Unbelievable. CVT cartridge filter missing

[Codylehr23]

so a while ago when I first bought the car I noticed my transmission fluid was very dirty so I've been dumping in the fluid and adding new fluid once in a while every few days or a few weeks whenever. I had four quarts left so I decided to dump the fluid and drop the pan to check the magnets and see if there's any debris in the pan. I dumped it and it's looking better than before but not completely clean. So I go to check the cartridge filter on the side and lo and behold it's missing. There's nothing in here. The enclosure was on very tight like it's never been opened before. I'm speechless and pissed off.

Either way I took some pictures there is sludge on the magnets in the oil pan of the transmission. I took a magnet to it after wiping it with a cloth and the magnet does attract it. Although I'm not sure it's enough to make it a problem.

so I don't know what to do from here should I change the big filter in the bottom and buy a new filter for the side? I'm just dumbfounded that the filter was missing or gone or never installed for the cartridge on the side. I've had a problem since day one achieving advertised MPG I'm wondering if this might have something to do with it.

2015 with 68,000 miles. Bought 1,000 miles ago. Thank you.

I'm making a separate Post in the general area for my issue with miles per gallon. Feel free to check it thank you.

[dspace9]

2015 with 68,000 miles. Bought 1,000 miles ago. Thank you.

I'm making a separate Post in the general area for my issue with miles per gallon. Feel free to check it thank you.

I might think about changing all the filters and fluids, especially if you just bought your Mirage.

Sometimes a safetied car is bare minimum standards and might help. My Mirage is a 5 speed so get around 5.1 L/100 km's fuel economy in the summer, and takes more gas not that much worse in the winter actually. I live in Ontario more near Detroit. My Mirage is 100% stock, and only I have ever driven it so I know the history of the car.

[Eggman]

Manual transmissions have no filters. I wonder if the manufacturer is using that approach?

I don't think this is impacting your fuel economy as much as other factors, such as roof rack, terrain, speed and driving habit.

In any case, it's good you caught it. Consider taking it to your dealer for a full flush and refill. I think it will be money well spent.

[Mark]

I would definitely have a dealer or transmission specialist flush out your system, add the appropriate filters, and refill with fresh CVT fluid.

Not owning an automatic or CVT, I am not an expert by any means. My brother works at a large shipyard (they build $500 million ships for the Navy) in northeast Wisconsin. My brother & a lot of his work buddies drive pickups. Those who had their GM transmission fluid changed @ 100,000 miles all had transmission failures and needed replacements. Those who never changed their transmission fluid are running their GM truck 250,000+ miles without issue. It's just an observations he has made. He knows of 5 or 6 guys that changed their fluid, and they all had issues within 20,000-30,000 miles afterwards. He was one of those by the way! Those who didn't change their transmission fluid had no issues with basically the same GM trucks. I heard similar stories, too!

From what I have read, however, changing CVT fluid more frequently is good. I would have your transmission serviced professionally and toss the roof rack. Then make a final judgment on your car.

[Codylehr23]

I'm going to replace the filters and see how it goes. After draining it last night topping it off it looks much cleaner.

does anyone have pictures of what the inside of that pan filter looks like? It's a filter media or a steel mesh kind of thing.

Maybe it's partially clogged causing odd pressure and poor performance

[Fummins]

I would definitely have a dealer or transmission specialist flush out your system, add the appropriate filters, and refill with fresh CVT fluid.

Not owning an automatic or CVT, I am not an expert by any means. My brother works at a large shipyard (they build $500 million ships for the Navy) in northeast Wisconsin. My brother & a lot of his work buddies drive pickups. Those who had their GM transmission fluid changed @ 100,000 miles all had transmission failures and needed replacements. Those who never changed their transmission fluid are running their GM truck 250,000+ miles without issue. It's just an observations he has made. He knows of 5 or 6 guys that changed their fluid, and they all had issues within 20,000-30,000 miles afterwards. He was one of those by the way! Those who didn't change their transmission fluid had no issues with basically the same GM trucks. I heard similar stories, too!

From what I have read, however, changing CVT fluid more frequently is good. I would have your transmission serviced professionally and toss the roof rack. Then make a final judgment on your car.

I've heard stories like that too. Gm transmissions are hit and miss anyways. I've seen most 4l60's fail around 200k kms/124k miles whether the fluid was changed or not. If you make it longer than that then consider yourself lucky not stupid for changing your fluid. Although if the fluid has never been changed in an automatic(poorly maintained) then you could have a problem. My understanding and poorly worded explanation is as the transmission wears out the friction material is picked up by the fluid and still floats still kinda works. If the transmission is worn enough and you drain the fluid containing the needed friction stuff then it'll crap out pretty fast. Or if you are having any issues at all then change your fluid it'll quit altogether shortly after, you just prolong or shorten the inevitable.
The same theory might crossover to cvt's but there aren't as many clutches and and no bands in a Mirage cvt. From what I recall just a small clutch pack for the 2 speed aux gear.

[Fummins]

I'm going to replace the filters and see how it goes. After draining it last night topping it off it looks much cleaner.

does anyone have pictures of what the inside of that pan filter looks like? It's a filter media or a steel mesh kind of thing.

Maybe it's partially clogged causing odd pressure and poor performance

Pan filter is metal screen. Look up failed cvt threads, I cut one open. It looked ok til opened up and near the outlet was plugged with chunks o' cvt. You might be fine, wouldn't hurt to change it, cut it open and see what's going on. If the fluid is dark after filling it up, I'd change it again.