I'm not sure if this is a rare problem or not. Recently I went to check my transmission fluid on my 96 4.3L blazer with the 4L60-E transmission. Well surprisingly my dipstick was completely brown. It had surface rust from the top all the way to the bottom of the stick. I'm a little concerned this could mess with my transmission... What usually causes this? And where could I go to find a new dipstick after I fix the problem & change the fluid? Thanks.

 

Was there tranny fluid on the dipstick? How does the fluid itself look? I would suspect condensation more than anything else if the fluid looks fine. Does your dipstick seat all the way?

 

I have seen it before as stated above I also beleive its condensation.Unless you had your dipstick out for a while and it rained or snowed theres no other way water can get inside your trans unless you case cracked.Dont read anything into that last statement Im just saying.

 

Don't worry about it. Tranny fluid gets checked so rarely by most that you get surface rust on those. They almost never get wiped with any oil. Its from condensation.