DIY VTM-4 (differential) Fluid change with pictures

[humanoid]

Does not the Honda coolant, right above the word Antifreeze on the bottle, say Long Life or am I seeing things? I'd venture to guess that they are the same coolant in different packaging where you would pay more for the Acura coolant.

[samc]

Just from the look of that picture I bet the two coolants are the exact samething. And I bet the acura one actually costs more then the honda one.

[ameryki]

Is all this doable without a torque wrench?

[longmatch]

I have a 2006 Pilot - 2WD. Do I need to do VTM-4 fluid change? Thanks.

[carguy07]

Originally Posted by ameryki

Is all this doable without a torque wrench?

Yes, just good and snug is all they need, it does not take that much to get a good seal. Too tight will strip the case.

[carguy07]

Originally Posted by longmatch

I have a 2006 Pilot - 2WD. Do I need to do VTM-4 fluid change? Thanks.

Nope, nothing back there to mess with.

[miller]

Originally Posted by amrine

Great DIY information. I've never had the tranny or VTM-4 fluid changed. We've got 101,000 miles on the 2003, which we bought new in January 2003. Never had any problems with either. Never worried about it, as I figured I'd just buy another one when it died but with the economy I'm rethinking that.

It's always shifted smooth. Only engaged VTM once in the sand on the beach in San Diego to get unstuck. Fluid was dirty, but not nearly as bad as I had anticipated. Here's a pic of what it looked like compared to the new tube going into the fill hole. And the advice to top it off after taking it for a spin is great; I had to add about 11 pumps of fluid to top it off again after driving around the block.

Im new to the site , thanks guys and this pic is helpful. I have just bought a 2003 ex-l metal sand color with 80000 original miles. Car had trans fluid changed and receipt at 65,000 miles with a properly matched fluid. I ran the vin and found two recalls performed, one was the 2nd gear oil jet, and I can see the new top on the fill cap from it. Other was a computer upgrade I think. No service records from Honda were found. It drives like new and was owned by a very elderly couple. In my best guess, I would say the Honda prices on dealer service and oil changes , tranny/ rear dif/ front dif/ etc probably made them have it changed somewhere else or not at all. They didn't buy it new but low miles and probably had no clue the rear dif required special fluid and maintenance.
I am guessing front and rear diff fluids have NEVER been changed. I have ordered my special vtm4 fluid and I can get the proper gear oil local. One note, one of my greatest hobbies is Honda trx450r atv's, I've built them, raced them, and they are my favorite toy to tool around on. The engine is incredible with separate oil for crank and top end, and separate oil for the tranny. This is awesome as it does two things I like, it keeps the clutch pack fibers out of the crank bearings and top end, and it allows you to use a specialized oil for each side. Especially on the clutch side, we have fluid ONLY for wet clutches, and what do you know, its a special stuff, only made by Honda! And it looks a heck of a lot like .... well vtm4 fluid. As techs we have always know that the special elements of the fluid are its lack of moly and friction modifiers that ARE NOT GOOD for wet clutches. But besides a few other fluids that a lot of us use for racing trannies, its the BEST , PERIOD. AND A BIT EXPENSIVE. So anywho I thought it was cool that the fluid looks pretty close, its called Honda HP tranny fluid for racing two strokes, and maybe it might not be identical in properties, I know its close, and great stuff. When we start getting our Honda racing motors up past 60 rear wheel horsepower, it essential to have a good tranny lube, along with heavily modified clutch components. SO I suppose this Honda rear dif gets sorta the same treatment.
My Pilot makes a bit of noise on low speed turning , but only ON the throttle. I suspect the fluid is gonna be trashed and Ill show some pics , This is my first modern Honda car/suv , and I come from the land of chevy 4x4. I am impressed with this suv thus far. So Ill change it next week and try to get some pics of the condition of the fluid that I believe is 80,000 miles, should be shot. Just hope nothing else is. Oh well that my first post here, later.

[carguy07]

You don't need the gear oil. Your front diff and transfer case share the trans fluid.

That's cool that the atv has separate cases for the fluids. I never liked the idea of a wet clutch dumping crap in the oil.

[miller]

Thanks , I see now, only the 06 and up need that.


Well my vtm4 fluid arrived today and this went well and I didnt take any pics of the new fluid going in, but here is my old fluid, the bolts were pretty tight, a 3/8 extension and craftsman ratchet ( and the handle off of my 3 ton floor jack) busted them right off with only two bloody knuckles, so no problem. Im pretty sure this stuff had never been changed. It was not horrible looking but SHOT and very brownish. The pics make it look 10 times better than it was and it wreaked. I also have to add that somehow, a few of these are the greatest pics I think I haver ever taken. Love my nikon.

Anyway I was pretty sure this would not cure my rubbing noise when I was turning and ON the throttle, but its completely gone. I have a feeling the older couple that sold this to me was probabaly worried sick about that noise. But its incredible, its an easy noise to reproduce, and coming from 4x4's where everything made a noise; and that was good becasue you knew things were turning, its kinda weird that it is SILENT now.
Im going to tackle my tranny fluid next. Thanks again for the info.

[RegDunlop]

Anybody know what size crush washers are need for both the drain and fill on the gym?

Can I buy something similar at say autozone or do they have to be Honda?

[carguy07]

Originally Posted by RegDunlop

Anybody know what size crush washers are need for both the drain and fill on the gym?

Can I buy something similar at say autozone or do they have to be Honda?

"gym" What's a gym??

[RegDunlop]

Sorry car guy I am using an iPod touch and it auto corrected VTM into gym

[carguy07]

Gotcha, couldn't figure that one out.

Here you go.

ATF-Z1 08200-9001
18mm ATF Drain Plug Washer 90471-PX4-000 (36 ft/lbs)
24mm ATF Fill Washer 90441-PK4-000 (33 ft/lbs)

VTM-4 Fluid 08200-9003
18mm VTM-4 Drain Plug Washer 90471-PX4-000 (35 ft/lbs)
20mm VTM-4 Fill Washer 94109-20000 (35 ft/lbs)

20mm Transfer Case Drain/Fill Washer 94109-20000 (33 ft/lbs)

[carguy07]

Nothing magic about them that would force to get them from a dealer. They are just flat crush washers.

[RegDunlop]

Wows thanks car guy do you know the size for the oil ?