Drain and fill vs. complete flush

[bustednutz]

OK, So I hooked my dad up with a 2000 Civic. Its a great little dar and it has all the service records with it since new. It now has 166k on it and he wants to service the trans.
He found a place that specializes in Honda service. Thats all they do is Hondas.
They guy there recommends that doing a complete flush with genuine Honda fluid would be more beneficial then just a drain and fill.
The place uses a flush machine and the guy insists that they only use the genuine Honda fluid. They seem to have a good reputation as well.
So I ask of you all, is a full flush worth it over the drain and fill? Any danger to it? The full flush is $150.00. Drain and fill is about $80.00.
I'm thinking he needs to do the flush. Whats the concensus here on it?

 

[VK56VD]

Honda does not recommend machine flushes. Instead, they recommend 3x drain and fills with some miles in between. To them it's equivalent to a flush. If it were my car, I'd do at least 3 drain and fills with miles in between each using synthetic fluid such as Amsoil ATF that's compatible for Honda's.

 

[mopar_monkey]

either will be just fine but the years i've spent as a honda tech i prefer the 3 drain and fill method.

 

[unDummy]

No danger of a flush.
Make sure a compatible ATF is used.

$80 for a single drain/refill vs $150 is a financial no brainer. Get the flush. It takes 4-6 drain/refills to equal a single fluid exchange(flush).

On this high mileage transmission, make sure that NO SOLVENTS, TREATMENTS are added to the machine or transmission. That means NONE NADA ZIPPO.... just ATF and ONLY ATF

 

[FZ1]

Honda does not reccommend "Flushes". Drain and fill 3x with only Honda ATF. Hope this helps.

 

[crazyoildude]

i do the 3 flush thing also

 

[Rockford Fosgate Fan]

IMO stick with the 3 drian and flush method.

 

[charbaby]

AND THE WINNER IS...


3 drain & fills

 

[unDummy]

If you consider wasting fluid and money a winner.... I'd choose the flush method, thumb my nose at Honda, and use a non-Honda ATF.

At least one member here has the right idea:
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/posts/2009891/

 

[JOD]

I would definitely do a complete flush. The only drawback is mixing fluid, and if he's Honda-specific shop, it makes sense he'd have a dedicated Z1 machines.

You'll get all of the fluid out in one shot, and there's no harm. Purposing leaving in dirty fluid doesn't make much sense to me. A drain and fill is certainly easier for the home mechanic.

I also wonder if he's doing a 3X drain and fill for that price, or just a single drain and fill. 3X would be 10 Qt of fluid, so that price seems a little low.

Regardless, "Honda doesn't recommend" really isn't an answer. There's no sensible reason not to a full flush. If he flushes via the inline filter, you ask him to replace that as well. At 126K, it's probably not a bad idea.

Lastly, either procedure is pretty easy to do yourself should you decide to go that route. To flush via the filter, you'll probably have to remove the bumper cover, which actually isn't a big deal.

 

[KrisZ]

What about a cooler line fluid exchange, is that so hard on Hondas?

I did mine on my Mazda 3, it was quick, no fluid was wasted, I did not need to drive around the block between drains, I exchanged all fluid and saved a bunch of money in the process.

 

[bustednutz]

I'm gonna tell him to do the flush. Doing a drain and fill 3x is cost prohibitive and simply wasteful. Besides, he wants to drive the car and go to work, and not have to waste his time at mechanical shops.
Thanks for the advice.

 

[mechtech2]

Even if you do a flush, the pan should come off and get cleaning and a new filter.
A very good option is to have this done [clean, filter refill], and have a drain plug installed in the pan. Get a very good one that is installed perfectly. Then, you can do the subsequent changes easily!
This is my #1 choice.

 

[wiswind]

The drain and fill will use less fluid (each time) than a cooler line fluid exchange.
You normally get, at MOST, 1/2 of the fluid with a drain or pan removal.
I prefer the cooler line fluid exchange, but don't have a Honda.
I do not know the reason that Honda recommends the 3 x drain over the cooler line fluid exchange, but the 3 x drain will certainly get the job done.
They would run the motor and (hopefully) drive the vehicle between each drain.

I would also recommend that ALL the vehicles fluids be changed as good preventative maintenance.

 

[mopar_monkey]

hondas do not have a pan or filter.

 

[mechtech2]

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/detail...mp;apwidv37JgLG

No Honda ATF filters?

 

[VicL]

I know the OP made his decision, but I thought I'd throw in my 2cents.

First, one comment said there was no good reason not to do a flush. Well, there is: Honda specifically recommends AGAINST power flushes. See Honda Service article here: Honda Service Bulletin

I have not been able to track down specifics, but multiple internet sites point this out. IIRC, at least one website states that transmission damage has been associated with power flushes on Hondas. Note that this is stricly related to a POWER flush. Cooler line flushes should be fine, and of course the drain and fill is the Honda recommended method, as the above article describes.

Vic

 

[SteveSRT8]

where is ANYONE getting a "powered" flush? Every single machine I see is completely passive, your trans pump does the work.

I have yet to see one, and it is becoming a personal quest of mine!

Anyone?

 

[VicL]

Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
where is ANYONE getting a "powered" flush? Every single machine I see is completely passive, your trans pump does the work.

I have yet to see one, and it is becoming a personal quest of mine!

Anyone?

If you really want a power ATF flush, try AAMCO. AAMCO Transmission Flush
Their description of ATF flush sounds like the power flush.
On the good side, Jiffy Lube's description of their flushing machines sounds like your version, which should be safe. Now, whether or not Jiffy Lube does a good job (or does it at all) is another question....

Vic

 

[Capa]

I, personally, would follow Honda's recommendation, but it is your car. There are other automakers that also don't recommend a flush---so I have never been a fan of the flush.