I put in new Honda fluid after doing a clutch job on my Civic R. Now that the car drives, I found it grinds 2nd gear, so I'll have to take the transmission back out. Can I reuse the new fluid I put in before? It's only $12 worth on a $30K+ car but twelve bucks is twelve bucks.
Can I reuse manual trans fluid that's basically new?
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JHZR2
Staff member
Do you care about the longevity of the transmission?
What fluid did you use? Refresh my memory, what was the initial reason for the transaxle removal. The only thing I remember was the whole dealer fiasco. The reason I ask is, I have used GM Synchromesh fluid to cure Honda 2nd gear grind (Learned of that fix on BITOG 
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I don't have data to prove it, but I would consider the used fluid tainted, and would not use it.
I would not reuse it. It's really easy for the drained fluid to pick up dirt while handling it.
Dirt in the fluid of course shortens transmission life, especially considering that manual transmissions have no filtration system.
But it sounds like you've already decided, so carry on.
Dirt in the fluid of course shortens transmission life, especially considering that manual transmissions have no filtration system.
But it sounds like you've already decided, so carry on.
If it is grinding, that fluid is contaminated. So. No.
It’s not “new fluid”. It’s fluid with bits of ground gear and bearing material in it. It’s worse than used fluid. It’s fluid with junk in it.
Elkins45
Site Donor 2026
The collection pan and drain area would have to have been extremely clean for me to consider reusing it. I would absolutely reuse it if I had some laboratory quality filter paper and a clean funnel.
I wouldn’t use it unfiltered.
I wouldn’t use it unfiltered.
Ok not worth the hassle of cleaning the drain pan.
So you were wondering if you could use it out of a dirty drain pan?
I was wondering if it was worth reusing AFTER I clean out the pan.
If your Honda was a clapped out whooptie, then I would consider it, but on a $30k valued car I wouldn't.
JHZR2
Staff member
Hmmm let’s think. You have a car with real issues. You did something with the transmission, which was a botched job, grinding gears, etc. You’ll drain it in a pan that is undoubtably at least a bit dirty, then pour it back in.
I mean, you’re the one that gets counterfeit umbrellas, and misrepresents dealer work based upon oil filter paint schemes. But in this case I have no idea if you are concerned for the buyer, or if perhaps you’re keeping the vehicle for yourself…?
Put in new fluid and use the old fluid for something else. Like, oh I don’t know, put it in an oil can and lube machine parts or something
I will start a go fund me page to help you finance your endeavor.
If the transmission was working properly, I would capture the fluid in a new 5 qt oil jug and reuse.
But since the transmission has a mechanical issue.....I would not reuse.
But since the transmission has a mechanical issue.....I would not reuse.
What I don't understand is why does the transmission even need to be drained? The OP just replaced a clutch, so the issue is 99% likely to be related to clutch disengagement. Even if the transmission needs to pulled, you don't need to do a full drain to pull it. You might get some spillage from removing the axles, but you can just top it off after the R&R. I would look at bleeding the clutch slave and master cylinders.
Edit: what kind of fluid did you put in it? In the past, I put Royal Purple synchromesh type fluid in an S10 with an NV1500 transmission and it did not like it at all and would not engage 2nd or 3rd without grinding. Changing it out with the AC-Delco fluid listed in the owners manual fixed it.
Edit: what kind of fluid did you put in it? In the past, I put Royal Purple synchromesh type fluid in an S10 with an NV1500 transmission and it did not like it at all and would not engage 2nd or 3rd without grinding. Changing it out with the AC-Delco fluid listed in the owners manual fixed it.
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Where did you buy the fluid from? 12 dollars sounds too good to be true.
Yeah I'm going to jump in on the "it's the fluid" bandwagon. Got a Jeep Liberty that made a weird noise shutting off in neutral with the clutch out. Pennzoil Synchromesh fixed it, IIRC. Was a NV3500 trans, again, IIRC.
Instead of pulling this trans for another one, which is a considerable amount of work, try a couple different fluid concoctions first.
Instead of pulling this trans for another one, which is a considerable amount of work, try a couple different fluid concoctions first.