Honda Car Forum

98 Accord coupe EX V6 105,000 miles.
New to me car and I just changed the tranny fluid last night.

I was suprised by how much metal was stuck to the magnet on the end of the
drain plug.
Mostly very small particals but I did see a couple of very thin shavings
that were 3/8" long.

Is this normal? I have no Idea how this car was maintained previously.

I plan on changing the fluid again in a couple of weeks as only about 3
quarts came out.
I had the front end on ramps which I'm guessing causes less fluid to drain
because the front of the car is raised???

Now that I know where the drain is I think I can get at it without raising
the front end???

Steve

"Steve" <junk@therivets.net> wrote in message
news:3K-dnYqmldeEKe_YnZ2dnUVZ_qWdnZ2d@comcast.com...
> 98 Accord coupe EX V6 105,000 miles.
> New to me car and I just changed the tranny fluid last night.
>
> I was suprised by how much metal was stuck to the magnet on the end of the
> drain plug.
> Mostly very small particals but I did see a couple of very thin shavings
> that were 3/8" long.
>
> Is this normal? I have no Idea how this car was maintained previously.
>
> I plan on changing the fluid again in a couple of weeks as only about 3
> quarts came out.
> I had the front end on ramps which I'm guessing causes less fluid to drain
> because the front of the car is raised???
>
> Now that I know where the drain is I think I can get at it without raising
> the front end???
>
> Steve
>
>
Not knowing the maintenance history, it could be normal. The fine shavings
are a normal part of almost any tranny, while the larger pieces are not
terribly unusual for a new one. It's something to watch, but not to lose
sleep over.

Mike

"Steve" <junk@therivets.net> wrote in
news:3K-dnYqmldeEKe_YnZ2dnUVZ_qWdnZ2d@comcast.com:

> 98 Accord coupe EX V6 105,000 miles.
> New to me car and I just changed the tranny fluid last night.
>
> I was suprised by how much metal was stuck to the magnet on the end of
> the drain plug.
> Mostly very small particals but I did see a couple of very thin
> shavings that were 3/8" long.
>
> Is this normal? I have no Idea how this car was maintained previously.
>
> I plan on changing the fluid again in a couple of weeks as only about
> 3 quarts came out.
> I had the front end on ramps which I'm guessing causes less fluid to
> drain because the front of the car is raised???
>
> Now that I know where the drain is I think I can get at it without
> raising the front end???
>



Manual or automatic? Any rumbling or howling from the transmission? Doe sit
shift well?

Drain, refill, check again in a week to see if there are any more shavings.
Might just be detritus from manufacturing.

--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

Steve wrote:
> 98 Accord coupe EX V6 105,000 miles.
> New to me car and I just changed the tranny fluid last night.
>
> I was suprised by how much metal was stuck to the magnet on the end of the
> drain plug.
> Mostly very small particals but I did see a couple of very thin shavings
> that were 3/8" long.
>
> Is this normal? I have no Idea how this car was maintained previously.
>
> I plan on changing the fluid again in a couple of weeks as only about 3
> quarts came out.
> I had the front end on ramps which I'm guessing causes less fluid to drain
> because the front of the car is raised???
>
> Now that I know where the drain is I think I can get at it without raising
> the front end???
>
> Steve
>
>

2-3 quarts drained by pulling the plug is normal. The Honda full change
out procedure is to to three or four cycles of drain, fill, drive 5
minutes, repeat.

I don't think ramps or no ramps will yield much difference.

Some Hondas have an in line filter which can be changed. I don't know
if the '98 V6 does or not. You should be able to ask at a Honda dealer
parts counter.

John

Steve wrote:
> 98 Accord coupe EX V6 105,000 miles.
> New to me car and I just changed the tranny fluid last night.
>
> I was suprised by how much metal was stuck to the magnet on the end of the
> drain plug.
> Mostly very small particals but I did see a couple of very thin shavings
> that were 3/8" long.
>
> Is this normal? I have no Idea how this car was maintained previously.
>
> I plan on changing the fluid again in a couple of weeks as only about 3
> quarts came out.
> I had the front end on ramps which I'm guessing causes less fluid to drain
> because the front of the car is raised???
>
> Now that I know where the drain is I think I can get at it without raising
> the front end???
>
> Steve
===================================

Sounds about right. If you give it a week between changes you'll see
that the magnet will collect almost zero by the third time. First change
(which is what you've done) is the scariest one. :-) That's why you
should always assume the first owner was an idiot and just change the
fluids. Brakes are next.

'Curly'

"motsco_" <motsco_@interbaun.com> wrote in message
news:12n747tqa2fgn9c@corp.supernews.com...
> Steve wrote:
>> 98 Accord coupe EX V6 105,000 miles.
>> New to me car and I just changed the tranny fluid last night.
>>
>> I was suprised by how much metal was stuck to the magnet on the end of
>> the drain plug.
>> Mostly very small particals but I did see a couple of very thin shavings
>> that were 3/8" long.
>>
>> Is this normal? I have no Idea how this car was maintained previously.
>>
>> I plan on changing the fluid again in a couple of weeks as only about 3
>> quarts came out.
>> I had the front end on ramps which I'm guessing causes less fluid to
>> drain because the front of the car is raised???
>>
>> Now that I know where the drain is I think I can get at it without
>> raising the front end???
>>
>> Steve
> ===================================
>
> Sounds about right. If you give it a week between changes you'll see that
> the magnet will collect almost zero by the third time. First change (which
> is what you've done) is the scariest one. :-) That's why you should always
> assume the first owner was an idiot and just change the fluids. Brakes are
> next.
>
> 'Curly'

Good point - and don't forget the timing belt. Unless there is solid
documentation that it has been changed you must assume it has not. Many
people sell their car around that age/mileage rather than pony up the money
to change the belt.

Mike