Tigerpee

I've searched on the boards here and some people say they only do drain/fill and that the flush is not necessary and sometimes harmfull. However, some do the complete flush.

So, I've called the dealer and they gave me 2 quotes

1. Drain/Fill for $65

or

2. Complete Flush for $175


Normally, I have a reg. shop I take my cars to. However, if my mechanic does a flush, he charges $65 without the oil. Now, If I purchase 9 quarts of say MTL, thats like 9x10 = $90. $90 in oil plus $65 in labor = $155.

So, mind as well go to the dealer.

SodaLuvr

I'd say go to your independent mechanic, and buy 10 quarts of Pennzoil Multi-Vehicle ATF to have him flush your transmission with. It is $3/quart, and 10 quarts will set you back about $30, so you can get out for about $100.

I called Pennzoil Tech Services earlier and the tech confirmed that their fluid is compatible in all Honda Z-1 apps. I've also talked to a local shop in my area that uses this fluid in Honda Z-1 apps and have nothing but positive results.

Michael

MikePA

With Honda fluid running the same price, why bother with Pennzoil?

fsttyms1

why risk it (not that your taking a chance with our crappy trannies)

SodaLuvr

MikePA,
Easier to obtain and some have experienced better results with the Pennzoil product.

Why risk it? The transmission issue with these cars was not directly related to the fluid used, but instead because of a design flaw. Keep that in mind.

Michael

MikePA

Not for everyone.

Who, except you, is 'some'? Any independant results that show Pennzoil is better?

SodaLuvr

Mike,
I've talked to independent shop owners in my area who use this product with their T-Tech service, and all have compared for themselves and have told me they experience at least equal, if not better shift quality with the Pennzoil Product compared to the Honda product.

Also, I'm not in any way affiliated with any vendors.

Michael

timmy8151

I wouldn't recommend doing a T-Tech flush on Acura/Honda auto trannies, since you can't drop the pan or change the filter. Just do a triple flush, with Honda ATF and you shouldnt have any worries.

steadydaddy

just drain 'n fill. use honda atf and make sure you clean the magnetic plug each time. do this every 10k is gud measure.

SodaLuvr

timmy,
The only reason why I would not do a T-Tech is IF the transmission DOES have a pan since the filter does NOT get serviced. Without a pan or a serviceable filter, then its a non-issue.

Michael

MikePA

Honda specifically recommends against a trans flush.

timmy8151

I've talked to a couple of Honda/Acura mechanics and they've told me specifically not to do a machine flush. These flushes often dislodge particles which can cause damage to the transmission. Since we can't drop our pans, there's no way to get these particles out. A triple flush is a safe way of changing out a bulk of the ATF.

MikePA

It's not a triple 'flush' it's a triple drain and refill.

SodaLuvr

Mike and Timmy,
Some transmission flush machines may "force" the fluid through the transmission, but I know for sure that the T-Tech system does not run by itself. It feeds the new ATF into the transmission through gravity, and the fluid pumps itself out as the flush is done with the engine running.

Timmy, in that case, how can a flush "dislodge" particles? With the engine, how is any abnormal pressure being placed on the transmission???

Michael

MikePA

Honda doesn't recommend it. Their service Manual recommends drain and refill.

timmy8151

Yeah I know it's not a triple flush.

PenancE

lol i did it myself few days ago.

Tigerpee

Ok, thanks guys. I guess I'll have to do this myself. but damn, doing it 3 times! jack it up, drain it out, put it in, take off the jack, drive around and do it 2 more times!

but good to know. thanks for all the replies.

Bxscig

It took a bit of time but it was mad easy so its all good.

SodaLuvr

TigerPee,
If you'd like to know how much old fluid is remaining in the AT after three drain and refills, please check out this post I made:

Link

Michael

fsttyms1

its not necesary to jack the car up to drain it. if you have a hard time with the clearance you have get acouple 2x chunks of wood for teh tire to drive up on

fla-tls

I swear I saw a bulletin in our Mitchell system from Honda stating that they advise against "flushes" for any Honda transmission.

That's how it goes - you can't find something when you really need it. When you don't need it - it's usually right in front of you! (j/k)

SodaLuvr

Excuse me, I meant to say exchange originally, mean T-Tech transmission fluid exchange.

Lets hope that clarifies things a bit.

