I've noticed the last couple times I checked the ATF in my '87 300D a few tiny bubbles on the dipstick, and it strikes me as abnormal. I don't recall seeing the bubbles in the past. For the most part, I wouldn't otherwise have reason to suspect a problem. I did get a funny downshift this afternoon, which was the reason I checked the level just now, but for the most part it shifts perfectly. The fluid level was spot-on between the lines, with the engine hot and car on level ground in park, normal dark red color, no burnt smell and not "frothy." It just has five or six little bubbles clinging to it every time I pull it out. I last changed the fluid about 10K miles ago, and did recently change the cooler hoses. I see no fluid coming out anywhere. Thoughts?

__________________
1987 300D, arctic white/palomino--314,000 miles
1978 240D 4-speed, Euro Delivery, light ivory/bamboo--370,000 miles
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited, light khaki/slate--140,000 miles
2018 Chevy Cruze diesel, 6-speed manual, satin steel metallic/kalahari--19,000 miles
1982 Peugeot 505 diesel, 4-speed manual, blue/blue, 130,000 miles
1995 S320, black/parchment--34,000 miles (Dad's car)

I think that is very bad.
It sounds like some kind of frothing is taking place..
which will oxidize your AT fluid in short order..
and can half its useable life in very few miles..
investigate soon..
and change out fluid and filter soon..

__________________
1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/10414-help-i-need-check-stretch.html

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/156207-photo-step-step-post-showing-w123-evaporator-removal-1983-240d-1982-300td.html?highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html

Ugh, just when I thought everything was finally going well with this car ... . Aside from changing the filter/fluid and checking the pan for shavings or for abnormal-looking fluid, what should I look for? I wonder if I made some mistake with the hoses?

__________________
1987 300D, arctic white/palomino--314,000 miles
1978 240D 4-speed, Euro Delivery, light ivory/bamboo--370,000 miles
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited, light khaki/slate--140,000 miles
2018 Chevy Cruze diesel, 6-speed manual, satin steel metallic/kalahari--19,000 miles
1982 Peugeot 505 diesel, 4-speed manual, blue/blue, 130,000 miles
1995 S320, black/parchment--34,000 miles (Dad's car)

You have made some changes to hoses lately ?

__________________
1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=10414

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/156207-photo-step-step-post-showing-w123-evaporator-removal-1983-240d-1982-300td.html?highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html

Yes, I changed the transmission cooler hoses as well as the hard line that goes over the radiator, at the same time I changed the radiator ... it was about 3,000 miles/3 months ago. All the parts were new. Maybe water or coolant somehow got into one of the lines. I haven't noticed any problems other than the bubbles, and the one unexpected downshift today. If it weren't for the bubbles raising a concern, I'd say the downshift was just due to driving circumstances and it wouldn't concern me.
At this point I'm afraid to change the oil on my Jeep since it's the only one I have left working!

__________________
1987 300D, arctic white/palomino--314,000 miles
1978 240D 4-speed, Euro Delivery, light ivory/bamboo--370,000 miles
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited, light khaki/slate--140,000 miles
2018 Chevy Cruze diesel, 6-speed manual, satin steel metallic/kalahari--19,000 miles
1982 Peugeot 505 diesel, 4-speed manual, blue/blue, 130,000 miles
1995 S320, black/parchment--34,000 miles (Dad's car)

Suck the oil out the topside of the Jeep.... no use taking a chance on being vehicleless ..... drain plug could get buggered up.. no telling what else... have to maintain a ' mission oriented path'... meaning you have to have one car to go get parts for the others....LOL

__________________
1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=10414

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/156207-photo-step-step-post-showing-w123-evaporator-removal-1983-240d-1982-300td.html?highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html

Hi Bodhi,
I suspect lethermang is pulling your leg a little.
Unless there is plenty of bubbles, best not panic.
If it was me, I would take the car for a good long run , min of 1hr at highway speed & then recheck.
I hope there is no fluid showing up in your coolant!!

When checking fluid in autos, I normally have the car up to running temp (after a ~ 1/2 hr drive), on flat ground, idle for a few minutes, in D & with the park brake on. That may not be what is recommended but its worked for me for a very long time.

Can you please explain what you meant by changed down funny.

__________________
Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

I may be wrong.. but I was not pulling his leg...
This could have been going on for 3000 miles as I read it...
and he thinks he might have felt something wrong in a shift...
that might put it closer to being on the top burner for dealing with it than otherwise... Most people do not realize how the fluid can be adversely affected by oxygen introduction...it can cause varnish to build up in those famous tiny holes in the valve body... etc...
Might use Trans-X before that test drive then change out fluid and filter and inspect pan...

