Honda Car Forum

About 3 months ago, I had some service work done on my 96 acura with 67k
miles, including a transmission flush. Soon afterwards, I noticed 2 things.
The first was a very slight noise while driving before the engine warmed up.
The second felt like an engine misfire when the transmission was in 4th gear
and engine rpm was below 1500 and I gently accelerated (I could even
describe it as being like luggiing a manual transmission car). I dismissed
the slight whine as being caused by the very cold weather at the time, and
thought the "misfire" might be either a tuneup issue or even my imagination
(since it was almost imperceptable). Eventually, I brought it back to the
place where I had the work done and descriped the problem. They could not
notice anything. I did this a couple of times. They still couldn't detect,
but didn't disagree with me that there might be something. So yesterday I
took a ride in the car with their chief tech person and got the symptom to
manifest itself (it's getting easier to do so, btw). He suggested that it's
possibly transmission shudder and they are reflushing it (as I type) to see
if it corrects the problem. My main concern is if this is he problem and it
was caused by them using the wrong fluid, what is the long term affect on
the transmission? I would like to keep the car another 5 to 6 years, in
which time I add another 60-80k miles.

On Sat, 6 Mar 2004 09:23:29 -0500, "Elizabeth Sullivan"
<ElizabethBSullivan@hotmail.com> wrote:

>About 3 months ago, I had some service work done on my 96 acura with 67k
>miles, including a transmission flush. Soon afterwards, I noticed 2 things.
>The first was a very slight noise while driving before the engine warmed up.
>The second felt like an engine misfire when the transmission was in 4th gear
>and engine rpm was below 1500 and I gently accelerated (I could even
>describe it as being like luggiing a manual transmission car). I dismissed
>the slight whine as being caused by the very cold weather at the time, and
>thought the "misfire" might be either a tuneup issue or even my imagination
>(since it was almost imperceptable). Eventually, I brought it back to the
>place where I had the work done and descriped the problem. They could not
>notice anything. I did this a couple of times. They still couldn't detect,
>but didn't disagree with me that there might be something. So yesterday I
>took a ride in the car with their chief tech person and got the symptom to
>manifest itself (it's getting easier to do so, btw). He suggested that it's
>possibly transmission shudder and they are reflushing it (as I type) to see
>if it corrects the problem. My main concern is if this is he problem and it
>was caused by them using the wrong fluid, what is the long term affect on
>the transmission? I would like to keep the car another 5 to 6 years, in
>which time I add another 60-80k miles.
>
>
I had a similar problem with my 90 Legend when my trans fluid was
flushed, although mine had even more severe symptoms than yours. Once
the problem was identified and *GENUINE* Honda ATF was used the
problem went away. Honda claims that the tranny uses standard Dexron
II, but that simply isn't true. The good news is that the shudder
problem was 80,000 miles ago, with no tranny problems since.

thanks for the hopefully good news. Just got back from the shop. the flushd
again and the problem still exists. they tried to say that it was probably a
coincidence, and that the first flush probably removed some buildup that was
preventing the problem from showing (I'm not kidding on this). I simply said
I'll take it to the dealer to check.

In article <404a45aa$0$3099$61fed72c@news.rcn.com>,
"Elizabeth Sullivan" <ElizabethBSullivan@hotmail.com> wrote:

> thanks for the hopefully good news. Just got back from the shop. the flushd
> again and the problem still exists. they tried to say that it was probably a
> coincidence, and that the first flush probably removed some buildup that was
> preventing the problem from showing (I'm not kidding on this). I simply said
> I'll take it to the dealer to check.
>
>

I had my 96 RL in for transmission flush last year at ab out 68,000
miles. One week after, on my way to work on the freeway, all warning
lights came on and the car started running extremely rough. Had to have
it towed in because I noticed all this trans fluid under the car. It
turns out that one of the cooling lines was not attached properly and
the clip or whatever slipped off and I lost fluid. They reflushed the
system and all has been okay so far one year later. But, who knows.
Some damage could have been done that won't show up till later. I've
now got 78,000 and car runs like new. My fingers are crossed.

cheers

They probably ran Dexron thru it and left it in. You should use the Honda
ATF Z1 transmission fluid in these cars. Try getting it flushed at the
dealer. The consistency is very different and it may fix your problem. Once
I put very good quality Dexron into a Lexus transmission and it was hitting
every gear HARD until I flushed it out and put in the required Toyota T-IV
fluid.

