Very easy way for DIY transmission fluid change - Honda Pilot

rawbutt · 08-25-2007, 10:22 AM

After reading several great DIY articles here, I serviced my VTM-4 last weekend, which went great, then decided to do the tranny this w-end! I have an 04' with the recall thing done, so I knew I was facing filling it through the dipstick hole. I found a combination of a turkey baster and funnel that couldn't have worked out better! Didn't spill a drop and each quart poured into the dipstick in about 45 sec each! I had an old turkey baster in the garage that I had stolen from my wife and it just happened to be the perfect fit once i did a little dremeling near the tip. It would have probably worked without the dremeling, but it just enabled it to fit a little better in there. Anyway, I just felt compelled to share a couple pics since it went SO well with this particular turkey baster and funnel....didn't even have to fiddle with drilling holes in the cap of the oil container, suspending it under the hood and waiting a long time for it to go in. It sat nice and snug on its own resting in the small area directly above the dipstick hole. I even liked how I could see the level of the fliud through the clear plastic baster as I was pouring. Good luck to everyone with the DIY stuff and thanks for all the great advice on the forums.

Robert

VettePilot · 08-25-2007, 11:17 AM

Yep, did that about six months ago.

ATF fill adapter

jestmaty · 08-25-2007, 05:44 PM

When did you buy your '04? I got mine June 1, 2004 and I didn't have the jet fix thingy. Just a filler bolt...

I've changed my fluid twice already ( 15k and 30k ) and am due for another change soon. I'm at 43,500 miles. I change frequently because of towing a boat.

Your rig looks nice, glad to hear the fill went smoothly and quickly.

When was your Pilot built?

rawbutt · 08-27-2007, 08:20 AM

VettePilot,

Sorry to re-invent the wheel...looks like you already had the turkey baster procedure nailed down and documented!

jestmaty,

Mine didn't come from the factory with the jet thingy....I took it in for the recall and they put that on at that time. I can't recall when mine was built without pulling the paperwork. I was thrilled with how easy it was to do the VTM-4 and tranny service....no excuse to put it off anymore

I called my local Honda service dept. just to see what they said about whether they actually go to all the trouble to do the 4X tranny procedure. He said no way...we just draiin and fill one time. Figures doesn't it? Most people would assume it'd be done right if they pay the extra buck to have the Honda dealer do it =/

Robert

VettePilot · 08-27-2007, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rawbutt
VettePilot,

Sorry to re-invent the wheel...looks like you already had the turkey baster procedure nailed down and documented!

Robert

I'm just glad someone agrees that this is a simple procedure that should not be over-looked.

I did not have pictures of it, so I don't think others knew how well it worked.

I found it so convenient that I include the turkey baster tip in my "carry along" tools when on long trips.

rawbutt · 08-27-2007, 11:10 AM

I hear ya Vette....my baster has gone from something that was simply cluttering up one the cabinets in my garage to an invaluable tool I will forever cherish. Ok, maybe I need to get a life

bellorin · 08-28-2007, 03:02 PM

How many qtr. of oil needed to replace the VTM-4 fluid?

kerpal · 08-30-2007, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rawbutt
After reading several great DIY articles here, I serviced my VTM-4 last weekend, which went great, then decided to do the tranny this w-end! I have an 04' with the recall thing done, so I knew I was facing filling it through the dipstick hole. I found a combination of a turkey baster and funnel that couldn't have worked out better! Didn't spill a drop and each quart poured into the dipstick in about 45 sec each! I had an old turkey baster in the garage that I had stolen from my wife and it just happened to be the perfect fit once i did a little dremeling near the tip. It would have probably worked without the dremeling, but it just enabled it to fit a little better in there. Anyway, I just felt compelled to share a couple pics since it went SO well with this particular turkey baster and funnel....didn't even have to fiddle with drilling holes in the cap of the oil container, suspending it under the hood and waiting a long time for it to go in. It sat nice and snug on its own resting in the small area directly above the dipstick hole. I even liked how I could see the level of the fliud through the clear plastic baster as I was pouring. Good luck to everyone with the DIY stuff and thanks for all the great advice on the forums.