__________________
1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=10414

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/156207-photo-step-step-post-showing-w123-evaporator-removal-1983-240d-1982-300td.html?highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html

leather, not to be picky, but I'm a "she."
To clarify the unusual shift: I was at a four-way stop, made a left hand turn, which goes into a little hill. The car shifted into 2nd as I accelerated, then abruptly shifted back to 1st ... its certainly possible it was just a matter of timing in that it happened to shift into 2nd right as it reached the base of the hill, then the hill made it "change its mind." It wasn't panic material, but it doesn't usually downshift that easily so I figured it was a good time to re-check the fluid anyway when I got home. Then I noticed the bubbles.
I do recognize the detriment of contaminated or frothy trans fluid, which is why I thought it was worth asking. I will admit I have a tendency to over-worry at times, but I think I'd rather over-worry than under-worry on this. I guess I will change fluid/filter and check out the contents of the pan ... it's actually been over 20k since my last change so I wouldn't be jumping the gun that much anyway.
Layback, no trans fluid in the coolant, and I don't see any leaks anywhere. The ATF looks like the normal red and normal consistency (not milky or anything).

__________________
1987 300D, arctic white/palomino--314,000 miles
1978 240D 4-speed, Euro Delivery, light ivory/bamboo--370,000 miles
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited, light khaki/slate--140,000 miles
2018 Chevy Cruze diesel, 6-speed manual, satin steel metallic/kalahari--19,000 miles
1982 Peugeot 505 diesel, 4-speed manual, blue/blue, 130,000 miles
1995 S320, black/parchment--34,000 miles (Dad's car)

All good here bodhi & leathermang !!
At times I have seen 1/2 a dozen or so little bubbles on the trans dipstick. Never been concerned. could be just the dipstick was vibrating in the fluid. If it had done 80k miles & smelt a bit burned, I would have suggested prompt action.
It is clear from your threads bodhi that you look after your car very well, probably better than most on here (including me & probably leathermang)!!
You have nothing to loose by doing a change of the fluid & filter & it may give you piece of mind.
Best wishes to you both !!

__________________
Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

You make it sound like you have just made a successful matchup and that we are now dating.

Since I don't usually go check out profiles unless someone says something strange or off the wall and there is nothing I ran across indicating ' non - man ' in the posts....

I assumed this person had some emotional connection to

Bodhi Beach in Pondichery, India and /or was potentially Buddhist .... or a particular type of Yoga enthusiast....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodhi

She does sound like an enlightened Benz owner... which is probably the intent of the name....but gender indications , if any are present , passed right over my head....

__________________
1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=10414

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/156207-photo-step-step-post-showing-w123-evaporator-removal-1983-240d-1982-300td.html?highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html

Whilst you've got two interested parties (myself excluded) contributing to your thread - may I suggest you take a photo?

EDIT

I mean the bubbles in the transmission fluid!

__________________
1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

It's OK leather, I certainly wasn't offended, since "Bodhi" is a guy's name and most of the forum-goers are guys, you didn't have any way of knowing. Bodhi is actually the name of my car ... I'm not sure if I'm entirely enlightened, but it seems like a nice thing to aspire to.
Army, I'll snap a picture of the ATF bubbles this afternoon.

__________________
1987 300D, arctic white/palomino--314,000 miles
1978 240D 4-speed, Euro Delivery, light ivory/bamboo--370,000 miles
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited, light khaki/slate--140,000 miles
2018 Chevy Cruze diesel, 6-speed manual, satin steel metallic/kalahari--19,000 miles
1982 Peugeot 505 diesel, 4-speed manual, blue/blue, 130,000 miles
1995 S320, black/parchment--34,000 miles (Dad's car)

Greg,
You are probably old enough to be her father !!!!!

I didnt realize PP was a dating site in disguise.

I am not into match making !! Its a good way to get oneself into a lot of trouble!!!!

__________________
Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

Follow up: I didn't see bubbles the next time I checked, but I went ahead and did a fluid and filter chance anyway, just for peace of mind, which is hard to come by for me these days to be honest. The fluid that came out looked normal red and didn't smell funny. As usual, I made a giant mess and got ATF in my hair, but got the job done and have not seen bubbles since.
Moving on to next worries ...

__________________
1987 300D, arctic white/palomino--314,000 miles
1978 240D 4-speed, Euro Delivery, light ivory/bamboo--370,000 miles
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited, light khaki/slate--140,000 miles
2018 Chevy Cruze diesel, 6-speed manual, satin steel metallic/kalahari--19,000 miles
1982 Peugeot 505 diesel, 4-speed manual, blue/blue, 130,000 miles
1995 S320, black/parchment--34,000 miles (Dad's car)