Hello to everyone. I am new to this site and a new owner of a 1996 Honda Accord Ex with a Automatic Transmission and 124,000 miles. I just bought this car for my 16 year old to drive. The previous owner said everything was fine with the car. I test drove it and everything seemed to be -OK. It made the trip home and I could tell the front end was a little loose in the steering. After buying the car, I drove it for three hours to my house. I took it in after the trip to a local shop to have the fluids changed and have it checked out since I want it to be safe for for child to drive. Well the shop called me and said they will not power flush/change my transmission fluid because of alot of metal shavings in the fluid. They said I need the tranny rebuilt or replaced and it is just a matter of time before it stops working. Well long story short, I called the previous owner and they will not answer their phone or return my phone calls or e-mail. Basically I am stuck with the problem.

Any help and advise would be appreciated. I am not sure what to do. The shop also said the cars needs one new tie rod, the CV joint boot is bad, new tires and alignment. I am looking at a big repair bill to get this car road safe for my 16 year old son. I am not sure if it is worth putting money into it if the tranny is about to go out. I paid $2550 for the car.

Your advice please on the following questions????

Should I fix the other issues but not the tranny and take my chances and just drive it and hope the tranny will not go out?

Is there any additive that might help extend the tranmissions life in it's cuurent condition?

Has anyone else had a simular issue with their automatic tranny and what was your outcome?

Take Care,
Anthony

 

Tony;
I'd suggest a second opinion. At this point in the game I wouldn't give up on the Accord just yet.
I've a question, if they didn't change the tranny fluid, how did they determine the presense of shavings?
As a reference; it is not uncommon to find both shavings, metallic dust and clutch mud in transmission pans (GM/Ford etc), that's what filters are for. It's all a matter of how much.
Did you notice any issues with how it shifted?

P

 

They called me when they noticed the shavings from checking the dipstick. I did not at the time of purchase. They did not change the fluid yet, waiting for my directions. It shifted fine as far as I noticed. I am not that mechanically inclined. Thanks for your reply.......

 

Have you delt with these people before? because I'm somewhat confused.....
There are certain metals which are prefered in transmission manufacture
1) Aluminum
2) Steel and
3) Copper / Bronze

All are heavier than Transmission Fluid and do not float. Only one of the three are ferous. The Transmission Dipstick is not magnetic.
How did they find shavings on the dipstick??

The problem with Honda's design is that it doesn't incorporate a transmission oil pan reservoir. There's nothing to drop, inspect or clean out. (like domestic cars) So, how does one confirm / deny the suggested prognosis? Get a second opinion, and have them show you what they're talking about.

 

Yes, I dealt with this shop before in the past and this is the first time they had any reservations on doing a fluid change where they called me about it. That is what I thought they said about the shavings and seeing it when checking the tranny fluid from the dipstick.


I did call the shop again today and spoke to the manager about it. His opinion was to have the tranny system flushed to clean out the system and he said the tranny could be fine and never cause a problem but if it were to I would know in the first 30 days after changing the fluid. At this point I told him to not do anything.


I also called a mechanic at a local Napa shop I know. His view point was 1st- the tranny is working fine at this point and during my three hour drive home. 2nd- Sometimes the shavings are forming a bond with the system and is working fine as is. 3rd- He suggested I not do a power flush and change since that would change out a majority of the fluid in the system but since my tranny does not have a pan and filter to drop and change to just take out the tranny drain plug and let out a few quarts that will gravity drain and replace that with the correct Honda tranny fluid and that would leave most the system as is and also take out some of the shavings and inject new fluid in the system. 4th- In a month repeat step 3.


Thanks again P. Your thoughts between the two choices or what you might do????

Thanks,
Anthony

 

P Adams,

I think, I know your answer. I found it in another trasmission thread and I will be doing that with only the Honda Brand Tranny fluid. Your a wealth of information and I will post back within the next 60 days with a update and hopefully a success story with my Honda. Also I forgot to mention the Firestone Manager said the Honda platform out performs any domestic powerplant and even if I need to replace the tranny down the road my car with 125k has years of life let.
Take Care,
Anthony

P said-
"Some Honda purists insist on the multi-fluid change proceedure. ie:
Change the tranny fluid
Drive the car
Change the tranny fluid
Drive the car
and finally
Change the tranny fluid (Honda ATF) and add a can of either Lucas or BG Trans additive.

Others just power flush the thing
'six of one, half a dozen of the other...'

I've done both without incident"


P

 

Anthony:

In this case I would suggest not "kicking the dog" and go with the Fluid change proceedure.

True, as you have quoted: I've often flushed these, but that was during times where there were either extremely dirty fluid or shifting and operational issues were present.
You have a transmission which is working. The internal Screen Filters appear to be doing their jobs, and in this case there would be nothing gained by stirring things up.
Go with the fluid change

P

 

I've also had a lot of experience with Honda transmissions and I second the fluid change, if for nothing else than you don't know if the original owner used dealer sourced ATF and not something from Autozone/Advance. In your case, I'd drain and fill, then drive it and see how it does. As far as the shavings, and I realize I'm armchair quarterbacking, I think the shop is wrong. If you don't mind, would you mind running the old fluid through a screen/filter and taking pictures of the "shavings"?

Also, I would never power flush a Honda transmission, a drain and fill is good enough.

As far as the CV boot, I would fill the hole/tear full of grease and then cover it with a flexible rubber cement/epoxy/second skin. You can also stop at Autozone/Advance/Napa and ask for a good boot from a CV core. I've done both in the past and even with covering the hole, drove another 50K with no issues. Water/dust/grime destroy CV's so if you catch it in time and cover the hole, you'll be fine. Just because the boot is torn doesn't mean the CV is bad.

With the new tires, look on Craigslist before you head right to the tire store. I've bought BRAND new tires from there for half price. Often times, folks will buy a new car and immediately change out the tires/rims for new. Take advantage of the Fast and Furious crowd and save some coin that way.

You mentioned a big repair bill but everything except the alignment can be done in the driveway on a Saturday with relatively inexpensive hand tools, even by a novice mechanic. Don't let the shop scare you into thinking that it can't. Good luck!

 

Thanks for the help. I just picked up a case of Honda Tranny fluid form the dealer and will do my oil changes soon as mentioned above by P. I will try to filter and post a picture of it. I am having a friend change out the tie rod and CV half shaft this weekend. I'll post back soon.......Thanks, Anthony

 

Hi. Just wanted to post an update on my tranny. I just did 1 of 3 of the tri-flush that P recommended. I used a white sock to filter the tranny oil and there was nothing to see on the sock to take a picture of. No metal or visible shavings. I am not sure exactly what Firestone saw but I could not see anything on the sock. The drain bolt magnet had a small amount of greyish metal paste on it but I think that is normal. I added 3 quarts of Honda ATF and after a few hundred more miles do the second of three.

Also had a friend change out my tie rod and CV half joint. Then had Firestone put on a new set of tires and a alignment and I did the fresh engine and tranny change.

Thanks P and 4671 Hybird for your help.

Anthony

 

I'm glad you got it sorted out.
A lack of shavings wasn't much of a surprise.
Normally, you're already into a pretty sick transmission when you start seeing shavings - and only then when you've got a tranny with a reservoir pan.... (GM, FORD Etc) (they tend to sink to the bottom )

regards
P