MTF fluid help especially in the Tampa/St. Pete area

tommyroo · 02-21-2007, 12:58 PM

Going on everyone's advise I purchase 2 quarts of Amsoil MTF.

Called my dealership and asked how much it would cost to put it in. Turned into a three way discussion with the service manager, the mechanic and me.

They kept insisting that putting any non honda recommended fluid into my car might void the warrenty. They kept insisting I bring the car in for service to have them check the transmission. After arguing with them for a short bit that the amsoil should not void my warrenty I gave up.

Two questions.

1) Does anyone in the Tampa/St. Pete area...preferably St. Pete, know of a good mechanic that can do this for me?

2) Should I risk letting these people have my car and screw with my transmission?

jonesthewine · 02-21-2007, 01:09 PM

It has been determined in courts of law that automobile manufacturers cannot void warranties on the basis of using other-branded fluids.

The Honda folks that you dealt with are uninformed and obviously don't want your business in the future.

Look in the phone book, find a AAA recommended repair shop and give 'em a call. They'll take care of you.

tommyroo · 02-21-2007, 01:16 PM

Yeah, I thought about going into the maguire act but thought better of it.

**Yodums** · 02-21-2007, 01:32 PM

How mechanically inclined do you feel you are? I would say give it a stab. I don't consider myself mechanically inclined at all and I managed to replace the MTF with ease.

Jack, jack stands, syringe/pump, MTF and a ratchet is all you need.

SiCop · 02-21-2007, 04:58 PM

AND a torque wrench so you don't overtighten the fill and drain plugs - your day would come to a very bad ending if you stripped the aluminum threads of the MT. Get a crush washer from the dealer for the drain plug - same one as for the oil drain. It's 29 ft/lbs of torque to tighten the drain plug - about 32 for the fill plug.

Also, it'e the Magnuson-Moss Act of 1975 passed by Congress and enforced by the Federal Trade Comission (FTC) that prvents dealers from voiding your warranty for using aftermarket parts and fluids. The fluids do have to meet Honda specifications - the Amsoil MTF meets those requirements. Amsoil has a nice write-up and letter on their site that , just for fun, you might want to borrow portions of to send to your dealership - interesting to see what they say to that!

tommyroo · 02-21-2007, 05:56 PM

Yeah, the DIY that someone put up made it look really easy. Aside from not having stands I've checked out the driveways I have to use and none of them seem level enough to get the fluids in right.

Magnuson-moss act, yeah, that's what I meant. Glad I didn't say anything to the dealer. Might go find that Amsoil letter you mentioned.

Rather funny when I sit and think about this. I'm not taking my car to the dealer because a bunch of strangers on the internet told me some magic product will cure my problems. You all work for Amsoil don't you, hahahahaha

racerex · 02-21-2007, 09:30 PM

Replacing MTF is easier than doing an oil and filter change. Do you have any gearhead friends that could help you out......or as was suggested, find a good mechanic in your area. Just print out the DIY thread and bring it with you to the mechanic (with a new drain plug crush washer).

Oh yeah, I did the AMSOIL swap over the weekend and I noticed the decrease in nochiness within the first few gear shift. Replacing the OE MTF with AMSOIL is a must do in my book.

tommyroo · 02-22-2007, 04:48 PM

So I went by the dealer and grabbed two crush washers.

It seemed like it was said I should only get one for the drain but I figured better safe then sorry and the fill might need it.

If not I'll use it for an oil change. Same one right?

SiCop · 02-22-2007, 05:47 PM

Same crush washer for both the MT and oil drains - it's adifferent size for the fill, but you don't need a new one for that.

And I don't work for Amsoil (lol) - I've been considering using their synthetic oil, but as of late I'm wondering if it's worth the extra $$$. I may just go with Mobile 1 synthetic and change it every 5000 miles. Amsoil Super Syn 2000 states you can go 35K or up to 1 year between changes provided you use their oil filter - not sure I want to run any oil for an extended period. Seems like for 5K Mobile 1 should be much better than dino.....thoughts??

tommyroo · 02-22-2007, 06:15 PM

There is no way I would ever go 35K or up to 1 year between changes. I don't care what kind of super oil it is, haha.

As to how much better syn is better then dino I'm really not sure. I change my dino oil ever 3K so I don't think it would matter much in my case. However if this Amsoil makes my transmission better I might just change my mind.

racerex · 02-22-2007, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommyroo

So I went by the dealer and grabbed two crush washers.

It seemed like it was said I should only get one for the drain but I figured better safe then sorry and the fill might need it.

If not I'll use it for an oil change. Same one right?

Yeah, same crush washer as the oil drain plug. Per the Helm shop manual you should also replace the crush washer on the fill plug. It's a larger washer. I replaced mine as I had few spare fill plug crush washers from the slush-box trans in my V6 Accord that happen to be the same size.

