I would post on the 2nd gen forum, but they are so doomy and gloomy about any transmission fixes (as they should be I guess), I thought I would pose the question here without getting a bunch of "oh that wont make a difference" "that wont work" blah blah.

After reading about the 3x3 and pressure switches on the 3g I am going to do it on my dad's 2g (5 speed).

I will change the switches
Change the filter
and do a 3x3 flush

All in hopes of preventing the transmission from totally failing.

However I haven't found the consensus about using redline type f on the 2nd gen- is it ok?

Also, what is the 3x3 procedure exactly? There are so many variations, I was just going to buy the Redline ATF Racing, but some seem to say that you should do ATF lightweight 2 times then ATF racing in the final flush.

Thoughts?

 

The 2G TL has a problem with the design of the transmission. I believe the issue was that it doesn't get enough lubrication and starts to wear the internals of the transmission faster than it should. Redline D4 at the minimum is a better fluid than Honda Z1 fluid and will help with the heat and lubrication from what I've read and seen.

As far as the 3 x 3 change goes, it is draining and refilling the fluid 3 times to ensure that close to 100% is changed. The transmission holds about 35-40% of the fluid (if I remember correctly) so you can drain out only half the old fluid at once. The first drain gets rid of most of the old fluid, and the 2nd and 3rd helps to get even more new fluid in. I'd wait at least 100 miles or so between changes, others do it with as little as .5 miles! I like to let the fluid mix and see how the transmission responds to the fluid and then keep on going with changes.

 

3x3=straight drain/flush 3x. Easy.

Just do the same fluid 3x.

Report your findings after service.

 

The 2nd gen had a few things wrong with it.

The 2nd gear lube issue no fluid can fix.

However, the 3rd gear issue was completely wrongly diagnosed. It IS the pressure switches, nothing more. It's not the finish on the steels, it's not the pressure to the clutches, it's not the type of clutches or any of the other BS that the "study" came up with. They dropped the ball.

All of the other wear issues are either switches or Z1 period.

I know I told you already but I did a '99 TL that was hopeless. 1,500rpm flare and 1.5 second delay going from 2-3 and 3-4. By doing the switches and Racing fluid it shifts better than stock now. I couldn't believe it

You will get a more aggressive shift but it will greatly extend the life of the trans.

Don't forget that the 2nd gen uses a different part # for the switches.

I'll make this statement now..... Between the oil jet kit, the fluid and the switches, the 2nd gen would have a 100% reliable transmission. Unfortunately for you guys, Honda just replaced units and no one found out the causes. Now it's known and the cure is cheap. There's no reason for 2nd gens to have trans issues anymore.

 

good news to all of us gen2s on a replacement trans now,,maybe keep it going

But I dont want harsh shifts~

 

They're far from harsh but even if they were, I would much rather put up with a harder shift than pay for a trans.

 

Can someone give IHC a freaking medal for all of the thousands of dollars he has saved us?