[CrockettsCabin]

Good Afternoon (Morning, Evening, etc.),

Thank you for having me in your forum.

In my younger days, I scoffed at the Soccer Mom vans. Then, in 2010 after our second daughter arrived, I bought a 2002 Dodge Caravan. From that moment I was a convert. It was comfortable, rode well, and was much better on gas than my previous Land Yachts.

Over the next 12 years, I grew to desire what I believed to be the best-looking minivan I had ever seen; the Honda Odyssey. But, they were always cost-prohibitive.

A couple of weeks ago, our Ford Freestar (I will NEVER have another Ford, but that is a different story) gave up the ghost. Thus I began my search, in earnest, for a Japanese replacement. This weekend my wife and I drove down to Hallandale to look at a 2001 that I found on Craigslist.

It is purported to be an original owner vehicle with 156K on the odometer.

To be honest, I am having some buyer's remorse because it is such an old vehicle. But, it did seem like a really good price and appears to be well-kept. Anyway, I'm not too mechanically inclined but I can do basic maintenance and change some bits as needed.

I hope to learn more about the van so I joined this forum as soon as I found it.

Thank you for taking the time to read and I look forward to my time here.

 

[WiiMaster]

Keep an eye on that transmission. They're basically made of glass on these. ATF changes every 15k and an ATF cooler would both be good ideas.

 

[marmaladeboy]

Welcome to the club! The 2nd Gen Odyssey was probably my favorite. But like WiiMaster said, stay on top of the transmission maintenance.

 

[Bear3412]

Does that one have a changeable trans filter?
Asking for OP.

@CrockettsCabin
Welcome to the OdyClub

 

[bonsaikono]

Looks like my 2001 Odyssey. Original owner. 230,000 miles. Original alternator. WORST TRANSMISSION EVER. On my 4th rebuilt tranny now. Installed magnifine inline filter. And I do a drain and fill every 8000 miles. This seems to work for me. 4th tranny has I think near 70,000 miles on it. Previous three were in the 40K and 50K miles before failure. Heat is the enemy. (1999-2001 4 speed) (2002-2004 5 speed, better, a little over 100K miles, then they failed). Great engine. Never adjusted valves so far....

 

[wwdwgs]

Does that one have a changeable trans filter?

yes, it does. it's located on top of tranny (number 8):

 

[CrockettsCabin]

Sounds like my buyer's remorse is well-founded then. Here's hoping I can sell it for what I paid for it.

I do appreciate the information.

 

[wwdwgs]

CrokettsCabin,
your car looks very clean and has relatively low miles.

 

[CrockettsCabin]

Would something like this work?

Hayden Automotive 403 Ultra-Cool Tube and Fin Transmission Cooler

Buy Hayden Automotive 403 Ultra-Cool Tube and Fin Transmission Cooler at Amazon. Customer reviews and photos may be available to help you make the right purchase decision!

www.amazon.com

 

[WiiMaster]

Do a search, there are a ton of discussions about ATF coolers including recommended options.

 

[wwdwgs]

And if location of factory filter bothers you, install in-line one with the cooler.

 

[Buffalo4]

And if location of factory filter bothers you, install in-line one with the cooler.

And most here would use the MagneFine filter.
Buffalo4

 

[Buffalo4]

Sounds like my buyer's remorse is well-founded then. Here's hoping I can sell it for what I paid for it.

I do appreciate the information.

If it is now shifting OK , just keep the ATF clean and fresh and don't worry too much.
If you tow a trailer or drive really hard or carry a LOT of weight, then think about a tranny cooler. I don't have one on mine.
It is pretty easy to do an ATF drain and fill yourself and quite a few, including myself, use the lower cost Valvoline MaxLife Dex/Merc ATF with great results.
Damn, I wish my '03 looked that clean!!!! Wow! 😅
I have approx 216k miles on mine and I still have the original tranny. I had a timing belt service done about 5k miles ago and also changed the original alternator (used a rebuilt Denso) just for less worry.
If your Ody is mechanically in anywhere in as good of shape as it looks, you will really enjoy it.
Buffalo4

 

[Zipper Back]

Hi CrockettsCabin,

Welcome to the forum. Hopefully the price was right on your purchase. Good luck whether you keep it or sell it on. I chose the 3rd generation as this forum suggests that at my budget this was my best option. I'm was so afraid of the transmission problems of the earlier models. If you keep it I hope you aren't thinking of towing anything...this will put stress on the transmission.

 

[nunecoco12345]

Good Afternoon (Morning, Evening, etc.),

Thank you for having me in your forum.

In my younger days, I scoffed at the Soccer Mom vans. Then, in 2010 after our second daughter arrived, I bought a 2002 Dodge Caravan. From that moment I was a convert. It was comfortable, rode well, and was much better on gas than my previous Land Yachts.

Over the next 12 years, I grew to desire what I believed to be the best-looking minivan I had ever seen; the Honda Odyssey. But, they were always cost-prohibitive.

A couple of weeks ago, our Ford Freestar (I will NEVER have another Ford, but that is a different story) gave up the ghost. Thus I began my search, in earnest, for a Japanese replacement. This weekend my wife and I drove down to Hallandale to look at a 2001 that I found on Craigslist.

It is purported to be an original owner vehicle with 156K on the odometer.

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To be honest, I am having some buyer's remorse because it is such an old vehicle. But, it did seem like a really good price and appears to be well-kept. Anyway, I'm not too mechanically inclined but I can do basic maintenance and change some bits as needed.

I hope to learn more about the van so I joined this forum as soon as I found it.

Thank you for taking the time to read and I look forward to my time here.

Welcome and nice van by the way. Don't worry...on the remorse buy. I am currently driving an older 23 year old Chrysler minivan which only needed a tranny swap once... due to having dark tranny fluid off the car lot. I was eventually expecting the tranny to go out on that one after not knowing it only uses ATF+4.

As far as that Odyssey you got follow the folks' advice in this forum. And yes, add an external tranny cooler and the inline filter just in case. And change the tranny fluid together with every oil change by just draining and filling, if I'm not mistaken. By the way to fill the tranny, I use the dipstick hole and use the tip of the ketchup bottle and that same ketchup bottle cut in half. Just research how much bottled of tranny fluid it uses. I'm not sure if it uses the same amount as the third generation
( 3 and a half bottles US quarts).

 

[Odd Essay]

DAMNIT!!!! Now you guys got me buying ANOTHER thing! Now that I bought it... can someone tell me where to install it??? (yeah yeah.... no jokes) 😓

 

[nunecoco12345]

E="Odd Essay, post: 2525606, member: 1048441"]
DAMNIT!!!! Now you guys got me buying ANOTHER thing! Now that I bought it... can someone tell me where to install it??? (yeah yeah.... no jokes) 😓
[/QUOTE]

Relax, as far as my experience and what mechanics might recommend, the external cooler might be needed or not depending on your needs. Otherwise, just worry of doing tranny oil changes regularly. Some folk here said to use valvoline tranny fluid Wich specifies to use on Honda DW-1 tranny's. Don't make the expense if not able to.

 

[wwdwgs]

where to install it

Most people install an external cooler at lower right corner (looking at the front of the car) over (above, in front) of A/C condenser. There are many post here about ATF cooler.