First post here. I've been a long time Honda owner, but can usually find what I need on here using search.
I've got a 2000 4cyl accord with automatic tranny. Car was purchased new by my Mom and has had all scheduled service done since new. I've only had the car for about 6 months (she got rearended and sold me the car CHEAP, I had it fixed, she got a new Civic) but am nearing the 120K mark. I've had a 93 Accord (still have it, hit 300k not too long ago) since new but it's a 5spd so I've never had to fool with this transmission "flush" business.
I've heard to only drain and fill because a flush loosens crap that will ruin the tranny, and I've heard that you need to flush because a drain and fill only removes 20% of the old fluid. One dealership says flush, the other says drain and fill. I know the trannys on the 6th gen are not too popular to start with, but do I flush it or drain and fill? Mom had it changed at 30, 60, 90K and I THINK they did drain and fill, but am not sure. She's checking with the dealership and is going to have them print receipts for all service done since the car was new.
Thanks

 

I've always heard flushing with a flushing system is bad. I mean it makes sense to me when I saw how much metal if on the drain plug magnet. I know the most popular method in Honda-Tech and other places is to drain and fill x2 or 3. So Drain it and fill it up with 2Quarts of Honda ATF. Drive around for 10 mins and drain. and fill again. Repeat. I only use Honda ATF. Other fluids makes my car shift kinda hard. Not smooth...

 

drain and refill 3 times and you'll be good (use Honda ATF)

 

Hmm, that would make sense.
Has anyone here used the flushing system that involves removing the pan and unhooking one of the lines. The machine hooks up to the "intake" on the tranny and the tranmission is the only suction/pump. The transmission pulls new fluid up into the tranny under its own power (so no excessive pressure) and the old fluid is dumped into a resevoir as it is pumped out the other end.
To me, this looks like it would get the inside of the tranny all nice and clean without screwing anything up, but then again I don't think there would be that many people saying "don't do it" if problems had not arisen from doing so.
Anybody used this method?

 

I flushed the tranny a few days ago with regular ATF. No problems. The fluid that came out was terribly dark. watched the guy do it and he did a great job.

 

if you flush the trans use a machine that relies on the transmission's internal pump to change out the fluid. do not use a power flush type of machine.

 

There is no pan on your transmission, but that system could be theoretically hooked up to one of the lines that goes to the oil cooler. But I'm with the anti-flush campaign. And the pro-Honda ATF.

 

that is how most trans flush machines are hooked into the trans...........via the cooling lines.

 

Anybody know where to get ATF? Local dealership is about $7.25 quart and ebay isn't much cheaper after shipping. Anyone have any suggestions? I searched on this site and didn't really see anywhere cheaper.
Thanks for the replies!

 

I think I am going to get my 2000 AT 4cyl tranny flushed and filled tomorrow. It is slipping on upshifts and downshifts, but only really from 2nd to 3rd.

I will post up my results... a local reputable shop is going to do it.

How many QTS would I need to fill and drain 3x ?

 

Yea, most people don't understand that most flush machines use the tranny's own pressure to clean the system. The flush machine we use at work simply makes a loop in the system by taking off one of the tranny cooler lines and hooking up the machine between the line and transmission. It then uses the tranny's own pressure to push out the old fluid and put new fluid in. It does not in any way over pressurize the system passed what the regular pressure is. The only way I can see a flush being bad is if your tranny is in really bad shape and the new fluid's detergents eat away the seals. If your tranny is in that bad of shape, it's on the way out anyways.