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Lead In Trans Fluid Sample

Jansen

By Jansen
in Ask A GM Technician

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Jansen Enthusiast

Jansen

Posted
Posted

I had the trans fluid changed (drop pan, change filter, refill) in my 2004 Sierra 4x4, 5.3L V8, Ext cab Z71 two weeks ago. I sent the fluid out for analysis and the report came back with 104ppm of Lead and 90ppm of Iron. The lead really has me and the company who analyzed the sample stumped. I also noticed the the fluid p/n has changed.

 

Any idea where lead could be coming from?

 

The iron levels were a little higher than what the company typically sees (72ppm vs 90ppm) on a 30k mile run on fluid.

 

I've treated the truck well. The first analysis (@29K miles) had a little higher iron and some lead. Iron and lead seem to be increasing. The only transmission issues I've ever had was a reprogram due to weak shift when starting. The reporgram fixed the issue but I did exchange words with the service manager in regards to his technician's treatment of my vehicle. The tech was backing the truck up and shifted from reverse to drive before the truck was even remotely stopped. I asked them what damage they did to the truck and only received silent treatment. I'm happy to say that dealership went out of business. I'm wondering if the techincian stressed someting in the tranmission when he did that and now I'm going to be paying for it later.

 

Jansen

silveradobobby Enthusiast

silveradobobby

Posted
Posted

I've seen some tranny fluid containe some lead by products in them it aids in smoother shift and softing tranny bang and loose parts. I wouldn't worry about the iron content all trannys are differnent in there own way and more than 50% of the parts in the tranny have some part of iron in them. But the lead base I really wounldn't worry about either. But on the tech pulling out and putting it in forward before a stop can roll the one way sprag over and break it that about the only thing it can do but if it still runs fine theres nothing to really worry about on that issue.

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