Going to get the fluid/filter changed in the AOD

[sly]

but should I be prepared for a rebuild?

here's the issue... the fluid is a little dirty... as in rather (at least at the cooler when I added that), but is still pretty nice on the dipstick. This makes me think that the filter is just in need of changing along with the fluid but there is the feel of hunting while on a slight incline. If I hammer it, it works great. It's only when I'm being nice and need just a little more than coasting that is does the almost downshift twitch.

[IPreferDIY]

I wouldn't go by what the fluid looks like on the dipstick. When I changed my fluid recently, mine looked okay on the dipstick, but with 4+ liters in a windshield washer fluid bottle, it was so dark that it totally blocked a light held up behind the bottle. My brake fluid exhibits a similar effect. A small amount has a greenish color, but a lot in a glass jar is practically black.

I don't have any meaningful technical knowledge about the workings of a transmission, but I would be inclined to try changing the fluid first and hope for the best. I've read accounts of problems clearing up with a fluid change, and you might get lucky.

Incidentally, I don't think the filter is that big of a deal. The detergents in the fluid keep the smaller-than-the-filter contaminants suspended, and they keep accumulating regardless of whether your filter is actually trapping anything bigger. I just resort to the suck and fill method for what's in the pan. Change the filter by all means (and I'll be doing the same if/when I get around to doing a J-MOD), and have a good look while the pan's off, but I'd be more concerned about the stuff that's getting past the filter and increasingly burdening your fluid over time.

[sly]

I'm going to let a shop do it so it'll get done in a timely fashion so it gets done before Thanksgiving. I'm pretty sure it's just a pressure drop due to the new trans cooler that's just taken the line pressure down a notch... so I'll have them check/adjust the pressure while it's there. The fluid is original to the rebuild about 45K ago... so it's 15K past it's expiration date... so it's probably just due for service. I've scheduled a time for tomorrow morning to drop off the car, so we'll see. I was just wondering if I should be aware of issues I'm not thinking of off the top of my head.

[gadget73]

sounds like it needs a little more TV pressure maybe. Have it serviced, and ask them to drain the converter too. Most things do not have a converter drain, and most people don't know the AOD does. I changed the fluid in the Mark VII and it was black. It still works about 20k later, though its got a slightly whacky 4-3 downshift now. Other than that glitch, it actually works right decent for an AOD with nearly 100k and minimal maintenance.

[sly]

that's what I'm figuring is the issue. We'll find out tomorrow.