Did a transmission fluid change last night. Set the drain pan on my jug to drip dry and found this clip in the pan this morning. It has to be from the transmission, but I'm not sure from where. My guess is I'll be ripping that pan off again but I'd love to know where the clip goes. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!!
Need Help Fast!! Found this in drain pan!!!
- Thread starter rg567
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Fivefingerdeathpunch
New member
Hard to see it, but its the very middle on the back side on the transmission here, the "long" side. The filter covers it when its installed I think.
Fivefingerdeathpunch
New member
Done. I maybe drove 10 miles with that part out of the transmission. Its just dumb luck that I saw it at all, 9 times out of 10 that would have went into the jug with the rest of the old fluid. Anyone know what that part is and what it does? Any potential issues that driving around with it out could have caused?
It is called a fluid level thermostatic element. Here is what the GM training manual says about it:
THERMOSTATIC ELEMENT:
The thermostatic element (121) is located on the case and is designed to control the fluid level in the case side cover pan (53). This thermostatic element contains a temperature sensitive strip of metal that reacts to fluid temperature changes and open or close a fluid passage. At low temperatures, the thermostatic element exerts little pressure on the thermostatic elementplate (122) allowing fluid to drain into the sump. As the temperature of the fluid increases, the thermostatic element begins to apply pressure to the thermostatic element plate, thereby trapping fluid in the case side cover pan. This level of transaxle fluid is required in order to maintain the operation of the hydraulic system in the transaxle. It should be noted that when checking the fluid level in a Hydra-matic 4T65-E transaxle, it will be higher on the fluid level indicator when the transaxle is cold. Conversely, the fluid level will drop when checked at operating temperatures. This event is a result of the case thermostatic element functioning as explained.
A damaged or loose thermostatic element could cause fluid foaming or incorrect fluid level.
Here is a link to the manual: http://www.scribd.com/doc/60667775/Trasmision-Automatic-A-Buick-Oldmobile-4T65E
THERMOSTATIC ELEMENT:
The thermostatic element (121) is located on the case and is designed to control the fluid level in the case side cover pan (53). This thermostatic element contains a temperature sensitive strip of metal that reacts to fluid temperature changes and open or close a fluid passage. At low temperatures, the thermostatic element exerts little pressure on the thermostatic elementplate (122) allowing fluid to drain into the sump. As the temperature of the fluid increases, the thermostatic element begins to apply pressure to the thermostatic element plate, thereby trapping fluid in the case side cover pan. This level of transaxle fluid is required in order to maintain the operation of the hydraulic system in the transaxle. It should be noted that when checking the fluid level in a Hydra-matic 4T65-E transaxle, it will be higher on the fluid level indicator when the transaxle is cold. Conversely, the fluid level will drop when checked at operating temperatures. This event is a result of the case thermostatic element functioning as explained.
A damaged or loose thermostatic element could cause fluid foaming or incorrect fluid level.
Here is a link to the manual: http://www.scribd.com/doc/60667775/Trasmision-Automatic-A-Buick-Oldmobile-4T65E
OK so its 5 months later. I replaced the thermostatic element that I found in the drain pan the day I posted this question back in November. I have had an intermittent clunk since doing the fluid/filter change and having problem with the element falling out of the pan. The clunk occurs once in while when leaving a stop sign from a dead stop. Switch from brake to gas and get a bit of rev-up then a clunk. The transmission seems to shift perfectly normal other than this issue. I mentioned the issue to a buddy who has connections with a shop and he said this sounds like a problem that could be related to that element being installed incorrectly. I'm as sure as I can be that I put it in right but now I'm second guessing myself.
Any thoughts here as to the installation of this piece contributing to a slip/clunk as described? Thanks in advance.
Any thoughts here as to the installation of this piece contributing to a slip/clunk as described? Thanks in advance.
I wouldn't really think it would be the issue, if it was I would expect a very consistent pattern with it. If the element was not put in correctly it would always act up the same. A hit or miss type of problem is usually caused by a marginal seal of some sort or valve body concern.
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Powerseeker
New member
If anybody has a picture of a correctly installed thermo-element on a 4t60e I would be most appreciative.