[Eszpresszo]

I've looked through this forum and others online and I haven't been able to find the answer elsewhere. There have been posts here about doing a drain-and-fill on auto transmissions. I'm familiar with that. I just performed one on my Accord. What I want to know is how many times should I drain-and-fill the tranny fluid, in order to purge almost all of the old fluid? Also, how many miles should I drive between each drain-and-fill?
I just bought this 2001 Accord EX, which just turned over 150k today. It is an I-4 with an automatic - I believe that should be the BAXA automatic transmission. The car is in very good condition, save for the paint, but the tranny fluid was FILTHY DIRTY. Seems the previous owner took care of it, save for that important detail.
I also ask what is the correct fluid CAPACITY for the BAXA, just to give me some perspective.
BTW, I have a 2001 Odyssey. Yeah, one of those with the terminally bad tranny design. Its sitting on the curb, waiting to be picked up by some charity for the minimum $500 tax write-off. I recall those had just over 10 quarts in the tranny at the correct level and it took three flush-and-fills ( 3.5 quarts each time) to get 85% of the old fluid out of there.
And yes, I am using Honda DW1 fluid. Anybody suggest any additives I should put in the tranny, at its advanced age? Thanks for your assistance.

 

[mtts60]

NO additives!

Drain & fill it 3 times. Between fills, make sure to get it up to highway speeds so the torque converter locks up. There is no minimum mileage. This will ensure more of the old fluid gets changed on the next job. You never get all of it, this is why you do it 3 times (which gets about 85% of the old stuff out).

Did they ever change the brake fluid? If not, that is also on your must-do (not "to" do) list. It needs to be changed every 3 years regardless of mileage.

 

[DatsunSaves]

Change it at every oil change for 3 oil changes. Measure how much fluid you remove so you have a good idea of what it takes to refill. Mine is a v6 so I cant confirm your capacity but when I do a single drain and fill its around 2.75 qts. By changing it at the oil change intervals you give the fresh detergents a chance to do their work and to really get moved around inside the valve bodies and clean.

 

[RickBlaine]

I am going with "mtts60" here, and THEN going with "DatsunSaves" plan.

Do 3 drain and fill procedures NOW, going to highway speed in between each drain and fill procedure. That may be 5 miles, or 20 miles. You could go longer, but once you hit the highway you have gone through all the gears and teh fluid is mixed. The completion of the 3rd drain and fill will leave you with 82% "new" fluid. By the way, a 4th D&F will leave you with 88% "new" fluid- so you have diminishing returns working against you.

Total capacity is either 7.1 or 7.2 quarts- I always forget and can't get to my notes right now... Yeah, I suck as a moderator....

At the last drain and fill, you should replace the external in-line ATF filter that Honda says "never needs replacing". You may need 1/4 of a quart of fluid extra to replenish the new, dry filter.

After that I would probably do one drain and fill every other oil change....

No additives!

I am concerned about these $500 charity pick-ups. I've heard enough scam stories about these guys....I also know how some tow truck guys operate- I spent two days a week 10 summers ago on a tow truck- and saw some of these charity pickups they were contracted for.

When you have some time, check out member "MikeCz" and his signature on the 6th and 7th Gen transmissions. Your biggest worry should be heat, and towing. Do you tow? Do you live in the mountains of Colorado? Do you live in Death Valley? If you answered "YES!" to any or all of these questions, you will want to add an external cooler. We have a thread from member "t-rd" on the 7th Gen forums who did just that.

But, the "Honda transmission problem" was really the V6 engine mated to those 4 years of automatic transmissions. The 4 cylinder is no worse than a Toyota Camry of those years....so, just change your fluid and filter and enjoy.

 

[jb1331]

I personally like 50 miles or more between drain and fills.. it ensures that new and old fluid is completely mixed, and gives the magnet more opportunity to grab more junk.

If you really want to flush it good, I would do the method below on the youtube link (using Honda Fluid only, so get a case). I have done this before on my 98 in my sig (before the tranny replacement in an attempt to ressarect it from death which got me another 6k-8k miles out of it.):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsdPAadc9fY

This will be your best bet to get as much old burnt, contaiminated fluid out at once (especially the TC). This method does not have as much risks that a flushing machine does.

Just keep in mind, a poorly maintained transmission will have alot of contamination. You always risk those contaminants from redistributing in the transmission and clogging internal screens with whatever method you choose including drain and fills.

This is why it is best to do a drain and fill every 10-15k (and not 30k per Honda) on these cars starting when they are new to reduce the amount of contamination and burnt fluid.