SC 400 with an Auto transmission, 139K , Unknown Maintenance history. Dropped the trans pan only because the fluid was brown. Since there was RTV sealant for a pan gasket, I am assuming someone in the past has dropped the pan and replaced the filter. Pan was pretty clean...however the 4 magnets had a thick coating of very fine metallic dust on them. Is that normal? and does the Type T fluid turn brown normally?

 

It would be a good idea to completely flush your transmission system before damaging the tranny. Just to be safe...Hope this helps.

 

most auto transmissions, in any car will have very fine shavings on the magnetic drain plugs if the fluid has not been changed in a long time. I would replace the filter/fluid and you should be fine. does it have any problems shifting?

 

pull each magnet and wash them.the coating is normal. just wash the magnets
in the parts washer and replace them.

 

It's normal as long as it works fine now you will be ok.

 

Have not driven the car as of yet. This is a father/son project we are going thru everything I can think of to get it roadworthy. It sat up for about 6 years before we bought it. So far we have removed and cleaned the fuel tank, replaced the pump, cleaned the egr valve, cleaned the IAC, Bled the brakes, replaced all fluids associated with the PS and fan. When we drained the tranny fluid and dropped the pan we got a total of 4 quarts. I was antcipating something like 2 quarts...little puzzling to me to get that much fluid??