DIY: Changing Manual Transmission Fluid

[Oil Doc]

Originally Posted by phoenixdrago12

It's all good. I just got a 4.99 suction tool from harbor freight and it worked wonders!



Just finished changing my Tranny fluid to Amsoil. Going to take her out for a spin later.

woot woot!!!

Anything it takes to make the job easier..

Enjoy

Doc

[phoenixdrago12]

took the car out for a spin.. hit vtec from 1-3 and not problem shifting at high RPMs... I can also feel third slipping into gear very easily.

I feel much more confident about third now..

What's next? It'll be the test of time.

[ebdiam]

Just filled my trans with Red Line MTL, its night and day difference. Feels like a brand new transmission. All my issues have disappeared..

[A.VOID_Si]

Just a heads up for people changing their oil. You need to have your car level for proper fill.

My experience: I put the front on ramps and went to jack up the rear. My old jack began failing and i could not get the car fully level. It was close, but the front was visibly higher. I changed the tranny anyways, but my Si only took about 1.4 quarts to full. I knew the specs were 1.6 to full.

Anyways, I drove it for a couple weeks until I got a new jack and I went to top it off tonight. I was low ~.3 quarts.

AGAIN, it must be level to do change!

[ebdiam]

I put my car inside my garage, which is level, and put the car up on jack stands on all four corners. Drained the fluid and refilled using about 1.7-1.8qts. There was just a little left in the second bottle...

[onesweetsivic]

I did this last Saturday, using Amsoil Syncromesh. The result is amazing! I was also using a siphon that drew the fluid out of the bottle and shot it into the tranny in one motion...verryyy easy. It took about 1.75 quarts, just as ebdiam said.

[notwerk]

A couple of questions:

Does anyone see a problem with using Motul's 10w40-rated transmission fluid? I would think it's close enough to Honda's recommended spec, but just want to be sure I'm not putting in anything too thick or thin.

Do the drain plug and fill plug both take crush washers? Earlier in this thread, it was stated that it's a 17mm washer, but I'm not sure whether that's the fill or drain. Could be that they're both the same size, but I'm not sure. If you know, let me know.

Lastly, anyone know the correct torque spec for retightening the bolts?

[ebdiam]

^ I'm not sure about using 10w40 and what torque spec to tighten it, maybe someone else can chime in. I just tightened it until I saw the washer become crushed. I checked on the car everyday and there is no leaks.

The fill plug uses a 17mm washer and the drain plug is 14mm (i think). I forget the size of the drain plug because I didn't actually go out and buy a washer for it, I use the Password:JDM Magnetic Drain Plug which comes with a washer.

[ebdiam]

Originally Posted by ebdiam

^ I'm not sure about using 10w40 and what torque spec to tighten it, maybe someone else can chime in. I just tightened it until I saw the washer become crushed. I checked on the car everyday and there is no leaks. Just do that and you should be safe, I would imagine its hard getting a torque wrench inside that cramp work space.

The fill plug uses a 17mm washer and the drain plug is 14mm (i think). I forget the size of the drain plug because I didn't actually go out and buy a washer for it, I use the Password:JDM Magnetic Drain Plug which comes with a washer.

[ebdiam]

^ I hate Quoting myself! ....why can't you edit a post after you make it?!

[Oil Doc]

Originally Posted by notwerk

A couple of questions:

Does anyone see a problem with using Motul's 10w40-rated transmission fluid? I would think it's close enough to Honda's recommended spec, but just want to be sure I'm not putting in anything too thick or thin.

Do the drain plug and fill plug both take crush washers? Earlier in this thread, it was stated that it's a 17mm washer, but I'm not sure whether that's the fill or drain. Could be that they're both the same size, but I'm not sure. If you know, let me know.

Lastly, anyone know the correct torque spec for retightening the bolts?

In the 2008 Honda Owners Manual I looked in, it said Honda MTF or a 10W-30 or 10W-40 Motor oil.

I do recommend a Synchromesh fluid.... AMSOIL or GM Synchromesh

Doc

[BigBird271]

I was wander, it sounds like every one is puting in 1.6~1.7 qts of oil but when I looked at the specs in my owners manual it says the trany takes 3.1 qts. Did I read something wrong, is the owners manual wrong or is there really 1.4 qts. of oil traped in the trany?

[Oil Doc]

Originally Posted by BigBird271

I was wander, it sounds like every one is puting in 1.6~1.7 qts of oil but when I looked at the specs in my owners manual it says the trany takes 3.1 qts. Did I read something wrong, is the owners manual wrong or is there really 1.4 qts. of oil traped in the trany?

I think you may have read too fast.... I am showing 3.2 PINTS which would be 1.6 QTS


Doc

[ebdiam]

^ I'm pretty sure not all the MTF drains out so that's why it only takes about 1.7 qts.

[spidy]

any pics of transmission dip stick location. i looked at the handbook but still cannot find the dang dip stick???? help thanks

[[hwy]Hagen]

Originally Posted by spidy

any pics of transmission dip stick location. i looked at the handbook but still cannot find the dang dip stick???? help thanks

manual trans doesn't have a dipstick LOL!
there is a filler hole which you fill the MTF to

[spidy]

yeah i thought so.

[BigBird271]

Originally Posted by spidy

any pics of transmission dip stick location. i looked at the handbook but still cannot find the dang dip stick???? help thanks

According to my sister it depends on the car. While most of our manual civics do not have one, some have one sitting in the drivers seat. (She drives a supped up old beetle that can kick my Si‘s butt…..very embarrassing)

[jnd03]

how much are people paying for the amsoil? i just paid 13.75 a quart at the local napa store. did i get ripped off?

[RRSI81]

Will it harm the tranny by putting 3 quarts??