DIY: ATF flush and fill + Magnefine filter installation

144644 Views 178 Replies 50 Participants Last post by planomateo, May 16, 2015

netbeaver

Discussion Starter · Feb 13, 2007 (Edited)

Moderator Edit:

Since the pictures are missing, if you want pictures, you can go directly to the following post in this thread to get the pictures.

http://www.odyclub.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=522553#post522553

I just did a complete ATF flush and refill on my 2000 Ody as some people have suggested on this board. Previously, I did a drain and refill at 45K and the infamous “3X” drain and refill by a dealer around 95K. Now the car is over 130K and I started to feel little sluggish lately. The whole process took less than 3 hours including a Magnefine filter installation. Here are the pics. Many thanks to all those people who’ve posted HOWTOs on this project.

Parts needed: case of Honda Z1 ATF (12), Magnefine filter, 2 hose clamps

Tools: screw driver, hose cutter, 3/8” drive ratchet, ½” drive handle + long extension (>12”), 17mm socket, [not in pics:] oil drain pan, measuring bucket (enough to hold 3qts), 12” clear hose (3/4” in diameter), roll of paper/shop towels

Remove the plastic splash guard on the bottom of the engine compartment. Use a screw driver to unplug bumper and fender plugs.

Remove the ATF fill plug using a 17mm socket with long extension. Newer Odys or rebuilt trannies may no longer have this fill plug. Use the dip stick tube instead for refills.

Use a ¾ driver ratchet to remove the transmission drain plug.

Drain ATF. Slightly over 3 Qts should come out.

Clean the gunk around the magnetic part of the drain plug and screw it back in with 36 ft-lbs torque.

Refill ATF. Pour in about 3 ½ Qts.

Cut returning ATF rubber hose on the driver side. Don’t do this if you’re not installing a Magnefine filter. You can simply remove the hose from the ATF cooler.

Insert one end of the clear hose over the factory hose on the radiator side. The other end should point to the measuring bucket.

See less See more

Save

1 - 9 of 179 Posts

pickupjason

· #9 · Feb 19, 2007

tried to do the drain and refill today..however, I am not able to loose the refill bolt ..The car has 42k miles and I had a local shop to do the 30k miles service for me. I thougt it will be easy to loose that bolt, but that's not the case..

Also, I can't find anything could fit the dip stick hole. What kind of tube do I need if I'd like to refill the ATF from the dip stick hole?

Jason

Save

pickupjason

· #11 · Feb 19, 2007

got it..it's 3/8"..

thanks for the help..I should have searched it first..my bad ..

Save

pickupjason

· #12 · Feb 26, 2007

today, I tried to attac the atf refill bolt again...
this time, with a deep socket, couple longer extension, and a big break bar, I finally made it...

I drained the atf without lift the car. got 3 qt and 6 oz of dirty atf..then I refilled with same amount of honda atf oil.

Save

pickupjason

· #53 · Jul 27, 2008

just flushed the trans and added the magnefine filter on my 01 ody with 56k miles on it.

I have the van on jack stand since I was also doing the oil change. I basically broke every small clips when removing them.
Also, I used a utility knife to cut the returning hose and some ATF came out from the hose and went on my face..... I tried to cut it close to ATF instead of radiator to get more room and flexibility when installing the magnefine filter.

1. first drained and added 3 1/4 quarts honda ATF
2. drain and refill 2 1/2 quarts X 3 times
3. installed the magnefine filter and check the level of ATF

it took me almost 3 hours to finish everything, including oil change, tire rotation and ATF flush. Not too bad for a sunday morning project.

Jason

Save

pickupjason

· #54 · Aug 1, 2008

just a follow up..
drove the van for almost 100 miles after the flush.

paid extra attention on the shift smoothness as well as on the whining sound with 4th gear at lower rpm. There's no doubt the shifting now is smoother, especially from 1st to 2nd. However, the whining sound is still there but seems become not that noticeable. But I don't have any solid proof, just my own "feeling".

I will surely flush the trans fluid again when I do 90k mile service.

Jason

Save

pickupjason

· #58 · Aug 1, 2008

the 4th gear whining last for past 30k miles...
I do not hear any whining between 1st and 2nd...

This is also the reason I want to do a "flush", just want see if change out most of the fluid will help the "shift" quality and the whining...
so far so good..

Jason

Save

pickupjason

· #60 · Aug 1, 2008

well, the first drain, 3 1/2 qt, looks dark and kind of "smell"...
during the 2nd/3rd drain and refill, I see apparently difference since there are more and more new fluid in there. Also, I did not drive the car between drain/refill. I know there are some discussions between drive and not drive but since I have the car on the jack stand, I just decided to do the drain/refill without driving in between.

Anyway, the result is promising to me and I will surely do that again at 90k, if I keep the van till then..

Jason

Save

pickupjason

· #63 · Aug 1, 2008

I put the car on the jack because I was doing oil change/tire rotation as well.

I fully understand what you said and I may want to try it next time. However, I do" feel" the improvement of the shifting quality and lower whining sounds.

Also, maybe I should have made it more clear, I was doing what the original poster said.
1. drained the 3 1/2 qt from drain plug.
2. flush 2 1/2 qt twice from ATF return line by cutting the tube & started the engine.
3. installed the magnefine filter..

so..I feel comfortable about what I did and feel the difference. maybe, it's just me..

Jason

Save

pickupjason

· #64 · Aug 1, 2008

herrhaus said:
BTW...don't tell your wife what you did!!

She almost yelled at me for spending such a long time messed with the van in garage...
so she knew I did something already......:stupid:

Save

1 - 9 of 179 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month