Does manual transmission fluid have an odor?

ausie · 06-27-2006, 06:23 AM

While I was rotating my wheels I noticed that the area where the vent is at the bottom of the bell housing (may not be properterm but close enough) was wet. I went to investigate and got this black oily substance on my fingers but it did not have any odor to it. I have not recently driven it in any puddles or in the rain but I have been using the AC (perhaps it is condensation that had formed due to convection while the clutch and the rest of the friction assembly had cooled down, it has been extremely humid recently). What gave this substance the oily feel was the dust from the clutch. The reason why I am asking is that I had the guide tube replaced when I had the clutch, tob, flywheel, etc redone on the vehicle. I have not noticed any pooling on the garage floor either. It may just be water and nothing more.

blk04cobra1 · 06-27-2006, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ausie

While I was rotating my wheels I noticed that the area where the vent is at the bottom of the bell housing (may not be properterm but close enough) was wet. I went to investigate and got this black oily substance on my fingers but it did not have any odor to it. I have not recently driven it in any puddles or in the rain but I have been using the AC (perhaps it is condensation that had formed due to convection while the clutch and the rest of the friction assembly had cooled down, it has been extremely humid recently). What gave this substance the oily feel was the dust from the clutch. The reason why I am asking is that I had the guide tube replaced when I had the clutch, tob, flywheel, etc redone on the vehicle. I have not noticed any pooling on the garage floor either. It may just be water and nothing more.

I cant seem to associate an specific odor, but the tranny fluid that stained my shirt and shorts was red

...i bet it was some condensation with dust mixed in...

beerkat · 06-28-2006, 08:13 AM

The fluid in our transmissions is ATF and is red. If it is get worn it darkens and has a burnt odor to it. If it is your trans fluid then you need to change it.

BlueOvalPower · 06-28-2006, 11:10 AM

Does anyone have info on the best way to change it, as in how-to and what is a recomended trans good fluid to use? thanks

mystic04 · 06-28-2006, 11:47 AM

changing trans fulid is easy you just need to jack the car up some and get under it. look for the drain plug near the back of the trans and un screw it and the trans fluid will pour right out. remember to put drain plug back in again before you fill or you got a big mess on your hands.. to fill on the driver side about half way up on the trans you wqill see a plug it's the fill plug. use 4qts of dexron III fulid or gm syncromesh or royal purple syncromax. till the fluid starts to come out the fill hole just make sure the car is as level as can be when refilling. should if you got long arms lower the car after you fill it and see if it comes out the fill hole if not fill till it does then reinstall the fill plug and your done.that or take to a gas staion you know somebody at and get it up on the lift thats the easy way. on the side of the trans least mine did said to use derxon III fluid. you can get it at ford dealer .

ausie · 06-29-2006, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beerkat

The fluid in our transmissions is ATF and is red. If it is get worn it darkens and has a burnt odor to it. If it is your trans fluid then you need to change it.

I know where the black component came from (clutch dust) and is more likely just condensation since it has been very humid lately. The car sat for almost 5 days and no pool or drips on the floor below. I would assume that the trans fluid was changed when the guide tube was replaced since that consists of the entire front end of the transmission. I will have to recheck it this weekend and see if there still is an issue. There does not seem to be a leak where the guide tube plate mounted to the transmission case. I may just check the fluid level in the transmission to see if it is low (and if it is I will drain it and refill it with GM syncromesh)

BlueOvalPower · 06-29-2006, 11:58 AM

Thanks, I know on the T-5's etc. there was a bolt you didn't un-do and wanted to make sure what was what, I need to replace the clutch soon (mainly the throw-out) so will plan to do so then.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mystic04

changing trans fulid is easy you just need to jack the car up some and get under it. look for the drain plug near the back of the trans and un screw it and the trans fluid will pour right out. remember to put drain plug back in again before you fill or you got a big mess on your hands.. to fill on the driver side about half way up on the trans you wqill see a plug it's the fill plug. use 4qts of dexron III fulid or gm syncromesh or royal purple syncromax. till the fluid starts to come out the fill hole just make sure the car is as level as can be when refilling. should if you got long arms lower the car after you fill it and see if it comes out the fill hole if not fill till it does then reinstall the fill plug and your done.that or take to a gas staion you know somebody at and get it up on the lift thats the easy way. on the side of the trans least mine did said to use derxon III fluid. you can get it at ford dealer .

06-27-2006, 06:23 AM	#1
ausie Don't let the dog drive Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kinston, NC Posts: 1,883	Does manual transmission fluid have an odor? While I was rotating my wheels I noticed that the area where the vent is at the bottom of the bell housing (may not be properterm but close enough) was wet. I went to investigate and got this black oily substance on my fingers but it did not have any odor to it. I have not recently driven it in any puddles or in the rain but I have been using the AC (perhaps it is condensation that had formed due to convection while the clutch and the rest of the friction assembly had cooled down, it has been extremely humid recently). What gave this substance the oily feel was the dust from the clutch. The reason why I am asking is that I had the guide tube replaced when I had the clutch, tob, flywheel, etc redone on the vehicle. I have not noticed any pooling on the garage floor either. It may just be water and nothing more. __________________ 2004 SVT Cobra, Silver, February 2004 SVT Build # 2485 out of 3768 SLP Loudmouth Cat-back UPR double lock firewall adjuster UPR GMS extreme double hook quadrant Wheels: Ford SVT 10th anniv. wheels (track duty) SVE 10th anniv. style 17x9F, 10x10.5R BBS RK Plasma 18x8.5F, 18x10R (retired) (retired) 2001 black SVT Cobra, October 2001 missed but not forgotten

06-28-2006, 11:10 AM	#4
BlueOvalPower Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: St Petersburg, Fl Posts: 115	Does anyone have info on the best way to change it, as in how-to and what is a recomended trans good fluid to use? thanks __________________ 2003 Redfire Cobra 2004 Roush Stage 2 Screaming Yellow

06-28-2006, 08:13 AM	#3
beerkat Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Myrtle Beach, SC Posts: 471	The fluid in our transmissions is ATF and is red. If it is get worn it darkens and has a burnt odor to it. If it is your trans fluid then you need to change it.

06-28-2006, 11:47 AM	#5
mystic04 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: pa Posts: 19	changing trans fulid is easy you just need to jack the car up some and get under it. look for the drain plug near the back of the trans and un screw it and the trans fluid will pour right out. remember to put drain plug back in again before you fill or you got a big mess on your hands.. to fill on the driver side about half way up on the trans you wqill see a plug it's the fill plug. use 4qts of dexron III fulid or gm syncromesh or royal purple syncromax. till the fluid starts to come out the fill hole just make sure the car is as level as can be when refilling. should if you got long arms lower the car after you fill it and see if it comes out the fill hole if not fill till it does then reinstall the fill plug and your done.that or take to a gas staion you know somebody at and get it up on the lift thats the easy way. on the side of the trans least mine did said to use derxon III fluid. you can get it at ford dealer .

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