bk11383

not trying to be that guy that works at a dealership, but if a customer asked us to do a flush and we had the time, we did it till the fluid came out new. when that happens you know all the fluid is good. it could be twice, it could be 5 times. just do it. yes i know that everyone doesn't have cash laying around to buy a case or 2 of tranny fluid at a time. but the benfits of haveing super clean fluid in our trannies is well worth it.

green t el

Agree on the clean idea. I drain the transmission 4 times a year and the fluid always comes out red, and very little on the magnetic plug. Forget the ramps, this is easier than changing the motor oil.

TwanPD4

is this jet bolt the one that says aft on it just right of the thortlle body from the drivers tire side.

second question what the jet kit u guys are referring too is that just the bolt or is it something special. i was goin to do a tranny flush this weekend. also would mobil 1 atf fluid be good or should i stick to the honda brand

twan

fla-tls

The jet kit goes in place of the bolt that reads ATF. If you see a bolt with ATF on it, you either have a newer tranny with the internal modifications or you don't yet have the recall done on that car.

green t el

Use the Honda ATF. It's specially made for their trannys. If you don't want to remove the jet kit, there's a sensor (black, with wire attached) that is held into the top of the transmission by one 10mm bolt. It's located several inches closer to the driver's side wheel than the jet. I was concerned about removing the jet (until I found that it only can go back the correct way) but I continue to remove the sensor for my refill because it's just as easy.

CJITTY

Thanks Bob Villa. Either way, it worked for me

Luke7

Quite a number of years ago I had the Transmission rebuilt in my 86 Prelude SI due to slippage between 1st and 2nd Gear. That particular transmission was known for the slippage problem and the newer clutch packs were beefed up. I took it to a Honda dealer in Cincinnatti area. They had the #1 Honda transmission specialist in the country working at their garage. I asked the mechanic what I could do in the future (myself) to limit any failure on the transmission. He said and I quote, "Change the fluid every 10,000 to 12,000 miles since there is no filter in the transmission." I also asked him what fluid to use? I remember he laughed and said, "ANY GOOD BRAND." I'm still heeding his advise today! with my TL. Change it every 10,000 to 12,000 miles. Some guys say what the use since they will fail eventually=Don't listen to em !!!

SodaLuvr

You are aware that different types of transmission fluids exist !

Your '86 Prelude may've used Dexron (don't know for sure), so the blanket statement of "any brand will work" may have applied.

For the TL, the correct statement would be "any Honda ATF-Z1 type fluid."

Luke7

Castrol Dexron Mercon III to be exact or any comparable brand. Please show me PROOF not talk that Z1 is better than Castrol or any other major brand that is comparable. Don't think you can.

SodaLuvr

Go flush your transmission (complete flush with 8+ qts) with any over-the-counter Dexron-IIIH/Mercon (I don't care which brand) and compare the shift "feel" to a transmission filled with fresh Honda Z-1.

The transmission will not shift "properly" at all times and may exhibit "rough" shifting, slippage, or flares.

And no, I did not have anyone or know of anyone tolerant enough to run plain Dexron-IIIH/Mercon in their Honda transmission long-enough to do a fluid analysis to compare....

PS- if you and your expert mechanic are so sure that any good brand of fluid, without paying attention to fluid type, will work fine in a Honda transmission...I challenge you to flush your transmission with some "Type F" and see what happens....

Luke7

As I figured/ Thanks for the BS INFO

1st timer

I checked my flyuid last week and it's pink,should i do a tranny flush anyway?

Luke7

How many miles on your car? Has it every been serviced and changed?

I change mine every 3rd Oil change. (10,000 to 12,000 miles) I am using Honda Z1. Honda Maintenance recommends every 30,000 miles but since these trannys fail at a higher rate than some other cars, it's a good idea to keep it clean. It should prolong the life of the tranny and it will shift smoother and hopefully last longer. Cleaner fluid surely won't hurt.

