I had my automatic transmission power flushed at Mitsubishi just over a week ago. When I was checking the ATF level today I noticed the fluid was light brown and not red? The fluid was almost the same colour as new engine oil! Is this normal? It's always been red in the past?

The transmission also feels rougher now?

I had my automatic transmission power flushed at Mitsubishi just over a week ago. When I was checking the ATF level today I noticed the fluid was light brown and not red? The fluid was almost the same colour as new engine oil! Is this normal? It's always been red in the past?

The transmission also feels rougher now?
Did u use the right fluid?

Did u get a full flush? or just a drain and fill?

magna transmissions suck unfortunately. Consider installing a tranny cooler.

Did u use the right fluid?

Did u get a full flush? or just a drain and fill?

magna transmissions suck unfortunately. Consider installing a tranny cooler.


I paid for a full power flush ($180) and it was done by a Mitsubishi dealer. I don't know what fluid they've put in it. It was red in colour before they touched it.

I paid for a full power flush ($180) and it was done by a Mitsubishi dealer. I don't know what fluid they've put in it. It was red in colour before they touched it.

dunno what they did but fresh ATF is a nice reddish hue. if it's brown maybe they put in engine oil instead :shock:

dunno what they did but fresh ATF is a nice reddish hue. if it's brown maybe they put in engine oil instead :shock:

The transmission isn't running as well as it was. But wouldn't engine oil kill it?

What if they used manual transmission fluid?

The red colour in AFT doesn't break down from excess heat?

I'd say they didnt do a full flush. Did u watch them do it?

If it was a full flush ur atf should be red. Definetly not brown after 1 week.

Well I didn't watch them do it.

But would a Mitubishi dealer pull that trick?

here is a easy answer go and ask them why is it brown??

I'm not 100% sure what the colour of genuine mitsu ATF is, but the red stuff is dextron which is the wrong stuff for mitsu auto's, in the Audi's at work and i know on some other company's the genuine ATF is commonly a browny colour, my guess is the wrong ATF was actually in the car before, and because it was in there so long is what is causing the problem now the correct stuff has been put in.
But like i said i am not 100% sure

But would a Mitubishi dealer pull that trick?

Yep!

That's why I don't use them.

I've had two auto magna's now and have serviced the auto trans with genuine mitsu fluid and they were red.

I say take it back and tell them that you had it serviced whenever you did it and that you are having problems and then checked the fluid and it was brown.

Also check if the auto trans filter and gasket have been changed to the filter sits next the dipstick.

I hope it gets sorted out.

pinkish brown, is normal, if I flush mine, it will be more dark redish, but since you have it done at mitsubishi, it free to ask why is this so. and question them about your transmission.
I have ever asked how they flush the transmission and this is just from one of the guys, they told me is simply drain and top up. How the heck you know that there is ever a full flush? Besides many reasons can lead to the brown colour.

I am not too worried about the colour of the ATF, rather whether the transmission is smoother is more important than anything else. Getting red but not smooth change doesnt help me at all IMO. Normally there always be some old oil still remain in the lines no matter how it is flushed so a bit of contamination is expected.

Mitsubishi said it was okay this morning. The lack of redness didn't concern them.

I should point out the fluid is light brown/yellow (like new Castrol Magnatec), and not dark brown.

My summary of the transmission smoothness:

56000 Bought the car (AFT was changed by K-Mart at 50000 by previous owner)
56000-75000 Running very smooth
75000-85000 Some noticble gear changes
85000 AFT flushed
85000-85200 Running very smooth
85200-86000 Almost all gear changes can be felt

What should I do now? Get it reflushed? Or change it myself a few times?

What is the best AFT fluid to use? Castrol TQ M-ST?

I have a bottle of Mitsubishi ATF3 in the shed,
the Mitsu transmission fluid is deffinately red in colour

Mitsubishi said it was okay this morning. The lack of redness didn't concern them.

I should point out the fluid is light brown/yellow (like new Castrol Magnatec), and not dark brown.

My summary of the transmission smoothness:

56000 Bought the car (AFT was changed by K-Mart at 50000 by previous owner)
56000-75000 Running very smooth
75000-85000 Some noticble gear changes
85000 AFT flushed
85000-85200 Running very smooth
85200-86000 Almost all gear changes can be felt

What should I do now? Get it reflushed? Or change it myself a few times?

What is the best AFT fluid to use? Castrol TQ M-ST?

Reflush asap in my opinion, and I recommend ONLY use genuine mitsu fluid designed for your model car.. that colour is a worry in my opinion, especially with your shifts getting noticibly sharper/more noticeable.

"If in doubt, re-flush tranny"

Mitsubishi ATF Fluid they call it SP3 and it is red

Rob

IMO u changed the fluid too many times. Is stated about every 100000kms and u showes us the list of change done. I think is better to a full check on the transmission rather then just flushing and flushing. Bring it to mitsubishi if the gears are not changing properly at all. Castrol magnetic colour is golden yellow. my atf will darken a little and there will be traces of the red, is perfectly normal.

cheers!

Hey, what does Mitsu do when they "Powerflush" your transmission? Is it just a normal flush and refill? Am I wasting my money, if I take it to Mitsu for a "Powerflush"?

Do they use a hose and shove it in the hole and flush it or whatever?