Auto-Rx in a Honda automatic transmission

[Russ]

The vehicle in question is a 1995 Honda Civic EX. 1.6 L SOHC VTEC, automatic transmission, 189,000 miles.
This is my brand-new used vehicle. A couple of days ago I received a shipment from Auto-Rx with 2 bottles of the cleaner. One bottle is already in the crankcase.

I am not sure whether I should use the second bottle in the transmission. The reason I am hesitating is because this transmission does not have a serviceable filter (there is, however, an "internal" filter). In this situation, would the contaminants removed by Auto-Rx be deposited in the "internal" filter, or would I be able to flush them out with several fluid changes? I am wondering whether Auto-Rx is even appropriate in this type of application.

I also received a shipment from LCD, with a bottle of FP Plus and LC 20 last week. Am I better off just using LC 20 in this transmission?

Thank you in advance for your help.

 

[Bulli]

if nothing is wrong with the shifting then i would just leave it alone.

 

[Russ]

There is some hesitation on a 1-2 shift, but nothing dramatic, especially for a unit this age. The performance has been improving slowly after several drain and refills with Valvoline MaxLife fluid.

I have had good results with Auto-Rx in the past, but only in engines. I have never tried to use it as a transmission cleaner.

 

[SuperDave456]

The dose for transmissions is only 6oz, 1/2 a bottle.
Auto RX also has a transmission site.

From what I understand it really is some good stuff for the transmission.
I have had my transmission serviced prior to learning about Auto RX. However, about a 1000 miles before I go to have it serviced again (it is way to messy for me to do it) I will put a dose in there to clean it up.

How many miles do you have? Do you have access to the previous service records?

 

[dbdeland]

Russ,

I agree with SuperDave456. If you have used Auto-Rx before you know it is important to follow the instructions that would be my suggestion.

 

[Russ]

Thank you for the replies.

There are 189,000 miles on the odometer. According to AutoCheck.com I should be the 4th owner of the vehicle.

The only items that resemble previous service records are receipts for a new timing belt and water pump dated December 2007.
Previous owner assured me that he changed the engine oil regularly (whatever that is worth without the proper documentation).
The same individual also complained about the fact that he paid somebody to change the transmission fluid, and later found out that on this vehicle it is not a complicated procedure and he could have done it himself very easily. So, I take it, that there was at least one drain and refill done on this transmission during its service life so far.

I have studied the Auto-Rx transmission website. The only thing that is holding me back is my inability to find andy reference to transmissions such as the one in this Honda (lack of serviceable fluid filter). It is my understanding that debris cleaned out by the Auto-Rx are deposited into the filter (engine/transmission) and later removed with the filter.
I am not clear on what exactly will happen to this "internal" transmission filter. Will it be filled up with deposits removed by Auto-Rx? If so, the only way to replace it is to disassemble the entire unit.

On the other hand, Auto-Rx is also recommended for use in power steering and rear differential units. Those assemblies do not have serviceable filters either.

Am I missing some key element here?

 

[benjamming]

The internal filter is a rock catcher. You will remove the contaminants with fluid change(s) & cleaning the magnetic (if equipped) drain plug. The best way is to flush by pulling a transmission cooler line. However, IMHO, there is no harm in leaving ARX in as you do drain & refills over time.

 

[Ken2]

The Honda, and a few other transmissions, dump a larger percentage of their fluid out of the sump when it is drained compared to most transmissions. Three drains & refills will flush the Honda transmission very well.

 

[SuperDave456]

Auto RX is designed to gently dissolve stuff and keep it in suspension. If it is a solid, take note of the posts above, as regardless if you put in Auto RX or not it will be floating around your transmission.

Being the 4th owner, I would definately use the Auto RX.

 

[bmwtechguy]

You are only running the ARX in there for 1000 miles or so. for this short time, a filter should not be necessary. But if the fluid is totally trashed already, it would be a good idea to start with a bit cleaner fluid, by changing the fluid first with a cheaper fluid perhaps, Dex III, and adding the ARX to it.

