Honda Car Forum

Honda Accord EX 97 130k milesRough Shiftin from 1-2light brown transmission fluid (like fresh oil) (changed today via drain n fill)metal shavings/parts found on magnetic drain plug.no slipping or noises...drives fineI just got off the phone with my mechanic and told me this transmission wont last long...bleak outlookMy question is how long - how many miles before this thing conks out?thanks in advanceI was told by my bro (CIVIC owner -bnew 98?)that Hondas @ this generation were made with jerky transmission...looked up AAMCO site andtheseTROUBLE SHIFTING GEARS * The transmission will not shift into gear * Hard up-shifts * Harsh down-shifts * Slow gear engagement * Shifting occurs too soon * Shifting seems delayed * Shifting into reverse is delayed * Automatic transmission does not up-shift * No gearsTRANSMISSION SEEMS TO BE SLIPPINGNOISE IN THE TRANSMISSIONTRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKINGVEHICLE IS INOPERATIVE dont apply except maybe the hard up shifts

130K miles on a properly maintained transmission isn't alot. If you have let the fluid get as dirty as you indicate, you haven't done right by your car.That's ok, you've shortened the life of your tranny, but it will forgive you if you keep the fluid clean from now until it dies.I run a Frantz oil cleaner on my tranny (and engine). It takes out more dirt than a tranny can make, so the fluid is never dirty. It makes a trans last a phenomenally long time. And the filtering element is a roll of toilet paper, best filtration element in the world.My philosophy in cars is simple. Ready? It's coming . . . here it is:IF IT WORKS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DON'T FIX IT.

check your fluid regularly and make sure it stays red. Try using Lucas trans. fluid additive. You wil have to take a little of the other fluid out first.I know this wasn't the answer to youur Q. but it might help anyway.

Its really hard to say it depends on internal damage. Doesnt sound like you did too much to it, you will get some shavings due to friction material on the clutches. Keep it clean, NO ADDITIVES that crap just hides more issues.

I'm sorry to tell you, but you need a transmission replaced-if you replace it use a honda reman or a hec reman only-these are extremly fickle units. no tellin about longevity,depends on amount of damage and how you drive

i'm surprised it lasted that long. Most trans Honda trans that is,last till about 110k miles. I fix acura trans all day long at work where the mileage hasn't yet reached 45k miles on it. My Ford T-bird has 113k miles on it and still going.

it is a 97 so sell it and before the trans gets more noticeably damaged. you should get a few grand out of it and use it as a down payment on something with 80K on it. that is the best advice. dont wait for a $1,500 bill to get the trans fixed. more problems are just arround the next 3-5K mile bend. get out while you still can! besides that honda's are perfect cars that hold there values better than most.

Poor maintainence equals short life! If the fluid was brown than you obviously don't maintain your vehicle properly. Metal shavings are an indication of wear and tear. The thing could last 10 minutes or 10 years- sort of a Russian roulette!If you did not have a transmission service center or a dealer do the fluid change than you more than likely didn't change the fluid. What you did was dump the couple of quarts in the pan when you installed a new filter. You have to use a pump to get ALL of the old fluid out so the converter and everything gets cleaned and new oil is replaced.