ok so I am about to put a used transmission into my Del Sol and have done some research and have come across some odd things.

I am leery of using the Honda MTF fluid. two of my buddies have had there transmissions go to **** just a few hundred miles after putting fresh Honda MTF fluid in there civics. and I have heard many stories that are the same

I have found that since these trans have come out they have made the Honda trans fluid thinner to fit the tighter tolerances of the newer transmissions. I know that going thinner or even thicker is not always better. but I also know that if you don't use Honda MTF in a Honda warrantied transmission the warranty is garbage.

I have heard of a couple of substitutes. 5w 30, strait 30, 10w 30 and even 10w 40 motor oil. in fact the guy I got the trans from stated he used strait 30 weight oil in the the trans he sold me along with all the other transmissions he services.

what fluid is everyone running in there manual transmission?

excuse me if this has been gone over a million times. I did search and looked through a few pages with no better sense of what should be used.

this is an s40-k4f, aka 96-00 EX, trans

 

i'm using honda mtf in mine, and not to offend but your two buddies shouldnt put down honda mtf for transmissions that were probably gonna blow from the get-go

put honda mtf in your trans, and if it blows, its because of a problem with the transmission that any other fluid would have masked up

if your unsure of the condition of the trans, tear it apart and rebuild it

 

People whose transmission have gone to crap after changing their fluid is due to not changing their fluid on time before that. They probably abused the transmission as they drove it. Don't let their shortcomings influence how you're SUPPOSED to care for your ride. I'm running Honda MTF, as well as my brother in his LSD. Using motor oil can be used in M/T, but only as a temporary solution.

Where did you find that the new trans fluid is thinner? The newer blend fluid is compatible with older transmissions, and actually recommended.

 

Im having trans issues at the same time also....from my reading you want to stay away from using regular motor oil....

Reason being is that regular 10w30...or any of the variants wont last for 30k miles, in your engine or your trans....and you can't just get it all out of the trans, such as you can in an engine.

So, Id seriously stay away from using motor oil.....

Even Synthetic AMSOIL is only ok for 25k miles.....and still...you can't just drop a plug and remove your trans fluid....like youre engine.

Id say using Honda MTF is the your best bet

 

Honda MTF or Torco MTF should be fine. I haven't had any issues running Honda MTF in S40 trannys (I have running 10w30 though, shifted like crap) Older S20 trannys on the other hand don't like Honda MTF, run 10W30 in them.

 

ok so what do I do if the transmission has had 30 weight engine oil in it?

so s20's need 10w30 but s40's need MTF?

 

How long ago did you buy the trans? If it has many miles on the 30 weight I would return it.

Or if it is too much trouble, just do a fluid change.

 

the trans is still in the trunk, so it wouldn't be that hard. I have done a google search to find a TON of people saying that the Honda MTF is 10w30 motor oil with additives I.E. friction modifier and cleaning agents....

 

Use Honda MTF. I've had 5w-30 kill my syncros in my 99 civic. My 95 LX transmission responded well to 5w-30 however. Honda standards went down after 1995 imo

I only use Honda MTF now

 

Amsoil snyncromesh. Honda mtf is good but designed for normal everyday cars. Not cars that are going to see a little abuse every now and then.

 

sounds like something an armchair mechanic would say. i've never heard of that before.

 

Yes.

It's not, not even remotely close and you can tell just by looking at it, Honda MTF is thin, looks and pours pretty much like water, it's clear.

If you talk to the guys that build these things everyday they'll pretty much all tell you to run Honda MTF or Torco in an S40 but to run 10W30 in the older S20s (MFT is just too thin for them)

 

Interesting. I hate having to find out these things the hard way. Dead transmissions suck! My S80 ITR tranny came partially dead. Wont go into second sometimes, and grinds into third at high RPM. Know of any good re-builders in So Cal? I was thinking about doing it myself. I'd buy a sacrificial S80 and learn first.

Sorry for jacking your thread OP

 

The best that money can buy, gm synchromesh or as stated earlier amsoil synchromesh. This is the only fluid iv ever seen that actually fixes ****, iiv personally seen it cure grinds 100% and even heard if u loose reverse itl give u that back, eventually....haha im hoping for the latter

 

Worth a try. I'll order some right now. If this fixes my problems I will order you beer and have it delivered to you.

Both are equivalent... Should I toss a quarter?

 

I dunno iv only used the gm product which u can pick up at the dealership for around 17 a quart. Amsoil though is top of the line **** so whatever is cheaper i guess, pennzoil makes some to u can pick up at autozone or advance for 8 bucks a quart, so id probably stay away from that esp if u want to fix a grind or whatever is up with ur trans. If the trans was fine id run it

 

Amisol is cheaper online, the GM fluid is down the street...

I actually found a use for that emoticon...

 

HAHAHA....nice Iv used the gm stuff and ul feel a difference as soon as ur first shift. Now iv only used it in hydro b or d trannys

 

Sorry to spam but this was an informative post:

http://www.team-integra.net/forum/14...-review-4.html

By making it smoother you're killing it faster

 

I work at a Honda dealership and if a customer comes in with trans fluid that is extremely dirty and it has a few miles on it say 65k or more we wont change the fluid simply because we have done this before and not too long after tha tranny starts to take a dump on us. I dont know if the crud and gunk was holding everything together or what but everytime we changed one that had extremely nasty fluid this happens. So maybe your friends never changed their fluid. Im not trying to bash anyone just throwing in my two cents from experience. Honda fluids all the way baby. There is no way that there is a problem with using Honda MTF/ATF in a honda transmission for sure.

 

Actually it makes sense after reading the article I read/posted above. By changing the fluid you reduced friction causing the syncros to grind. People not changing their fluid at scheduled intervals... The dirty gunky oil increased friction, causing smoother shifts, and more wear. My ITR tranny went to crap when I put in fresh Honda MTF

Since I need a rebuild anyway I am going to put in some GM syncromesh and finish the negligence initiated by the original owner

 

so according to that statement u either protect synchros (honda mtf) or ur protecting the gears (synchromesh)? Wtf? Grinding means something is ****ing up (prematurely wearing) but thats just my opinion, im not a tranny guru by any means

 

Are u talking automatics or manuals? either way id change the fluid. I always heard the metal in the fluid (automatics) makes up for bigger tolerances lol. If its bad its bad is what i think...until u throw some synchromesh in haha

 

I think the moral of the story is, use Honda MTF from the start, and change it at the scheduled intervals or in accordance to your driving style.

In my case I'm screwed. Might as well burn it up with some GM goodness :D

 

ha good stuff..

so does anyone know where I can get a book on the transmission? not like a haynse or some crap like that but a purpose written book for a transmission re-builder?
just in case something fails... which I'm sure it will.