If you're going to go the DIY route, you have to get yourself a fluid transfer pump. I got this cheapo $8 pump from Pelican Parts and it worked like a charm. I wish I had that thing back when I was filling the diffs on my Jeep....talk about a mess and diff fluid sticks

tommyroo · 02-23-2007, 05:41 PM

Well found a AAA approved shop about a mile from my work. Showed them the pics from the DIY to make sure they had something that would get the fluid in. They pulled me right in and did the change, used a fluid transfer pump actually. A real small one though, they had to hold the quarts in the air while they pumped it into the car. Gave em 20 bones for the effort.

I've only driven it for about 5 miles but so far the gears feel like butter...except 3rd. I'mma give it some time before I pass judgement.

tommyroo · 02-27-2007, 09:21 PM

I am a believer!!!! My 3rd gear has been fixed. Feels pretty darn good. Again not as good as the other 5 but damn, it sure doesn't feel like it's going to pop out anymore. So happy i did this.

nwsi07 · 03-01-2007, 02:28 PM

how often do you change the MTF?

**Yodums** · 03-01-2007, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nwsi07

how often do you change the MTF?

I would recommend swapping what comes from the factory out almost immediately. The stuff just sucks, period. Aside from that, the maintenance schedule recommends 30,000 miles or 2 years, which ever comes first. Personally, I'm doing them every 25,000 kilometers (18,000 miles?).

nwsi07 · 03-01-2007, 02:39 PM

THANKS!

nwsi07 · 03-02-2007, 11:24 AM

Got another quick question - I've been noticing that a lot of people are using AMSoil for the MTF. Is this what everybody is using:
Synthetic Manual Synchromesh
Transmission Fluid (MTF)
SAE 5W-30
http://www.amsoil.com/StoreFront/mtf.aspx

TIA

tommyroo · 03-02-2007, 11:36 AM

Yep, that's the stuff.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yodums

Aside from that, the maintenance schedule recommends 30,000 miles or 2 years, which ever comes first. Personally, I'm doing them every 25,000 kilometers (18,000 miles?).

I'm actually a bit shocked. My last honda (01 EX) I went over 100,000 miles and never changed the MTF. Tranny still worked perfectly. I feel bad for that car now.

hubert · 03-20-2007, 12:03 PM

I got a 06 Si, you guys put 5W-30 mtf in?
and if i may as how many quarts?

**Yodums** · 03-20-2007, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hubert

I got a 06 Si, you guys put 5W-30 mtf in?
and if i may as how many quarts?

Two posts above you - SAE-5W-30.

2 quarts, but you'll probably only use like 1.8 till you start overfilling.

02-21-2007, 12:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
tommyroo Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Age: 35 Posts: 1,151 iTrader: 0 / 0%	MTF fluid help especially in the Tampa/St. Pete area Going on everyone's advise I purchase 2 quarts of Amsoil MTF. Called my dealership and asked how much it would cost to put it in. Turned into a three way discussion with the service manager, the mechanic and me. They kept insisting that putting any non honda recommended fluid into my car might void the warrenty. They kept insisting I bring the car in for service to have them check the transmission. After arguing with them for a short bit that the amsoil should not void my warrenty I gave up. Two questions. 1) Does anyone in the Tampa/St. Pete area...preferably St. Pete, know of a good mechanic that can do this for me? 2) Should I risk letting these people have my car and screw with my transmission?

02-21-2007, 09:30 PM	#7 (permalink)
racerex Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 127 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Replacing MTF is easier than doing an oil and filter change. Do you have any gearhead friends that could help you out......or as was suggested, find a good mechanic in your area. Just print out the DIY thread and bring it with you to the mechanic (with a new drain plug crush washer). Oh yeah, I did the AMSOIL swap over the weekend and I noticed the decrease in nochiness within the first few gear shift. Replacing the OE MTF with AMSOIL is a must do in my book. Last edited by racerex; 02-21-2007 at 09:36 PM.

03-01-2007, 02:28 PM	#14 (permalink)
nwsi07 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 75 iTrader: 0 / 0%	how often how often do you change the MTF?

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02-21-2007, 01:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
jonesthewine Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mexico Age: 44 Posts: 431 Carlos Castaneda iTrader: 0 / 0%	It has been determined in courts of law that automobile manufacturers cannot void warranties on the basis of using other-branded fluids. The Honda folks that you dealt with are uninformed and obviously don't want your business in the future. Look in the phone book, find a AAA recommended repair shop and give 'em a call. They'll take care of you.

02-21-2007, 01:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
tommyroo Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Age: 35 Posts: 1,151 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Yeah, I thought about going into the maguire act but thought better of it.

