BoorishId

I have a 2001 accord 4cy f23a4, not sure what the tranny is anyone know?

What is the best way to change the fluid, its been neglected for like 70,000+ miles seems to be runnig fine though a little rough in the cold and kicking into reverse sometimes. I dont have access to a honda dealership near by so im thinking of going with mobile one synthetic ATF. How exactly is the best way i was planing on draining filling and driving a few hundred miles like 2 or 3 times then changing the filter and filling up. How exactly do you flush to mobile one though i mean since the tranny doesnt drain all the way is it safe to just start using the mobile 1 stuff?

Targa250R

You should use Honda ATF-Z1. If it isn't close by, then make the drive to go get it or have it shipped.

That's pretty much how you do it, except there is no "changing the filter" unless you disassemble the transmission.

You will need 3 quarts of ATF-Z1 for each drain and fill.

BoorishId

The filter is in the pan isnt it?

Targa250R

There is no pan. The filter is just a screen inside the cases.

BoorishId

what is this

http://www.autozone.com/selectedZip,.../selectZip.htm

i was uder the impression there were filter that needed to be changed. if your right then that makes my life a whole lot easier. is 70,000 way tooo long to wait i hope my transmission is ok the first one crapped out after 30,000 miles but it was covered under the recall.

Duane_in_Japan

Flushing a high milage tranny that has been neglected can cause more problems than good so be prepared for symptoms to pop up that were not there before. Ask the dealer for an additive for the tranny too and put that in on the last flush, some type of OEM enhancer to recondition the seals or a high milage additive that Honda recommends.

I would do even more flushes with a good but cheap fluid, these initial flushes will do all the cleaning, then, use OEM fluid as has been described above.

Targa250R

I don't know what that is. Can't find it under any Honda parts diagrams.

Yes. The transmission fluid should be changed every 30,000 miles at the maximum.

The '98-02 Accord automatic transmissions (both 4-cylinder and V6) have proven to be very problematic. I can't say whether or not it will be okay. I've seen even well-maintained '98-02 transmissions crap out prematurely, so it's hard to say whether it would be the same situation if you had kept up on the service or not.

BoorishId

hmm well i dont have the original transmission anymore it was replaced with a new that has the extra oil jet or whatever, im not really having any problems either just feels a little rougher its not slipping gears or anything. The book that came with the car says every 60k miles the first time then every 30k.

Heat

That's one school of thought. The other, which I subscribe to, is that stories of transmissions messing up after a flush is just because the transmission was already messed up, the flush was something convenient to blame (people with transmissions starting to mess up so they think that a flush will fix everything).

As far as the flush goes... and keeping in mind that I have absolutely no experience with Honda automatic transmissions but this is prescribed for older Volvos and I've also done it on my Camry...

Parts:
Empty milk jugs, marked with a black market to indicate quarts
ATF (Honda, look at www.handa-accessories.com if you need a source)
Transmission funnel
About 6 feet of clear plastic hose, 3/8" ID if I remember right

Procedure:
a. Disconnect the line from the radiator to the transmission, slip the plastic hose onto the nipple. Put the other end in a milk jug on the driver's side of the car.
b. Take out the transmission fluid dipstick and put the funnel in. Have several quarts of ATF nearby with the caps off. Start the car. As the milk jug fills up, be adding fresh fluid through the funnel in the dipstick tube. Change the milk jug when it is full of course.
c. While the car is running and with the foot on the brake, shift through each gear for about five seconds per gear.
d. When clean looking fluid starts coming out, stop the car. Reconnect the transmission to the radiator, let the car run a little bit and check the fluid level, add fluid if needed.

And for what it's worth, my Camry has 175,000 miles on it with a strong automatic transmission and my Volvo had 160,000 miles with a strong automatic transmission when I sold it.

BoorishId

i just got back from the dealer spent a hundred bucks for nine quarts of atf! Anyways he told me to do 20 mile between each drain? Is that correct becuase it seems most people say a few hundred.

xhondaaccord92x

you really shouldnt mess with flushing the trans fluid unless it was done on a routine basis. and yes that pic on autozones site is a trans filter but on hondas the trans has to be pulled apart to be replaced... changing or flushing the fluid after sludge build up can make the sludge clog up the trans fluid passages and cause more problems...if you want the filter changed the trans has to be rebuilt for the most part so theres your flush done

BoorishId

I think flushing it on a machine is what kills it not slowly changing out all the fluid, could be wrong.

xhondaaccord92x

either way i think can cause the same things to happen... the new fluid cleans the sludge up which in turn loosens it and can cause it to clog up the trans, but its a risk. if you get the filter changed that will clean all the trans out cuz the trans will be taken apart so from then on you would need to have it flushed on a routine basis

mnala

OK, I have a question.

I have a 1993 Accord EX with 180K miles. I bought it 4 months ago with 173K miles on it. So far it has been a great car. No complaints.

I have no idea about the maintenance on the automatic transmission. I haven't really had any problems with it.... Is changing the fluid something I should do?

I don't want to ask for information that has already been given, so I'll just keep reading but I don't want to create a problem. At the same time, I want to take care of this car as I need it to last me at least a year or so.

One more thing. I don't have a LOT of experience working on cars. I have replaced brake pads / shoes and changed oil / oil filters. Just minor things. Is changing transmission fluid / flushing something I can easily do myself?

Thanks for your input.

xhondaaccord92x

rule of thumb for any automatic trans...if you havent kept up the service changes on it dont change the fluid after alot of miles are already on it...pretty much if its not messin up and the fluid doesnt smell burnt, dont change it