Ok. I'm the FNG here, but I'd like to get a few questions answered.

Let's start with what I have: Stock '96 Accord EX Coupe 2.2L SOHC. Very basic. 181,000+ miles. Automatic.

According to my Mechanic, my Transmission fluid is supposed to be pink....it's black.
Secondly, I've been told to get it flushed & cleaned, however, I've also been told that the gunk 'n' goo is what is "holding the tranny together". Yet, my more knowledgeable friend who is also a mechanic thinks I should just replace the tranny....and/or swap it to a manual.

Now, I'm very hesitant about getting a manual, as I've never driven one. I'm not really looking swap without having learned first. I'm sure it's fun, I'm just honestly terrified of breaking my baby girl.

Thoughts?

 

If the car is driving good and shifting good then the tranny isn't a problem and you could just use about 3 drain and fills with a drive cycle in between. While you're at it you can drop the pan and clean out all the gunk in it. There is going to be a black ooze inside at the bottom of the pan. Also, should be a couple magnets you can clean off. They will just slide out. Just get a couple shop towel packs and clean it out and replace the tranny gasket.

I would only buy Honda tranny fluid, enough for three drain and fills. You can do the work yourself it's really easy. Save the money that that mechanic is trying to get out of you by scaring you.

 

Black fluid could be super dirty or burnt or both. Smell it does it smelt burned? Are u having problems shifting? I would not FLUSH but Id start with changing the fluid.

 

It probably has never been changed. Does it smell burnt?
When the fluid has not been changed in a LOOOOOOOOONG time, or never, the fluid loses its friction modfier properties. It also is now suspending quite a bit of clutch material. This combination is what will keep the transmission working.
When the fluid is drained the clutch material in the old fluid is removed which reduces the ability of the clutch packs to grab. Also with the new fluid that has a friction modifier to allow a slight slip of the plates during engagement/disengagement to reduce wear and allow smooth shifts, when this is added to a worn trans this will more likely cause the transmission to now slip.

On high mileage Honda ATs there is a two fold problem that happens when the fluid is not changed. One is the above mentioned fluid issue, the other is there is no physical pan to remove from the transmission. There is no readily available access to the sump pickup. Only a drain plug. When the fluid turns black the smaller bits of clutch material can be sucked through the screen of the 'filter', but larger globs of junk may build up and block the screen. This will prevent the pump from moving any fluid, cavitation occurs and the transmission no longer works.

So there are two things you can do.

One is nothing, these transmissions will usually last til about 250Kmiles before the sump filter becomes so full of junk that it no longer will be able to operate.
Two is to change the fluid. Drain the fluid and add a solvent cleaner such as SeaFoam Trans Tune to aid in breaking down any sludge in the trans. Drain and refill three times, and monitor the fluid and transmission behavior. Drain refill every 10K miles, and the trans may keep working indefinitely or it may **** the bed after changing the fluid.

IMO, drain the fluid, add some cleaner and ATF. Purchase 3 Gallons of Valvoline DexronIII and you will have enough fluid to do four drain and refills.
After you have refilled for the 4th time go for a normal drive locally and note if there is any slipping or other problems with the transmission.
If so, pull the shift solenoids, make sure the screens are clean and clear, verify the TV cable is adjusted correctly, and pull the two shaft speed sensors to make sure they are clean and not fouled.

But prior to doing this check that locally readily available are some low mileage import transmissions.

 

Thanks, guys. I'll definitely take these suggestions into consideration and go from there. I'm throwing my tax refund at the car, but I'm going to get mechanical considerations done first & foremost.