02-21-2007, 01:32 PM	#4 (permalink)
Yodums Scrodums Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 8,480 HIRO - ಠ_ಠ iTrader: 10 / 100%	How mechanically inclined do you feel you are? I would say give it a stab. I don't consider myself mechanically inclined at all and I managed to replace the MTF with ease. Jack, jack stands, syringe/pump, MTF and a ratchet is all you need.

02-21-2007, 04:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
SiCop Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 74 iTrader: 0 / 0%	AND a torque wrench so you don't overtighten the fill and drain plugs - your day would come to a very bad ending if you stripped the aluminum threads of the MT. Get a crush washer from the dealer for the drain plug - same one as for the oil drain. It's 29 ft/lbs of torque to tighten the drain plug - about 32 for the fill plug. Also, it'e the Magnuson-Moss Act of 1975 passed by Congress and enforced by the Federal Trade Comission (FTC) that prvents dealers from voiding your warranty for using aftermarket parts and fluids. The fluids do have to meet Honda specifications - the Amsoil MTF meets those requirements. Amsoil has a nice write-up and letter on their site that , just for fun, you might want to borrow portions of to send to your dealership - interesting to see what they say to that!

02-21-2007, 05:56 PM	#6 (permalink)
tommyroo Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Age: 35 Posts: 1,151 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Yeah, the DIY that someone put up made it look really easy. Aside from not having stands I've checked out the driveways I have to use and none of them seem level enough to get the fluids in right. Magnuson-moss act, yeah, that's what I meant. Glad I didn't say anything to the dealer. Might go find that Amsoil letter you mentioned. Rather funny when I sit and think about this. I'm not taking my car to the dealer because a bunch of strangers on the internet told me some magic product will cure my problems. You all work for Amsoil don't you, hahahahaha

02-22-2007, 04:48 PM	#8 (permalink)
tommyroo Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Age: 35 Posts: 1,151 iTrader: 0 / 0%	So I went by the dealer and grabbed two crush washers. It seemed like it was said I should only get one for the drain but I figured better safe then sorry and the fill might need it. If not I'll use it for an oil change. Same one right?

02-22-2007, 05:47 PM	#9 (permalink)
SiCop Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 74 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Same crush washer for both the MT and oil drains - it's adifferent size for the fill, but you don't need a new one for that. And I don't work for Amsoil (lol) - I've been considering using their synthetic oil, but as of late I'm wondering if it's worth the extra $$$. I may just go with Mobile 1 synthetic and change it every 5000 miles. Amsoil Super Syn 2000 states you can go 35K or up to 1 year between changes provided you use their oil filter - not sure I want to run any oil for an extended period. Seems like for 5K Mobile 1 should be much better than dino.....thoughts??

02-22-2007, 06:15 PM	#10 (permalink)
tommyroo Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Age: 35 Posts: 1,151 iTrader: 0 / 0%	There is no way I would ever go 35K or up to 1 year between changes. I don't care what kind of super oil it is, haha. As to how much better syn is better then dino I'm really not sure. I change my dino oil ever 3K so I don't think it would matter much in my case. However if this Amsoil makes my transmission better I might just change my mind.

02-23-2007, 05:41 PM	#12 (permalink)
tommyroo Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Age: 35 Posts: 1,151 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Well found a AAA approved shop about a mile from my work. Showed them the pics from the DIY to make sure they had something that would get the fluid in. They pulled me right in and did the change, used a fluid transfer pump actually. A real small one though, they had to hold the quarts in the air while they pumped it into the car. Gave em 20 bones for the effort. I've only driven it for about 5 miles but so far the gears feel like butter...except 3rd. I'mma give it some time before I pass judgement.

02-27-2007, 09:21 PM	#13 (permalink)
tommyroo Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Age: 35 Posts: 1,151 iTrader: 0 / 0%	I am a believer!!!! My 3rd gear has been fixed. Feels pretty darn good. Again not as good as the other 5 but damn, it sure doesn't feel like it's going to pop out anymore. So happy i did this.

03-01-2007, 02:39 PM	#16 (permalink)
nwsi07 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 75 iTrader: 0 / 0%	THANKS!

03-02-2007, 11:24 AM	#17 (permalink)
nwsi07 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 75 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Got another quick question - I've been noticing that a lot of people are using AMSoil for the MTF. Is this what everybody is using: Synthetic Manual Synchromesh Transmission Fluid (MTF) SAE 5W-30 http://www.amsoil.com/StoreFront/mtf.aspx TIA

03-20-2007, 12:03 PM	#19 (permalink)
hubert Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 63 iTrader: 0 / 0%	I got a 06 Si, you guys put 5W-30 mtf in? and if i may as how many quarts?