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Old Jan 15, 2017 | 06:10 PM
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Default Tiny bubbles

Noticed tiny bubbles on the dip stick when I checked my auto transmission fluid today. Fluid is nice clean red. Should I be worried?
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Old Jan 15, 2017 | 06:39 PM
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I assume you checked it correctly.

The transmission needs to be HOT..thus means you need to drive it to get it hot....then...have it on level ground...in park with the engine idling.

You did not state if the level was correct.

I personally would not worry about it but I do not know how many bubbles you saw because you did not state that also. 2, 4 or 100 bubbles? Where the bubbles high on the stick at the top of the level???

DUB

Last edited by DUB; Jan 15, 2017 at 06:39 PM.
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Old Jan 15, 2017 | 06:55 PM
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Check was done correctly. Trans hot, level ground, in park, engine idling. Fluid was to the upper full level on the dipstick. Bubbles all through it from bottom to top.
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Old Jan 15, 2017 | 07:46 PM
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Originally Posted by rmgny44
Check was done correctly. Trans hot, level ground, in park, engine idling. Fluid was to the upper full level on the dipstick. Bubbles all through it from bottom to top.
Foaming is usually caused by too low a level. Foam is NOT a good lubricant.
I do not claim to know what would cause that when full.
What fluid do you use, and any additives?
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Old Jan 15, 2017 | 08:15 PM
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Fluid was changed in July 2015. Service record does not indicate what type fluid was used but the work was done by a reputable shop, the Corvette Center in Colorado Springs. 2,600 miles put on the car since the change.
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Old Jan 15, 2017 | 08:16 PM
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No additives !
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Old Jan 16, 2017 | 04:52 PM
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bubbles on the stick can also be from too much fluid in the transmission. are you sure your dipstick is correct one? or sucking air around filter o-ring . Air bubbles do not lubricate.. you need to find cause
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Old Jan 16, 2017 | 06:18 PM
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Contact who worked on it last and voice your concerns. I also can not add any more to what can be causing this carbonation of your fluid. But I do agree...I would have to find out what is causing it.

Possibly contact someone like Bowtie Overdrives and ask them and see if they may know...along with any local transmission shop in your area and get a consensus of what they all fell it is.

As like what 'fishslayer143' mentioned....Air leaking past the seal of the filter is a VERY PLAUSIBLE cause.

I assume this is a TH400..and if my memory serves me correctly..the filter is screwed in place with a thin paper gasket.

DUB
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Old Jan 17, 2017 | 12:04 AM
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"Bubbles" on the dipstick are not necessarily a cause for concern. Your transmission has a vent on the main housing. When you turn the engine off, the transmission is hot. As it cools down, outside air is drawn into the main housing, and if it is moist, it can condense some droplets of water in with the oil. But, as you know, water and oil don't mix. But, that's no big deal. When the trans gets to operating temperature the next time, most of that moisture will evaporate and then the process will start all over again. No biggie.

Now, if ANTIFREEZE had gotten into the transmission oil, that would be a very big problem. Antifreeze (ethylene glycol) doesn't mix WELL with oil...but it does mix SOME. It forms a nasty emulsion which can turn into a gummy goo; bad for the engine if it happens there---equally bad for the transmission if it happens there.

But, you don't have a foamy pick emulsion going on--you just have some water droplets on your dipstick. Situation "normal".

Last edited by 7T1vette; Jan 17, 2017 at 12:07 AM.
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Old Jan 17, 2017 | 03:50 AM
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Excessive bubbles can be a sign of an internal leak.
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Old Jan 17, 2017 | 09:23 AM
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Thanks for all the replies. I found a new shop in town that comes highly recommended by the local Corvette Association. The car is going in next Tuesday for a general check-up!
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Old Jan 17, 2017 | 12:04 PM
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The only possibility of an "internal leak" would be from the engine's cooling system (radiator tank cooler for the tranny). But, the transmission's cooling lines (that run from the trans to the radiator) have much higher pressure on them then what is in the radiator; so the "leak" would be trans fluid into the engine's coolant/radiator.

Also, if you have anything other than plain ol' water in the cooling system, you wouldn't see ONLY water beads on the dipstick.
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Old Jan 26, 2017 | 08:38 AM
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Thanks for all the replies! It turned out to be too much fluid in the tranny. All is good again!
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Old Jan 26, 2017 | 11:31 AM
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Thx for the follow up. This can help us all.
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Old Jan 26, 2017 | 07:02 PM
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Originally Posted by rmgny44
Thanks for all the replies! It turned out to be too much fluid in the tranny. All is good again!
now, where did I see that...hmmmm.... gad you got it resolved.. now enjoy
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Old Jan 26, 2017 | 09:53 PM
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Originally Posted by fishslayer143
now, where did I see that...hmmmm.... gad you got it resolved.. now enjoy
Good call Fishslayer!
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Old Jan 27, 2017 | 10:01 AM
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Originally Posted by 7T1vette
"Now, if ANTIFREEZE had gotten into the transmission oil, that would be a very big problem. Antifreeze (ethylene glycol) doesn't mix WELL with oil...but it does mix SOME. It forms a nasty emulsion which can turn into a gummy goo; bad for the engine if it happens there---equally bad for the transmission if it happens there.
If you want to see this, Google 'Stawberry Milkshake' on Toyota 4Runners. I managed to save it with a 6 gallon flush of coolant and a 8 gallon flush of Trans fluid, a new radiator, then having a shop power flush both systems. Don't want to ever see this again.
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Old Jan 27, 2017 | 02:24 PM
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Coolant in trans oil is a sure way to destroy the transmission clutches.

vbgod, you are very lucky!
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