tpop964

I have a 2004 MDX with 150K. I replaced the tranny fluid with Royal Purple Max ATF (actually a drain and fill, so probably half the old fluid was replaced) a few months ago, and now I'm noticing slight delayed shifting between 1st-2nd gear. So I called up a mechanic and asked about switching back to DW-1 ATF fluid from Honda, which he agreed would be best. But then he got all contorted about wanting to get every bit of Royal Purple out of there, and said he wants to hook up an air hose to the tranny somehow to "blow it out" of the torque converter after the simple drain.

Anyone ever heard of this? He even admitted he didn't know how to hook up the air hose to the tranny, but he'd "find a way."

Right now, I'm thinking I should stay away from this guy. I just bought a case of DW-1 and I plan on doing a 3x3 drain and refill as is talked about on this Board. Any comments on the air hose idea? Is he crazy, demented, or is this a known technique among mechanics? I never heard of it before, and blowing air into a liquid envirnment seems to spell disaster to me.

thoiboi

run away.... that sounds like it can be a lot more detrimental than do good..

cu2wagon

I would not do that.

Just the, "I ain't never done that before, but I'll figgure sumfin out..." approach would make me *really* cautious.

IMO, the multiple drain and flush would be the better way to get the old out and replace with new.

csmeance

flushes or any sort of push of the fluid out is BAD! The trans can only drain 3 quarts at a time, it holds around 9 so the fluid in the trans is only replaced in portions.

You can easily drain your current fluid and refill it with DW1 or more royal purple, amsoil or redline. Verify the proper fluid to use and fill it with the same amount you remove, usually 3-3.5 quarts.

It's very easy to do at home. Most folks do the 3x3 change so they change 3 quarts 3 times with 20-30 miles of driving between to help the fluids mix.

First change is 33% new fluid
Second change is around 55% new fluid
3rd change is around 70% new fluid.

Carpayment4life

As stated above, do not use pressure to move your fluid around and out.
Use a piece of aluminum foil, folded over the under side plastic trim, near the drain bolt. Have the edge of your foil positioned to guide the fluid into your dirty fluid pan.
3.5 qts x 4 = 14 qts of atf-dw1 #08200-9008a, is needed for the entire job. That will get about 93% of the old fluid out.
The new 18mm inside diameter crush washer, which is used at the end of the process is hard to find.
You just reuse the old one, each time before you put the new fluid in. Then, before you put the final 3.5 qts of new fluid in, you use the new 18mm washer # 90471-px4-000
The torque on the tranny bolt is 36 ft/lbs.

And by the by, you won't be able to get the "fill bolt" out of the top of the tranny, so figure out what you need to piece together to pour the new fluid into the dip stick hole. It's not rocket science and the guy at my Carquest parts store had what I needed.

bvogel7475

Hey Carpayment, I opened the fill bolt at the top of the transmission on my 2005 MDX and that's how I put the new trans fluid in. You will need a socket and some extensions. The first time took some patience but now it's a cinch since I don't over tighten it.

WNY PAT

Getting the Royal Purple out is a good idea. The 3X3 as others have mentioned is the recommended way to change it. It's silly but whatever. Even if you figured out something to use the compressor hose to push the fluid out, there would still be some left in the torque converter and other places in the transmission. I did the 3 quart drain and fill at about 20K and 40K and I plan on the 3X drain and fill at about 60K miles for both the MDX and TL. I do the rear diff and transfer case once a year too. Even with an oil and filter change, the whole process takes an hour to do. I fill my transmission from the top too, the dipstick. Easier for me and with the right funnel and small tubing only takes ain't Wkik