"Elizabeth Sullivan" <ElizabethBSullivan@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:404a45aa$0$3099$61fed72c@news.rcn.com...
> thanks for the hopefully good news. Just got back from the shop. the
flushd
> again and the problem still exists. they tried to say that it was probably
a
> coincidence, and that the first flush probably removed some buildup that
was
> preventing the problem from showing (I'm not kidding on this). I simply
said
> I'll take it to the dealer to check.
>
>

Elizabeth Sullivan wrote:
> About 3 months ago, I had some service work done on my 96 acura with
> 67k miles, including a transmission flush. Soon afterwards, I noticed
> 2 things. The first was a very slight noise while driving before the
> engine warmed up. The second felt like an engine misfire when the
> transmission was in 4th gear and engine rpm was below 1500 and I
> gently accelerated (I could even describe it as being like luggiing a
> manual transmission car). I dismissed the slight whine as being
> caused by the very cold weather at the time, and thought the
> "misfire" might be either a tuneup issue or even my imagination
> (since it was almost imperceptable). Eventually, I brought it back to
> the place where I had the work done and descriped the problem. They
> could not notice anything. I did this a couple of times. They still
> couldn't detect, but didn't disagree with me that there might be
> something. So yesterday I took a ride in the car with their chief
> tech person and got the symptom to manifest itself (it's getting
> easier to do so, btw). He suggested that it's possibly transmission
> shudder and they are reflushing it (as I type) to see if it corrects
> the problem. My main concern is if this is he problem and it was
> caused by them using the wrong fluid, what is the long term affect on
> the transmission? I would like to keep the car another 5 to 6 years,
> in which time I add another 60-80k miles.
Never, NEVER, have a transmission flush job done, it screws up the pump big
time.... <eg>

"Jeremiah" <jsmerk@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:1092mhsmvnk714@corp.supernews.com...
> Elizabeth Sullivan wrote:
> > About 3 months ago, I had some service work done on my 96 acura with
> > 67k miles, including a transmission flush. Soon afterwards, I noticed
> > 2 things. The first was a very slight noise while driving before the
> > engine warmed up. The second felt like an engine misfire when the
> > transmission was in 4th gear and engine rpm was below 1500 and I
> > gently accelerated (I could even describe it as being like luggiing a
> > manual transmission car). I dismissed the slight whine as being
> > caused by the very cold weather at the time, and thought the
> > "misfire" might be either a tuneup issue or even my imagination
> > (since it was almost imperceptable). Eventually, I brought it back to
> > the place where I had the work done and descriped the problem. They
> > could not notice anything. I did this a couple of times. They still
> > couldn't detect, but didn't disagree with me that there might be
> > something. So yesterday I took a ride in the car with their chief
> > tech person and got the symptom to manifest itself (it's getting
> > easier to do so, btw). He suggested that it's possibly transmission
> > shudder and they are reflushing it (as I type) to see if it corrects
> > the problem. My main concern is if this is he problem and it was
> > caused by them using the wrong fluid, what is the long term affect on
> > the transmission? I would like to keep the car another 5 to 6 years,
> > in which time I add another 60-80k miles.
> Never, NEVER, have a transmission flush job done, it screws up the pump
big
> time.... <eg>
>
>

What non-sense. You have to drain the trans fluid periodically. Mine has
265000 miles on it; I drain the fluid every 30,000 miles. I use the
manufacturer's recommendation: Dexron 2 (now 3). Draining it is the best
thing you can do for it.

Now, if they put in REAL HONDA fluid (if that's what is called for), you are
OK. If they put in a non-recommended fluid, drive it over to Acura and have
the job redone; twice.

My 2 cents.