1st timer

Was changed when tranny was changed ,around 13k miles ago.

fsttyms1

I wouldnt touch it

kuni808

Hey guys. after i seen this post i had the courage to attempt it. man was i kidding myself. it was just as easy as changing oil. crap all the panic for nothing.

i did it 2x since this is my first time. Boy ohh boy. that oil was dark dark dark. man i thought i was changing my regular engine oil. I did not know when the last change was since i bought the TL used. so that is what scared me. it already has 51k on there so i think it was due time anyway.i know thats a bad sign but it did not have the burnt smell so i think it was just really dirty. i do have the jet kit installed and i cant believe Vegas Acura did not tell me to change the oil. they were the ones that installed it. kind of weird.

but after the first 3qts. instantly i notice it shift way smoother. i could not feel it shift at all. after the first drain and fill the fluid was darker red. not black haha so i checked it now after the second one and it was pretty red now.

kind of crappy cause on the drain bolt there was some sludge. so that kind of worries me. after the second time i pulled the plug there was a little more. im not sure if there was no more room on the plug to add more metal or what. but i know its not a good sign hopefully it last me a while longer.

but it was cake. cant believe it was that easy. thanks guys for giving me the confidence to do it. haha LOL

Luke7

I have never changed the Tranny fluid in any of my Honda products that there wasn't some sludge on the drain plug including the Acurat TL. The fluid coming out was never real dirty but not as clear and red as new stuff. I put another 175,000 on my prelude after the rebuild and my Accord had 256,000 on it and was still running well until I hit a road hazard and cracked the bell housing. Lots of variables on Trannys lasting and failing but anyone that's a mechanic will tell you that changing the fluid will help in the long run. Considering that it costs between $6 and $20 bucks to do it yourself, I figure it's worth it. Bout time for this tread to close eh?

magnod

If anyone has some extra time, could you post some pics of the process for the automotive inept people like me.

Also, what's the list of parts that would be needed for the change?
I saw the Z1 fluid and someone mentioned picking up a new bolt(?) from Honda. Do you happen to know the specific part numbers so that if I do try this I can pick up the parts from Honda instead of the Acura dealership?

Thanks

fsttyms1

https://acurazine.com/forums/showpos...0&postcount=24

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...y+fluid+change
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...y+fluid+change

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...y+fluid+change

magnod

Thanks fsttyms1. Knew I could count on you to share your knowledge. Now you just gotta let me know when you'll be out here in Hawaii so that you can stop by and actually do it for me. I'll even provide the snacks and drinks!

fsttyms1

Man i wish i could go out there. I need a vacation!

SwampGas

Not until the tranny project is over.

Back to work. Go 6 speed!

magnod

Heck he could crash at my place if he was going to do my tranny fill/drain, clear the headlights, installing the tranny cooler, installing the blitz-ipod thing, etc.

Delirium

I just did my tranny flush got the car on a lift drain 3 q add 3 and then unplug the tranny fluid line run the engine got 3 out stop put 3 more and so on all new fluid no mixing up wit the old

magnod

So just a quick recap:

Things I'll need:
6 qts ATFZ1
3/8" ratchet
Extension/Breaker bar?

1. Warm up tranny w/ short drive
2. Remove jet kit
3. Lift car and remove drain bolt
4. Allow to drain
5. Tighten drain bolt
6. Refill
7. Replace kit - Start car - lower car - check levels
8. Short drive again
9. Check levels
10. Repeat

Question:

1. What do I do with the old fluid? Put it in bottles and throw them away? Or is there some disposal procedure to follow?
2. What do you do with the drain bolt with shavings? One person just wiped it off. Is that okay, or do you need to replace it?

green t el

Most communities have recycling days when they accept everything from old computers to paint to tranny fluid. Some auto parts stores will also accept fluids. Keep Hawaii beautiful.

Wipe the shavings off with a rag or paper towel.

fsttyms1

yea alot of parts stores recycle old fluids for you. and many communities (like stated above ) have drop off facilities.

Your recap is correct (though some like to do the drain fill another time (3 total fills) and just wipe the shavings off

Luke7

I drop my used oil / tranny fluid off at Auto Zone or Advanced Auto here locally. They will take up to 5 Gallons. No charge. You walk in in and dump it in the recycle container and walk out.

magnod

Rhino Ramps?

I've been looking for a set but haven't found them yet. How do they work? Are they just ramps that you drive up on? Do you need supports or stands?

Thanks