Cannot open the ATF drain plug on 2000 accord

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: gogozy
every Honda/Acura I know have ATF drain bolt that can be removed by square head (3/8") on the 3/8 ratchet, and i am sure 2000 Accord is the same. my experiences are these are very tight from factory. jack up the car high so you have clearances for ratchet, or extension bar to move/leverage.
I remember once told dealer ATF drain bolt was too tight, and ask them to just loosen it a bit and set it to factory spec when I was in for an oil change. they did and become reasonable tightness and easier.


Do not use the ratchet head by itself - use a short 3/8" extension. The ratchet head by itself is not long enough to completely fill the 3/8" drive square on the plug - so when you exert a lot of force, you will damage the plug.

The torque spec for most Honda ATF drain plugs is 36 ft-lbs, which is quite tight...and this is with a new crush washer. Snug is not tight enough. Also, if you re-use the crush washer, all bets are off.

 

[DBMaster]

I reused the washer on two different vehicles (89 Accord and 98 Odyssey) and never had to make the plug that tight to prevent leakage. That's not to say that I advise against replacing the washer. I didn't have any on hand at my first ATF change on the 89 Accord so I risked reusing. It didn't leak so I continued to reuse it for the life of the transmission - over 300,000 miles with DAF's every 30,000.

 

[Doog]

Use a 1/2 breaker bar with a 1/2 to 3/8 reducer socket and a 10 foot breaker bar...if the car flips over that is too much...

 

[gman2304]

I had to take mine to a local shop and had them heat it with a torch. It didn't take much, but afterward came off like butta!

 

[Vikas]

What is the story with write-only OP which I am seeing too often currently?

 

[Voltmaster]

Thanks for all the input ,

The dealer/online I read its a 17mm but PepBoys gave me "10mm squar drainplug for acuras and hondas"

I can conform a 3/8 square plug. I borrowed my girlfriend's dad's tools and I was able to remove it.

As many mentioned all I needed was a long tool so I can apply alot of torque to it, I had to push really hard. It may have been serviced but tightened too darn hard by armature mechanic.

 

[Vikas]

3/8 inch is 9.5mm. I believe the washer size is 17 (or 18) mm.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: Voltmaster
Thanks for all the input ,

The dealer/online I read its a 17mm but PepBoys gave me "10mm squar drainplug for acuras and hondas"

I can conform a 3/8 square plug. I borrowed my girlfriend's dad's tools and I was able to remove it.

As many mentioned all I needed was a long tool so I can apply alot of torque to it, I had to push really hard. It may have been serviced but tightened too darn hard by armature mechanic.


I suspect that the transmission case is aluminum, as the material is fairly soft. The plug sees a lot of heat cycling so upon the next fluid change, you will find it to be very difficult to remove. This is absolutely normal.

Also, the torque spec is 36 ft-lbs (with new washer), which is actually quite tight.

Originally Posted By: Vikas
3/8 inch is 9.5mm. I believe the washer size is 17 (or 18) mm.


The washer is 18mm. I have some aftermarket 18mm Honda ATF crush washers that seem a hair thicker than the originals, not sure if they are truly correct. Been afraid to try 'em. If anyone wants to be a guinea pig, let me know and I'll mail you a few.

 

[Vikas]

why would thicker gasket bother you? if you had said it earlier, I could have saved few bucks as I just bought one from the dealer and it cost me almost 3 or 4 bucks for that single washer :-(