Transmission pan dropped. Is my trans cooked?

[bndawgs]

Well, give it to me straight.  90k miles, original fluid. Should I start donating plasma to pay for a new transmission?

 

 

[MikeBMW]

To be honest, I've never dropped a transmission pan - I've always had the dealer replace the fluid and filter.
I would think you're good if you've kept up on regular transmission maintenance.
Do you have symptoms of a faulty transmission?

[CamGTP]

Does it feel gritty?

 

Kinda looks like metal/clutch material in the bottom of the pan. Either from torque converter clutch or the clutch packs inside the transmission.

[bndawgs]

On 11/5/2025 at 8:18 PM, MikeBMW said:

To be honest, I've never dropped a transmission pan - I've always had the dealer replace the fluid and filter.
I would think you're good if you've kept up on regular transmission maintenance.
Do you have symptoms of a faulty transmission?

 

Just started getting some hesitation on acceleration and so I was hoping that fresh fluid might fix the issue. But after draining about 7 qts and refilling and new filter, the issue is still there around 30 mph.  So back to the drawing board, but I'm thinking it's probably the torque converter.   

Edited November 7, 2025 by bndawgs

[mikeyk101]

If it is the torque converter, you need to address that, like yesterday. It's a short window from the torque converter going bad (breaking apart) and a new transmission. And I do mean short. 

[JimCost2014]

6 speed?

[silveradosid]

you have nothing to loose at this point, have a scanner hooked up and relearn the transmission. it is actually recommended when ever the fluid is changed

[bndawgs]

11 hours ago, JimCost2014 said:

6 speed?

Yeah, 6 speed

3 hours ago, silveradosid said:

you have nothing to loose at this point, have a scanner hooked up and relearn the transmission. it is actually recommended when ever the fluid is changed

i assume that's with a tech 2 scanner?   at full throttle, it seems to shift just fine. it's when i am slowly accelerating that i'll get the hesitation around 28-30mph.  i guess a trip to the dealership for a diagnosis is in my future.  

[bndawgs]

Brief update on this, but I think changing the fluid accelerated my demise.  Tried to drive the truck the other day and the trans was slipping pretty bad.  Pump was also whining loudly.  So now worst case scenario.  Anyone have a shop recommendation in Northern Virginia area?  Was quoted 7500 by one shop.  

 

Terrible timing with the cold weather, but I'm also considering trying to tackle it myself. 

[silveradosid]

is not cheaper to get a reman from gm, on canadian sites it is 5k plus torque converter

[diyer2]

Start saving, you should have serviced it sooner. 

[bndawgs]

1 hour ago, silveradosid said:

is not cheaper to get a reman from gm, on canadian sites it is 5k plus torque converter

The 7500 would be for parts and labor. Would also include replacing the rear main seal while in there. 

[bndawgs]

8 minutes ago, diyer2 said:

Start saving, you should have serviced it sooner. 

Yeah, expensive lesson learned.  I'm now trying to figure out how bad I want to torture myself by doing it in my driveway. 

[Atlas]

I'd pay someone.

 

The whining pump is weird though. You did follow the proper fill procedure, right? You have to fill when warm so the thermostat is open and it sucks in fluid. Otherwise you'll think it's full when it's not. You said it was slipping before, but now with a whining pump that seems odd the pump would check out too.

[SC4R3C120W]

identical thing happened to me, but i had the trans serviced at the dealer at 50,000 miles (fluid only), then 100,000 miles with filter. didn't make it another 1,000 miles before i started to slip gears around 28 - 35mph. Ended up replacing the trans for same cost. It took a while at the time, so dealer gave me a loaner for free for 2 weeks. 

 

I never towed and had pretty much only freeway mileage on it, but still failed. I'm getting to the impression that you don't touch these things unless needed. 

Edited December 3, 2025 by SC4R3C120W