Getting ready to go on a trip, I was checking the transmission fluid in our 06 E450 and saw some chunks of dark material on the last 2" of the dip stick. I felt it with my fingers and it was like a fine dirty rust. I cleaned off the stick put it back in and got only one small lump of it, but the fluid itself looked and smelled fine. I took it to a local Express Lube to have the trans flushed, but they didn't have the correct adapters so could not do it. The owner of the shop said it is most likely from rust in the dip stick tube from sitting long periods. Which is quite possible since the rig is nearly 10 years old and has only 13k miles on it. We have only had it a little over a year and bought it from the original owner. But I make a habit of taking it out once a month or so to keep everything moving in it.It is too late to schedule a regular shop to do much about it right now since we are leaving in the morning. But when I get back from our trip, I will be ordering a new dip stick tube and have the trans serviced with a new filter. Just curious if anyone else has had this kind of problem and if in fact it was caused by the dip stick.

I think you're right about rust on the stick or in the tube. Still, there could be another possible, and very ugly, situation. Leaking heat ex-changer in the lower radiator tank. But if that's going on, both the coolant and transmission fluid will be nasty. I lost a transmission in a van that way, but all the components were OLD. It's tempting to bypass the radiator's cooler and go only with an external air-over cooler, like E450 already has. Even go to a bigger one, but it's claimed that can cause the transmission not to warm up like it's supposed to. Cold day, no engine heat transferred to transmission fluid...

It is a good sign the fluid looked and smelled OK. By the "last 2 inches" do you mean the top of the dipstick or down near where the fluid is? I'd feel better about it if it was near the top near where you pull it.Anyway I'd probably pull the pan, take a look inside for issues, replace filter if one is there, and if all OK refill and drive it as long as it operates properly. If I was about to leave on a trip and it was at the top of dipstick, I'd probably just go if it was operating properly. Deal with it later. If the crud was down near the fluid level I'd probably want it check out asap.

Long sitting or short trips allows condensation build up, which causes rust. If the fluid looks clear-red, there is nothing to worry about.PS - "Flushes" are not recommended, however a non-pressurized fluid exchange is ok (and mistakenly called a flush sometimes). Do not let them use "universal" transmission fluid in your TorqueShift!

Good info on the system flush, carringb. At the time it was the only option I had. Like I said, we are leaving on a 700 mile round trip tomorrow and when I get back I will schedule an appointment to get the filter replaced and get a new dip stick tube.

carringb wrote:Long sitting or short trips allows condensation build up, which causes rust. If the fluid looks clear-red, there is nothing to worry about.PS - "Flushes" are not recommended, however a non-pressurized fluid exchange is ok (and mistakenly called a flush sometimes). Do not let them use "universal" transmission fluid in your TorqueShift!Would a FORD dealer flush be recommended? FORD recommends trans flush. What is bad about a trans flush from FORD?

Rust in trans from dip stick tube? | Good Sam Community

leeper
Explorer
Apr 19, 2016
Carringb, thank you for the info!
Chopperbob
Explorer
Apr 19, 2016
Or you can install a filter which you can change
instead of dropping the pan. It illuminates particles
of wear in the fluid. Plus rust. Clean fluid the trans
really llikes.
tpi
Explorer
Apr 19, 2016
With 13K on it I wouldn't recommend flush unless it was contaminated with coolant. Like I said earlier post, when you can pull the pan and look in there and upwards as much as you can into the valve body and transmission. I suspect it is immaculately clean. If there's signs of water, then that will have to be addressed. If all is clean install filter if equipped, refill the pan with required amount of fluid and drive on.

IMO in general this flushing thing is overused on transmissions/cooling systems when a simple drain and fill will work just fine. Far more room for error when flushing and it is not needed the majority of the time. Flushing should be reserved for very dirty systems where it would take multiple drain and fills to get the fluid clean.

In auto transmissions even if you can't drain the entire fluid capacity in one drain, you can set your drain and fill schedule to keep the fluid in good shape.
carringb
Explorer
Apr 19, 2016
leeper wrote:

Would a FORD dealer flush be recommended? FORD recommends trans flush. What is bad about a trans flush from FORD?

Ford does not do traditional "flushes". Their machines is non-pressurized. It's essentially a large chamber with a diaphragm, so the pressure of the old fluid betting pumped out pushes the new fluid it, so pressure in the transmission is exactly the same as during normal operations. It's actually called a fluid exchange by Ford. *Some* quick lube places now have proper fluid exchange machines, but not all.

Older transmission flush machines actually generated their own pressure, and would cause higher pressure in parts of the transmissions.

Ford only recommends a pressurized flush on the transmissions coolers, after disconnecting them from the transmission, and only when doing a transmission overhaul.
fourthclassC
Explorer
Apr 19, 2016
I believe this rust may be caused by the dip stick not sealing properly at the top of the tube. I does not sit all the way down. Have seen other vehicles have some sort of clip so the dipstick stays all the way down and seals. Try a small bungie cord to hold the dip stick all the way in if this is the situation. I suggest fluid and filter change then coat the dipstick with some grease (lightly) to keep it from rusting.
Nevadastars
Explorer
Apr 19, 2016
leeper wrote:
carringb wrote:
Long sitting or short trips allows condensation build up, which causes rust. If the fluid looks clear-red, there is nothing to worry about.

PS - "Flushes" are not recommended, however a non-pressurized fluid exchange is ok (and mistakenly called a flush sometimes). Do not let them use "universal" transmission fluid in your TorqueShift!

Would a FORD dealer flush be recommended? FORD recommends trans flush. What is bad about a trans flush from FORD?

We live in a small town, but fortunately there is a Ford dealer here. I was going to go by there and see what they suggest after we get back from our trip.
leeper
Explorer
Apr 19, 2016
carringb wrote:
Long sitting or short trips allows condensation build up, which causes rust. If the fluid looks clear-red, there is nothing to worry about.

PS - "Flushes" are not recommended, however a non-pressurized fluid exchange is ok (and mistakenly called a flush sometimes). Do not let them use "universal" transmission fluid in your TorqueShift!

Would a FORD dealer flush be recommended? FORD recommends trans flush. What is bad about a trans flush from FORD?
Nevadastars
Explorer
Apr 18, 2016
Good info on the system flush, carringb. At the time it was the only option I had. Like I said, we are leaving on a 700 mile round trip tomorrow and when I get back I will schedule an appointment to get the filter replaced and get a new dip stick tube.
carringb
Explorer
Apr 18, 2016
Long sitting or short trips allows condensation build up, which causes rust. If the fluid looks clear-red, there is nothing to worry about.

PS - "Flushes" are not recommended, however a non-pressurized fluid exchange is ok (and mistakenly called a flush sometimes). Do not let them use "universal" transmission fluid in your TorqueShift!
tpi
Explorer
Apr 18, 2016
It is a good sign the fluid looked and smelled OK. By the "last 2 inches" do you mean the top of the dipstick or down near where the fluid is? I'd feel better about it if it was near the top near where you pull it.

Anyway I'd probably pull the pan, take a look inside for issues, replace filter if one is there, and if all OK refill and drive it as long as it operates properly. If I was about to leave on a trip and it was at the top of dipstick, I'd probably just go if it was operating properly. Deal with it later. If the crud was down near the fluid level I'd probably want it check out asap.

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Rust in trans from dip stick tube?

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