GM transmission specialist opinion 4t65E

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  • Witsend
    Junior Member
    • Nov 2012
    • 2942

    #1

    GM transmission specialist opinion 4t65E

    Uh oh, damn Car already left the shop and I Found a narrow metallic strip with a V in the middle in the bottom of my drain pan after changing a leaking vacuum modulator, that was sucking ATF out of the transmission and literally causing crankcase overfill condition in the engine and then Dropped the pan and and replaced the transmission filter of the 4T65E in the old 200K mile Buick LeSabre. Checked with customer that says trans is shifts fine and isn't slipping. This thing is called a thermal element and at 160 degrees can make a difference with ATF level in the side pan depending on temperature,but don't know what condition or possible failure could occur if this thermal element is not reinstalled . (Maybe contributed to the vacuum modulator failure and sucking ATF into engine, I don't know.Think I've Snapped one or two of these back into place before on other units , but don't know if it's something I caused or if it was already off in there for many moons. Below is a link to a photo bucket image (courtesy of someone else) that I found the image on a forum of what I am talking about that I found in bottom of my large catch pan, so lesson learned ,be careful and always check the oil drain pan contents before buttoning things up on any trans service.

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    Last edited by Witsend; 10-25-2016, 10:10 PM.
  • Joe Rappa
    Snap-on DSD
    • Aug 2007
    • 2191

    #2
    I've never left one out, so I can't tell you for certain what is going to happen, but the risk is fluid foaming. For the 6 quarts of fluid that it will cost you, get it back and reinstall it.
    Joe
    "You don't build a reputation on what you're going to do"
    Henry Ford

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    • Matt
      Senior Member
      • Dec 2008
      • 328

      #3
      Hey Wit, I've performed trans service and found these in the pan as well. Trans rebuild manual states tool J-34094-A is required to properly measure installed thermo element. Hopefully your thermo element orifice plate is still stuck to the bottom of the valve body. Let me know if the image I attached can be viewed.
      Attached Files

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      • Witsend
        Junior Member
        • Nov 2012
        • 2942

        #4
        Yeah I really hope that orifice plate stayed put.LOL. I really hate to just open a can of worms to have it come back though to reinstall something that might have been off for the last 100k and find that orifice plate is also missing and has to be special ordered and car be down several days for something that is likely there to restrict trans cooler line circulation when fluid is below 160 degrees. Wish I knew. Maybe just the gas mileage hasn't been as stellar in cold weather because the ATF is staying more viscous and been flowing unimpeded through the cooler circuit? Maybe even could be the reason that it wasn't burnt up already .

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        • jables2006
          Member
          • Dec 2015
          • 42

          #5
          if it had a vacuum mod. then is a 4t60e not 65e. there will be a million cores around to scrounge that **** out of

          Comment

          • Witsend
            Junior Member
            • Nov 2012
            • 2942

            #6
            Yeah I really hope that orifice plate stayed put.LOL. I really hate to just open a can of worms to have it come back to reinstall something that might have been off for the last 100k and find that orifice plate is also going to be missing and has to be special ordered and car be down several days for something that is likely only there to restrict trans cooler line circulation when fluid is below 160 degrees, for quicker fluid warm up and better cold mpg. Wish I knew. Maybe just the gas mileage hasn't been as stellar in cold weather because the ATF is staying more viscous and been flowing unimpeded through the cooler circuit constantly ? Maybe even could be the reason that it wasn't burnt up already.
            Anyone remember those old Fords (Granadas, Fairmonts, Pintos, Mavericks ? )that had the little tab on the end of the transmission filter that held in a small spring and poppet valve in a bore of the valve body? If you missed those, you would know right away you missed something . LMAO
            Last edited by Witsend; 10-26-2016, 09:06 AM.

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