98civdx

Was it a Honda?

**** it, I am willing to risk to it.

redm3turbo

98---

Ive done it now 2x....and it improved it...drastically.

The crap that came out was all burnt to absolute hell, and like I said the drain plug was in bad shape as well.

I also did a mistu eclipse this weekend--- had 116k on it this weekend and same thing....the crap that came out was burnt/brown and not in good shape. Since, no problems.

Like I said...Ill update it in another 2 weeks- (which is a month) and by that time Ill have roughly 3,000 miles on it...so if its going to go...it'd probably go then.

Be back in 2 weeks...lol.

98civdx

I'll be waiting.

I haven't even checked my trans fluid. lol

95EG2

yes it was a honda civic

98civdx

ahh, well if it blows it blows.

I no care

Former User

Stop talking and start draining.

TOP91

So about 3 quarts will fill up the ATM?

So let me get this straight.

If i was to do this then i should drain and fill 3 times? After how many miles should it be drained and refilled after the first drain and refill of this process?

How often should you change your transmission fluid in your civic?

Ive read that there is no filter?

Former User

About 2.7 quarts, if I remember correctly.

A short drive where you use all the gears (R, D4, D3, D2) should be sufficient.

~90K miles

No filter.

TOP91

98civdx

I totaly forgot about it.

it's starting to shift rough, clunky, and sometimes it will will rev up right when it shifts.
yes, I am postive it's not me. lol

Now I sacare.

redm3turbo

since Ive started this thread....a few months ago, Ive done atf services on 5 other civics all that had neglected trannys.

Everyone that Ive done --- all got better. One car had 190k on it...we dropped it 3 times, and took it for a ride, and the shifts got alot softer.

I talked to a kid who works in a Honda dealership, and he told us, that in the dealer what they do is drop 3 quarts. get in the car, start it....shift p,r,n,d4,d3....row it a few times. shut it off, and drop another 3....get in, shift through the gears....then drain the last 3.

What i do in my driveway now is on ramps----drain 3. add 3. get in car, row the gears. Drain another 3, add 3, row the gears. drain last 3, add 3....and then drive her around the block. The dealer doesn't take the car on a ride between the oil adds....probably because of timing. I was thinking thats they way to do it because I didnt want to mix the new and all....I want the old out, and the new in.

My personal car I did over the course of 3 months. Drain drop once a month....since Ive done them at once....didnt notice a difference though...both had positive results.

redm3turbo

On a side note, a kid I know bought a car with a "bad tranny" in august. Went home, did 3 drain and fills (with supertech atf) lmao. He was doing it with the supertech just to see if it would fix it. It did. Pretty good for 500 bucks and 25 bucks in fluid.

It completely sorted out the tranny. He texted me pics of the crap that came out....it was almost a solid mass, because the previous owner had added a bunch of stuff of trans conditioners and the like. Regardless, simple drain and fills, and the car is shifting pretty good. I mean, good enough to drive.

motegicivic

There are a few rules of thought on auto trannys. Some say if it is old and never changed just leave it.

I say if you are noticing problems then go ahead and drain and fill it, but only use Honda fluid or make sure it is ZF compatiable.

tlarimer

iTrader: (3)

Honda discontinued production of old ATF ZF-1 IIRC and is now recommending DW-1 for all Civic's 92-00, maybe earlier and later, but these are the years my Honda Parts guy specifically stated.

TOP91

So is using Valvoline Max Life Dex ok? Or is Honda's DW-1 better?

Former User

I use Valvoline Max Life Dex and haven't had a problem, but my guess is that DW-1 is better.

TOP91

Why drain and fill 3 times? Why not just 1 or 2 times?

Former User

After draining the ATF, 1/3 of the ATF still remains in the transmission.

strategy400

Black powder on the drain plug is normal clutch pack wear. Clean it off and reinstall.

People who's transmissions fail after changing fluid probably already had a failing transmission due to neglect and changing the fluid had little to do with the further demise of the trans.

Overfilling your auto transmission can cause foaming and severe damage, don't do it. The 2 most important things to maintain on an auto trans are fluid quality and level.

I've heard of people with Fords disconnecting the fluid cooler line coming from the radiator (you want to flush the cooler too) and running that into a bucket then starting the engine and pumping the old fluid out while pouring new fluid in. The trick is matching the amount going in with the amount going out. Draw a 4 quart line on the bucket (fill with 4 quarts of water to mark it), drain 4 quarts fluid pour in 4 quarts. Repeat until fluid comes out clean. Never heard of this with Hondas. Anyone?

jimsiggy

This may have already been mentioned, but after that many miles when you replace tranny fluid, the new stuff has fresh detergent, which may induce a leak which was not present before.

furious94ls

The 98 Civic EX auto that I recenty acquired last month had burnt tranny fluid. 187k, but I think it was changed before, but not in a long time. I purchased 9 quarts of HONDA ATF (really the only stuff to use) and did the 3x3 drain and fill after driving a couple of miles between changes.

The tranny is butter smooth now, and the fluid has stayed nice and pink/red. I'm going to do it 1 more time before winter, not the 3x3 but just a drain and fill. The plug had some crud on it but tranny is fine.

Don't just leave old burnt fluid in. Change it out, DON'T USE A FLUSH. That will kill it.

TOP91

OK cool. Yea I'm in the same position furious94ls around the same mileage. My fluid is black and burnt. I have to put new fluid in regardless because i just changed out a CV axle. So I'm going to go ahead and change the fluid. The fluid MAY have been changed at about 140k and it's about 180k now I have to find out for sure from previous owner (family member). If it was changed out previously what would cause my fluid to be so bad after only 40k?.... Probably just those mountain roads are hard on it!

Former User

Just do a few drain and refill cycles and go from there. I'm not sure any wild speculation about why the fluid looks like it does will help you.

TOP91

furious94ls

Most likely the previous owner didn't do the fluid changes on time, and the fluid hasn't been "clean" in a long time, so at 140k with only changing out 3 quarts it didn't do much. Do the 3x3 and you should be good. Go to Honda, or if you have any friends that work at a dealership have them call Honda and order it for you with their discount.