Did a tranny fluid change today ( FIRST TIME) took about 2 hrs with breaks and a trip to CT and made a hell of a mess in my driveway ...Ouch! (sorry wife is still throwing things at me)
Fluid was blood like color but bottom of pan was like a gray mushy layer , what is this?Also the filter I think was touching bottom of pan is this ok?

One more thing, today I heard a school bell like noise coming from one of the pulleys or that area more in the front of the car,has anyone had this is it a bearing.Sounds like a lose pulley but they seem tight.thanks

Blood color is good. The mushy stuff is probably clutch material. The filter hitting the bottom of the pan is not normal.

The filter could not be pushed all the way up,at least thats what it seemed like.It was pushed up as far as it could go I tried for 10 min.The pan went on ok but while I was putting it for its final tightening the tin felt like it could be touching filter, there was agood seat and no leaks and Idont really want to go thru all that again but I will if you guys suggest I should.Is it always tough to get the filter all thew way in the little coupler.

There is a seperate filter collar that fits on the end of the filter, some times when you remove the old filter this ring gets hung up. Did you get your old collar out before installing the new filter?

YES I took out old collar and filter,used the same gasket but put a new collar and filter.The old collar and filter came out together was a little tough to get out but not bad.The new collar and filter ,the collar went in good and was too hard to get back out as I had a hard time with filter going all the way in, so I took it back out again to see why but the collar stayed in too tight so I Ijust tried to get filter in .I tried side to side and I know I wasnt suppose to but I even tapped it with rubber mallet ,it went in good and tight.When I put pan on It just felt like it was hitting filter when I got to tightening stage,where bolts had about a thread and a half to go.I know everything is in place but filter may be touching pan will this be a problem?Thanks for your help.

When you put the filter back in. Did it go in the same amount as the original filter was or was it hanging lower as you suggest it mgiht be. The sludge was clutch material like Rogue mentioned. You cleaned all of it off the pan before putting the pan back in right?

Bill it didnt seem to go in as far as the old filter and wouldnt budge anymore.I really dont want to drain and start all over unless you guys think I should, the cr drove beautifully yesterday and seems fine.If it is touching the pan I dont know what effect it would have.It was definitely in tight enough to filter fluid.
Yes I cleaned the pan and magnet till it was spotless and shiny.Everything went perfect except filter. It looked the same as old filter maybe I should have compared them but never thought of it. Thanks

Unless the collar didn't go all the way... they are very stubborn and can be tough to do.

Well Ill leave it and keep checking , for level and leaks and monitor and Ill change again in maybe a month or so.Thanks

I have some concerns....but ss long as it doesn't act funny...