D's Up

Because I think my tranny's dying a slow death on me..
I recently did a drain of the stock Z1 ATF and re-filled it with 3qts of Redline D4 ATF. It shifts a lot smoother now. However, when the mechanic took my car for a drive before the drain he said that my second gear was "slipping", and when we drained the Z1, it was dark brown and kind of smelled burnt.

Now, after the D4 was put in the car is shifting a lot smoother, I can barely feel it actually. But after those guys mentioned the 2nd gear issue, I'm feeling kind of nervous about my transmission failing. Anything I should look at or monitor? I was talking to the manager at a local auto parts store and he said that if it's slipping, it could be the clutch packs.

jwr0ng626

iTrader: (1)

did u only drain and refil 3 quarts? i've read that its bad to mix fluids.. so maybe try this to extend life of ur tranny? and have u seen the thread on replacing the 3rd and 4th gear sensors?

3x3 - https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...&highlight=atf

3rd n 4th gear - https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...&highlight=atf

VQPower37

yes u cannot do just a 1x3 when switching fluids. you need to do a 3x3 in order to have a majority being the new fluid

JMooSeR

iTrader: (2)

I'm due for my transmission fluid change and am changing to the Redline. In the process, which should I and the OP do first, the gear sensor change or do we do the fluid first?

I'll probably be tackling this when I come back from vacation (or whenever the redline gets in!)

D's Up

I was gonna' do the drain and fill 2 more times with my next pay-check. But I guess I need to do it asap.

Hmm, I see. Guess I'll be selling my sub.

If I had the money, I would do both at the same time.

D's Up

If I do the full 3x3, do you think my 2nd gear "slip" will go away? I need to keep this car for at least another two years and being a broke college student means I cannot afford a new transmission in any shape or form.

Bayam0n

does the car let you know when it's time? or is there a milage you have to do this at?

SharksBreath

iTrader: (33)

if you have the means, just do it now. factory Z1 is crap fluid compared to the redline product lines (d4 and type-F)

i am switching out my 3rd/4th gear sensors and doing a full 3x3 drain n fill in the next few weeks as preventative maintenance, and to see how different the shifts feel after replacing the fluid. i'll be doing 6 qts of d4 & 3 qts of type-f. will probably be replacing the sensors first.

also seafoaming the intake, gas, and oil crankcase. then replacing the oil with redline 5w-30 and RP oil filter.

it was either this, or send JnC my headlights to be done. i'll wait on the headlights for now...

jisleyjr

Have you actually felt it slipping? Or are you just going on the mechanics word?

D's Up

the mechanic's word. The only real slip I feel in 2nd gear is when I'm accelerating in 2nd gear at ~20mph and I let off to cruise to a light. I feel a little, mild clunk.

Also, I checked my ATF again today. It looks like I need to do the 3x3. The ATF smells though..I don't know if that's just how ATF smells when it's hot or if it's burnt.

I hate cars

The clunk is somewhat normal.

If it's slipping or even if it's not, skip the D4 and go straight to the "racing" fluid. D4 is good but you need the holding power of the racing fluid. You will be very glad you did.

Solenoids are a must too.

D's Up

so should I do another 3qts of D4 and then finally 3qts of racing fluid?

Inaccurate

Skip the D4. Do 3x3 with RedLine Racing ATF and hope for the best

Compared to D4, the Racing fluid will provide substantially more grip to the clutches, or to the little bit of clutch that you have remaining.

I hate cars

Yes sir!

At this point I only recommend the Racing. D4 is a good fluid but there's no point. "Racing" will do a better job in a turbo TL all the way to a bone stock TL that's driven easy. I know this sounds too bold but D4 and all DexIII based fluids are obsolete in our cars with the DBW.

lusid

Where is a good place to buy the redline branded ATF?

SharksBreath

iTrader: (33)

redline's official website
amazon
eBay
local auto shops (not autozone or pepboys, but more obscure shops will carry it)

google around.

Inaccurate

Type-DM 2004 TL,

Before this thread falls off of the radar, I gotta ask………

How did you come-up with the title for this thread

D's Up

Lol. So 3x3 with the Racing ATF. The D4 was a waste of money. I had a feeling that I should've picked up the Racing ATF.

Shapow. Guess I gotta' get a 3x3 with the Racing ATF done ASAP. I don't get paid for a week though.

Sharks got you. VVV

I'm gonna get it a local "obscure" shop. . They carried D4, I hope they carry the racing ATF.

