If in fact it was the torque converter that failed, there are two possibilities. First is slippage of the converter clutch, but this normally sets a TCIL (usually the O/D OFF or similar light will flash). Second is if the stator one way clutch inside the converter seizes. This causes the converter to stay in torque multiplication mode, which can generate enough heat in some cases to discolor the outside of the converter itself. At 70K miles I would not consider this a manufacturer defect, just bad luck.

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Erich Loepke
2010 Ford Focus
Currently Benz-less

Any history of towing with this vehicle? Or off road driving?

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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags

Nope, mostly highway miles from what she says. Guess it was just bad luck. I told her to fall in love with a car is an invitation to have both your heart and your wallet broken.

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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)

So true. So true.

I actually came close to considering parting my extreme money pit of a 300SD when the trans failed in July....but I couldn't do it.....$650....and 30+ hours of labor later....its piling on the miles yet again.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

From what I've seen of the Trailblazers photos on facebook, as I'm following this like a "creeper", just incase it comes up with one of our SUV's
it appears to be an EXT, with the inline 6

we have a '06 Envoy with the 5.3, which had the same tranny as our '03 Suburban/5.3

the envoy has been great thus far

the suburban has had some odd torque converter/transfercase/rear end issues
but at 96,xxx its still under warranty for another 4k

I wish her the best!

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Matthew McIvor

2016 E350 4Matic Black/Black
2007 GL450 4Matic with Off-Road Pkg Silver/Black
1995 E300 Diesel White/Gray
1994 S600 Euro Black/ Black Velour
1986 560SL Blue/Blue/Gray
1986 190E Blue/Blue 93k