Where I'm at, a transmission flush costs about $95.00. However a drain and fill with Honda ATF Z1 done at home costs about $15.00. I'm wondering if just doing a drain and fill at every other oil change (about 10K miles) would be just as effective. Even though I know I'm not getting all the fluid out the upside is using OEM fluid instrad of Dexron 3 with Lube Guard and changing the fluid more often for less money. I'm even going to see if a Fumoto Valve will fit my transmission drain plug. The car is a 2001 Honda Civic (no Trans filter) with 230,000 miles. By the way transmission is in perfect condition even with this many miles on it. What do all the BITOGer's suggest?
Transmission money saving question
- Thread starter gulledge
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DON'T FLUSH IT!!!!!
Here's the advice a respected transmission rebuilder gave me: don't flush any transmission where you can't clean the pan and change the filter first. The reason is that a flush can stir up the junk in the pan, trapping it in the filter. If the filter gets overloaded, it will clog and starve the transmission of oil, causing major damage. In your case, the pan and the filter are both not removable or serviceable without a rebuild. Also, with that many miles on it, you're bound to have a bunch of junk in there to clog the filter if you attempt to flush it all through. So definitely go with your drain-and-fill plan. You'll be much better off.
Here's the advice a respected transmission rebuilder gave me: don't flush any transmission where you can't clean the pan and change the filter first. The reason is that a flush can stir up the junk in the pan, trapping it in the filter. If the filter gets overloaded, it will clog and starve the transmission of oil, causing major damage. In your case, the pan and the filter are both not removable or serviceable without a rebuild. Also, with that many miles on it, you're bound to have a bunch of junk in there to clog the filter if you attempt to flush it all through. So definitely go with your drain-and-fill plan. You'll be much better off.
You can't clog the filter if you don't have one.
What kind of maintenance have you been doing? (Would this be the first time the fluid had been changed?)
Do three drain and fills (drive a couple of miles in between). Do one drain and fill every 10k miles and three every 30k miles thereafter.
Do not flush and use Honda ATF. Drain plug is a snap to remove on my Accord & Ody.
Do not flush and use Honda ATF. Drain plug is a snap to remove on my Accord & Ody.
I have actually had all flushes done in the past at reguar intervals. The fluid is very clean and the transmission is in perfect condition despite the high miles.
230,000 miles on flushes @ regular intervals, transmission is in "perfect condition" + fluid is very clean = my vote to keep on doing whatever you're doing...
Maybe you should be giving advice instead of me!
Maybe you should be giving advice instead of me!
This car DOES have a trans filter, but it's a screen and is not removable without a trans rebuild. Don't you dare clog that puppy!
ex_MGB is correct, it is easy to remove the fill plug and drain plug, making drain/refills very easy. I've drained/refilled twice on my Acura and then every other oil change. I use Amsoil ATF, with no issues.
Drain and refill it. To me, it's cheaper, safer, just as effective, and noone else has to touch your vehicle!
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