Question about water in transmission

[trailteam04]

Hey guys,

I recently did some river crossing on my HDJ80.

I checked the transmission fluid on my 442F today and it looked normal. But I'm not sure how to tell if any water got into the tranny? Is there any specific symptom I should look for?

I also checked the engine oil and it look OK. Should I look for something specific there as well?

Haven't checked the diffs yet.

Thanks for the pointers

 

[donutfj80]

Water will go to the bottom of the oil. Drain a little and see if there is any water.

 

[trailteam04]

Water will go to the bottom of the oil. Drain a little and see if there is any water.

Thanks!!

 

[-Spike-]

It should froth the oil, turn it pink. Be more worried about your diffs.

 

[Tools R Us]

It should froth the oil, turn it pink. Be more worried about your diffs.

X2, unless it hasn't been driven, the water doesn't sit in the pan. It gets mixed in turning the fluid pink. Been there, passed in the t-shirt.

 

[trailteam04]

It should froth the oil, turn it pink. Be more worried about your diffs.

X2, unless it hasn't been driven, the water doesn't sit in the pan. It gets mixed in turning the fluid pink. Been there, passed in the t-shirt.

OK thanks!!

I've checked the dipstick and the oil looks normal. No pink present.

Would this pink froth be detectable just by looking at the dipstick or would you advise me to still drain a some?

 

[rtarh2o]

I think the trans should be fine but you want to make sure.
I have purchased flood cars in the past and the first thing is to make sure you never drive it (assuming it is an auto) before getting the trans flushed to make sure all of the water is out.
Apparently, parts in the trans are held together by a glue like substance, the water in the trans steams when hot and the steam sort of dissolves the stuff and transmission basically stops working.
Not sure how true all of this is but the flush doesn't cost much so it is cheap insurance.
I always thought water in oil makes it turn sort of a milky color, I assume it would do the same thing in trans fluid?
Rusty

 

[-Spike-]

OK thanks!!

I've checked the dipstick and the oil looks normal. No pink present.

Would this pink froth be detectable just by looking at the dipstick or would you advise me to still drain a some?

The pink would be very apparent on the stick if you've driven it.

 

[trailteam04]

I think the trans should be fine but you want to make sure.
I have purchased flood cars in the past and the first thing is to make sure you never drive it (assuming it is an auto) before getting the trans flushed to make sure all of the water is out.
Apparently, parts in the trans are held together by a glue like substance, the water in the trans steams when hot and the steam sort of dissolves the stuff and transmission basically stops working.
Not sure how true all of this is but the flush doesn't cost much so it is cheap insurance.
I always thought water in oil makes it turn sort of a milky color, I assume it would do the same thing in trans fluid?
Rusty

The pink would be very apparent on the stick if you've driven it.

Thanks!!

 

[7schulz]

It's called strawberry milkshake, when water is in your tranny fluid. If it looks like that get it out asap.

The presence of water and/or ethylene glycol coolant mixtures in the transmission oil is detrimental to the reliability and durability of the internal components. Contaminated oil has a deteriorating effect on transmission components. Frictional capacity of drive clutch plates can be greatly reduced as a result of surface film or impregnation and the presence of glycol will physically deteriorate clutch plate material.
Should the user suspect contamination, an oil sample should be obtained when transmission fluid is at normal operating temperature to assure contaminate, if present, is thoroughly dispersed in the oil as sampled. The analysis of oil sample (by the oil supplier or any qualified laboratory) will provide the degree of contaminate and possibly a clue as to its source. A minimal amount of water may be due to uncovered oil drums or an open transmission filler tube; or, in the case of glycol, the use of an all-purpose fill container or a defective transmission oil cooler. Oil containing greater than 0.2% water by volume, regardless of whether it contains glycol or not, is considered contaminated and should be not be used. Any trace of Glycol or greater than 0.2% water contamination requires a complete disassembly and cleanup of the transmission and replacement of seals, gaskets, clutch plates, and bearings. The torque converter must also be replaced since it cannot be completely drained or disassembled. If the transmission is equipped with solenoids, measure solenoid resistance and compare to specification. Solenoids not within specification must be replaced. Transmission components that exhibit rust must be replaced. The vehicle cooling system should be pressure tested as a possible source of contamination.

Some conditions that may indicate water and/or glycol in the oil are:
• Rust or pitted transmission parts.
• Oil spewing out of transmission breather.
• Oil in radiator.
• Gaskets blistered or wrinkled in uncompressed areas.
• Appearance of oil. Presence of water in oil when dispersed is a cloudy or gray, pink, or strawberry color.
• Steam from breather.

 

[profro]

I'm worried about mine. I just had the local Toyota dealership flush and replace my tranny fluid back in October and now it is a discolored red almost pink color. It doesn't look frothy just dirty. Should I have the dealership recheck or replace or do I need to diagnose further?

 

[profro]

Dealer said he would reflush since they did it not too long ago. He called this morning and one flush was not enough. He asked if I had been in water and I have but nothing high enough to put water in the truck. How deep does it have to be for the tranny to take in water?

 

[Dave 2000]

The breathers are quite high, I would guess about the top of the tyre or even a little higher. Max wading depth should be about the top of the rim if you want to keep eveything dry.

regards

Dave