Tranny question

[Bluj40]

Like I mentioned to Molekule the SF Fluid made me a believer, but unfortunately it didnt cure the slam i had prior to the fluid replacement and the instalation of magnefine. I went to a transmission shop called Level 10 in NJ, the shop tore apart my transmission and concluded that my clutches were burnt, torque converter shot and my internal filter clogged. I have kept the transmission clean for almost 66k miles, with ARX and LC and adding the SF fluid. I have reason to believe the excess of LC that i poured probably caused the shearing tof the clutches. The Torque Converter was the result of constant high reving, but the clogged internal filter is what got me. Honda's Internal filters dont clog, luckily i had the magnefine filter to take over the job what the Hondas internal filter was unable to do, but even that too the shop tech said that the Magnefine filter was cloged,after 5k miles of use, i couldnt believe that. So he decided to remove it and advised not to put another one again.I paid $3300 for upgraded tranny parts and now the tranny feels like a heavy duty push, not really smooth, maybe because of the use of the shop's tranny fluid. What should i do? I was planning to install another inline magnefine filter , which i believe couldnt have clogged after only 5k miles and has a bypass system and i want to flush out the garbage fluid to put your SF-Z1.I just dont get how the internal filter filter clogged when it is non-serviceable and its a metal mesh screen. Please give me some suggestions,Thanks

P.S Its a 2002 Honda Accord with 66k miles and the tranny trouble started at 53k miles.

 

[unDummy]

All filters clog, including Hondas. It just takes time.

A UOA, prior to that rebuild, would've been interesting.

Install the Magnefine or the Permacool/Transdapt/B&M filter(which is better and allows cheaper more frequent changes).

Don't use any additives. Pick a high quality ATF, use the extra filter, and make sure you have temperature control(either bigger cooler or temp gauge).

Even though Level 10 is a reputable shop, they like all shops, have their own ways of doing stuff(sales pitch, habits, and **). Not to use an external filter, IMO, is bad advice.

I would've asked for the visual inspection of so called worn/clogged parts, like cutting open the Magnefine.

I also wouldn't have spent $3300 on an automatic. Reputation must increase profit margin by 50%.

 

[ATS-V]

I've heard of "Level 10" before on another board. I've never heard anything good about them.

 

[The Critic]

Level 10 is a "performance" transmission rebuilder. They do NOT rebuild transmissions back to OEM specs. They will upgrade parts for better performance, so the unit will not have the same "feel" as a stock one. Be ware.

I wouldn't be surprised if they used different clutch materials. By using different clutch materials, it's possible that the fluid type has now changed. Dexron may be acceptable. Definitely check with the rebuilder to inquire about the recommended fluid. Its quite possible that Redline fluids were used.

 

[MolaKule]

Ask if they replaced the fluid with a type "F" fluid.

Some performance shops will assume that you want snappy, very firm shifts with a performance rebuild.

 

[bruce381]

""P.S Its a 2002 Honda Accord with 66k miles and the tranny trouble started at 53k miles.""

Wow that is a lot of trouble for only 65K mileage maybe stick to OEM fluids?? and forget about adding "additives".
bruce

 

[Bluj40]

Critic, You are definitely right, they use upgraded clutch parts from Raybestos, now i dont know if i should add Z1 fluid anymore, i still have a gallon of SF Z1 left which was the best fluid i have ever used. but i dont know if its compatible with the new parts in there.Molekule, I remember before i left the shop that the shop manager said that to replace the fluid i have in there now at 15k miles and the if i want i can use the honda fluid, but im not getting the butter smooth shift like the SF Z1 so im gonna change it out this week.

I dont know why the shop was against my magnefine filter because it was clogged,when in the stage 2 kit package , they include an inline filter themselves, sounds fishy

Bruce, i dont know, ever since i added SF Z1 in the tranny , i never looked back to Honda OEM fluid.

 

[Bluj40]

and i bought a B&M HI-Tek Tranny cooler to have the shop install for me, he said that there was no room for the cooler to fit in the front, i didnt believe that at all. Its a small unit, how could it not fit? Anyone knows of a REEPPUTABLE and trusted shop that can install this cooler for me, please?

 

[Bluj40]

UmDummy, the shop manager showed me the worn clutch parts and the clogged internal filter but told me over the phone that he removed the magnefine filter i installed because it was a BAAAAD idea and it was clogged. I said to myself, after only 5k MILES? no way.

 

[Bluj40]

Anyone has anything to say for the three comments above that i made..


I called up the tranny shop that upgraded the tranny and they said they dropped Dexron 3 fluid in there. No wonder why i get a mild hard shift. im gonna slap the SF Z1 in there. but is my tranny compatible with the Z1 fluid still

 

[The Critic]

I would ask the transmission shop. Find out what Raybestos clutch materials they used. See if Raybestos has a specific recommendation.

If in doubt, use Amsoil's Universal ATF. It contains the selective FMs applicable to both Dex III and Honda Z1, so you should be safe with that choice if all else fails.

 

[unDummy]

My personal experience is that Raybestos isn't ATF picky. Use any quality ATF.

If the VB is modded, I don't expect any major shift quality changes. A fluid won't make up for quick/hard shifts caused by typical VB mods like: reduced accumulation, higher pressures, and increased ATF flow.

Not to pick on Level 10, but most transmission shops have the 'bucket of broken/worn parts' used to make a sale. I don't trust shop(sales) managers and never will.
I would avoid that shop simply because of the filter removal and lack of cooler space!

Whats the warranty on this transmission??

I would definitely install the cooler with a filter. Just about any mechanic, dealer, and trailer hitch place that does installs, should have no problem installing that cooler.

It sukcs that you can't find competence and honesty in the auto repair field. I can always find either but never both. A balance of the 2 is never enough!

 

[Bluj40]

UmDUMMY, you are right, I read a couple customer reviews on them and coments made on other forums that made a believer. But some of the things that they did, made me question them. The cooler fan was exactly where i left it in the car, so i knew he said that becuase i wasnt giving him extra money for it.

What was listed that, the torque converter were replaced with a performance one, the VB was recalibrated and modified, the drum was replaced, the clutch packs were replaced and new fluid were added. A 1 yr warranty was given. If I remember correctly, most people who have their tranny rebuilt, their trannies usually last for about a year, that scares me. I did my very best that i could to avoid the probelm that happened to me. ARX, LC, SF-Z1 FLUID, Magnefine filter and was about to install the tranny cooler, how could i possibly go wrong.

How can a shop say that an external filter is a bad idea when they are also selling the same item. Thats what really got me, and if it wasnt for the external magnefine filter, then my tranny would REALLY went downhill.

If anyone can refer me to a good tranny shop that installs tranny coolers and have quality work in the NY area, i would really appreciate it.

 

[Bluj40]

More feedback everyone, more feedback !!

 

[kc8adu]

any transmission that has enough debris in it to plug a filter that fast is at deaths door anyway.
i cant see how its a bad idea.if it were mine it would have a few hard drive magnets in it too.
any crud you take out of circulation is that much less wear.

 

[Bluj40]

I mean , my ****, I changed out the Dexron 3 fluid that was in the transmission and replaced it with the SF-Z1, that notchy shift from 1-2 is gone, the shifting is waaaaaaaaayy better especially putting the lever in Reverse where i would get that harsh and rough engagement. I guess that Dexron 3 was garbage, it even smell like the pissy smelling Prestone Coolant. What a difference.