Doug

Doug Holtz NOSPAM in adress wrote:
> "Jeremiah" <jsmerk@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> news:1092mhsmvnk714@corp.supernews.com...
>> Elizabeth Sullivan wrote:
>>> About 3 months ago, I had some service work done on my 96 acura with
>>> 67k miles, including a transmission flush. Soon afterwards, I
>>> noticed 2 things. The first was a very slight noise while driving
>>> before the engine warmed up. The second felt like an engine misfire
>>> when the transmission was in 4th gear and engine rpm was below 1500
>>> and I gently accelerated (I could even describe it as being like
>>> luggiing a manual transmission car). I dismissed the slight whine
>>> as being caused by the very cold weather at the time, and thought
>>> the "misfire" might be either a tuneup issue or even my imagination
>>> (since it was almost imperceptable). Eventually, I brought it back
>>> to the place where I had the work done and descriped the problem.
>>> They could not notice anything. I did this a couple of times. They
>>> still couldn't detect, but didn't disagree with me that there might
>>> be something. So yesterday I took a ride in the car with their chief
>>> tech person and got the symptom to manifest itself (it's getting
>>> easier to do so, btw). He suggested that it's possibly transmission
>>> shudder and they are reflushing it (as I type) to see if it corrects
>>> the problem. My main concern is if this is he problem and it was
>>> caused by them using the wrong fluid, what is the long term affect
>>> on the transmission? I would like to keep the car another 5 to 6
>>> years, in which time I add another 60-80k miles.
>> Never, NEVER, have a transmission flush job done, it screws up the
>> pump big time.... <eg>
>>
>>
>
> What non-sense. You have to drain the trans fluid periodically.
> Mine has 265000 miles on it; I drain the fluid every 30,000 miles. I
> use the manufacturer's recommendation: Dexron 2 (now 3). Draining it
> is the best thing you can do for it.
>
> Now, if they put in REAL HONDA fluid (if that's what is called for),
> you are OK. If they put in a non-recommended fluid, drive it over to
> Acura and have the job redone; twice.
>
> My 2 cents.
>
> Doug
Read it again, DOUG, I said never have a transmission FLUSH done. Drain and
fill is the best way to go.......... :-P

"Jeremiah" <jsmerk@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:1095di74mtq4sb6@corp.supernews.com...
> Doug Holtz NOSPAM in adress wrote:
> > "Jeremiah" <jsmerk@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> > news:1092mhsmvnk714@corp.supernews.com...
> >> Elizabeth Sullivan wrote:
> >>> About 3 months ago, I had some service work done on my 96 acura with
> >>> 67k miles, including a transmission flush. Soon afterwards, I
> >>> noticed 2 things. The first was a very slight noise while driving
> >>> before the engine warmed up. The second felt like an engine misfire
> >>> when the transmission was in 4th gear and engine rpm was below 1500
> >>> and I gently accelerated (I could even describe it as being like
> >>> luggiing a manual transmission car). I dismissed the slight whine
> >>> as being caused by the very cold weather at the time, and thought
> >>> the "misfire" might be either a tuneup issue or even my imagination
> >>> (since it was almost imperceptable). Eventually, I brought it back
> >>> to the place where I had the work done and descriped the problem.
> >>> They could not notice anything. I did this a couple of times. They
> >>> still couldn't detect, but didn't disagree with me that there might
> >>> be something. So yesterday I took a ride in the car with their chief
> >>> tech person and got the symptom to manifest itself (it's getting
> >>> easier to do so, btw). He suggested that it's possibly transmission
> >>> shudder and they are reflushing it (as I type) to see if it corrects
> >>> the problem. My main concern is if this is he problem and it was
> >>> caused by them using the wrong fluid, what is the long term affect
> >>> on the transmission? I would like to keep the car another 5 to 6
> >>> years, in which time I add another 60-80k miles.
> >> Never, NEVER, have a transmission flush job done, it screws up the
> >> pump big time.... <eg>
> >>
> >>
> >
> > What non-sense. You have to drain the trans fluid periodically.
> > Mine has 265000 miles on it; I drain the fluid every 30,000 miles. I
> > use the manufacturer's recommendation: Dexron 2 (now 3). Draining it
> > is the best thing you can do for it.
> >
> > Now, if they put in REAL HONDA fluid (if that's what is called for),
> > you are OK. If they put in a non-recommended fluid, drive it over to
> > Acura and have the job redone; twice.
> >
> > My 2 cents.
> >
> > Doug
> Read it again, DOUG, I said never have a transmission FLUSH done. Drain
and
> fill is the best way to go.......... :-P
>
>

I think the work "flush" and "drain" are synonymous in the repair business.
However, flush indicates some kind of pressure method (like a radiator
flush), which I don't think is possible with a trans (at least I wouldn't
consider a pressure method for my car). Guess it's just a word issue.