Michael

brakejob

just do the 3qt drain and refill 3 times yourself...

i do a 3 qt drain and refill every 3000 miles along with the oil... its crazy but i dont care

MikePA

Or you can download this spreadsheet --------> Click Here if you're not into math.

foot3ch

Michael Wan suggested me to use auto-rx just recently for my engine. You can actually use this stuff to clean your transmission. Go to www.auto-rx.com I actually just received mine today.

MikePA

Great, an automotive enema.

fla-tls

I'm not a big fan of additives in general. I've personally seen victims of that Prolong stuff. We had an Explorer where the guy used prolong and within a year all of the internal rubber parts were hard and crumbly.

He got "prolonged" alright. His SUV spent a prolonged stay at the shop.

As far as this stuff goes - I've never heard of it. Hopefully it doesn't clog your cooler or screen as it cleans...

I'm a fan of 30k changes (simple drain and fill) with a good quality synthetic that can handle the heat without breaking down as much as conventional fluid. I use Amsoil and like it.

SodaLuvr

For the Lube Control, Fuel Power, and Auto-RX nonbelievers, please see these two links to see some real world results of using the products. Results are proven by oil analysis.

These analysis were from Terry Dyson of Dyson Analysis' own vehicles; Terry is a professional tribologist and specializes in oil analysis consultation:

Link 1
Link 2

Michael

timmy8151

I'll throw in another recommendation for Auto-Rx. I used it in my Integra with fantastic results. My UOA after using this stuff was good and when I pulled the valve cover, my engine looked brand new.

I've yet to use Auto-Rx in my tranny but I'm going to do that in the very near future. All you need is 1 oz of Auto-Rx to clean the transmission.

I'm also using a Fuel Power/Neutra 131 mix as a fuel additive right now and an seeing a consistan 1-1.5 mpg increase when using this mix.

I know a lot of people are leery of additives, but as Michael said products like Auto-Rx, Fuel Power & Lube Control are of the highest quality.

I highly suggest people read the forums at BITOG:http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi

jt24yo

damn, after reading this post, I called up my dealership here in Houston to make an appointment for a tranny flush, and they said that they don't provide that service anymore, because Acura doesn't allow it, WTF, has anyone got a same response from his or her dealership on here?

brakejob

I could duplicate those results by dumping some sludge into my own engine


additives like this are a modern day snake oil, hello duralube/prolong/slick 50

SodaLuvr

The links I listed in my earlier post are REAL world results...the improved oil analysis results speak for themselves.

The Nox was lowered, and sulfur dropped because of better ring seal. Oxidation dropped because deposits were being cleaned up.

Brakejobhelp, prove to me that another cleaner can deliver these results. This is scientific data that RX works.

No, solvent type flushes do not work as they only do minimal surface cleaning and strip the host oil. They may have some negative long term effects on seals as well, and they do not clean up stuck ring packs like RX.

Michael

SodaLuvr

BTW, I'd like to add that neither of those engines were "sludged" at all, they simply had some slight buildup that was not allowing the rings to seat well. (Honda)

On the Nissan, the RX was simply used for liquid filtration to filter out some of the dirt that was ingested during the accident so that the extended drain test with RL 5w-30/LC could continue.

Think of LC as brushing your teeth daily, and RX as your 6-mo checkup/cleaning with a dentist.

Michael

fsttyms1

YES cause they DONT do flushes. they drain refill. ACURA does not recomend flushes

timmy8151

Read Michael's links at the BITOG forum. Auto-Rx, Lube control and Fuel Power are not snake oil products, but proven additives.

brakejob

auto-rx suggests switching back to dino juice for treatments, thats laughable enough as is...

SodaLuvr

what's so laughable about that???

The esters in the syn oil will compete with the esters in RX, which will reduce RX's effectiveness.

Michael

fsttyms1

just the fact that your having to or actually are using additives

SodaLuvr

Remember that today's engine don't have perfect CC seal. Carbon will tend to buildup and worsen the CC seal and cause buildup through out the engine since a poor CC seal will equate to more buildup.

Auto-RX cleans up any carbon buildup that is preventing the rings from sealing well...proven in the Civic UOA that I posted. LC will keep minimize the buildup from occuring...but not completely prevent it. Again, think of LC as brushing your teeth daily and RX as the 6-mo cleaning/check-up you get from your dentist.

Michael