Opinions Needed. More "stuff" on ATF drain bolt!

[DaddyBlogger]

I would really appreciate your opinions on this. I have a 2003 Honda Odyssey which many know have a weak auto trans notorious for high failure rate.

I have been running Amsoil Uni Synthetic ATF for some time coupled with a Magnefine In-line transmission filter. This combo I believe has allowed me to get so far 178,000 miles on the original transmission which is not the norm for these transmissions. The other day I did a ATF drain/fill and noticed more "stuff" on the drain bolt magnetic plug than normal...in fact normally I do not see anything on it. This time I did see more than normal which is alarming to me.

1) Question: How did this get by the Magnefine?
2) Question: Is this a sign that the Magnefine needs to be changed? It has only been in the vehicle for 10,000 miles.

I know I am on borrowed time so perhaps this is the beginning of the end of my original transmission.

Thank you for your help.

 

[wgtoys]

Probably some of the steel bits settled towards the bottom of the sump and got collected by the magnet before they had a chance to be pumped through the Magnefine. It probably does not indicate a problem with the filter.

I find particles to clean off the drain plug on our Honda automatic transmissions every time I do a fluid change. It never makes me feel good

.

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: wgtoys

I find particles to clean off the drain plug on our Honda automatic transmissions every time I do a fluid change. It never makes me feel good

.



Every AT I've owned with a magnet on drain plug bolt, had debris to be wiped off on each drain/fill. The stuff is so fine, I'm not surprised it makes it past a filter. Unless you're getting metal shavings, your fine.

Joel

 

[jmb106]

I have had 5 Honda's this is nothing out of the norm! I just did a drain and fill on my 92 Accord wagon and my 97 Acura Cl this morning, they both had this fine sediment on the magnets. I have come to realize that this is normal for a Honda transmission! It use to bother me now it doesn't. I have well over 500k between the 3 Honda's I currently own! The set up you have w/ the Magnefine and using Amsoil ATF is the best you can do for your Honda.If you don't have any shift issues I would not worry about it!
Joe

 

[pbm]

When I changed the Magnafine @ 28K miles and 2.5 years of usage on my 2001 Accord, I was surprised at how good the inside of the Magnafine looked. The filter still looked like it was filtering and the magnet had room for more ferrous junk. The drain plug still had the customary fuzz. I had done a D&R @ 15K using Z-1 and added LG red.
My conclusion is that the Magnafine can go longer than the manufacturer recommends (30K) unless there is an internal part failure that clogs the filter.
If all goes well, I plan on doing a D&R at 20K and replacing the Magnafine at 40K. I also plan on adding LG red to fortify the Z-1.
I'm happy to have 105K trouble-free miles on my (out of extended warranty) BAXA unit.

PS: If you change your Magnafine at 10K and it's loaded with 'stuff' (upon autopsy), I'd say you have a pending issue.

 

[unixguru]

From 3 Honda's I maintained in my family and relatives all 3 had some stuff on a transmission magnet. I don't think this is something out of extraordinarily. BTW 178k miles is simply outstanding by any standards on an original factory transmission for any car. Whatever you're doing to keep it going - keep doing it. Looks like an excellent maintained transmission.

 

[unDummy]

Originally Posted By: DaddyBlogger


1) Question: How did this get by the Magnefine?
2) Question: Is this a sign that the Magnefine needs to be changed? It has only been in the vehicle for 10,000 miles.


1. Not all ATF goes through the Magnefine. ATF isn't some perfect hydraulic fluid loop. By looking at the magnets, you can see that more than 1/2 never makes it through the cooler loop in the 1st pass. ATF flows in to the trans, does some works there, drains back into the sump... only SOME of it makes it through the cooler circuit.
2. Should be good for 30k easily.

 

[mechtech2]

Remember that many Honda auto transmissions are FAR different than 'normal' Detroit iron.
They actually shift gears like a manual trans! More debris is normal.

 

[DaddyBlogger]

Thanks for the replies so far.

Another question - The 2003 Honda Odyssey has an OEM ATF filter that many are not aware of and the Honda dealer will tell you no such thing exists. It is a replaceable spin-on type ATF filter. Does it make sense to change this in light of the fact that I have a Magnefine in-line ATF filter? The only reason I have not changed this as well is that Honda did a recall because of all the failing transmissions and added a oil jet modification which enters this oem filter...this makes changing the OEM ATF filter a real pain. Thanks again for all of the help and additional insight.

 

[unDummy]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Remember that many Honda auto transmissions are FAR different than 'normal' Detroit iron. They actually shift gears like a manual trans! More debris is normal.


Not really. They just don't use planetary gearsets...meshed straight or helical gear sets -- whoopie

There are also manual transmissions with planetaries too. So, you can't say it shifts like a manual.

More debris is not normal. That means there is wear.