2003 ATF Change

[smurray]

I thought I'd take some pictures of my Auto Transmission Fluid change and decided to place the steps in a single thread.

Since I have the AT Jet adapter installed from a prior recall I didn't feel comfortable using the refill location so I had to refill the fluid using the dip-stick hole. Taking an idea from another member I used a tube installed through a hole I drilled in one of the Tranny Fluid container's lids.

I bought some vacuum tubing from the local auto parts store that fit perfectly inside the dip-stick hole. I guess the hose is about 8-10 inches long and is just long enough to work.

This really is an easy DIY job. The hardest part is waiting what seems like forever for the fluid to work its way down the dip-stick hole.

I ended up using more fluid than the book called for. Not sure why. I'll have to take a trip back the the dealer to get another quart as the last refill is just to the low level indicator.

First a few pictures of the homemade funnel.

[smurray]

Now the only other tool you'll need: A torque wrench. Bought this one for $15 at Harbor Freight.

In the lower right corner of the following picture is where the refill bolt normally would be. For us 2003 owners we have a ATF jet installed in it's place. Would have been a lot faster to refill in the right place.


Now a few pictures of the drain plug. It takes a 3/8 inch ratchet. These pictures were taken from just in front of the driver's side front tire.
It's the blue colored bolt in the first picture.

Loosen that bolt and here she flows. The first time will take quiet a tug but if you torque it to specs it's not hard to get off the next time.


Once it's drained remember to replace the crush washer with a new one then tighten the drain plug. 36 lb.ft. is all it takes.

Now, since I had to use the dip-stick hole I had to squeeze my arm down to get the hose in the hole.
Here's where the dip-stick is.


Now the hose in the dip-stick hole and how I propped the 'funnel' up while I waited.

It took about 30-45 minutes per quart. The manual says it takes 3.2 quarts per change but mine took a little more for some reason.
You're supposed to drain and refill 4 times so I did it over two weekends.

[pilotbob]

You are not supposed to drain and fill four times for a simple change. That is ridiculous. Read the manual again.

[N_Jay]

Rather than use a hose small enough to fit inside the dipstick tube you should use one that fits tightly over the dipstick tube.

That will cut the fill time WAY down.

[VettePilot]

I highly suggest trying the turkey baster for a funnel adapter, it is much easier.

All you have to do is pull the rubber squeeze-bulb off of the turkey baster and put a standard ATF funnel snugly in the top of the baster and put the baster tip into the dipstick tube -- it seals perfectly.
Then pour fluid.

[hondaconvert]

I am really glad I was able to find this post. I have the service manual for my 2004 and the fill bolt was not where the manual stated it would be. After seeing this post I realized I also had the jet and would need to fill by the dipstick. Luckily I had the perfect sized tubing from an unused brake bleed kit as I had already drained the ATF.

[Sunday Rider]

smurray
Good of you to post the pictures and notes. Just saw this thread today.

I use the same set up, but the larger hose that goes on the outside of the dipstick. I also put a rag around the dipstick hole under the hose to get any stray liquid.

I also end up using 3.8 litres, which is more than what the manual says.

By the way, it may be over kill, but I change the tranny fluid every other oil change. I know stupid, but.....

Good job "S"

[nighthawkpilot3]

Hey Guys,

I have an 03 as well and have changed ATF several times. Once you have the re-plumbing done, as was discussed, the fluid holds up better because it stays cooler. The owners manual and service manual do discuss "flushing" in the context of cleaning out any non-Honda ATF. I have never done this to my Pilot, but have to my 06 Acura TL because the fluid was awful at 32K even after regular drain and refill. BTW, you can use Valvoline Max-Life Dex/Merc instead of the Z1 stuff from Honda at about half the cost. I asked Valvoline and it meets the standard where theirs and other regular ATFs don't. The flushing gets all the old fluid out, for whatever reason you need to do so, and the books say "do this three times," meaning the drain and refill cycle. I actually did it four times - the original and then the "flush" 3 times. Probably could have done 3 total, but fluid much better after last time. About the filler cap, it is really not that bad to deal with. The lockdown bolt is an existing one, and the manual gives a torque spec for it. I think it is 17 lb ft instead of the normal 33 for the cap. Check the spec and DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN. I did the first time and stretched it . I was lucky to get it out without leaving part behind. Take out the bolt, and then just pull that tube out. Best to use Mechanix gloves to avoid injury - you can easily slap your knuckles in there. It just pushes in and it has an o-ring on it. It will withstand repeated use in this fashion and doesn't leak. Once you have it out, the refill is the same as for when you take off the cap. A special nut takes the place of the cap and you never need to remove it. Because it is such a reach, I use two funnels. I red flexible one - the bottom piece - and then a two-piece black one to slip into the red one. This allows you to reach it without problem or spillage. Also, I usually re-use the washers - you can take them off and turn them over and they re-crush flat and seal. Sometimes you need to replace them as they flatten out as they can hang in the threads. If this happens and you cannot remove by hand, use a Dremel tool with cutting wheel and remove them. Same applies for engine oil plug.

[dustino8]

Just finished changing the tranny fluid via smurray's method. It worked great! Each liter of fluid took less than 5 minutes to drain, so I was happy about that. I fit the hose inside the fill tube. The hose was just clear plastic tubing, 1/4" ID. I also had to fill more than the 3 liters as stated in the manual.

I was going to use the turkey baster method, but the baster I bought would not fit in the refill tube. Oh well, now the wife has an extra.

Thanks smurray for the information!

[VettePilot]

I bought my turkey baster at Walmart.

It comes in a package with a brush for about $1.49.

It is a perfect fit in my '06 Pilot dispstick tube.

[AznSlumLord]

Originally posted by VettePilot
I bought my turkey baster at Walmart.

It comes in a package with a brush for about $1.49.

It is a perfect fit in my '06 Pilot dispstick tube.

can you measure the turkey baster's inside diameter and see if it's 1/4"? I believe that's the size needed for the fill tube, but can't measure since it's such a far reach.

I guess I'll stop by Wal-Mart and pick one up if it is the case

[dustino8]

I wanted to post this picture earlier, but I had to run off to a staff function. The reason the atf drained faster for me is probably because I had the container elevated that I was pouring the fluid into. Kind of like a water tower. The higher it is, the more head (pressure) you get at the discharge point. Or, a simpler answer, the ID of the hose was larger

And ya, I know my engine bay is a mess...

[AznSlumLord]

Originally posted by dustino8
I wanted to post this picture earlier, but I had to run off to a staff function. The reason the atf drained faster for me is probably because I had the container elevated that I was pouring the fluid into. Kind of like a water tower. The higher it is, the more head (pressure) you get at the discharge point. Or, a simpler answer, the ID of the hose was larger

And ya, I know my engine bay is a mess...

cool contraption!

now is the ID of the clear hose 1/4"?


PS. Time to bust out the gunk and clean that engine bay

[dustino8]

Originally posted by AznSlumLord



cool contraption!

now is the ID of the clear hose 1/4"?


PS. Time to bust out the gunk and clean that engine bay

Yep, the ID is 1/4", not sure on the OD, but it was a tight squeeze getting it into the tube. I could measure the OD if anyone is interested.

[AznSlumLord]

Originally posted by dustino8


Yep, the ID is 1/4", not sure on the OD, but it was a tight squeeze getting it into the tube. I could measure the OD if anyone is interested.

OD shouldn't matter since the clear tube goes around the dip-stick tube, right?