should be clear.) A burnt smell or brown coloration of the fluid is a sign of overheated oil from extra heavy use or slipping bands or clutch packs. The unit should be sent to the shop for inspection for possible trouble. CAUTION Not all transmission fluids are the same. Before you add fluid, check the manufacturer’s recommendations fast. The use of the wrong fluid will lead to early internal parts failure and costly  overhaul. Overfilling  the  transmission  can  result  in  fluid foaming and the fluid being driven out through the vent tube. The air that is trapped in the fluid is drawn into the hydraulic system by the pump and distributed to all parts of the transmission. This situation will cause air to be in place of oil and, in turn, cause slow application and burning of clutch plates and facings. Slippage occurs, heat  results,  and  failure  of  the  transmission  follows. Another possible, but remote, problem is water, indicated  by  the  fluid  having  a  “milky”  appearance.  A damaged  fluid  cooling  tube  in  the  radiator  (automotive) or  a  damaged  oil  cooler  (construction)  could  be  the problem.  The  remedy  is  simple.  Pressure  test  the suspected components and repair them as required. After reassembly, refill the transmission with fresh fluid. Linkage and Band Adjustment.—  The  types  of linkages  found  on  an  automatic  transmission  are  gear shift selection and throttle kickdown. The system can be a cable or a series of rods and levers. Whichever the type, they  do  not  normally  present  a  problem,  and  preventive maintenance  usually  involves  only  a  visual  inspection and lubrication of the pivot points of linkages or the cable.  Adjustment  of  these  linkages  should  only  be  done according  to  manufacturer’s  specifications. If an automatic transmission is being used in severe service, the manufacturer may suggest periodic band adjustment.  Lockup  bands  are  always  adjusted  to  the manufacturer’s specifications after an overhaul. Bands are adjusted by loosening the locknut and tightening down the adjusting screw to a specified value. Then the band  adjusting  screw  is  backed  off  a  specified  amount of turns and the locking nut is tightened down. Not all bands are adjustable. For example, the General Motors turbo Hydra-Matic Model 400 does not have a band adjustment. If the band is worn to the point where it cannot perform its function, you should replace it. Fluid Replacement.— The Naval Construction Force  (NCF),  the  COMCBPAC/COMCBLANTINST 11200.1  series,  recommends  maintenance  be  performed according to the manufacturer’s specifications. These recommendations  vary  considerably  for  different  makes and models. When you change automatic transmission fluid, read the repair manual first. Service intervals depend on the type of use the transmission  receives.  In  the  NCF,  because  of  the operating environment, more than a few of our vehicles are subjected to severe service. Severe service includes the  following:  hot  and  dusty  conditions,  constant  stop and go driving (taxi service), trailer towing, constant heavy   hauling,   and   around   the   clock   operations (contingency). Any CESE operating in these conditions should have its automatic transmission fluid and falter changed  on  a  regular  schedule,  based  on  the manufacturer’s  specifications  for  severe  service. Draining the transmission can be done in three ways. By removing the drain plug, loosening the dip stick tube, or by removing the oil pan. Have the vehicle on level ground or on a lift and let the oil drain into a proper  catchment  device. CAUTION Oil  drained  from  automatic  transmissions contains   heavy   metals   and   is   considered hazardous  waste  and  should  be  disposed  of according to local naval station instructions. Once the oil is drained, remove the pan completely for cleaning. By paying close attention to any debris in the bottom of the pan, you may able be to detect a possible problem. The presence of a high number of metal particles could indicate serious internal problems. Clean  the  pan;  set  it  aside.  All  automatic  transmissions have a filter or a screen located in the oil pan. The screen is cleanable; the falter is a disposable type and should always  be  replaced  when  removed.  These  are  retained in different ways: retaining  screws,  metal  retaining clamps, or O rings made of neoprene. Clean a screen with solvent and use low pressure air to blow-dry it. Do not use rags to wipe a screen dry as it tends to leave lint behind  that  will  be  ingested  into  the  transmission hydraulic system. Any screen with a hole in it or any screen  that  is  abnormally  hard  to  clean  should  be replaced. Draining the oil from the oil pan of the transmission does not remove all of the oil: the process is completed by draining the oil from the torque converter. To do this, remove the torque converter cover and remove the drain plug  if  the  converter  is  so  equipped.  (Most  modern 7-17