Way Too Much Tranny Fluid in the Factory Fill

[MolaKule]

If you overfill, you are going to have severe foaming issues.

Under filling may cause low fluid pressure and the pulleys may not respond appropriately to load and rpm.

I agree, the dipstick is more accurate than that ridiculous window or "overdrain" peep hole.

I would take seriously crvtech's advice.

 

[JosephH1]

Originally Posted By: 90crvtec
Here's a link on how to check the CVT fluid for the 2013+ Honda Accord. I believe the Accord shares the same CVT with the 2WD CR-Vs. They both have the same engine as well.

There is a check bolt on the front of the CVT that can be used to verify the level (and to bleed off any excess fluid).

Link to PDF file with instructions: http://www.driveaccord.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=47155&d=1360690810


Thank you very much 90crvtec, this is exactly what I was looking for. I will perform this check TODAY.

 

[JosephH1]

Originally Posted By: MolaKule
If you overfill, you are going to have severe foaming issues.

Under filling may cause low fluid pressure and the pulleys may not respond appropriately to load and rpm.

I agree, the dipstick is more accurate than that ridiculous window or "overdrain" peep hole.

I would take seriously crvtech's advice.


Agreed, it was rather frustrating finding no dip stick. I was careful to err on the side of caution and refill slightly less that the drained amount to avoid an overfill. I will find some level ground and check the levels today for sure.

Additionally MolaKule, I would like to thank you for your contributions to the forum. Several of your posts in other threads got me thinking about doing this early fluid change. Once I saw the dark, opaque appearance of the fluid and the amount of aluminum flakes and glitter at the bottom of my new oil catch pan I was certain that I made the correct decision.

 

[Bgallagher]

I agree that the angle shouldn't make a 2 quart difference but I am unsure how you check the fluid level for this? If there isn't a formal dipstick it should have some sort of a level indicator plug or something. Like my Terrain, you open warm up the car and go through the gears before you open the fluid plug and add until it is dribbling out. I wish I could be more of a help but it might be worth purchasing a haynes or chilton manual. Some auto parts stores also allow you to look through their "library" of manuals.

Side note, Lewiston is a really nice town. My wife grew up in Ransomville and we go to Lewiston whenever we are in town to see family. The jetboats are fun!

 

[JosephH1]

Originally Posted By: Bgallagher
I agree that the angle shouldn't make a 2 quart difference but I am unsure how you check the fluid level for this? If there isn't a formal dipstick it should have some sort of a level indicator plug or something. Like my Terrain, you open warm up the car and go through the gears before you open the fluid plug and add until it is dribbling out. I wish I could be more of a help but it might be worth purchasing a haynes or chilton manual. Some auto parts stores also allow you to look through their "library" of manuals.

Side note, Lewiston is a really nice town. My wife grew up in Ransomville and we go to Lewiston whenever we are in town to see family. The jetboats are fun!


Small world! I am in Ransomville every Friday night for cocktails and cigars! It is a wonderful area to live if you can afford the NY taxes....... I was just in Boston last month and made the required visit for dinner at Rino's. Awesome! I would walk from Lewiston to Boston for Anthony's gnocchi and veal cutlets.

The CR-V transmission has a drip plug to verify fluid level, just like my BMW motorcycle, only the drip plug is separate from the fill opening on the Honda. Strange setup. The cynic in me thinks that these quirks are to get folks into the dealerships.

 

[Bgallagher]

Originally Posted By: JosephH1
Originally Posted By: Bgallagher
I agree that the angle shouldn't make a 2 quart difference but I am unsure how you check the fluid level for this? If there isn't a formal dipstick it should have some sort of a level indicator plug or something. Like my Terrain, you open warm up the car and go through the gears before you open the fluid plug and add until it is dribbling out. I wish I could be more of a help but it might be worth purchasing a haynes or chilton manual. Some auto parts stores also allow you to look through their "library" of manuals.

Side note, Lewiston is a really nice town. My wife grew up in Ransomville and we go to Lewiston whenever we are in town to see family. The jetboats are fun!


Small world! I am in Ransomville every Friday night for cocktails and cigars! It is a wonderful area to live if you can afford the NY taxes....... I was just in Boston last month and made the required visit for dinner at Rino's. Awesome! I would walk from Lewiston to Boston for Anthony's gnocchi and veal cutlets.

The CR-V transmission has a drip plug to verify fluid level, just like my BMW motorcycle, only the drip plug is separate from the fill opening on the Honda. Strange setup. The cynic in me thinks that these quirks are to get folks into the dealerships.


Friday night fish fry? haha. Anthony's gnocchi and veal is the best!

