change your tranny fluid
Newest Of Newbies
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 16
From:
RE: change your tranny fluid
Sorry to revive an old thread, but I would like to get some clarification on one issue:
For a 1997 4cly, the recommendation seems to be:
(1) Buy 3 quarts of Honda ATF-Z1 and a new crush washer
(2) Remove passenger-side bolt and let drain
(3) Reinstall old bolt
(4) Fill with 3 quarts ATF-Z1 through drain plug
(5) Drive for 5-10 minutes, through all gears several times.
(6) Repeat (2) though (5) once
(7) Remove bolt and drain (third time over all)
(8) Replace bolt with new crush washer
(9) Refill with last 3 quarts of ATF-Z1
Does that sound right? You use 3 quarts each time (i.e., 9 quart total)?
[Edited with answer below so as not to misinform others]
For a 1997 4cly, the recommendation seems to be:
(1) Buy 3 quarts of Honda ATF-Z1 and a new crush washer
(2) Remove passenger-side bolt and let drain
(3) Reinstall old bolt
(4) Fill with 3 quarts ATF-Z1 through drain plug
(5) Drive for 5-10 minutes, through all gears several times.
(6) Repeat (2) though (5) once
(7) Remove bolt and drain (third time over all)
(8) Replace bolt with new crush washer
(9) Refill with last 3 quarts of ATF-Z1
Does that sound right? You use 3 quarts each time (i.e., 9 quart total)?
[Edited with answer below so as not to misinform others]
Newest Of Newbies
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 16
From:
RE: change your tranny fluid
Bummer, that ATF-Z1 is a little pricy, the best I could find it for was $5.34/quart HondaPartsNow.
$55 shipped for 9 quarts, not terrible, but not very good (and it seems so wasteful, 9 quarts and only 3 getting used).
Is there a way to drain the ATF completely without cycling through the torque converter like this?
$55 shipped for 9 quarts, not terrible, but not very good (and it seems so wasteful, 9 quarts and only 3 getting used).
Is there a way to drain the ATF completely without cycling through the torque converter like this?
Been Around A Long Time Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,381
From: St. Paul, MN
RE: change your tranny fluid
Not really... unless the Honda dealer uses a flushing machine... there really is no other way to drain old fluid out of the torque converter. If it makes you feel any better most people NEVER change the fluid, so even only one drain/refill is better than nothing. Or you could just do the 3x drain/refill once and just only buy 3 quarts each time from here on out.
Side note: On AUTO trannies fill through dipstick hole, on MANUAL trannies fill through the upper hole on side until the fluid is level with the hole.
Side note: On AUTO trannies fill through dipstick hole, on MANUAL trannies fill through the upper hole on side until the fluid is level with the hole.
Newest Of Newbies
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 16
From:
RE: change your tranny fluid
Ah, thanks for the distinction, I'm in an auto so dipstick it is.
When filling up, do you know if you really can expect 3 quarts out and 3 in each time or does slightly more or less get taken out each time so you have to closely measure how much you're putting in in order not to overfill? I'm guessing you fill 2.5 then start measuring to make sure you don't go over, right?
When filling up, do you know if you really can expect 3 quarts out and 3 in each time or does slightly more or less get taken out each time so you have to closely measure how much you're putting in in order not to overfill? I'm guessing you fill 2.5 then start measuring to make sure you don't go over, right?
Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 195
From: Columbus, Ohio
RE: change your tranny fluid
it is around 2.5. I would measure what drains out (check it before you change it).
Keep in mind that if the car has been maintained according to the schedule, you should only need to do the 3 quart change
Keep in mind that if the car has been maintained according to the schedule, you should only need to do the 3 quart change
Super Moderator : And A Texan
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 9,652
From: Katy, TX
RE: change your tranny fluid
ORIGINAL: mbo1985
you can flush it by taking off one of the hoses that goes to the radiator. Make sure you know what you're doing before you do this, but you can flush out every drop in that transmission if you do it right. If you're not careful, you'll have a messy driveway or worse! This is how I would do a trans fluid change for an auto:
Drain the pan and refill (install a new filter if needed). Then take off the radiator feed line and connect a suitable hose and run it into a 5 gallon bucket. Start the car and let the fluid drain out into the bucket untill the new fluid runs out. You can tell by the rich color of the new fluid verses the dirty color of the old. Then refill the fluid to the proper level. That's how I've been doing it anyways. This method works best with 2 people.
If you're not sure about doing it this way, then don't worry about it, but by doing it this you get all the fluid that's in the torque converter. Make sure you have plenty of new tranny fluid before you get going!
you can flush it by taking off one of the hoses that goes to the radiator. Make sure you know what you're doing before you do this, but you can flush out every drop in that transmission if you do it right. If you're not careful, you'll have a messy driveway or worse! This is how I would do a trans fluid change for an auto:
Drain the pan and refill (install a new filter if needed). Then take off the radiator feed line and connect a suitable hose and run it into a 5 gallon bucket. Start the car and let the fluid drain out into the bucket untill the new fluid runs out. You can tell by the rich color of the new fluid verses the dirty color of the old. Then refill the fluid to the proper level. That's how I've been doing it anyways. This method works best with 2 people.
If you're not sure about doing it this way, then don't worry about it, but by doing it this you get all the fluid that's in the torque converter. Make sure you have plenty of new tranny fluid before you get going!
Next problem is draining and filling at same time. I don't see how you could do this single-handed. Someone needs to be pouring fluid at same rate you are pumping fluid out. Manageable, but tricky as funnel does not allow a very high rate of fill, and you don't know the pump out rate from the trans.
Unless the fluid is in really bad shape (burnt and dark brown), you should be able to get by w/ a simple drain/refill.
good luck