Robert

What is DIY btw???

humanoid · 08-30-2007, 01:46 AM

DIY=Do It Yourself

Caf2461 · 08-30-2007, 04:28 PM

As an alternative to cutting up the wifes turkey baster I inscrewed and used the top cap off of a gear oil container. It fits down in the transmission hole and you can wedge the end of a long funnel (I have a metal version of the one shown) into it.

dirk877 · 01-05-2008, 12:14 AM

Yeah, I tried adding tranny fluid the other day and all the fluid ended up on the pavement.

I had to clean the engine.

Anyway, I find it hard to believe you cannot buy a funnel in some store for this.

I guess its turkey time.

08-25-2007, 11:17 AM	#2 (permalink)
VettePilot Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tallahassee Posts: 254 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Yep, did that about six months ago. ATF fill adapter __________________ 2006 Pilot 2WD EX-L 1964 Corvette Coupe -- totally restored 1992 Corvette Coupe -- totally modified 2002 Ford Ranger Edge

08-25-2007, 05:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
jestmaty Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Katy, Tx Posts: 1,263 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	When did you buy your '04? I got mine June 1, 2004 and I didn't have the jet fix thingy. Just a filler bolt... I've changed my fluid twice already ( 15k and 30k ) and am due for another change soon. I'm at 43,500 miles. I change frequently because of towing a boat. Your rig looks nice, glad to hear the fill went smoothly and quickly. When was your Pilot built? __________________ 2004 EXL-RES Sage Brush Pearl 2005 Bayliner 175XT Bowrider OEM Tow Package, side steps, Front window tint, interior wood trim, ss exhaust tips, Castrol full synthetic oil, 7 yr/100k extended warranty, crossbars

08-28-2007, 03:02 PM	#7 (permalink)
bellorin Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida Posts: 1 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Quanty How many qtr. of oil needed to replace the VTM-4 fluid?

08-30-2007, 01:46 AM	#9 (permalink)
humanoid Super Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Sunny SoCal Posts: 2,970 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	DIY=Do It Yourself __________________ 2005 EX-L Sage Brush Pearl -->OEM Running Boards, OEM rear mud guards, OEM crossbars, AVS bug deflector, 5000K HIDs, OEM Accord EX emblem, full sized spare, Hella FF 75 driving lamps, Nifty CatchAll Mats <------------ click here first, n0oB!!!

01-05-2008, 12:14 AM	#11 (permalink)
dirk877 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 64 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Yeah, I tried adding tranny fluid the other day and all the fluid ended up on the pavement. I had to clean the engine. Anyway, I find it hard to believe you cannot buy a funnel in some store for this. I guess its turkey time. __________________ 2005 Honda Pilot EX 148,362 Miles

08-27-2007, 08:20 AM	#4 (permalink)
rawbutt Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 76 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	VettePilot, Sorry to re-invent the wheel...looks like you already had the turkey baster procedure nailed down and documented! jestmaty, Mine didn't come from the factory with the jet thingy....I took it in for the recall and they put that on at that time. I can't recall when mine was built without pulling the paperwork. I was thrilled with how easy it was to do the VTM-4 and tranny service....no excuse to put it off anymore I called my local Honda service dept. just to see what they said about whether they actually go to all the trouble to do the 4X tranny procedure. He said no way...we just draiin and fill one time. Figures doesn't it? Most people would assume it'd be done right if they pay the extra buck to have the Honda dealer do it =/ Robert

08-27-2007, 11:10 AM	#6 (permalink)
rawbutt Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 76 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I hear ya Vette....my baster has gone from something that was simply cluttering up one the cabinets in my garage to an invaluable tool I will forever cherish. Ok, maybe I need to get a life

08-30-2007, 04:28 PM	#10 (permalink)
Caf2461 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Raleigh NC Posts: 130 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	As an alternative to cutting up the wifes turkey baster I inscrewed and used the top cap off of a gear oil container. It fits down in the transmission hole and you can wedge the end of a long funnel (I have a metal version of the one shown) into it.

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