'94 Ford Ranger Has Filings in the Pan

The iron filings in the transmission pan are especially troubling as is the color of the transmission fluid. You noted the mechanic who did your work suggested that the transmission filter should again be replaced when he told you about the color and filings, did he have a chance to take a sniff of the fluid as well? If it smelled burnt or slightly burnt it is also pointing to a troubling possibility.

Looking more closely at the iron filings, did your mechanic indicate the size of the filings? If they are larger than dust-size, then you have a problem. Somewhere, something, usually deep inside the transmission, where it is tough to get to without dropping the pan, pulling out various parts and looking around, is doing some serious rubbing. The metal-on-metal contact is dropping the larger-sized metal filings into your transmission fluid.

Normally, they will be trapped in the transmission fluid filter. However, if you just swapped out your filter, say during the basic f&f replacement (fluid and filter), then you should not be finding filings in the fluid or in the bottom of the sump. Instead, the filter should be catching them. And, if the filter has filled up in the short time since you replaced it, it also indicates that there is something going on within the transmission.

It might be the bands, a clutch pack or gearing, but whatever it is, something is obviously wearing and that means major work is in order. It would be nice to think that it could be a standalone component like the torque converter, but more than likely your transmission is on a downward spiral to replacement or rebuild.

Putting all this together with the other problems with the 25-mile radius limit and the transmission overheat, it looks like it is time for a new or rebuilt transmission. Your cost for the Ranger will be about $3,000.