Bubbles on transmission dip stick(pictures).

[Chris B.]

I have a 2012 Honda Accord V6 and did a transmission drain and fill. The fluid level on the dip stick was a little over the max full line when the fluid was hot(transmission was shifting perfectly at this point). I read on BITOG that if the fluid is to full that you will get bubbles on the dip stick. Even though I was very close to the proper amount of fluid as I measured out everything, I drained out 8oz of ATF. That brought my fluid level to just below the max hot line on the dip stick which is in the "safe zone"
The problem is I'm still getting bubbles on the dip stick. You can see it in these pictures. Lots of little bubbles that looks like froth and some bigger ones. My transmission is shifting beautifully. What do you guys think is going on here? Thanks for any input!

 

[Merkava_4]

Nothing to be concerned about. Perfectly normal.

 

[901Memphis]

Looks fine to me too. If you are indeed below the max dot your perfect.

 

[dlundblad]

How far above the full line is it? (Hard to tell with that shadow.)

 

[Trav]

+1 In the second picture it looks like it might be a little bit more than just a hair but its hard to tell.

 

[Pontual]

Mine looks like that also, for ages, no problem... But it shouldnt be such foammy. I run Dexron III Texamatic 745. Whats yours?

 

[Falken]

I'd say I have a lot of experience checking and doing D&Fills on my Honda Fit at this point.

In my experience, if you are ~250-300ml overfilled, you will get bubbles. At most temps that you would check.

The way I have found best to do D&F on Hondas is you jack up the front end of the car a comfortable angle, drain completely, put plug with new washer in after cleaning the iron particles off the magnet.

Then, this is the key: Look in your manual and find the drain and fill amount.

Put EXACTLY this amount in. If you check it, resist the urge to feel that it is "underfilled" and top up. That is how you gradually will overfill it.

On my Fit, I put in exactly 2.5L DW-1. Absolutely no signs of ANY BUBBLES. NONE.

I got into a top up loop, checking and re-checking when I first got the car... Then bubbles started to form.

Put in the exact amount, drive 5 miles, pull over into a flat parking lot and check. If there are no bubbles, and the level comes to a "reasonable height" on dipstick, and all your shift points are normal, and smooth, YOU ARE GOOD.

 

[SumpChump]

I did a drain and fill if WS on my Corolla. The very first time, I drained and let it cone to the same 68F room temp as my new bottles. Measured it and put in tje exact amount. No bubbles that I recall.

The second time same process. Except it took a few extra oz. to get it to full. I have no idea why. It had just one or two bubbles after a few checks. So it seems normal to me.

One this that seemed abnormal to me was that the transmission seemed to need a cycle or two of runs through the shifts to learn the new fluid. It did one ir two hard shifts for about two stop lights maybe three, then it shifted perfectly normal again.

So that might have been a glut of new fluid hitting the plates or who knows what. The guys here said that some odd shifting , not that you had any, would be normal also.

 

[bluestream]

No Problems...

 

[thrace]

Is ATF warm and engine stopped for 60-90 seconds?
From Owners manual p 351-2
Check the fluid level with the engine at normal operating temperature.
1.Park the vehicle on level ground.
Start the engine, let it run until the
radiator fan comes on, then shut
off the engine. For accurate
results, wait about 60 seconds (but
no longer than 90 seconds) before
doing step 2.
2.Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)
from the transmission, and wipe it
with a clean cloth.
3.Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.

4.Remove the dipstick and check
the fluid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
5.If the level is below the lower
mark, add fluid into the dipstick
hole to bring it to the level
between the upper and lower
marks.
Pour the fluid slowly and carefully
so you do not spill any. Clean up
any spill immediately; it could
damage components in the engine
compartment.
Always use Honda ATF DW-1
(automatic transmission fluid).
6.Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
The transmission should be drained
and refilled with new fluid according
to the Maintenance Minder (see
page ).
If you are not sure how to add fluid,
contact your dealer.
http://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/pubs/OM/A51212/A51212OM.pdf

 

[mclasser]

It's normal to see some bubbles after an ATF change. Since you drained some fluid out and are now in the safe zone, don't worry. Re-check the level after a day or two and the bubbles should subside.

 

[Chris B.]

Originally Posted By: dlundblad
How far above the full line is it? (Hard to tell with that shadow.)

It's not. It is below. I was holding the dip stick upside down and it ran a little. I was just trying to get the bubbles in the picture because they pop and disappear fast. The actual fluid level is just below the max full mark.

 

[Chris B.]

Originally Posted By: Pontual
Mine looks like that also, for ages, no problem... But it shouldnt be such foammy. I run Dexron III Texamatic 745. Whats yours?


Factory Honda DW4 I think. It is what the factory specs.