Transmission & ATF

[desibeatz101]

Yesterday I drove from my house to my apartment, which is about a 120 mile distance. I had no problems whatsoever with the transmission until today. When driving in the city, I noticed that the tranny would slip from 1-2, and the tranny would also rev very high before changing. After driving my car around for 20 minutes, I came back to the apartment, left it in idle, as the manual says to do, and checked the fluid. I found no signs of any fluid on the dipstick, and I did not smell any burning on the dipstick. The tranny is rebuilt, about 2-3 years old. I'm not sure how many miles have been put on it, but i'm sure a lot. It's my brother's old car so I don't know that much about it. Where should I check for leaks? What fluid do I use ( Honda transmission fluid, or any kragens or autozone fluid)? How many quarts does it usually take to fill up?

It's a 92 accord Ex.

[angus67]

well, look for leaks for sure, but chances are you were already low for a while, and was fine till just recently. you prolly wont find a leak. ide do a flush, soon, but for now, just fill it up to recommended qty. and see what happens. remember, its hydrolic fluid, really, so, no fluid, no go. you may have gotten lucky, checking right a way the way you did. if no burn smell, ide say fill'er up. for now, then in near future, flush and fill. good luck.
p.s. use dextron II. dont know how much You should put in, depends on how much you lost. ide put in 1/4 quart at a time till you see it on stick. i think it'll only hold 2.5 qts total.

[desibeatz101]

Awesome, thanks. After filling my car up with ATF just to make it go, how long should I wait for a full flush and refill? Also what kind of ATF should I use when flushing and refilling? Should I go to the dealership and get Honda certified ATF or is any Castrol or Valvoline etc. ATF fine?

[angus67]

sorry, i think i editied while you were answering. ide flush it just wenever, just dont let it go too long.

[angus67]

oh, yeah, get a manual. this is easy stuff to find.

[desibeatz101]

Where's the best place to get a manual?

Thanks for all of the help.

[ExplodingCake]

Where's the best place to get a manual?

Thanks for all of the help.

Auto store and ebay

[alifeva]

hey desi beatz i am having the same problem as well. 1 to 2. You are going to have to learn how to time it just right and take your foot off of the gas at the right idle for it to shift in (kind of like a manual). The rough shift is a very common problem all honda's go through with the automatic transmission after time and wear and tear.

Unfortunately there is no quick fix other than keep up maintaining the fluid changes and or getting a rebuild which is expensive.

I was very forward in getting this problem fixed but my mechanic (who is Japanese and doesn't speak much English) always says the same thing to me "All honda do this, All honda. My honda, You honda, All honda" And his is at 240,000 miles, so I suppose as long as your engine runs you don't need to rush in getting a new tranny. Unless you have the money! Then your options would be to get a re manufactured tranny, get yours rebuilt, and or upgrading to a H22 tranny.

It is a frustrating feeling when daily driving everyday and especially in traffic this I know. But as long as you are shifting, even tho it is rough, your good to go. I don't think your problem will go away and it is now most likely there to stay.

Now there is an additive I can recommend that will help your shifting for a month or so. And you should do this after a tranny flush and fluid change.

Purchase a 24oz bottle of 'Lucas Transmission Treatment' and pour in half of the bottle (12 oz) after your fluid flush. This will help your old worn tranny out a bit for a little while.

It's a good thing you noticed the problem when you did and its a sign that its time for a fluid change. I can almost remember when I didn't have the problem and now its a new way of driving for me everyday, but as long as your shifting your ok theres a lot of other people that have worse transmission trouble.



Oh desi you are new here I see, first you must take it to the honda dealership and tell them you want a transmission flush. They will use the ideal Honda ATF Z-1 and it will cost about 90$ plus tax. Then as soon afterwards I recommend going to Advance auto parts or Autozone and to buy 1 bottle of Lucas transmission treatment (10$). lift the transmission dipstick and use a funnel or if you can aim good pour half of the Lucas inside. I guarantee your transmission will be good for another 15 - 20 thousand miles. 100$ total investment. This you will notice the difference instantly I promise.

[alifeva]

Has your brother had an oil change recently as well? Might want to get both oil and tranny fluid change while you are at Honda. Your car should run strong for the next 6 months worry free after those 2 main fluid flushes.

[Losiracer2]

yeah mine did this right before it gave out completely. The shifts were REALLY long, and sometimes it was like metal smacking metal when it shifted, It was REALLY harsh too. I even tried flushing the fluid at the dealer and that didn't help at all. So I had to eventually get my trans completely rebuilt w/ a new torque converter and shift solenoids. wasn't cheap either.....like 1700bucks worth