I bought my Accord recently. I was checking fluids before a long trip and had a few questions (all checks done a couple of hours after shutting off engine).

1. Oil - When I wipe the dipstick and fully seat it and pull it out again, there is oil on the bottom few inches, above both dots. I'm used to seeing a more clear indication of the oil level. Not sure what to make of this. Too much oil? The engine was still warm - did I need to wait until it was cool to get a clear reading?

2. Coolant reserve - fluid level is little bit above the max line. Any harm?

3. Windshield washer fluid - when I pull out the gauge attached to the cap, it seems wet on the bottom several few inches. Hard to read a measurement given the clearish fluid and white gauge stick. Is there a technique for reading this level?

4. Clutch fluid - I can't see the fluid level through the greyish container, and turning the cap turned the entire container and everything it was attached to, so I didn't try too hard and figured I'd check here first. Is there a special technique to twisting the cap off? Does the fact that I can't see the fluid level through the container indicate that the fluid level is too low?

5. MT fluid - Is there a way to check this without jacking the front of the car up and removing the transmission filler bolt? Also, is the bolt hole where new MT fluid is added?

 

the clutch resivour cap is a rubber cap that slips over a lip on the container. all the stuff attatched ....i believe you mean wires, and hope you did.

the oil level sounds way too high. I would drain it and fill it properly. might as well just do an oil and filter change.

no you will need to jack up the car to check the MT fluid level. there are two bolts on the trans related to the mt fluid level. the lowest one is the drain plug and there is a higher one that is the fill plug. both are turned using a 3/8 drive ratchet, breaker bar or short extension without any socket attatched.

the washer fluid should just be topped off with new wash fluid. fill it to the max. we top off every wash fluid resivour here in my shop as a courtesy. it only costs about 2 bucks per gallon. sometimes the resivours are cracked or broken and the fluid runs out all over the floor. hopefully yours is not cracked.

I wouldnt worry too much if the coolant resivour level is slightly above the max line. unless you are considering the max line to be just below the bottom of the resivour cap. yes I have had customers come in with resivours like that and they tell me they just topped it off, or something simmilar.

hope this helps

 

Oil level, check when cold or after running let sit for 15 to 20 mins.

If higher than top dot means too much oil, if slightly higher than top dot I would not worry about it.

 

Thanks for responses, guys. Very helpful in helping me learn this stuff and what to sweat and what not to sweat.

I checked the oil again, this time with the engine cold. Much cleaner reading. About 1/8" above the top dot, which I assume is fine.

Coolant reserve is about an inch above max line but a few inches below cap, which I assume is fine.

The clutch reservoir cap is on pretty tight. Now that I know it's not a screw on cap, I tried to pry it off but that didn't work and I didn't want to use too much force because I was worried I might rip the reservoir container out of place and disconnect the hose and make a mess. Any tips on getting this cap off? I could unscrew the bolt holding the reservoir to the bracket if that would help position the reservoir in a way that makes it easier to pry off the cap.

 

that pic is not a normal looking cap like I was thinking. in fact it looks foreighn ---yeah I cant spell that word but i think everyone knows what i mean LOL----the words apear french or latin. a little dirt, oil and grease here on the cap would really help in this case. It also looks like a twist style cap. you may want to visit a shop and have them check it out for you. maybe some idiot glued it in place or something.

 

[QUOTE=mossberg;46319311]I bought my Accord recently. I was checking fluids before a long trip and had a few questions (all checks done a couple of hours after shutting off engine).

1. I'd let it sit for 10 mins or so before checking it cause the rest up in the head needs to get down to the oil pan.

2. No, it will not do any harm to your engine if it's above the max by a little bit.

3. No real way to check the level of the washer fluids. Just top it off til it's full.

4. I'd hold the resevoir stationary and twist the cap off if the whole thing is spinning while you're just loosening the cap. There's no max or min lines on the clutch resevoir. Just fill it up til it's full.

5. The only way to check the MTF is to jack it up both the front and rear, so that the car is even then remove the filler bolt. And yes, the filler bolt hole is where you add your new MTF.

 

I guess I better get 4 jack stands then. Either that or park the car on a slope and jack up one end, but that seems a bit more risky than parking it level and jacking up all 4 corners.

 

I think I'll just remove the reservoir from the bracket that is securing it. Once I can get the reservoir in my hand, I'll be able to see the cap style better and get better purchase to twist or pry off.

 

So I unscrewed the clutch fluid reservoir cap. The cap has a protrusion that dips into the reservoir. With the cap out, the fluid level is midway between min and max markings. With the cap in, the fluid level is just about at the max level.

Since the markings are on the outside, I assume the fluid level is meant to be read with the cap on. Does that sound right?