I have posted this in the TL forum, but no one really gave me input. Hope you guys will. I scheduled an appointment tomorrow morning for ATF flush and fill. It's not dealer, it's a shop I have been twice, and pretty satisified. The owner told me they will use HONDA ATF because it's a Honda. I am planning to stay and watch, the only thing I need to pick up are the filler and drain plug washers, cuz i don't think they will replace them. What do you think? Anyone has other shop perform ATF flush before? I asked about warranty, he said that's not reasonable for dealer to not honor their work as long as they use HONDA ATF. The owner is a friend of my co-worker, and it's in business for a long time. Any input is welcomed.

 

Yes, use Honda ATF...that is what recommended and used at the dealership. If the shop charges you more than $50 for labor, I'd do it myself. It fairly simple to drain/flush. Should take no more than 15 mins even if you are doing it yourself. I did my flush when installing the tranny cooler thus used a different method than the "drain and fill" one.

 

If you hang around and watch... have them show you the magnetic drain plug. Check to see how much metal has accumulated there. I drained mine with my first oil change at 3500 miles and there was about 1/16th of an inch thick graphite type sludge on the drain plug. I don't know if that much should be normal or not for a brand new tranny just breaking in. I'm up to 7500 miles now, and plan to change oil and drain tranny fluid again while I'm at it just to keep tabs on the contamination. This time, I'll drain the tranny fluid into a NEW CLEAN pan and then pour it into my recycle container through a coffee filter to see how much metal contamination exists. I'm hoping that it looks good. It's the only way I'll be able to sleep at night... As Randomwalk says, It's REAL easy to drain yourself, especially if you already have it up on ramps draining the oil. I know draining and refilling it is not a complete flush... (it only drains out 2quarts while up on ramps) but if I do it with every oil change, it's got to help... Don't you think? OR does anybody think I'm wasting my time to just drain the two quarts of tranny fluid and replace it with every oil change???? I'm just trying to keep it as free from contamination build up as I can without an extreme hassle. I'm hoping that it's cheap insurance. And YES, I will only use the Honda Z1 ATF. I bought it by the case at the Acura dealer and they gave me a ten percent discount, along with free washers.

 

You do not need a new fill washer - this is not an area that gets much hot oil.

You really do not need a new drain washer if you carefully tighten it - a new one is a crush washer, and gives way when it has been adequately tightened. When I worked on my own car, I seldomly used a new washer since I torqued it properly. Cheap to get one, though.

 

Southbound,

My tranny went despite doing 2 complete flushes by the time it reached 25k. It may have extended it's life, but let's face it I had GM cars that I did fluid changes every 60k. Honda makes it exceptionally easy to drain and refill the fluid for a reason, so that it can be done and done often.

 

Guys, thanks for your input, I had it done this morning, although I didn't ask to see the drain plug, I can see the difference from the dipstick, oil is not light brown, it's almost see thur kinda red. Also, I am a little confused, according to the service manual, there are two washers, one for drain and one for fill. After I gave the mechanic the washers, he handed me one back which is the exact same size like for motor oil pan plug. he told me there's only one. The one he used was a bigger, I believe it's 18mm. Any DIYer knows is the bigger washer for drain plug?

 

Forgot to mentioned, they used the same bottle just like we buy from dealer and it costed only $50 for drain and fill, no flush. i figure out I will probably change it again when it approaches 30k.

 

Local Acura dealer here does T-flushes whereby a machine is tapped in through the trans line and the machine will force 90% of the ATF fluid out (including torque converter) and replace it with fresh new Honda ATF-Z fluid. $120 CDN