TheSamba.com :: View topic - Please help me ID this goop in auto tranny oil pan

Tue Dec 31, 2019 11:49 am

So I have been having some problems with my 69 square auto tranny not shifting into 3rd, but it does shift into reverse.

I have followed the procedures in the bentley and when I took off the bottom pan of the tranny I see this junk inside.

Has anyone seen something like this before?

I'm afraid it might come alive and strangle me...

Tue Dec 31, 2019 12:05 pm

Is it metallic/rusty?
Or something like bakelite or clutch material?
Try filtering it through kerosene on a paper towel and have a closer look, and check with a magnet.

Tue Dec 31, 2019 4:47 pm

So, it is non magnetic...mostly fiberous powder..

Oh well

Wed Jan 01, 2020 9:27 am

Looks like clutch material from the bands, or clutches in the drums.

Wed Jan 01, 2020 11:42 am

Mr.Duncan wrote: Looks like clutch material from the bands, or clutches in the drums.

That was my thought as well. Either that, or red clay sand.
Either way, you shouldn't have that much of anything in the short amount of time that you've actually driven it. :shock:

Wed Jan 01, 2020 12:07 pm

It actually looks like some of that "transmission medic" type stuff that people add to fluids to try to fix shifting issues. Ray

Wed Jan 01, 2020 6:09 pm

Haha, funny Ray because I did add some of the Lucas oil to the tranny awhile back. Good catch. Probably coated the clutch dust.

Since I removed the pan, cleaned it, put it back on and filled it back up with tranny oil I now have no reverse.

Based on that and the junk in the pan I think the main disc needs to be replaced, something I realy dont feel like doing.

Wed Jan 01, 2020 7:01 pm

erikhaha wrote: Haha, funny Ray because I did add some of the Lucas oil to the tranny awhile back. Good catch. Probably coated the clutch dust.

Since I removed the pan, cleaned it, put it back on and filled it back up with tranny oil I now have no reverse.

Based on that and the junk in the pan I think the main disc needs to be replaced, something I realy dont feel like doing.

Uh....is that the Lucas Automatic tranmissiin fluid "conditiiner"?

DO NOT use anything that says it "conditions" seals. That means it has solvents in it designed to make old leaky seals SWELL. This destroys seals eventually and may eat up bonded clutch pack discs.

Also a big risk in these transmissions is the seal bewteen final drive and transfer case and thr governor drive seal..... both of which keep the transmission fluid away from the differential gear oil. If the seals fail...the oils mix and the differential dies.

Check your differntial oil level. If its excessivly high....your seal has failed. Ray

Wed Jan 01, 2020 7:19 pm

Wow, thanks for that info Ray. I wish I knew this before I put that stuff in.

Oh well live and learn.

Thu Jan 02, 2020 8:17 am

erikhaha wrote: Wow, thanks for that info Ray. I wish I knew this before I put that stuff in.

Oh well live and learn.

Well...it may be time for a flush and basic a re-seal. The seals between the trans gear section and final drive should be replaced every 7 years or 70k miles.

Probably a little longer now.....that you can buy seals that are made of materials that work well for both fluids. The trick to that thougn is taking an OEM seal down to a large seal dealer, telling them what fluids they have to work with and what it goes in so they know shaft speed and temperature .....and then having them put in the question to the tech staff at their seal supplier. They can usually suggest a specific seal part number.

But short of all of that.....just change the seals if you have not. You will need the brown Bentley for type 3. Ray