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Possibly, but I doubt it. The previous two owners were a military guy who had it through the warranty period and a family who used it as their daily driver and seemed to be meticulous about getting it serviced. There was no mention of any transmission service beyond normal fluid/filter changes. I guess I have just been lucky so far (fingers crossed)!
Pink antifreeze may be normal for that model year. Black oil spots are definitely not normal. It could be cross contamination between a transmission cooler and radiator internal failure. Does your transmission fluid look good, or does it have a milky or foamy appearance? Also be sure to check your engine oil. Head gasket failures can provide a pathway for oil and coolant to mix. ATF and motor oil both will appear milky (opaque) when contaminated with water.
Also check out this topic:
http://www.ericthecarguy.com/kunena/8-Service-and-Repair-Questions-Answered-Here/48758-engine-oil-or-transmission-fluid-in-coolant?limitstart=0This sounds very similar to what you are dealing with.
2 years and 37k miles on it with the Dexron VI and all is well. Guess it is about time to do it again. Thanks for the advice!
I think it comes down to “total cost of ownership”. Parts for older cars are cheap, and as a general rule, older vehicles tend to be easier to work on. As long as it is reliable, who cares what it looks like? I have a 2000 Tahoe with severely oxidized paint on the roof and hood. It has a hellacious dent on the right fender where some debris hit it during a storm. Even with almost 200k miles on the original engine and transmission, it starts without fail and has only broken down on me once (fuel pump–which was temporarily remedied with a thud to the bottom of the fuel tank).
Would I like a brand new shiny Tahoe? Sure! Am I going to spend $40-50k to get one? Heck no!
I think it comes down to “total cost of ownership”. Parts for older cars are cheap, and as a general rule, older vehicles tend to be easier to work on. As long as it is reliable, who cares what it looks like? I have a 2000 Tahoe with severely oxidized paint on the roof and hood. It has a hellacious dent on the right fender where some debris hit it during a storm. Even with almost 200k miles on the original engine and transmission, it starts without fail and has only broken down on me once (fuel pump–which was temporarily remedied with a thud to the bottom of the fuel tank).
Would I like a brand new shiny Tahoe? Sure! Am I going to spend $40-50k to get one? Heck no!
Yep…it is a 4L60E. You had me second guessing myself…to the point that I put the truck up on ramps and did a quick check for myself.
http://www.maliburacing.com/auto_tranny_id.htm
16 bolts, square pan..yep, it’s a 4L60E. From what I can gather, the 4L80E’s are on the 2500 & 3500 pickups and the beefy 2500 style Suburban. Perhaps if I blow this one up I might toy with the idea of replacing it with a 4L80E. I’ve heard it can be done, but really don’t know.
I guess I should have made myself more clear in the first post…I am avoiding flush machines like the plague. I had heard of doing the transmission cooler line technique, but really appreciate having the video to go with it.
Jason
Yep…it is a 4L60E. You had me second guessing myself…to the point that I put the truck up on ramps and did a quick check for myself.
http://www.maliburacing.com/auto_tranny_id.htm
16 bolts, square pan..yep, it’s a 4L60E. From what I can gather, the 4L80E’s are on the 2500 & 3500 pickups and the beefy 2500 style Suburban. Perhaps if I blow this one up I might toy with the idea of replacing it with a 4L80E. I’ve heard it can be done, but really don’t know.
I guess I should have made myself more clear in the first post…I am avoiding flush machines like the plague. I had heard of doing the transmission cooler line technique, but really appreciate having the video to go with it.
Jason
DC,
If your wife is anything like mine (doesn’t refill until the idiot light comes on), that extra safety margin might be a blessing in disguise!
It is funny that you mention this. I replaced the fuel pump and sending unit (same part) in my Tahoe a few months ago. At first the level seemed to be corresponding with the true level, but lately it seems like it is reading lower than the actual reading. Oh well, better to have an off reading in this direction versus the other I suppose.
Jason
DC,
If your wife is anything like mine (doesn’t refill until the idiot light comes on), that extra safety margin might be a blessing in disguise!
It is funny that you mention this. I replaced the fuel pump and sending unit (same part) in my Tahoe a few months ago. At first the level seemed to be corresponding with the true level, but lately it seems like it is reading lower than the actual reading. Oh well, better to have an off reading in this direction versus the other I suppose.
Jason
Eric, great video as always. This time of year might also be good to “re-promote” your video about how to unclog a heater core with an air compressor. It is what brought me to your site initially and kept me from freezing my a** off last winter. Worked like a champ, and kept me from having to pull the dashboard on my Tahoe. :woohoo:
Thanks again for all that you do. You have taken my backyard mechanic abilities to a higher level.
Eric, great video as always. This time of year might also be good to “re-promote” your video about how to unclog a heater core with an air compressor. It is what brought me to your site initially and kept me from freezing my a** off last winter. Worked like a champ, and kept me from having to pull the dashboard on my Tahoe. :woohoo:
Thanks again for all that you do. You have taken my backyard mechanic abilities to a higher level.