PCM 1.23:1 fluid change

Finally getting around to some deferred maintenance this week. I looked at the trans dipstick and thought I was please to see red fluid, meaning that the original 20W had been changed by the previous owner. However, when I pumped it out and compared it to new Dex/Merc, it looks more brown than red and it makes me wonder if it was actually a mix of the two. The viscosity is quite thick compared to the new Dex/Merc. Should I be worried, or should I just fill it with new fluid and move on?  Any advice?

MidCentury wrote: Finally getting around to some deferred maintenance this week. I looked at the trans dipstick and thought I was please to see red fluid, meaning that the original 20W had been changed by the previous owner. However, when I pumped it out and compared it to new Dex/Merc, it looks more brown than red and it makes me wonder if it was actually a mix of the two. The viscosity is quite thick compared to the new Dex/Merc. Should I be worried, or should I just fill it with new fluid and move on?  Any advice?

MidCentury wrote:   I got at least 2 quarts out with the vacuum pump. Works like a champ, even though I ignored warnings in other posts and I used a 1/4" *plastic* hose adapted to my pump's hoses.

Looks like I need some coaching from you! I have a 95 SN 196 with the same PCM transmission and spent an hour or so trying to pump the transmission fluid out. same deal as yours...previous owner had changed it to DEX III. Anyhow I tried and tried to get the hose to a point (I'm using 1/4 in plastic tube also) that would suck more fluid, but the only spot that seemed to get anything was about 2 inches down the dipstick. When I tried to stick it in farther, I got nothing. spent about an hour toying with it but in the end all I pumped out was about 1/2 quart. any secrets you can share?