Rusted Transmisson Dipstick and Dipstick Tube
Question:
Rusty Trans. Fluid Level Indicator/Oil Filler Tube (Replace Indicator/Tube #99-07-30-004 Rusty Transmission Fluid Level Indicator/Transmission Oil Filler Tube (Replace Indicator and Filler Tube) 1995-98 Chevrolet and GMC S/T Models 1996-98 Oldsmobile Bravada with 4L60-E Automatic Transmission (RPO M30) This bulletin is being revised to add service procedure information, new part numbers, and warranty information. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 86-71-17 (Section 7 – Transmission) Condition Some owners may comment about rust on the transmission fluid level indicator and the transmission oil filler tube. Cause The condition may be caused from water entering through the indicator grommet. Correction A new indicator, with an improved grommet and corrosion resistant metal, has been developed to correct the condition. Use the following procedure and the appropriate part numbers listed below. Replace the indicator with the revised indicator. Also, inspect the transmission fluid filler tube for signs of excessive rust on the inside or outside of the tube. Replace the tube as necessary. Refer to Filler Tube Replacement in Automatic Transmission 4L60-E of the appropriate S/T Service Manual. Change the transmission fluid. Replace the transmission filter. Refer to Transmission Filter Replacement in Automatic Transmission 4L60-E of the appropriate S/T Service Manual. Parts Information P/N Description Qty 15033543 Indicator, Trans. Fluid Level (LN2) 1 15033544 Indicator, Trans. Fluid Level (LF6/L35) 1 15704674 Indicator, Trans. Fluid Level (LN2) (95-97) 1 15722634 Tube, Trans. Fluid Level Ind (LN2) (1998) 1 15735192 Tube, Trans. Fluid Level Ind (LF6/L35) (96-98) 1 15999402 Tube, Trans. Fluid Level Ind (LB4/L35) (1995) 1 Parts are currently available from GMSPO. Warranty Information – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I have a 1996 GMC Sonoma 4X4 and was checking the trans fluid level a few > days back. The dipstick and tube were full of loose rust, tons of it. I > promptly changed the filter, cleaned the dip tube and dipstick, reassembled > and filled with fluid. Went to check the fluid level a few days later and > the rust had started accumulating again!?! > Any ideas on how to prevent this? > Thanks > in advance > Dean C Mathews > 1996 GMC ZR2 Sonoma 4X4
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->RUSTY TRANS. FLUID LEVEL INDICATOR (REPLACE INDICATOR) #86-71-17
Response:
Thanks for all you help guys, looks ill be getting the new dip stick Dean Mathews
Response:
GM WAS FIXING THOSE FREE OF CHARGE,,I pity the poor mech. though,its a real bitch to replace,give him some time.
Response:
RUSTY TRANS. FLUID LEVEL INDICATOR (REPLACE INDICATOR) #86-71-17 MODELS: 1995-98 CHEVROLET AND GMC S/T MODELS 1996-98 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA WITH M30 TRANSMISSION CONDITION: SOME OWNERS MAY COMMENT ABOUT RUST ON THE TRANSMISSION FLUID INDICATOR. CAUSE: CONDITION MAY BE CAUSED FROM WATER ENTERING THROUGH THE INDICATOR UPPER TUBE SEAL. CORRECTION: ENGINEERING HAS RELEASED A NEW INDICATOR WITH AN IMPROVED SEAL AND CORROSION RESISTANT METAL INDICATOR. REPLACE THE OLD INDICATOR WITH THE NEW INDICATOR. USE THE PART NUMBER LISTED BELOW. PARTS INFORMATION: P/N DESCRIPTION QTY 15033543 INDICATOR, TRANS. FLUID 1 LEVEL (LN2) 15033544 INDICATOR, TRANS. FLUID 1 LEVEL (LF6/L35) PARTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE 7-2-98 FROM GMSPO. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I have a 1996 GMC Sonoma 4X4 and was checking the trans fluid level a few > days back. The dipstick and tube were full of loose rust, tons of it. I > promptly changed the filter, cleaned the dip tube and dipstick, reassembled > and filled with fluid. Went to check the fluid level a few days later and > the rust had started accumulating again!?! > Any ideas on how to prevent this? > Thanks > in advance > Dean C Mathews > 1996 GMC ZR2 Sonoma 4X4
