When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
In all of this, the big, BIG question is: why isn't the filter trapping this debris?
The system gets overloaded and I think it's too fine micron wise maybe. The debris was EVERYWHERE on mine, every nook and cranny on the valvebody. Like sand almost.
The system gets overloaded and I think it's too fine micron wise maybe. The debris was EVERYWHERE on mine, every nook and cranny on the valvebody. Like sand almost.
The filter should have been completely filled with debris. It was not. Why? You are all missing the point. Either the filter was bypassing or something else was going on. You need some help understanding how the fluid system works. I am not here to provide this, however, I have stated in the past how to send all the fluid through the filter akin to doing a hydraulic system flush without using a scanner or diagnostic interface. I know some of you read what I posted, but probably read right through it. That post guides you to the filtering dilemma this transmission has.
In addition, I have posted detailed data on the oil analysis I ran with particle tests both before and after doing the HSF after accumulating relatively low mileage. Those results should have popped off the page leading you to realize the filtration process is not working the way you think it is or should.
Josh Holder was not wrong when he told you the trans runs something like an HSF during normal driving. What he didn’t tell you is this process has to be initiated by entering a specific performance window where certain criteria are reached. Then and only then does the trans act as if it were running the HSF.
Last edited by Mitchell_B; Mar 1, 2026 at 11:28 PM.
Josh Holder was not wrong when he told you the trans runs something like an HSF during normal driving. What he didn’t tell you is this process has to be initiated by entering a specific performance window where certain criteria are reached. Then and only then does the trans act as if it were running the HSF.
@Mitchell_B So what are those exact criteria to trigger the HCF while driving? Gear #(s) to be in, RPM range, etc.?
Considering the Valvoline fluid is available for $12 and the GM fluid is $40, I think it will be easy to change the fluid more often. Also flushing the fluid with a second change after switching & driving a couple of days is no problem.
The filter should have been completely filled with debris. It was not. Why? You are all missing the point. Either the filter was bypassing or something else was going on. You need some help understanding how the fluid system works. I am not here to provide this, however, I have stated in the past how to send all the fluid through the filter akin to doing a hydraulic system flush without using a scanner or diagnostic interface. I know some of you read what I posted, but probably read right through it. That post guides you to the filtering dilemma this transmission has.
In addition, I have posted detailed data on the oil analysis I ran with particle tests both before and after doing the HSF after accumulating relatively low mileage. Those results should have popped off the page leading you to realize the filtration process is not working the way you think it is or should.
Josh Holder was not wrong when he told you the trans runs something like an HSF during normal driving. What he didn’t tell you is this process has to be initiated by entering a specific performance window where certain criteria are reached. Then and only then does the trans act as if it were running the HSF.
are you quoting the right person? I have never had a conversation with Josh Holder . Where is the oil analysis you are talking about. I will post mine. Have you had your valve body out of your car ? I have. Have you changed it ? I have. Have you fixed a valve body failure yourself and done both the clutch relearn and tcm relearn procedure on your car yourself with no help aside from a eBay service manual? I have. I’m just curious what qualifies you in a way to think your opinion holds more validity over mine and why you would instantly assume the claims you are making above. Did you open my filter ? I did , did you examine my fluid ? I did. It just seems like you are either quoting the wrong person here or making assumptions about my experiences based on whatever experiences you have had thus far from your car.
Last edited by superramvette2; Mar 10, 2026 at 03:12 AM.
You gents are talking past each other. @Mitchell_B was mentioning a quote Josh made in a podcast not to "you specifically". You have done yomans work to get your car back on the road. @Mitchell_B has done a lot of work and has the analysis to back it up (do a thread search). He has shared what he knows about what's going on in the DCT based on feedback from those in the know. I recommend folks take a look and heed some of his advice. I am. And so far so good....
You gents are talking past each other. @Mitchell_B was mentioning a quote Josh made in a podcast not to "you specifically". You have done yomans work to get your car back on the road. @Mitchell_B has done a lot of work and has the analysis to back it up (do a thread search). He has shared what he knows about what's going on in the DCT based on feedback from those in the know. I recommend folks take a look and heed some of his advice. I am. And so far so good....
well when someone tells me what my filter in my car contains or doesn’t contain I’m going to take offense. It’s presumptuous, insulting and the conversation ends right then and there. I have a valve body sitting in my garage covered in these insoluables mentioned above and shown in my oil analysis so I have a pretty good idea what caused my failure. That same failure I also fixed myself. He’s going on a tangent about the flush procedure that I’m not even talking about and has no relevance to my post or the conversation. He must be misquoting because his post doesn’t even make sense or hold relevance to my one line statement. How does a one line statement illicit a multi paragraph response trying to make points on topics not even discussed or mentioned? Meanwhile there is a flush thread directly above this which there might be relevance which leads me to believe this was post/quote was perhaps made in error.
are you quoting the right person? I have never had a conversation with Josh Holder . Where is the oil analysis you are talking about. I will post mine. Have you had your valve body out of your car ? I have. Have you changed it ? I have. Have you fixed a valve body failure yourself and done both the clutch relearn and tcm relearn procedure on your car yourself with no help aside from a eBay service manual? I have. I’m just curious what qualifies you in a way to think your opinion holds more validity over mine and why you would instantly assume the claims you are making above. Did you open my filter ? I did , did you examine my fluid ? I did. It just seems like you are either quoting the wrong person here or making assumptions about my experiences based on whatever experiences you have had thus far from your car.
I saw the photos showing literally a bucked load of debris in your transmission. Yet, your oil analysis shows a low number for insoluables. How does Blackstone define what they label as insoluables? What they are labeling as insoluables is more clearly defined in a particle test - which Blackstone does not offer. And I am pretty sure I know why this number is so low when clearly, there are more 'insoluables' than they indicate. What might have gone wrong? I am pretty sure I know. Oh, my qualifications? I was a fleet manager for a very large transportation entity and I have looked at thousands of oil analysis reports and the subsequent repair actions when required.
I saw the photos showing literally a bucked load of debris in your transmission. Yet, your oil analysis shows a low number for insoluables. How does Blackstone define what they label as insoluables? What they are labeling as insoluables is more clearly defined in a particle test - which Blackstone does not offer. And I am pretty sure I know why this number is so low when clearly, there are more 'insoluables' than they indicate. What might have gone wrong? I am pretty sure I know. Oh, my qualifications? I was a fleet manager for a very large transportation entity and I have looked at thousands of oil analysis reports and the subsequent repair actions when required.
you obviously have tunnel vision. Click the picture again. I will quote “insoluables are excessive , showing the oil was overly oxidized, this might also show the clutch material you noted.”
I didn’t need an oil analysis to tell me this but it’s nice to have to confirm my suspicion .
So sorry, but I’ll believe my eyes and the company performing the analysis over some dude on the internet.
if you have questions about what is defined as an insoluble . Goto their website they have a FAQ section on it. I’m not gonna post it here because I’ve already read it 6 months ago and I’m not gonna do your research for you.
