Acura Tranny fluid not red?

[Integra51089]

On my 1999 Acura Integra LS I was checking my transmission fluid and it is the color of brake fluid (clear light color) and I thought it was supposed to be red. I am concered there is the wrong fluid in the transmission now. It shifts fine and everything just worried. I checked the yellow loop dipstick under the intake. Anyone know? I never changed the fluid as I just got the car. It has 72,000 miles

Thanks

[ July 11, 2005, 04:03 PM: Message edited by: Integra51089 ]

 

[Integra51089]

It is an Auto trans BTW

 

[TR3-2001SE]

Not good. Mine was this color and was way over due for a change. This fluid is past had it. I would do just a gradual change as a complete flush may shock the trans and cause problems. I changed the fluid 4 times over 4000 miles and so far all is doing well. My guess is you have 72,000 miles on this fluid which is way to long in a Honda/Acura transmission. I plan a drain every 15,000 which changes about 1/2 of the fluid. Use the OEM fluid as it seems everyone recommends it.

 

[PandaBear]

I have replaced ATF in my integra since 97 and it is always red out of the bottle. When dirty it will came out dark red, but if you soak a tissue in it, it still shows red. Clear light brown is not dirty ATF at all.

It seems like someone just put in some engine oil in there. Better drain it out and send it in a lab for analysis and see what it is. If it is not ATF you better flush it out, as engine oil is not good in an auto transmission.

72k is overdue, but not terribly bad. Remember non-servere service interval for ATF in integra is 90k.

 

[Ken2]

Clean that transmission with Auto-Rx over 1000 miles. Completely flush and refill with Honda Z-1 ATF or Dexron-III ATF plus Lubegard HMF black-bottle ATF supplement.

The Honda/Acura transmission has a relativel small volume and drains a relativly large amount. I've done a flush with 12 quarts by a drain & refill, drive, drain & refill, drive, drain & refill.


Ken

 

[The Critic]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ken2:
Clean that transmission with Auto-Rx over 1000 miles. Completely flush and refill with Honda Z-1 ATF or Dexron-III ATF plus Lubegard HMF black-bottle ATF supplement.

The Honda/Acura transmission has a relativel small volume and drains a relativly large amount. I've done a flush with 12 quarts by a drain & refill, drive, drain & refill, drive, drain & refill.


Ken

---

Please see this thread I wrote:
http://tl.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=118898

Instead of Honda Z-1, I suggest doing three drain and refills with Pennzoil Multi-Vehicle ATF, and use my formula in the above link to calculate the amount of old fluid remaining after three drain/refills.

Michael

 

[Integra51089]

Im taking it to the service center tomorrow for a drain/refill and I will ask them to give me a sample so I can send to the lab. Also I checked the ATF after its been sitting overnite (I did not start it) and was wondering if that makes a difference. Do you think if it really was brake fluid or motor oil that the transmission would act fine, mines been driven 400-500 miles since I had the car and it shifts fine and all...I hope its gonna be OK

 

[Jonny Z]

By any chance one of the quick lube places "checked and filled" your transmission with the wrong stuff?

Back when I was lazy I had a service receipt that stated they "checked and filled" my auto transmission, but I have a manual. I hope they didn't drop ATF into my engine dip stick tube. MTX has no dip stick you know.

 

[Integra51089]

Nope I I had the car only for 3-4 weeks and havent took it to anywere yet.

 

[benjamming]

Why not just change it yourself? That way you know that the sample will be caught mid-stream. It should simply have a drain plug resulting in an easier fluid change than changing the oil.

 

[Integra51089]

I do not want to do it because last time I did it on a 1997 Corolla the transmission has issues after ( going into gear)

I rather have a pro do it

 

[Integra51089]

Also I am always afraid I will overfill/underfill


PS: I went around my garage sniffing brake fluids, power steering, motor oil and transmission fluid and the fluid which smells like whats in my transmission now is transmission fluid..

 

[Jonny Z]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Integra51089:
PS: I went around my garage sniffing brake fluids, power steering, motor oil and transmission fluid and the fluid which smells like whats in my transmission now is transmission fluid..

---

What would you have to explain if your wife walked in on you while doing the fluid sniffing?
"Honey, it is not what is looks like..."
Only on BITOG.

 

[Integra51089]

I dont have a wife lol.. I am only 16.. hahah a

 

[PandaBear]

Never too early to learn how to properly maintain a car, good start at 16.

It is VERY HARD to overfill an integra Auto transmission. It is exactly 3 quart with nothing more and nothing less. Just put in 3 quart and you are set, no need to round off at all.

The drain plug is on the passanger side sitting horizontally (as you already know probably), just use a 3/8" rachet to open it up and let it drain, tighten it and put in 3 quart from the filler on the top, it is easier than changing engine oil.

 

[Integra51089]

Yeah Thanks

But also if it was another fluid wouldn't it cause problems already since I driven it for 400-500 miles? Its not slipping, shifts fine etc..

 

[PandaBear]

Probably someone just put in a non-Honda ATF, thats what an analysis can tell you by the additive chemistry and viscosity.

Although not recommended, there are lots of similarity between engine oil and ATF, so you will be surprised that it could actually be used for a short period of time without much ill effect. I wouldn't run it for a long time however.

Check out the various lab on BITOG as they may have free container for you to ship your oil back to them. It only cost around $20 for an analysis, at least you will sleep better if it is ATF.

I am usually not in favor of doing analysis too often (I only do it every 30k to check if my head gasket is doing ok), but in your case it is worthed.

 

[Greaser]

Racing transmission fluid that I've used was the color of fresh motor oil.ALL transmission fluids are..it's died red to make leak detection easier

 

[MN Driver]

Yellow loop? Every car that had a yellow dipstick or had a loop involved with the dipstick has been the engine oil dipstick. Along with all of the transmission fluid dipticks being black or red.

It seems weird that this was done like that. I thought there were international standards so that people who don't read/speak a specific language could still work on and use a car with no problems from other countries.

 

[Schmoe]

Honda's have yellow loops on their ATF dipstick. I would advise NOT to use anything but Honda's Z-1. Honda has voluntaridly extended their AT's on some of the Accord models.