Transmission Damage?

Sherlock · November 12, 2005

I recently had transmission problems in my 02 HD Yukon XL. It had too much "slop" in the shifting and a loss of power. I took it in and the dealer found that the valve body needed replacing in the tranny. Now it shifts fine and the power seems to be all back...perhaps a bit less but that could just be my bad memory. My question is this. Before they diagnosed and replaced the valve body (under warrantee), my tranny fluid had gone very dark and then dark again in only 2K miles after a fluid change. This was caused by the faulty valve body somehow. Now that the tranny is repaired, I am wondering if other damage was caused internally by the fluid getting so dark. What causes dark fluid? My temp guage never got into danger territory. I am asking this in case I want to make any related claims before the extended warrantee expires. Thanks for any input.

vhato · November 12, 2005

I recently had transmission problems in my 02 HD Yukon XL. It had too much "slop" in the shifting and a loss of power. I took it in and the dealer found that the valve body needed replacing in the tranny. Now it shifts fine and the power seems to be all back...perhaps a bit less but that could just be my bad memory. My question is this. Before they diagnosed and replaced the valve body (under warrantee), my tranny fluid had gone very dark and then dark again in only 2K miles after a fluid change. This was caused by the faulty valve body somehow. Now that the tranny is repaired, I am wondering if other damage was caused internally by the fluid getting so dark. What causes dark fluid? My temp guage never got into danger territory. I am asking this in case I want to make any related claims before the extended warrantee expires. Thanks for any input.

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I wonder how the valve body failed? It is nothing more than a hunk a aluminum with holes and valleys cut into it.

Dark fluid is burnt fluid. It is caused by the transmission overheating. Either from fluid restriction somewhere (clogged valve body, bad pump or torque converter), worn band or clutches, or the transmission working to hard (hauling too heavy a load).

mcreyaufmiller · November 12, 2005

I recently had transmission problems in my 02 HD Yukon XL. It had too much "slop" in the shifting and a loss of power. I took it in and the dealer found that the valve body needed replacing in the tranny. Now it shifts fine and the power seems to be all back...perhaps a bit less but that could just be my bad memory. My question is this. Before they diagnosed and replaced the valve body (under warrantee), my tranny fluid had gone very dark and then dark again in only 2K miles after a fluid change. This was caused by the faulty valve body somehow. Now that the tranny is repaired, I am wondering if other damage was caused internally by the fluid getting so dark. What causes dark fluid? My temp guage never got into danger territory. I am asking this in case I want to make any related claims before the extended warrantee expires. Thanks for any input.

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The fluid gets dark when the clutches burn, the fluid cools the clutches and washes away the soot causing the dark color. If there was a problem with the valve body, I can see the clutches burninglike that. I would ask for the clutches in the tranny to be replaced as well.

Sherlock · November 12, 2005

Do you think that having the fluid go dark twice would indicate a lot of clutch damage? Since its running fine now I wonder how I can convince them to do more work on it. If it is common knowledge that burnt fluid means severe damage or wear perhaps I can make the argument.

I think they said one or two of the valves "were not working". Perhaps the slop and loss of power was from lack of fluid pressure due to the valve problem. I need to call them and get more info. I still have not towed anything, nor do I abuse the truck.

Thanks for the info..........it is much appreciated. I dont know much about automatic trannies.