02 MDX TC shudder, getting worse, using amsoil

[meep]

coolant is pristine.

ATF is pristine.

only thing I noticed.... dipstick looks clean, but when wiping it down, there were faint brown/black streaks left on the paper towel. Rubber? Clutch material?

This AT does have an internal filter, and the drain bolt has a magnet. But it's a "lifetime" filter than is probably the 10 micron variety that a lot of stuff can get thru. I have a magnefine I could slap in there but I doubt that will address whatever change has already started that is causing this.

I like the idea of the LG Red. Something is started to not wear right. If that makes a difference then maybe I'll add the filter.

Mike

 

[SteveSRT8]

Lubegard is an excellent product. It's worth ten bucks to try it and see.

 

[Boss302fan]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
Maybe the best solution is to just put a new radiator in an older one (like mine). The 200 bucks it'd cost for a high quality radiator is not much compared to the damage from a bum transmission cooler, and the risk would probably be mitigated forever, or for at least another 5-10 years.

Does anyone know what, exactly, the problem is with the original cooler? Is it thin metal, is it old and corrosive coolant, etc?

In general, I think Honda was over-optimistic with their fluid life, and still may be today.


I agree with you 100%.

The whole rad/transmission cooler setup was no doubt a bad setup. I think the main reason for failure is that the radiators are of poor quality and that the rad hose connection corrodes early on in life... If you look in the engine compartment, you can not easily access the lower hoses or even see if they have any corrosion entering the radiator. Out of site, out of mind. LOL. Very bad. It even gets worse if the coolant is not flushed on a regular basis. Acura/Honda state I think 100K miles or so and that is crazy...

Replacing the rad would help.

Remember though, this transmission also has other design problems. Replacing the atf every 15K miles from new should help the transmission last longer. If owners did this and then went to a Full Synthetic atf later, hopefully it extends the life of this expensive troublesome transmission. Some have failed at 50K others have gone 150K... Not all have failed because of the radiator setup.

 

[gogozy]

i have a magafine filter installed in front of the cooler inlet, maybe I shall had one at the exit of cooler, or both at inlet and exit?
not an expert here, but I also read somewhere the cooler line usually have a large amount of deposit on old unit, due to temperature change of ATF at the area. so it sometime become issue after a flush, or fluid type change (different brand, chemicals, additive, cleaning ability etc, as fluid is cleaning out sludge/deposit in the cooler area and send a shock to the system). they suggest placement for filer is at cooler exit, when mileage is more than 8000 miles. Honda also have a kit for ATF cooler line flush for this purpose.

 

[Dan55]

Two things come to mind 1, pressure switches http://www.acuraworld.com/forums/f8/02-mdx-problem-shifting-3rd-gear-100028/ 2,EGR valve causes a surging under light throttle pressure http://www.mdxers.org/forums/14-problems/21870-acura-mdx-egr-warranty-extension-just-print.html

 

[meep]

Dan-- I'm gonna jump all over that EGR valve. I'm a member on mdxers but can't get to it work any more. Will read tonight.

Thanks!

 

[Ken2]

Originally Posted By: Trav
I don't think Amsoil is the problem, before spending any money you could try a bottle of Lube Guard Red or Platinum in it. It may take care of it but wont hurt anything if it doesn't.
I think Lubegard Black or Platinum would be the correct choices for this Honda transmission. Worth a try before you dump this fluid.

 

[Boss302fan]

Originally Posted By: Ken2
Originally Posted By: Trav
I don't think Amsoil is the problem, before spending any money you could try a bottle of Lube Guard Red or Platinum in it. It may take care of it but wont hurt anything if it doesn't.
I think Lubegard Black or Platinum would be the correct choices for this Honda transmission. Worth a try before you dump this fluid.


I think he has more going on, that a bottle of Lubegard will not do a thing...

 

[Trav]

i don't think the black is right for that unit but it may be. In any case the Platinum will work fine.


http://www.lubegard.com/SearchByCategory...ATF+Supplement#

Originally Posted By: Bos 302 fan
think he has more going on, that a bottle of Lubegard will not do a thing...

Maybe so but it wont hurt anything and has some beneficial properties and its cheap.
Personally i try the cheapest thing first before tearing into it e.g. some MMO or Kreen for a noisy lifter before tearing the intake off or cam out to change it.

 

[meep]

black is only right if you are trying to use a dex3/6 in that unit.

Red or platinum. however, never having had much success with "bottle treatments," i'm going to look into that EGR link posted above before I just start dumping stuff into the nice, mostly fresh, amsoil.

 

[The Critic]

The 01-02 were the worst years for those transmissions. IIRC they had a warranty extension to 7/109k for those. Perhaps you can convince your dealer into some partial goodwill for a replacement transmission if you are out of warranty.

 

[meep]

yeah we are beyond warranty. and the thing is, it is so subtle, I know any dealer out there could say they don't feel anything abnormal. And dealer partial will still be pricier than a jasper rebuild.... I think we'll get another 15k out of this unit--- if indeed it is the trans... could be the egr problem referenced above-- but it isn't throwing a code so I plan to do a dismantle and clean but I'm not going to merely throw money at parts when it's so minor.

M

 

[Jasper8146]

I have an '03 MDX and used Amsoil for over 30,000 miles before I switched to Redline and never had any problems with the Amsoil. I agree with everyone else that Amsoil is extremely unlikely to be the cause of your symptoms. Have heard all the posts on DW1 improving the shifting on these transmissions and am going to try that today I hope. Good luck!