Honda AT Fluid Change

[cchase]

I just got done changing the filter and draining and filling the transmission fluid on our 2003 Accord V6 with 83k on it.

I've never noticed a difference in shifting on a fluid change before, but boy was this night and day. Much smoother (no slower, just less of a lunge into the next gear) and well worth it.

Put in ~3.5 qts of Honda DW-1. Fluid had been changed at 65k but was pretty much black in the water jug I drained into. Looked pretty gross.

Figured I'd share the experience, since I didn't think the transmission was mis-behaving prior to the change, but am now impressed with the improvement.

 

[SatinSilver]

How many total drain/fills has the car had so far?

 

[stang5]

i drain and refill ours every 20k miles since new with Z1 ATF, shifting has always been smooth.. How hard was it to replace the filter?

 

[cchase]

The first change was at 65k. I decided it should be done even though I don't think the manual specified a change that soon. Unfamiliar with Hondas transmissions, I assumed they were like most others with a filter in the pan... drop the pan, replace the filter, put the pan back on. So, we had the dealer do it and they did a complete fluid exchange (and told me there was no filter for the transmission...).

Since I have the time now and since I did more reading and realized there is a drain plug (and the infamous filter that Honda denies) I decided I should try it myself, especially since the pictures of the filters online looked pretty plugged up.

The filter change was a breeze, the hardest part about the entire process was actually getting the drain plug loose - had to resort to kicking the wrench to pop the seal. The filter just required removing the air filter housing, then undoing 4 bolts. I would say the entire process took 45 minutes which was at a very relaxed pace.

That said, either people on Honda forums are over-dramatic, they've never cut an oil filter open, or ours was an exception, but the filter didn't look that bad to me. It had some metallic scum on it but I wouldn't have condemned it. Even the magnet on the drain plug was clean compared to past experiences with other vehicles. I think the first drain I did on my truck had a wad of metallic goo the size of a raspberry on the magnet in the pan.

 

[gregk24]

I would be draining a lot more often than that...especially on an 03 V6, notorious for big issues. That fluid should always be pink. Glad its shifting better though! I went to the Honda dealer about 2 weeks ago and had the fluid drained and refilled, they denied (again) the existence of the filter, I wanted to walk over and point it out to them....why do they deny it??

 

[cchase]

Originally Posted By: gregk24
I would be draining a lot more often than that...especially on an 03 V6, notorious for big issues.


I agree that it should be being changed more often, but realistically, this is an almost 11 year old vehicle used for mainly in-town driving. Clearly it's been working so far, reputation aside.

 

[vssjim]

There is no pan and there is only a screen on the pump inlet that you would have to split the cases to get to. Honda has always said if you need to fully change fluid to change use about a case of fluid and run car on a lift or stands for a short distance after drain and refilling and continue to change until fluid is clean. They do not recommend fluid flush machines.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: cchase
I've never noticed a difference in shifting on a fluid change before, but boy was this night and day. Much smoother (no slower, just less of a lunge into the next gear) and well worth it.


I change the fluid in ours more often than it probably needs, but I have found with both of our cars that *something* happens to the fluid and shifting gets sloppier after 10-15k miles. I do a fluid change every 15k miles, only just to restore the very good feel these transmissions have...not to necessarily prolong their life.

 

[Trav]

Originally Posted By: cchase
I just got done changing the filter and draining and filling the transmission fluid on our 2003 Accord V6 with 83k on it.

I've never noticed a difference in shifting on a fluid change before, but boy was this night and day. Much smoother (no slower, just less of a lunge into the next gear) and well worth it.

Put in ~3.5 qts of Honda DW-1. Fluid had been changed at 65k but was pretty much black in the water jug I drained into. Looked pretty gross.

Figured I'd share the experience, since I didn't think the transmission was mis-behaving prior to the change, but am now impressed with the improvement.


How did you change the filter on this unit? I don't find anything except the internal one on the 05.

 

[cchase]

The filter for these is located under the air filter box. It's a small, cartridge-style filter with what looks like some kind of synthetic filter media.

After you remove the air cleaner box, it's just a bolt for a banjo fitting and then three smaller bolts that hold a cover on. There's a rubber gasket for the filter, an o-ring for the filter housing cap, and crush washers for the banjo fitting.

 

[davebarnum]

Is this on ALL Hondas? Pictures would be really really appreciated. By me, anyways.

Think my Civic has this?

 

[y_p_w]

Originally Posted By: cchase
The filter for these is located under the air filter box. It's a small, cartridge-style filter with what looks like some kind of synthetic filter media.

After you remove the air cleaner box, it's just a bolt for a banjo fitting and then three smaller bolts that hold a cover on. There's a rubber gasket for the filter, an o-ring for the filter housing cap, and crush washers for the banjo fitting.

Your Civic model year wouldn't have it. I believe the most that's in there is what would be called a screen. Some refer to it as a "rock catcher".

I believe the Honda 5-sp autos started including real filters, although those are usually referred to as a "lifetime" part.

 

[y_p_w]

Originally Posted By: davebarnum
Is this on ALL Hondas? Pictures would be really really appreciated. By me, anyways.

Think my Civic has this?


I looked it up, and the only thing described as a "filter" is the shift solenoid filter. It's part # 28220-PLX-003. I can't find an actual photo of one, but I find one photo of a similar part with some sticky note (in Thai?):

The part is #9 in this:

If you could remove it, you could probably clean it out rather than spend $25 on a new part.

Here's someone who managed to clean it out in an Acura TL:

http://tl.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=644943

 

[Trav]

Originally Posted By: cchase
The filter for these is located under the air filter box. It's a small, cartridge-style filter with what looks like some kind of synthetic filter media.

After you remove the air cleaner box, it's just a bolt for a banjo fitting and then three smaller bolts that hold a cover on. There's a rubber gasket for the filter, an o-ring for the filter housing cap, and crush washers for the banjo fitting.


Thanks for the good info. Even if its not on the Odyssey's its good to know it may be there on other models.

 

[eagle23]

Originally Posted By: Trav
Originally Posted By: cchase
The filter for these is located under the air filter box. It's a small, cartridge-style filter with what looks like some kind of synthetic filter media.

After you remove the air cleaner box, it's just a bolt for a banjo fitting and then three smaller bolts that hold a cover on. There's a rubber gasket for the filter, an o-ring for the filter housing cap, and crush washers for the banjo fitting.


Thanks for the good info. Even if its not on the Odyssey's its good to know it may be there on other models.


Trav,

It varies whether it is on the other models. I have it on my '07 Accord V6 and changed it at 50k. It looked fine; it resembles a mini-air filter. It's located where the poster said.

I got into an honest disagreement a while ago with another BITOGer about it. He had, I think, an '08 or later Accord which he said didn't have the filter.

I posted the appropriate Honda parts page that showed it, but he corrected my misperception. The parts page showed a filter as I recall, but rather than being externally accessible like mine...like it looked like on the parts page...was actually within the transmission and not accessible. Go figure.