Nate you think this should be considered normal? Or just accept the inevitable?

robalero · 10-16-2011, 07:11 PM

since you felt no issues there is not much that can be said. however its not normal for it to have some sort of a silver in it but that may of been the fluid itself and its additives it had in from out of the bottle, how much metal was on the magnet? normal or a lot? get the highest dex you can as you are in germany but if you can get dex 6

falloutboy · 10-17-2011, 08:14 AM

no metal shavings - just this silver goo.

I can't upload my pics right now, but here are some that look the same color and consistency.

mmorello82 · 10-17-2011, 11:02 AM

Oh! I wouldn't worry about that. It's normal wear on your clutches in the Trans. That's what the magnet is for, just to catch what you are seeing there. Make sure you clean the pan and magnet with brake clean, and throw it back together. You're good!

a.graham52 · 10-17-2011, 12:25 PM

totaly agree with mmorello82. thats 100% normal. you will find that in trans pans, differentials, transfercases and sometimes oil pans but not as likley. put it back together and have a nice day.

[ion] C2 · 10-17-2011, 12:35 PM

I get that stuff on my engine oil drain plug magnet (in my case likely from the bad wear from coolant mixed with oil)

but it's normal stuff really

robalero · 10-17-2011, 03:48 PM

actually Ion the stuff on your drain plug in the engine is normal also each oil change you do you will always have metal shavings on the end of the tip of the plug and if you don't then you have an issue its got something to do with keeping the engine clean and thats why missing oil changes isn't good as so much of it builds up and because really bad.

but yes the stuff you see if your tranny is normal so your good to go just remb to replace your tranny filter too