SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: SL65 bronze colored shavings in transmission fluid
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Joined: Aug 2014
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From: Monterey, CA
2005 E55 AMG, 2006 SL65 AMG
SL65 bronze colored shavings in transmission fluid
Hi everyone,
I was wondering if anyone could help me figure out if I have an impending problem. I just recently purchased a used SL65 2006 at 64K miles and have a bunch of maintenance in the works to ensure its up to date. I was doing the transmission fluid/filter maintenance and I noticed some very small sized bronze colored metallic shavings in the fluid. I did NOT notice them attached to the magnet though. I cleaned everything really good and swapped out about 3.5 liters of fluid during the procedure. The fluid was dark colored and there was the usual fine black material in the pan and magnet that I believe is normal with aging. The car runs great both before and after and shifts perfect without any noticeable symptoms (although I am new to this car so I could be missing some subtle). The car does have a different problem where I hear a "clink" sound from a stop on acceleration on occasion but it sound like its coming from the rear of the car, possibly the driver's side (this is another question I have, I have no idea from what this sound is coming from).
Anybody have any thoughts on this scenario?
Should I just perform another fluid change and filter change in the short future to clean out the system to avoid developing any problems?
Should I get prepared to have a transmission failure in the future? Or is this just normal wear and tear?
Thanks so much!
Ian
p.s. Sorry the picture is not very good but there is a gold colored small shaving in there
I was wondering if anyone could help me figure out if I have an impending problem. I just recently purchased a used SL65 2006 at 64K miles and have a bunch of maintenance in the works to ensure its up to date. I was doing the transmission fluid/filter maintenance and I noticed some very small sized bronze colored metallic shavings in the fluid. I did NOT notice them attached to the magnet though. I cleaned everything really good and swapped out about 3.5 liters of fluid during the procedure. The fluid was dark colored and there was the usual fine black material in the pan and magnet that I believe is normal with aging. The car runs great both before and after and shifts perfect without any noticeable symptoms (although I am new to this car so I could be missing some subtle). The car does have a different problem where I hear a "clink" sound from a stop on acceleration on occasion but it sound like its coming from the rear of the car, possibly the driver's side (this is another question I have, I have no idea from what this sound is coming from).
Anybody have any thoughts on this scenario?
Should I just perform another fluid change and filter change in the short future to clean out the system to avoid developing any problems?
Should I get prepared to have a transmission failure in the future? Or is this just normal wear and tear?
Thanks so much!
Ian
p.s. Sorry the picture is not very good but there is a gold colored small shaving in there
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 241
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2005 SL55 AMG
I've seen this many times over the years. In and of itself it's not an indication of any problems. Automatics use allot of bushings so it's not unusual to find plenty of gold and aluminum metallic contamination in the oil. This is why all Automatic transmissions have the magnet on the drain plug, to *help* trap these particulates. The ones you see in the oil are just too small to attract to the magnet.
You mentioned the car shifts great. I would assume there is no hesitations or delays nice clean, crisp shifts. These are the signs of a healthy transmission. If the fluid was dark with a pungent burnt smell that can be an indication that the clutch packs have been overheated and are wearing but that will normally be associated with delayed shifts with a sudden "bang" when the transmission shirts to the next gear.
If all feels smooth I would not be too concerned.
You mentioned the car shifts great. I would assume there is no hesitations or delays nice clean, crisp shifts. These are the signs of a healthy transmission. If the fluid was dark with a pungent burnt smell that can be an indication that the clutch packs have been overheated and are wearing but that will normally be associated with delayed shifts with a sudden "bang" when the transmission shirts to the next gear.
If all feels smooth I would not be too concerned.
