All, somehow I have managed to go about 100k miles since the last time I had the tranny fluid changed. The fluid level is fine, but it is all black. Should I risk have the tranny flushed and filled? I have read that this might lead to unmasking a real problem. The tranny still shifts fine and is not slipping. The car currenly has 152k miles on it, and I do intend to keep it for the next few years. What say ye?

 

 

I would DRAIN - REFILL. not FLUSH and REFILL.

3 quarts drain 3 quarts refill. Do that THREE times so you will need 9 quarts.

Pick whatever fluid you want. I went with Redline, others go with Honda.

 

Mauser, you've been on here for over three years. You must have searched and found that nearly no one does a full hardcore flush. Standard drill (especially for black ATF fluid) is do a 3x3 drain/fill and give the new fluid some miles to mix in with the old each time. Do the recommended pressure switches somewhere in there and call it good.

 

So he's averaging a post a year. That's gotta be a record!

 

^ Yeah, saw that. Also saw that he's level 29 with almost 2400 points. Guessing that means mauser's been on the site quite a bit. But I know where he's coming from. Always like to ask the question before possibly destroying a tranny...

 

No idea what the points or levels mean, but thanks for the suggestions anyway. I have not posted much here as my TL has been a great car, and has not needed anything outside of normal maintenance.

So, I should do the 3x3 fluid drain and fill over the span of what time frame? A week, a month?

 

Look at the ATF change threads in the Service Area. Here's one example:

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/c-026-diy-changing-atf-pics-745892/

Generally, it looks like people are doing the 3x3 over the course of three weekends.

 

if your old fluid is that bad, you might even want to consider doing a 4th or 5th drain and refill, try to get as much of that old fluid out as possible.

I do a single drain and refill every 10k along with my oil change.

 

Do not flush. Just do a 1x3 now and another one or two in the coming months.

 

+123456789

 

Have them change the transmission fluid filter during one of the fluid changes also. It is probably a pretty useless filter right now.

 

do 2004 acura tl has a transmission filter? and if so shall i replace it?
thanks everyone !

 

OK, so I get a 1/2" drive 250 foot-pound torque wrench, 12" extension, and the trans fill bolt will not budge, then rounds off. I have no luck. Any suggestions?

 

^ shouldnt you have loosing the fill bolt by hand with a breaker bar? you can always
fill fluid through the dipstick tube.

 

Well, I was trying to loosen it by hand with the torque wrench, as that is longest one I have. I guess I will need a VERY narrow funnel to fill through the dipstick tube...

 

under youtube, search for onza04 - acura TL transmission

I did a DIY on the whole 1x3.

 

you should have no problem removing the fill bolt with those mentioned tools.

NOW, if you've rounded off the bolt then you're in dark waters at this point.

are you using a 6pt socket? try and budge a smaller than 17mm on there and crack it loose...then replace the fill bolt with a new one.

 

^^^



Sounds like you may need to take it to a shop and have them remove and replace it for you. It really should not be difficult to remove.

 

Fill through the dipstick.

 

Is This the correct fluid to start the 1x3? Have 3 quarts left over from my mustang. I'll get more in 2 weeks to do the 2x3

 

yup

 

Good deal. Going to do a 1x3 today and fedex shows my pressure switches will be here tomorrow

 

I would wait until you have the switches. It will save you time in the end.

 

ill hold off and do it all friday then