I bought my Auntie's 03 3.2 TL it had 236,000 miles on it.
She never changed the tranny fluid or strainer. Would it be a good idea to change the fluid at this point? The car shifts ok but, I've noticed that it is slower than when I first got it.

 

you have fluid that is almost 250k miles old?

Do you really need to ask what to do?

 

That transmission is a ticking time bomb. Good luck.

 

I want to change it but, I know from experience that when its that old you leave it alone. That experience comes from Chevy's and Buicks. I know very little about Acuras.

 

The whole thing of "if you change old fluid then it'll break" is an old wive's tale that needs to die a horrible death. It's flat false. Transmission fluid breaks down just like anything else and needs to be replaced just like everything else.

A lot of people change their fluid to correct a growing problem with their trans, only to have it die later. They then draw the connection between the failure and the fluid change. Total garbage, their trans was dying anyway and a fluid change won't put parts back together or clutch material back on the clutches or reverse heat damage in the torque converter, or unclog screens.

With that said, that trans is well beyond its expected lifespan especially for these cars. Count your lucky stars and make sure you have access to $2K to get a replacement trans in the future.

A transmission flush WILL damage your transmission. Only do a 3quart 3x drain and fill with honda DW-1.

The strainer is internal to the trans and you have to disassemble the whole thing to get to it. But the filter is a cylindrical object beside and below the battery tray - easy to change ~$25.

Good luck.

 

Your auntie must have had the right idea maybe
Most everyone else's trans don't make it that far for sure.
I pretty agree about what Chojun said but on the other hand, maybe you should just leave it be at this point

 

Thanks Chojun for that..


I was wondering the same thing about an older Accord (99 v6) same tranny issue as the 2G TL. a mechanic also told me the "dont change fluid transmission will die" tale.


I'll change the fluid soon.

 

While we're on the subject I haven't changed my oil for 35K miles because I heard that if you change it your rear main seal will leak.

 

Thanks Chojun. That makes more since.

 

I was thinking about doing two quarts and a quart of prolong...did that with my 92 Buick Rivera, and it runs like a sewing machine.

 

Your best bet is do the 3x3 drain/fill w/ the Honda Fluid.
While your at it, change out the filter and clean the solenoids.

 

https://acurazine.com/forums/problem...-again-929434/


https://acurazine.com/forums/problem...cement-852465/


Maybe these will help.

 

I1100ran, please keep up updated on how the car runs, some time after you've changed the tranny fluid.