115k miles, i've put around 1.5k on her. Shifts smooth, only time i have felt it rough was accelerating then coasting around 30-40, just a jolt when it downshifted, don't know how bad it is as i don't have anything to compare it to really.

I've heard its recommended to change the trans fluid on this gen, is this correct? What's the best way to go about it?

And if someone has the time could you explain why the trans are lower quality and what else i could do to prevent damage while driving? Thanks

 

id change the fluid then start saving to have the trans rebuilt. I dont know why these transmissions fail but they do.

 

I've owned my 01 V6 coupe for 8 years now. I swapped in a 3.5 with a 2006 Accord v6 5-speed auto due to failing 4-speed tranny

The 4-speeds are just weak. They fail because the old honda fluid causes so much slippage between shifts. The clutchpack material gets clogged up in the trannys and they fail. There is no filter on these 4-speeds. Honda did add filters to the 03 and up automatic trannys.

Also, there is a component that breaks and causes catastrophic failure...cant remember. possibly a bearing.
Mine had symptoms of a failing hydraulic pump...so i swapped in an engine and tranny.




you can slow down the failing process by 3 things:

1. Drain and fill with Honda Fluid. Make sure you replace the crush washer on the drain bolt EACH TIME.
You should do this 3 times. It's called a 3x3. When you drain the fluid, about 3 quarts are going to drain...some of the fluid is still in the torque converter.

I don't recommend you use any other fluid. You might be able to get by using the Redline D4. It does have Friction Modifiers in it like the Honda fluid, but not as much as the Old or New honda tranny fluid.



2. Add a tranny cooler. Will help extend the life of your tranny fluid.



3. This one is what helps save your clutchpacks
Let the gears fall into place when driving. Do this by letting off the gas when you feel the next gear fixing to engage. In other words. You don't want to throttle while it is shifting. No throttle during the shifts.**

** think of it like a manual tranny. You don' hold the gas down while engaging the clutch and putting it into next gear, do you? you let off the gas, engage clutch, shift into next gear, THEN you apply throttle.

Same concept except the auto tranny engages the clutch(clutchpacks) and shifts for you.

 

Awesome, appreciate the information. I'll change the fluid asap. If i do have to rebuild it how much should i expect to pay? I was quoted i think $900 from one shop for a rebuild, and $2000 from another, and $2500 for a new transmission, supposedly one that won't fail as easily. This is in Arkansas.

When it does fail, should i expect early warning signs like frequent rough shifts? Or will it just die? What other signs should i look for? how long will i have at that point till it will need a full rebuild? Thanks.

 

Signs should be slipping when it shifts gears....and crappy downshifts also. You'll know the signs when they happen.

I kow some people who drove months with it going out, I know some people where it didn't last 2 weeks before it gave completely out.



Rebuilds are out of my scope of knowledge. I can't say what components need to be checked, replaced, etc...besides the clutchpacks.

However, I would ask that shop if the $2500 tranny is actually NEW from Honda. I don't think they have any NEW trannys available. Most of the time Honda Dealers use Honda factory rebuilds -- even those don't last long. And your rebuild tranny shops just use sub-par components.

Ask the shops if they use Honda OEM components or cheap *** substitutes. I don't know of anyone who has ran a rebuilt 4-speed auto that won't fail as easily.