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Old 09-10-2014, 03:33 PM   #1
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Flakes in Transmission Fluid

Today while routinely checking the fluids in my 2004 Sunseeker 3100 (E450) I noticed some debris on the end of the transmission dip stick. It almost looked like someone had crushed a dried up leaf and sprinkled the residue on it. I wiped it off, inserted and removed the dip stick again and there was a little more. Two more swipes and nothing else seemed to be on the stick. The coach has less than 30,000 miles. So....I am seeking advice and trying to determine if I need to be worried. I looked at a few on line posts that seemed to suggest a little debris was normal...but I have never noticed it before. I have had the RV for less than 2 years. Thanks!
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Old 09-10-2014, 05:36 PM   #2
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Not being familiar with the newer transmissions, used to be ANY debris in the fluid was trouble. If it were mine, it would be going to a trusted transmission shop for a look-see.


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Old 09-10-2014, 05:56 PM   #3
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X2 on the transmission shop, but you might also try getting an oil sample tested. They would be able to tell you what the contaminate is made of, if any.

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Old 09-10-2014, 06:11 PM   #4
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X2 on the transmission shop, but you might also try getting an oil sample tested. They would be able to tell you what the contaminate is made of, if any.

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Good advice - military used to call it SOAP for Speckometic (sp) Oil Analysis Program. Operators of jet engines such as aircraft operations,irrigation operators,etc. use it. We would pull aircraft engines that SOAP said were going bad with excessive bearing wear etc. and SOAP results were right on each time.

Just draw a couple ounces of oil out using a plastic tube attached to a collapsible plastic bottle and send it to a lab.
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Old 09-10-2014, 06:23 PM   #5
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With any luck, you might get by with a transmission filter and fluid change and not have a serious transmission problem. Good luck
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Old 09-11-2014, 04:50 AM   #6
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Do you have the V10 engine in your Sunseeker? If yes, look at the automatic transmission filling tube bracket where it is attached to the exhaust header and see if the tube is rusted out.

PS: the V8 might have same problem
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Old 09-11-2014, 07:47 AM   #7
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Do you have the V10 engine in your Sunseeker? If yes, look at the automatic transmission filling tube bracket where it is attached to the exhaust header and see if the tube is rusted out.

PS: the V8 might have same problem

I do have the V10. I will look....thanks.
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Old 09-11-2014, 11:06 AM   #8
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Automatic transmissions have bands and clutches that are faced with non-metallic material. If the material is not metallic then it is probably "bits" of this material.

The most typical failure, if you have a lock-up torque converter, is the the clutches in the converter. Next would be the bands which will flake off material as they wear.

It would be wise to drop the transmission pan and take a look - Band or clutch wear can sometimes be observed once the pan is off.
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Old 09-12-2014, 02:06 PM   #9
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I changed my auto transmission filler tube today, took about 1/2 hour, it was rusted through in two locations.......cost of new tube $40 (CAN) at Ford dealership.
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Old 09-12-2014, 11:47 PM   #10
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X2 on the transmission shop, but you might also try getting an oil sample tested. They would be able to tell you what the contaminate is made of, if any.

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Old 09-17-2014, 05:03 PM   #11
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Flakes in Transmission Fluid

Thanks for all the information. Took it to the dealership and they determined that it was just some nonmetallic debris in the fluid. Even though the RV only has 24K miles, it is 10 years old and apparently age can be an issue as well as mileage. They flushed it, cleaned the screen, etc., and replaced the fluid. It never had a problem driving...it was always smooth shifting and so forth, so I can not really tell a difference. However, the peace of mind that all should now be OK was worth the 190.00. Again, thanks!
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Old 09-17-2014, 05:19 PM   #12
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Thanks for all the information. Took it to the dealership and they determined that it was just some nonmetallic debris in the fluid. Even though the RV only has 24K miles, it is 10 years old and apparently age can be an issue as well as mileage. They flushed it, cleaned the screen, etc., and replaced the fluid. It never had a problem driving...it was always smooth shifting and so forth, so I can not really tell a difference. However, the peace of mind that all should now be OK was worth the 190.00. Again, thanks!
That's good news. Some of you might remember ( as I do) when automatic transmissions (AT) first came out and for several years after how troublesome they were. A common problem was slipping and you were told the "bands needed to be adjusted." True or a rip off,I'm not sure.

I remember driving a 1950ish Chevrolet straight six equipped with a "PowerGlide" (Chevys name for the AT at that time) AT and how sluggish it was between shifts.
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