How much oil in Honda trans?

[White 03]

My 03 V6 Accord with the auto trans has just turned 20,000 miles and I want to do a partial trans oil change. I am just going to remove the plug to drain the transmission not the torque converter or any flushing.

Anyone already done this on one of these?

I got the oil at the dealer and the parts guy said about 3 quarts. Does this sound about right?

Anything else that could go wrong?

TIA

 

[427Z06]

3 qts is all that will come out when you remove the drain plug. A lot of the oil stays in the converter and other areas. 6 qts if memory serves, is the total capacity, I can verify if you wish.

Don't forget to use a new aluminum crush washer. It's a different size compared to the engine oil pan plug washer.

 

[White 03]

Thanks,

I guess I already forgot that. I will look for a crush washer. I suppose the dealer: I hate the buck a washer though.

The partial drain 3 quarts is what I was tring to find out.

 

[BeltwayBandit]

The Honda Owner's Manual should list the amount of fluid that you will need for a change, but 3 quarts is what mine takes for a change. The dealer prices I have seen Honda ATF drain plug washers have ranged from $1.50 to $3.50 and the ATF fill plug washers from $2.50 to $4.50.

A few weeks ago a few people reported that the drain plugs can be very difficult to remove for the first drain even though the torque spec is fairly low, usually between 30 and 40 lb-ft.

Good luck with the ATF change.

 

[427Z06]

From the '02 V6 service manual:

3.1 qts at changing
7.6 qts at overhaul

drain plug 18x1.5mm 36 ft-lbs
filler bolt 24x1.5mm 33 ft-lbs

You have a 5-speed auto so you probably want to confirm the above for your model.

 

[thrace]

"From the '02 V6 service manual:

3.1 qts at changing
7.6 qts at overhaul

drain plug 18x1.5mm 36 ft-lbs
filler bolt 24x1.5mm 33 ft-lbs

You have a 5-speed auto so you probably want to confirm the above for your model. "

If the Accord is anything like the 02 Odyssey, the filler bolt took over 100 foot/lbs to remove on mine. There is a high probability of hand or eye injury when the bolt finally lets loose at that kind of force. I do not have to worry about the filler bolt anymore. Its place is now taken by an oil jet for the 2nd gear recall. Now I fill by the dipstick tube. I had no trouble getting the drain bolt out.

You can reuse the drain crush washer if it is not crushed too much and not deformed. Since the fill plug is on top, you should be able to reuse its crush washer. I did.

As for parts and fluid prices, you may want to check online stores. Check the link in this post. http://www.autoforumz.com/Honda-2004-CRV-keyless-remote-ftopict68517.html
The store mentioned is in Massachusetts and sells Z1 ATF for about $3.10 USD per quart. Washers are cheaper than a local dealer. Shipping is $3.95 for any size order.

 

[Ray H]

Agree with thrace. Buy the stupid washer as a backup, but re-use the original. Unless Honda's actually changed the basic design of their automatic transaxle drain plug washers since 1996 (the year Accord I owned), it's just a flat aluminum washer that's way overpriced. If you want to achieve a closer-to-flush exchange without the mess and risk of disconnecting cooler lines, go with four drains and refills intermingled with five or six miles of driving between each - doesn't all have to be done the same day. Using 427Z06'a volume figures, each drain and refill will exchange about 41% (3.1 / 7.6) of the fluid. Since that leaves 59% of the previous remainder, by four times you'll be down to about 7% (a 93% exchange!) of the original fluid. (0.59 x 0.59 x 0.59 x 0.59 = 0.0714). 12 quarts. Going a fifth drain and refill only brings you down to 4% (a 96% exchange) that's probably not cost effective when weighed against the expense of three additional quarts of Honda ATF.)

That drain plug could be STUBBORN if it's never previosly been removed. Use a 1/2" breaker bar with a quality 1/2" to 3/8" reducer. Have a 3' length of 3/4" pipe handy for extra leverage and you should be able to persuade that plug to loosen without any trouble.