Hello everyone,
First, a little background...The 2002 Honda Odyssey 5-speed automatic transmission does not have a good reputation -- Looking on the Odyclub.com website, failures are frequently seen anywhere from 10,000 to 40,000 miles. Rumour has it that it's the 3rd gear clutch pack that fails. At any rate, Honda has been replacing these transmissions under warranty. Honda's policy is not to repair transmissions, but to replace them with factory rebuilt units.
Anyway, my 2002 Honda Odyssey is driven primarily by my wife, with typical soccer-Mom style use. The transmission had 29,941 miles on it when I drew a sample of the ATF for analysis. The transmission had the original fluid in it and had never been changed. No fluid has ever been added during this time, either. When I bought the van new, I had an ATF cooler installed by the Honda dealer, which is a dealer installed option along with a power steering cooler. This is part of an optional towing package. I never intended to tow anything with this vehicle, I just wanted the extra cooling. That said, I have purchased about a year ago a very small, probably 400 pounds unloaded, trailer. I use this trailor to haul things from my garage to another building about 3 miles away. I also use it occasionally to haul mulch or fertilizer from a garden shop to my home. These trailer towing trips are never more than 5 miles at a time, and total weight loaded is no more than about 800 pounds. My wife has commented that on a couple of occasions, the transmission acts like it is slipping, and sometimes "jerks" into gear. The Odyclub.com website reports that these are generally the first signs of impending transmission failure. I have not personally been able to recreate these symptoms, despite repeated trying. Since the basic warranty on the vehicle runs out at 36,000 miles, and the interval for replacing transmission fluid is at 30,000 miles, I decided it prudent to analyze the transmission oil. As I said, this sample is the original fluid, probably Honda ATF-Z1, from the factory, with 29,941 miles on it. The analysis was done by Analysts, Inc.
Iron: 95
Chromium: 1
Nickel: < 1
Aluminum: 98 flagged as significant
Lead: 6
Copper: 15
Tin: 1
Silver: < .1
Titanium: < 1
Silicon: 15
Boron: 305
Sodium: 10
Potassium: < 10
Molybdenum: < 5
Phosphorus: 18
Zinc: 333
Calcium: 325
Barium: 12
Magnesium: 187
Antimony: < 30
Vanadium: < 1
Water % VOL < .10
VIS CS 40 degrees C: 24.7
TAN: 1.35
The recommendations in the report indicates abnormal conditions - Noted Elements are generally associated with Pump wear. Aluminum may indicate torque converter or pump wear. Check for rough shifting, unusual noise or vibration, and excessive metal in the filters or sump. Change the oil and filters if not already performed. Resample at 1/2 normal interval.
Unfortunately, the filter or strainer on this transmission is not user-replacable - the transmission has no pan and must be disassembled to get at the strainer. I drained the fluid, disconnected one of the lines to the cooler, and used compressed air at 30PSI to push as much of the old fluid out. Then I refilled it, ran it for a few miles, and repeated this process. Finally, I did a third drain, only from the drain plug this time. I ran a total of 18 quarts of Honda ATF-Z1 through it - Sump capacity is a bit over 8 quarts I believe.
At this point, I'm not sure what else to do - As I said, I can't seem to reproduce any symptoms - In fact, it shifted quite smoothly. I'm sure if I took it to the dealer at this point they would tell me to keep driving it as nothing is wrong. I have over 5,000 miles left on the basic vehicle warranty, and have purchased a HondaCare 100,000 mile warranty.
Comments? Reactions? What would you do in my case?
Thanks,
Dennis
First, a little background...The 2002 Honda Odyssey 5-speed automatic transmission does not have a good reputation -- Looking on the Odyclub.com website, failures are frequently seen anywhere from 10,000 to 40,000 miles. Rumour has it that it's the 3rd gear clutch pack that fails. At any rate, Honda has been replacing these transmissions under warranty. Honda's policy is not to repair transmissions, but to replace them with factory rebuilt units.
Anyway, my 2002 Honda Odyssey is driven primarily by my wife, with typical soccer-Mom style use. The transmission had 29,941 miles on it when I drew a sample of the ATF for analysis. The transmission had the original fluid in it and had never been changed. No fluid has ever been added during this time, either. When I bought the van new, I had an ATF cooler installed by the Honda dealer, which is a dealer installed option along with a power steering cooler. This is part of an optional towing package. I never intended to tow anything with this vehicle, I just wanted the extra cooling. That said, I have purchased about a year ago a very small, probably 400 pounds unloaded, trailer. I use this trailor to haul things from my garage to another building about 3 miles away. I also use it occasionally to haul mulch or fertilizer from a garden shop to my home. These trailer towing trips are never more than 5 miles at a time, and total weight loaded is no more than about 800 pounds. My wife has commented that on a couple of occasions, the transmission acts like it is slipping, and sometimes "jerks" into gear. The Odyclub.com website reports that these are generally the first signs of impending transmission failure. I have not personally been able to recreate these symptoms, despite repeated trying. Since the basic warranty on the vehicle runs out at 36,000 miles, and the interval for replacing transmission fluid is at 30,000 miles, I decided it prudent to analyze the transmission oil. As I said, this sample is the original fluid, probably Honda ATF-Z1, from the factory, with 29,941 miles on it. The analysis was done by Analysts, Inc.
Iron: 95
Chromium: 1
Nickel: < 1
Aluminum: 98 flagged as significant
Lead: 6
Copper: 15
Tin: 1
Silver: < .1
Titanium: < 1
Silicon: 15
Boron: 305
Sodium: 10
Potassium: < 10
Molybdenum: < 5
Phosphorus: 18
Zinc: 333
Calcium: 325
Barium: 12
Magnesium: 187
Antimony: < 30
Vanadium: < 1
Water % VOL < .10
VIS CS 40 degrees C: 24.7
TAN: 1.35
The recommendations in the report indicates abnormal conditions - Noted Elements are generally associated with Pump wear. Aluminum may indicate torque converter or pump wear. Check for rough shifting, unusual noise or vibration, and excessive metal in the filters or sump. Change the oil and filters if not already performed. Resample at 1/2 normal interval.
Unfortunately, the filter or strainer on this transmission is not user-replacable - the transmission has no pan and must be disassembled to get at the strainer. I drained the fluid, disconnected one of the lines to the cooler, and used compressed air at 30PSI to push as much of the old fluid out. Then I refilled it, ran it for a few miles, and repeated this process. Finally, I did a third drain, only from the drain plug this time. I ran a total of 18 quarts of Honda ATF-Z1 through it - Sump capacity is a bit over 8 quarts I believe.
At this point, I'm not sure what else to do - As I said, I can't seem to reproduce any symptoms - In fact, it shifted quite smoothly. I'm sure if I took it to the dealer at this point they would tell me to keep driving it as nothing is wrong. I have over 5,000 miles left on the basic vehicle warranty, and have purchased a HondaCare 100,000 mile warranty.
Comments? Reactions? What would you do in my case?
Thanks,
Dennis