On 5/3/04 7:05 AM, in article 4Aqlc.14567$u_4.4046@twister.rdc-kc.rr.com,
"Doug Holtz NOSPAM in adress" <dholtzNOSPAM@wi.rr.com> wrote:

>
> "Jeremiah" <jsmerk@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> news:1095di74mtq4sb6@corp.supernews.com...
>> Doug Holtz NOSPAM in adress wrote:
>>> "Jeremiah" <jsmerk@earthlink.net> wrote in message
>>> news:1092mhsmvnk714@corp.supernews.com...
>>>> Elizabeth Sullivan wrote:
>>>>> About 3 months ago, I had some service work done on my 96 acura with
>>>>> 67k miles, including a transmission flush. Soon afterwards, I
>>>>> noticed 2 things. The first was a very slight noise while driving
>>>>> before the engine warmed up. The second felt like an engine misfire
>>>>> when the transmission was in 4th gear and engine rpm was below 1500
>>>>> and I gently accelerated (I could even describe it as being like
>>>>> luggiing a manual transmission car). I dismissed the slight whine
>>>>> as being caused by the very cold weather at the time, and thought
>>>>> the "misfire" might be either a tuneup issue or even my imagination
>>>>> (since it was almost imperceptable). Eventually, I brought it back
>>>>> to the place where I had the work done and descriped the problem.
>>>>> They could not notice anything. I did this a couple of times. They
>>>>> still couldn't detect, but didn't disagree with me that there might
>>>>> be something. So yesterday I took a ride in the car with their chief
>>>>> tech person and got the symptom to manifest itself (it's getting
>>>>> easier to do so, btw). He suggested that it's possibly transmission
>>>>> shudder and they are reflushing it (as I type) to see if it corrects
>>>>> the problem. My main concern is if this is he problem and it was
>>>>> caused by them using the wrong fluid, what is the long term affect
>>>>> on the transmission? I would like to keep the car another 5 to 6
>>>>> years, in which time I add another 60-80k miles.
>>>> Never, NEVER, have a transmission flush job done, it screws up the
>>>> pump big time.... <eg>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> What non-sense. You have to drain the trans fluid periodically.
>>> Mine has 265000 miles on it; I drain the fluid every 30,000 miles. I
>>> use the manufacturer's recommendation: Dexron 2 (now 3). Draining it
>>> is the best thing you can do for it.
>>>
>>> Now, if they put in REAL HONDA fluid (if that's what is called for),
>>> you are OK. If they put in a non-recommended fluid, drive it over to
>>> Acura and have the job redone; twice.
>>>
>>> My 2 cents.
>>>
>>> Doug
>> Read it again, DOUG, I said never have a transmission FLUSH done. Drain
> and
>> fill is the best way to go.......... :-P
>>
>>
>
> I think the work "flush" and "drain" are synonymous in the repair business.
> However, flush indicates some kind of pressure method (like a radiator
> flush), which I don't think is possible with a trans (at least I wouldn't
> consider a pressure method for my car). Guess it's just a word issue.
>
>

No. Flush has a specific meaning for changing transmission fluid. They
hook up a machine to the transmission cooling hoses at the radiator and pour
new fluid in one side while collecting the old coming out the other. It is
an easy way to replace all the fluid, including the stuff in the torque
converter that does not come out when you open the drain plug (or drop the
pan, depending on the car).

The concern is that the crud laying in the bottom (Hondas tend to have
neither a removable filter nor a removable pan) might get sucked into little
passages and cause trouble. Frankly, I have not heard of a specific,
documented case of it happening, but that's the concern.