I can attest to the good results obtained by running ARX in several high mileage transmissions, and then doing a complete cooler line/hose flush afterwards with new, quality fluid. After the flush I usually add an inline magnefine filter after the radiator where the fluid returns back to the transmission. I cut out a piece of hose equal in length to the body of the filter and then just clamped the filter in there with 2 new clamps. I leave the filter in there and then plan to change it in another 25k miles or so. The next magnefine filter will see more like 50k miles.

 

[smeltjr]

Never put Dex in that transmission. Suggest a 3 qt drop and fill with new Honda Z1 and then put a 1/2 bottle arx in and run as prescribed. Then do a dump of the 3 qts and do one of two things. The home fluid exchange and have about 8 qts ready. Disconnect the return line (on my 96 civic d16y8 it was the one closest to the center of the engine-called a honda mechanic to be sure).Drain the 3 qts out the trans after the arx and put 3 new qts in. Then disconnect the retuen line and blow out about a max of 2 qts at a time. Keep goin till the new supply is gone. The alternative is three drain and fills. Fill drive about 5 miles and then do it again-this what Honda does. They recommend against flush machines of any kind, or at least used to. Use a new crush washer after the final drain.

I have used arx in a 90 integra b16a1 as well. Strongly suggest it-you will notice a difference. I have amsoil in the civic and it is shifting great after 13k miles since doing this. Two other things to make sure of are that your throttle cable is properly adjusted (see factory manual) and that your thermostat works properly. Both affect shifting.

 

[Russ]

Thank you for all the replies!

This transmission is equipped with a magnetic drain plug, which I have cleaned during the last two drain and refills (performed in the last month).

The fluid capacity is ~6 qts, 2.9 of those can be replaced during a single drain and refill. That feature is making me quite happy.

Actually, the manual calls for Dex II or equivalent fluid. Same statement is stamped on the dipstick. I was happy to learn about that requirement. As I mentioned before, I have already done 2 drain and refills with Valvoline MaxLife fluid. The shifting seems to be improving slowly but steadily.

I have a couple of other questions.

Will Valvoline MaxLife fluid somehow interfere with Auto-Rx?

At the end of the rinse phase I was planning on doing 2 or 3 (maybe more?) back-to-back drain and refills with Valvoline MaxLife (I would like to continue to use that fluid in this unit). Would such course of action be sufficient, or should I go through the full motions of the home transmission flush?

Once again, thank you for all the replies.

 

[smeltjr]

Russ,
Never gonna find Dex II and from my reading last night the Maxlife is now allegedly fine. Do not put Dex III in there. If you care to search my post history on the issue when I started this on the 90 Acura, the manual said the same thing. Dex II was already gone-history. The cross references I found said Dex II with an asterisk (Do Not Use Dex III). I could not figure out why. Looked to be backwards compatible in everything but Honda automatics. Went Z1 and it worked nice. Lotsa Z1 bashers here, but the fluid seems to work well in 4 cylinder autos. After you do this, suggest a 15k 3qt drop and fill for remaining life of car. Get new crush washers.

Regards if the Maxlife "conditioners" will interfere, suggest calling Frank. I think it will be fine. To clarify from my last post, the return line on the trans was the one closest to the center of the engine when pulling the hose off the radiator. Then put a drain hose on the radiator return and pumped away. BTW, the 90 Teg was still shifting fine at 203k on original trans. Just hail damaged and ate distributors for lunch. That was a few yrs ago.

 

[JMJNet]

My experience with my Camry was that the dissolved gunk/debris (whatever you want to call it) are sticking to the lowest point of the pan which, in my case, is the trans. pan cover. I took it off and cleaned the pan and magnet. The filter still looks clean although I changed it anyway. Then I did the cooler line flush after that.

 

[bmwtechguy]

If the Maxlife fluid is in decent condition, go ahead and add the ARX to it and run the 1000 miles. High mileage transmission fluid is not critical as it is when running ARX in your engine. (In the engine you definitely need to avoid High Mileage oils for best results when doing the ARX thing.) Then be sure to do a complete ATF drain, then refill and do cooler line flush/refill until you have removed approx 1 quart of fluid above the capacity of your transmission. You can determine this by measuring all the fluid you drained out initially, combined with how much has been flushed out so far. I have been very happy with Amsoil in Honda and Acura automatics. To me it shifts better than most others.