Bacteria in Transmission Fluid?!?

Question

A woman sitting next to me was talking on her cell phone so i was only able to hear her half of the conversation, but it seems that her mechanic was telling her something about her transmission fluid having too much bacteria build up in it to change it.

This led me (someone wholly unfamiliar with the composition of auto fluids) to wonder about a few things:

Can bacteria flourish in transmission fluid?  If so what kind of bacteria? How does it get in there, isn't the system sealed? I don't understand why the mechanic would advise changing it unless he was looking forward to replacing the entire transmission in the future.

Thanks

? · Accepted Answer

That's the first time I've heard of that. Since a car isn't a living organism bacteria in transmission fluid shouldn't be an issue. What's more mechanics aren't pathologists who look for living organisms in vehicle fluids.

Transmissions will accumulate solids in the fluid from friction that over time will be detrimental to it, and that may be what he was trying to convey to his customer, if the fluid was used too long without service the damage may have progressed to a point where a rebuild has become necessary.

Frankie · Answer

Bacteria is a living organism and could not survive in the high temperatures that transmission fluids reach

Anonymous · Answer

I know that bacteria grows in diesel fuel but I have never heard of it in transmission fluid.

mdk68gto, ase certified m tech · Answer

transmission fluid runs at a very high temperature, 200 degrees plus. IF there was a bacteria in there, it already died.

ugiidriver · Answer

He was looking forward to replacing the entire transmission in the future.

bandit_60 · Answer

that,s not bacteria. that,s dirt. transmission fluid is like any other fluid. it breaks down after a long time.

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Bacteria in Transmission Fluid?!?

6 Answers