Response:
There was a TSB/Campaign to replace these due to poor sealing of the stick at the top. It an old one, but you can find it in the TSB list at a dealer. Back then it was a free part, not sure now. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >I have a 1996 GMC Sonoma 4X4 and was checking the trans fluid level a few >days back. The dipstick and tube were full of loose rust, tons of it. I >promptly changed the filter, cleaned the dip tube and dipstick, reassembled >and filled with fluid. Went to check the fluid level a few days later and >the rust had started accumulating again!?! >Any ideas on how to prevent this? >Thanks >in advance >Dean C Mathews >1996 GMC ZR2 Sonoma 4X4
Response:
>I have a 1996 GMC Sonoma 4X4 and was checking the trans fluid level a few >days back. The dipstick and tube were full of loose rust, tons of it. I >promptly changed the filter, cleaned the dip tube and dipstick, reassembled >and filled with fluid. Went to check the fluid level a few days later and >the rust had started accumulating again!?! >Any ideas on how to prevent this? >Thanks >in advance >Dean C Mathews >1996 GMC ZR2 Sonoma 4X4
Dean, I have a 96 S10 with the 4.3 v6 engine and auto transmissioin with exactly the same problem. I just recently noticed it and have not had time to get it checked out. The dipstick was coated solid with rust and inside the tube had rusty areas on it but not solid. The dipstick was not rusty where the fluid covered it. I also noticed some dark flakes of material on the dipstick. I cleaned the stick, put it back into the tube, withdrew it and saw some more flakes. The fluid looked normal, not burned looking or milky. I only have 19,000 approx. miles on it. I bought it new and it has never been in deep water, just the normal water puddles that are on the pavement any time it rains. I don’t know what our problem is but would like to find out. Also would like to know where the flaky material is coming from. The transmission has never been worked on nor the fluid changed. Thanks for anyone’s advice. Jim Hester
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>I don’t know what our problem is but would like to find out. Also >would like to know where the flaky material is coming from. The >transmission has never been worked on nor the fluid changed.
Are you sure it’s rust? I’m wondering if the dipstick and filter/plugs are magnetised, and it’s actually material from wear in the box that’s been coloured by the ATF. Either way, I’d have it checked out professionally. Richard — Richard Kilpatrick | _,,,—,,_ 1975 Vauxhall FE Ventora, Peugeot 306 Cabriolet /,`.-’`’ -. ;-;;, 1982 Cadillac Eldorado 4.1HTi |,4- ) )-,_. , ( `’::. E-Mail: Richard<at>lovecraft.demon.co.uk ‘—-”(_/–’ `-’_)Morticia
Response:
I have a 1996 GMC Sonoma 4X4 and was checking the trans fluid level a few days back. The dipstick and tube were full of loose rust, tons of it. I promptly changed the filter, cleaned the dip tube and dipstick, reassembled and filled with fluid. Went to check the fluid level a few days later and the rust had started accumulating again!?! Any ideas on how to prevent this? Thanks in advance Dean C Mathews 1996 GMC ZR2 Sonoma 4X4
Response:
>I have a 1996 GMC Sonoma 4X4 and was checking the trans fluid level a >few days back. The dipstick and tube were full of loose rust, tons of >it. I promptly changed the filter, cleaned the dip tube and dipstick, >reassembled and filled with fluid. Went to check the fluid level a few >days later and the rust had started accumulating again!?! >Any ideas on how to prevent this?
Have you crossed a stream or otherwise submerged the transmission breather? If you have water in the transmission fluid, repeated changes of fluid and filter will be required to get rid of it all, and it needs to be done NOW. Drive the truck just enough to get the fluid hot between changes. BTW, water in the tranny fluid will turn it milky. Is that what you have? Needa
