TommyBoiSxty9

Hey everyone,

I have a 1998 3.0CL w/ about 82k on it. The transmission has been shifting funny lately (hard down shifts/shifts when going faster, etc.)

I checked the fluid and it is kind of low. I bought some Honda ATF fluid, but when I went to fill it I couldn't find a place to do it. I was told by someone that you don't fill (any car) through the dipstick thing. Should I add fluid? And where?

Also he said transmissions are supposed to be sealed and not "use" fluid. So if it's low, something's not right.

I called the dealer because I have an extended warranty (100k AcuraCare Bumper) and they said if it's shifting funny, it probably just needs a flush.

I'm worried if I flush & fill it will prolong the life some, but just disguise, perhaps, an udnerlying problem. Then, after 100k, it'll go and they'll be free of having to pay for it.

My transmission went on my 2000 3.2TL when I had it too

What should I do... suggestsions?

Should I go to a shop and just ask them to top it off?

Go to some mechanic and get a flush/fill?

thanks.
~tommy

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

You should be able to fill the tranny fluid. However, if your tranny is acting funny, and you have a warranty, get it checked out. I just paid $2700 to get my 97 3.0 tranny rebuilt, because my extended warranty ended. I only have 87K on the car, and the tranny went right at 87K. Almost everyone on here has a 3.0 and has replaced their tranny at least once. Cept cocoa, he went through 3 or 4 trannies. But if you have a warranty, insist that it's going bad, and that they replace it. If that dealer won't go to another honda or acura dealer and see what they say. Flushing it will only speed up the degradation of your tranny, trust me, i know.

wilp99

the tranny is toast.. let them try to do the flush, then id give it bout a month of driving and it will shift like shit again or even completly go.. your not gonna be able to get out of the flush.. maybee if you complain like a mofo, and convince them that its done.

d00g

my tranny is still going strong!! 110k miles w00t!

TommyBoiSxty9

so should i just top it off before i go? (so the fluid isn't low) -- if so, how do i add?

ingsoc747

Make sure you're checking it correctly first (I apologize in advance if you know this already):

park on LEVEL ground, make sure your car is warmed up, and move it through all the gears. Use the e-brake, put your car in park or neutral, turn OFF the engine, and then check the tranny fluid. (Take out the dipstick, wipe it off, then put it in and take it out again and check the level)

TommyBoiSxty9

Ok, and if its low.... fill it how?

ajtcl

Fill it with a long-spout funnel through the dip stick hole. The dealer, when they flush it, will lift the car, and disconect the transmission cooler lines and attatch them to the flush machine. To drain, there is a plug.

ajtcl

Oh, and get ready to join the second transmission club. Fucking crapper transmissions. I'm on my 2nd one now for almost a year, and its first flush is comming up. It has been perfect so far.

Chinisimo

yeah tommy, top it off through the dipstick hole then take it to the dealer and complain like hell. you're getting close to your limit, so it needs to be taken care of now.

good luck.

wilp99

dont top it off.. if its low its low for a reason. theres prolly a leak somewhere. which means new tranny. they dont fix leaks or anything on these trannies, they just replace them. use it being low as another bullet in your gun. also there is a fill hole on the top of the tranny here:

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/wilp99...57.jpg&.src=ph

remember the more stuff they have to "fix" the more likley youll get a new tranny.

tacho

Have to agree with the don't top it off advice. The fluid shouldn't be low and that could be a completely different problem than the crappy shifting.

Since it's shifting bad, take it in and tell them about it. You're covered under a warranty so it shouldn't be an issue. Go for a test drive with a mechanic and point out what's going on.

Let the mechanics figure it out. That's why you have the warranty. Why haven't you taken it in yet???

Chinisimo

i was thinking to top it off just to make them think that you didn't neglect your normal maintanence and made the situation worse.

but what you said make sense. fluid just doesn't disappear. there must be a reason it's low.

so tommy, don't listen to what i've said before

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

fluid doesn't disapear, get that sucker replaced. Tell em the shifting is hard as well.

Vidman213

my tranny is still fine 120k miles w00t

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

u have a 2.x or 3.0?

Vidman213

3.0... dunno from the looks of it everyone here has had problems, maybe im just lucky

wilp99

i said the same thing at 105k miles.. i had to rebuild 1 month later..

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

I sad that for the last 2 years, and only made it to 87K

caldeesnutss

damit i just had my tranny put in today from aamco and they charged me
$3800.