Hi everyone, new here. Just purchased a 2002 tl-s yesterday. Knew about the trans problems but was able to get the car cheap enough. Car has 198000 on it but runs really well. The trans has been replaced. It has the blue dots on the bolts and even says "NEW 181k" written on top of the trans. The trans seems to shift fine, doesn't slip or anything like that. It just has a slight whine to it in 1st and 2nd gears. I checked the fluid and it was low and black. Can anyone tell me what the next step should be? drain and refill? what's the best fluid to use?
Thanks

 

You can pin point the whine to the trans? Maybe a dumb guess on my part but it's not a bad ground is it that could be coming from the speakers?

 

Pretty positive its the trans. Just mainly curious as to what the best fluid is for it. This is my first acura.

 

Use the Honda fluid only. Buy it at a Honda dealer and most of the time it's cheaper than the Acura dealer.

 

its called honda DW-1 atf
one drain of the system is 3 to 3.4 qts,,,total capacity is 7.4 but torque convertor holds about half
We have a drain plug, not a drop the pan style trans

how did you ck the level, (there is no good reason for it to ever be low if it was filled correctly)
per book: from cold- drive 15 minutes on freeway at easy cruise speed
get off and park on level safe ground
car in park- engine OFF
ck fluid level- should read BETWEEN the 2 dots

in general black is bad, you are right to get this changed asap
because it has low miles since a rebuild, a 3x3 manual drain and refill
thats 3 times with short-under 5 minute drive using each gear- then drain again,,repeat,,,
would not be dangerous to the clutches and will remove all the old fluid
Or you can do `the accord method` with engine running and hot flush the fluid
pouring in new fluid as old comes out a drain hose

do not use a trans place machine powered system
except acura dealers have a new machine thats ok- its using honda fluid
most places dont have that in their machine
note DEXTRON3 is a trans killer
note2 blue dots and notation of 181 probably mean rebuilt by someone who knows the acura trick of blue bolt heads mean warranty replacement unit, its not dots- its painted heads on a lot of different bolts, primary to the trans and the things bolted to trans

but how would someone get warranty at 181? thats some serious goodwill!

Welcome to the forum
register with 1 800 382 2238x5 thats `acura care` and ask if all recalls are taken care of

 

Sorry, that's what I meant. It had painted blue bolt heads.

 

it would still be unusual to find a warranty unit installed at that mileage

I dont know if acura uses the same paint trick on units sold for retail or
a split on goodwill,,
never seen miles/date written on one either, but a rebuilding shop would do that and
probably put a shop initials or something to show its theirs, in event of warranty prob.
Acura dealer techs--any help on this one?

go to honda and get some fluid
based on your report of black fluid I would do a full capacity amount change
remember that extra .4 of a qt over 3 it MAY drain out--depending on your patience and fluid temp
suggest drain and capture in a normal oil change pan, pour old atf into empty gallon engine oil jug,, with measuring line on the side.
So you can get an accurate read of how much to put back in!!