Oldblue

A refresher on solenoids

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/driv...olenoid-61313/

fastsuv

I dropped the pan today. Here's what it looks like (the bright line is the reflection of my shop light in the pan):



Any comments?

Steve

firemangeorge

All I can see is burnt fluid. So what's down in the bottom of the pan ? A bunch of clutch plate debris I'm guessing.

Oldblue

Possibly clutch debris, does the fluid smell burnt?

Cat Man HHR

Since you have a lift can't you buy a reman unit and install it yourself ? I would think less money spent.
If your not going to keep the car long roll the dice and installed a used one.
Also from that picture it doesn't look good.
How much stuff is on that magnet ?

fastsuv

The fluid did smell somewhat burnt but not strongly smelly.

There was some stuff on the magnet, but most of the particles were on the bottom of the pan away from the magnet (as shown in the picture).

For comparison, when I replaced the solenoids on my daughters car with 200K miles, the pan had no particles in it and only very fine powdery stuff on the magnet.

So I suspect the trans is toast.

A local junkyard trans is $275.

A remanufactured trans is very expensive. I looked online and they cost almost as much as my local trans shop wants for the whole job.

I'm going to get the $275 trans (comes with torque converter) and put it in.

When I did the solenoids, I pretty much had the trans in a position where all I had to do was unbolt and slide it out to remove it, so I know what's involved. I figure 10-12 hours (if cradle bolts don't give me problems).

Steve

firemangeorge

Most likely because those particles were the non-metallic clutch pack linings. Small amounts of metallic dust on the magnet is normal. Chunks of metal or other stuff in the pan equals a dead tranny.

Oldblue

If it smells like toast , it most likely is .

Cat Man HHR

How many miles on that unit ?
I looked on Ebay and found one for $500 with 80K with free shipping.

fastsuv

I think it has 120K.