Ok, so maybe I missed this somewhere else in the forum or maybe it's just so simple that only a retard (me) would ask....

So here goes, I would like to drain and re-fill the tranny fluid in my 02 Accord V6 Auto tranny. Is it just a simple drain and re-fill? I called my local Honda dealer and I'm going to get 3 quarts of fluid and a crush washer for the drain plug. The parts guys told me 3 quarts to drain and re-fill, sound right? Is it really this simple or is there something I'm missing?

I'm getting ready to go on vacation and I'm changing the oil, tranny fluid, checking the brakes, topping off the washer fluid, checking the belt....anything else I should check???

Thanks for all your help guys...

 

yes just drain and refill. it will be just a little less than three quarts.

 

If the fluid on the dipstick is dirty or smells burnt, you may want to drain/fill 3 or 4 times. When you drain the fluid, the torque converter doesn't drain. So you only really drain 1/3 or 1/2 of the total fluid. Drive around a bit so it all mixes, then repeat, etc...

Check your brake fluid. It should be changed every couple years because it absorbs water & becomes corrosive. If not before vacation, at least think about doing it after.

While you're checking the brakes, look around the suspension for suspicious stuff. Like axle CV joint boots that are looking bad. Ball joint boots shouldn't leak grease. Rubber suspension bushings shouldn't be loose. Shocks aren't supposed to be leaking. It's all common sense, but just take a good look around at everything.

 

That's a good idea with the multiple drain and flush on the trans. I never liked the idea of a power flush. Too much debris gets stirred up.

What procedure do you recommend for changing brake fluid?

 

Ok I went to do the tranny service last night and it says in the owners manual to use the filler plug on the top of the tranny to re-fill it. I found a bolt that looks like it could be the filler plug but I put a 17mm socket on it and hit it with a 1/2" breaker bar and it wouldn't budge. Is that the correct plug? Or should I just skip the plug and use the dipstick hole?

 

it's the correct plug, it is a son of a gun to remove, very tight ,,

 

Apparently Honda agrees. They don't recommend power-flushing their trannys. I've heard it's because the power-flushing machines use a solvent, not just pure Honda ATF.

Do you know how to bleed brakes? It's the same.

1. Get something like a turkey baster to suck the fluid out from the reservoir. (Then never ever put the baster back into the kitchen...) I use a battery hydrometer after I broke the float & had to replace it.

2. Fill with fresh fluid.

3. Bleed each corner in proper order* until you see the fresh clean new fluid coming out.

4. Bleed ABS if your car has the older ABS system with it's own fluid reservoir.

* Bleeding order depends on year/model. They're not all the same.
(I don't know whether there's a DIY for bleeding. If not, maybe I'll write one...)

edit...
deserthonda has a post in the DIY section about bleeding brakes. But I wanna add 2 things. Bleeding order is not the same for all years. Also, some people have had master cylinder failures after bleeding like that. Better to close the bleeder BEFORE the pedal goes all the way down, so the piston doesn't stroke all the way down in the cylinder. Or put a 2x4 under the pedal so it can't go down all the way. The BEST way is with a pressure bleeder (like a $50 Motive unit).

Doesn't it fill thru the dipstick hole? I don't have a V-6, so desert is probably correct...

 

Jim,,,,,,,,,in response to bleeding the brakes,, I have bled many, many brake system doing it with a 2 men system and leaving the bleeder screw open,,, I have yet to have a problem,, As for using a pressure bleeder working on flat rate for many years it makes the job faster but soon after i have used it ( week or 2 ) had problems on different occasions on brake pedal fading to floor .. perhaps the seals were worn already and the pressure from bleeder sped things up ...

As for the tranny fluid filler,, on the 4 cylinders you DO fill it from the dipstick ,, on the v6 you got to remove the 17mm plug located on top of tranny to fill it,, that plug is very tight,, you gto to use a 1/2 inch ext and breaker bar

 

You can fill em through the dipstick tube. Just need a peice of hose that fits snugly over it to stick your funnel in. I dont **** with those stupid tight fill plugs anymore.

 

Chio,, that takes way too long,, to remove the plug it is no big deal ..