Transmission Fluid Black

I had the transmission fluid flushed and replace at 30,000 miles on my 2001 Hyundai XG300. 8,000 miles later, I brought it to a different dealer for some work and they tell me that my transmission fluid needs to replaced. I didn't do it and I checked it myself and found it to be black. What happened?

 

Are you sure it's black and not like a grape juice type color? It's common for it to be a little purple.

When you get your transmission fluid changed at dealers or most mechanics, they do NOT change out all the fluid. They basically just drain the tranny pan, which is usually 4-5 qrts and refill. There is still about 4-5 qrts left in the torque converter so they only change half. They are basically mixing old and new together and that is why you fluid is dark.

Does it smell burnt? If it does, it looks like you have a transmission problem. If it smells ok (compare to new fluid), you are ok.

 

It looks to me like you you hit the nail on the head. It looks black on the dip stick and on a paper towel but it does have a purple color when I look at on a piece of clear plastic, it doesn't smell burnt and it feels oily and not gritty. When the dealer changed the fluid, he told me that they flushed the transmission fluid first. I guess maybe they don't do what they tell you. Thanks for your diagnosis.

 

Most dealers do not do a complete flush, they do what I told you. The FSM (field service manuals) states only to drain the pan and refill.

I just did a complete flush in my Maxima myself. It requires draining the 4-5 qrts in the pan, refill with that amout with new. Then disconnect the tranny cooling supply line (goes into radiator) and turn car on, it will then begin to pump the fluid out. Once I got about 2 qrts out (1/2 gallon), I refilled that amount back in with new. I did this until the fluid coming back out of the supply line started turning the new red/pink color.