THATPRELUDEGUY

So I just got my 2.5 and so far so good outside some small things I'll address with warmer weather and some free time after the holidays. One thing I'm concerned about though is the trans. Its basically fine except in one driving scenario. If I'm driving along at say 30-50 and then traffic slows down to the point where the car should probably be back down to 1st or 2nd gear and then speeds back up the trans doesnt seem to drop down to the appropriate gear until I give it some gas and then it has a slight abruptness to how it engages. It's not like it slips but instead just doesnt downshift the way it should except if I'm giving it 50% throttle or more.

Does this make sense? If it does has anyone else had this issue? Is it a sign of a trans on the way out or is this something you've seen cured by a flush and screen replacement?

Also it looks like I might be a little low on trans fluid, it looks very clean but low so I'm going to top it off tomorrow and maybe I'll be lucky and that's the issue.

Any input would be great.

main70072

How many miles is on the car? Since you just got it, you might want to do a drain and fill or even change the screen if there's a lot of miles on the car. Like many members on here have suggested, a flush is not recommended for these trans. While you are at it, change the differential fluid too.

THATPRELUDEGUY

Did you mean a flush IS recommended for these cars? Car has 169k but the fluid on the dipstick looks clean and from what I can tell the car was pretty well cared for before I bought it.

Ken1997TL

Check the throttle cable, its a good idea to tighten it anyway.

Less play is better.

tmnhs81

Do NOT flush. Just drain and fill the fluid.

THATPRELUDEGUY

What about swapping the screen?

@Ken1997TL I dont notice any throttle response issues but I'll check the cable.

main70072

At 169k the tranny screen should be replaced.

THATPRELUDEGUY

Would part #7 in this picture be the screen?

http://www.acuraoemparts.com/delray/...All&vinsrch=no

007 25420-PW4-010 STRAINER, TRANSMISSION (ATF) 1 1998 TL 54.73 41.05

This look like the proper pan gasket?

http://www.acuraoemparts.com/delray/...All&vinsrch=no

005 21813-PW7-000 GASKET, OIL PAN 1 1998 TL 24.47 18.35

Mandy

Drain and fill. But if you want to drop the pan, go ahead. Replace components as necessary. There's a few posts for this.

Leuth

I just did it a few days ago. REALLY easy. Though you're going to have to get the black make-a-gasket thing... because it seems all of the OEM cork seals are crap and not a proper fit. Someone else had the same issue recently, so hit autozone and just get the screen and the black non-oil based make-a-seal/gasket stuff.

It's about 12 bolts (if I recall) and three bolts on the screen itself. Drain, fill. Use Honda ATF-Z1 fluid ONLY... don't add anything else like Lucas. I found that out the hard way. $30 worth of fluid wasted.