Sarcasm? lol. It's a line from the Joker in the most recent batman movie.
I think you're mocking me.. hahaha

TLer trash

Based solely on my experience with my 2g non dbw 03 type s, I'd still recommend it. I'm getting no shudder [the only symptom I've ever seen using dexIII in hondas], and the shift quality is not harsh in the least.

AMUA6

iTrader: (7)

I'm thinking you should do a 2x3 with the race fluid, then right after you drain that last 3 quarts to finish out your 3x3, change the solenoids. Correct me if I'm wrong though

I hate cars

That's VERY good feedback. Thanks. I've been hesitant to recommend it because of the potential harshness.

Did you do a complete 3x3?

TLer trash

Yes I did; I'll do it again next lof.

twigglius

iTrader: (6)

I hate cars - - - - Is your car an AT... If so, what ATF are you running? redline? Amsoil, Standard Z1?

01tl4tl

the trans holds over 7 qts, of which 3.sum is in the tq and the rest in various oil passages,
only 3.some will drain out at one time, then you refill and drive a short distance (5 minutes so it doesnt get too hot under the car to work and doesnt blend the fluids) using each gear including p r n and each d up and down

drain and refill
drive
drain and refill
repeat as needed until complete change of fluid is done,,thats more fluid than most of you guys are talking about

takes over 7 qts to move the old 7 old plus some safety margin to rid trapped old stuff
thats where 3x3 came in

going to redline,, I would want all the existing fluid stored in jugs when I get done~
Thats from a gen2 owner--the original trans prob cars

slipping as defined by acura is rpm goes up and car does not accellerate in reaction
Or slips means revs and wont grab the next gear--slams into gear compared to its former butter smooth operation
this prob show first at full throttle and progresses to even low to mid throttle will cause it

if its on 04 05 its got gen2 problems with the early clutchpack wearout and old style trans case
The clutch packs are a series of stacked friction disc, and the friction wears off them~

running a bunch of fluid thru it when already weak can wash away ~needed crud~
new fluid contains large amounts of cleaner... compared to whats in there now

01tl4tl

2nd and 3rd gear are the weak parts--AT cars avoid use of SS to downshift into those except when out playing,,,,
street use leave it alone and brake to slow

downshifting is to be in the right torque and rpm at the apex of the corner-
brakes are for slowing and stopping the car,,and cost a fraction of new trans~

mainebaby

Listen to when the car is going into 2nd gear it you feel a slight delay or hear a slightly slippy like noise "window down " then yea 2 is going

D's Up

It's just sort of a rough shift from 2-3 most of the time. I'm gonna' do a 2x3 of the Redline Racing ATF in the next week or two and then switch out my solenoids with the pay-check after that hopefully.

D's Up

So wait a minute, IHC and 01TL04TL are confusing me. Should I finish off the 3x3 with the Redline Racing ATF like IHC says or leave it alone because "running a bunch of fluid thru it when already weak can wash away ~needed crud~
new fluid contains large amounts of cleaner... compared to whats in there now" according to 01tl04tl.

So, 2x3 with racing ATF and change out the solenoids or not? What else can I do?

I hate cars

You're not going to hurt the trans doing a 3x3. I only throw the warning to introduce new fluid slowly when the car has over 100,000 miles without a service and even then it's questionable.

If it were me I would do a 3x3 of the racing fluid to get mostly new fluid. It won't hurt a thing to do just a 1x3 or 2x3. You will notice a difference after only a 1x3.
If you're on a very tight budget I would do a 1x3 with the racing fluid and the solenoids. The solenoids will make as big of a difference as the racing fluid will. At a later time when you have more money to spend, go ahead and continue with a couple more 1x3s.

dajonx

What exactly are solenoids? Are these the pressure switches?

SharksBreath

iTrader: (33)

yes, search for a thread titled "a very interesting conversation with my transmission..." by IHC. it explains why replacing these are important. everything you need to know lies in that thread. hth

dajonx

Ahh ok thanks. Didn't know the pressure switches are also called solenoids. :P

Inaccurate

Very interesting conversation with my transmission builder on the TL (click here)

TLer trash

They aren't. They are two different parts. Read the whole thread.

D's Up

Well, I'll be ordering the ATF tomorrow. I wonder if any local places carry the Redline brand. I know DDM tuning does, but they have D4 only. . So IHC, by your recommendation I'm gonna' put my balls on the line and run the Redline Racing ATF. I really hope the transmission feels better after this.

Just for clarity, I'm going to order enough racing ATF for a 2x3. I just did a 1x3 with the D4 ATF 2 weeks ago.