I would go with the drip plug. If you can, get it level and warm up the engine, run it through the gears a few times then open the drip plug. If there isn't any fluid coming out, add fluid from the fill plug until it trickles out. Similiar to a transfer case or your BMW cycle. Once it starts flowing out I would close it up, go through the gears again a few times and open it once more. The fluid should just be trickling out,not a steady flow.

 

[Vikas]

I know this is now all resolved but would you mind why you thought
Quote:
Per the owners manual the capacity of the AWD CVT is 4.5 quarts.

I love the fact that rather than thinking "huh, may be I made a mistake" you decided that factory worker must have been not paying attention when built your vehicle :-(

 

[JosephH1]

Originally Posted By: Bgallagher
Originally Posted By: JosephH1

The CR-V transmission has a drip plug to verify fluid level, just like my BMW motorcycle, only the drip plug is separate from the fill opening on the Honda. Strange setup. The cynic in me thinks that these quirks are to get folks into the dealerships.


Friday night fish fry? haha. Anthony's gnocchi and veal is the best!

I would go with the drip plug. If you can, get it level and warm up the engine, run it through the gears a few times then open the drip plug. If there isn't any fluid coming out, add fluid from the fill plug until it trickles out. Similiar to a transfer case or your BMW cycle. Once it starts flowing out I would close it up, go through the gears again a few times and open it once more. The fluid should just be trickling out,not a steady flow.


Well I went the drip plug route and it would only hold another 3 ounces before the fluid trickled out of the hole. Good Enough! So the 4.5 quarts specified in the manual seems fairly accurate for a fluid change refill after all. Going forward it will be super easy and basically foolproof to use this method. Thanks to all who made constructive suggestions! Your help is greatly appreciated.

Yes! The Western NY area's Friday Fish Fry is just one of many great traditions and experiences to be enjoyed while living in this special area.

 

[KrisZ]

Originally Posted By: Vikas
I love the fact that rather than thinking "huh, may be I made a mistake" you decided that factory worker must have been not paying attention when built your vehicle :-(


VW forums are full stories like this one for their DSG transmissions. And there is actually a tech there that confirmed the factory fill is indeed correct and that the plastic measuring tool, made to who knows what tolerances, is incorrect and under fills these transmissions.
What these people do not realize is that the fluids in the factory are dispensed not by some Joe Shmoe, eyeballing the quantities, but by a proper dispensing machine that is programmed for a specific volume.
In today's world where auto manufacturers are pinching every single penny in the production costs, you can be assured that companies would not waste expensive fluids by overfilling them.

 

[JosephH1]

Originally Posted By: KrisZ
Originally Posted By: Vikas
I love the fact that rather than thinking "huh, may be I made a mistake" you decided that factory worker must have been not paying attention when built your vehicle :-(


VW forums are full stories like this one for their DSG transmissions. And there is actually a tech there that confirmed the factory fill is indeed correct and that the plastic measuring tool, made to who knows what tolerances, is incorrect and under fills these transmissions.
What these people do not realize is that the fluids in the factory are dispensed not by some Joe Shmoe, eyeballing the quantities, but by a proper dispensing machine that is programmed for a specific volume.
In today's world where auto manufacturers are pinching every single penny in the production costs, you can be assured that companies would not waste expensive fluids by overfilling them.



This forum seems to have a fair number of hyper critical folks with limited reading comprehension skills who impart their own biases and add little or nothing to the thread. Nowhere did I give an opinion of what caused this situation and who was at fault. I described what I did and what the outcome was. My only concern was to get the correct amount of fluid back into the transmission and protect my investment. Once again, thanks much to those who offered constructive advice.

 

[Bill_G]

Originally Posted By: JosephH1
Originally Posted By: KrisZ
Originally Posted By: Vikas
I love the fact that rather than thinking "huh, may be I made a mistake" you decided that factory worker must have been not paying attention when built your vehicle :-(


VW forums are full stories like this one for their DSG transmissions. And there is actually a tech there that confirmed the factory fill is indeed correct and that the plastic measuring tool, made to who knows what tolerances, is incorrect and under fills these transmissions.
What these people do not realize is that the fluids in the factory are dispensed not by some Joe Shmoe, eyeballing the quantities, but by a proper dispensing machine that is programmed for a specific volume.
In today's world where auto manufacturers are pinching every single penny in the production costs, you can be assured that companies would not waste expensive fluids by overfilling them.



This forum seems to have a fair number of hyper critical folks with limited reading comprehension skills who impart their own biases and add little or nothing to the thread. Nowhere did I give an opinion of what caused this situation and who was at fault. I described what I did and what the outcome was. My only concern was to get the correct amount of fluid back into the transmission and protect my investment. Once again, thanks much to those who offered constructive advice.


You're not alone in that observation Joseph.

 

[Vikas]

Quote:
Way Too Much Transmission Fluid in the Factory Fill
Topic title says it all!