Just changed rear diff fluid - Honda Pilot

Pilot pilot · 09-22-2003, 03:55 PM

The old fluid looked brand new. I'm starting to wonder if changing this stuff every 15k miles is overkill, especially at $24 a gallon. Kind of reminds me of Honda's recommendation of changing the brake fluid, one of the things I see as not needed. I mean, what can go wrong with the fluid any way? It looks like tranny fluid and does not get the workout that a tranny can get and it's change interval is 30k.

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

minliang_c · 09-22-2003, 05:33 PM

Pilot pilot,

I think the manual says first diff fluid change is after 15K, then at every 30K interval.

I changed the diff fluid this weekend, and noticed the same. My neighbor, who used to be a service manager at a Dodge dealer, told me "just check this stuff to see if there's dirty in the oil, if not, you don't need to change this stuff ..." I didn't listen to him, changed it anyway. The oil came out real clean, like brand new.

How much diff fluid did you use up? Did you use up all the 1 gallon? I managed to pump in about 3/4 gallon. I felt it's hard to pump in the oil, some spilt out initially, so I was afraid not put in enough back in. Just want to check with those who performed DIY diff fuild change. Thanks.

Pilot pilot · 09-22-2003, 06:09 PM

I think the book says to change the rear diff fluid at 15k, 30k and then every 30K after that. I guess they want to remove any metal shavings/dust that occurs during break-in. BTW, did you think to wipe off the magnet on the lower plug.

I thought more about my tranny comparison and it came to me... The tranny has a filter but the rear diff does not. I guess that's the reason for more frequent changes.

I also had to pump in about 3/4 of a gallon. The manual says it takes 3 quarts. Yeah, pumping was a bear. I must have pumped for 20 minutes straight. The entire time while laying there I was thinking to myself if I should just pay the dealer to do it next time.

minliang_c · 09-22-2003, 06:32 PM

You are right, 1st diff fluid change at 15K then at 30K miles, then every 30K miles afterward.
Yes I noticed the short magnetic rod on the lower plug, it had some metal shaving on it. I managed to wiped it clean before installing it back in. Thanks.

Pilot pilot · 09-22-2003, 06:42 PM

Next time I will have the dealer do it, along with a tranny fluid change at 30k.

AlH · 09-22-2003, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pilot pilot
I
I also had to pump in about 3/4 of a gallon. The manual says it takes 3 quarts.

Hmmm....mine took 96 ounces!

Pilot pilot · 09-22-2003, 07:14 PM

Yeah, kind of goofy the way I worded that, especially when taken out of context.

N_Jay · 09-23-2003, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pilot pilot
The old fluid looked brand new. I'm starting to wonder if changing this stuff every 15k miles is overkill, especially at $24 a gallon. Kind of reminds me of Honda's recommendation of changing the brake fluid, one of the things I see as not needed. I mean, what can go wrong with the fluid any way? It looks like tranny fluid and does not get the workout that a tyranny can get and it's change interval is 30k.

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Your Wrong!

Well you asked!

6 changes over 150,000 miles at $24 each is not a lot in the end.
Some people here (not ME!) will spend that much on Wax!

It is like tyranny fluid and degrades with time and use.
The Rear has wet clutches that wear with use and the fluid picks up the material.

As for brake fluid, Honda's recommendation to change it is right on.
Almost ALL brake hydraulic problems are caused by old fluid.
Most cars recommend the system be flushed every two years, most never do it and some time before 100,000 miles you end up replacing a master cylinder, wheel cylinder or caliper.

At that point the seals in the rest of the system are no better, they just have not failed YET! All to save $5 of fluid every 2 years.

**colorider** · 09-23-2003, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by AlH
Hmmm....mine took 96 ounces!

Sounds pretty close to 3 quarts and 3/4 of a gallon to me!!!!

**colorider** · 09-23-2003, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by N_Jay

-snip-
As for brake fluid, Honda's recommendation to change it is right on.
Almost ALL brake hydraulic problems are caused by old fluid.
Most cars recommend the system be flushed every two years, most never do it and some time before 100,000 miles you end up replacing a master cylinder, wheel cylinder or caliper.

At that point the seals in the rest of the system are no better, they just have not failed YET! All to save $5 of fluid every 2 years.

I couldn't agree more!!!! And buy a new can each time - don't use out of an opened, partially used can. If you want to use some of out of a partial can for cleaning disk brake components, that's fine.

Just my .02

YMMV

MG Pilot · 09-23-2003, 10:16 AM

How does one go about changing brake fluid???

jay · 09-23-2003, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MG Pilot
How does one go about changing brake fluid???

I presume that it involves locating the master cylinder, which should be found when you remove one of the front tires, and opening a drain cock, and draining the fluid out, then re-filling the container on the firewall under the hood. I'm sure there are details I've left out, particularly related to preventing air bubbles from getting in the lines, but that's the basics as I understand it.

N_Jay · 09-23-2003, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jay
I presume that it involves locating the master cylinder, which should be found when you remove one of the front tires, and opening a drain cock, and draining the fluid out, then re-filling the container on the firewall under the hood. I'm sure there are details I've left out, particularly related to preventing air bubbles from getting in the lines, but that's the basics as I understand it.

Close, but no cigar!

You use the same procedure as bleeding the brakes, except you start by draining the brake reservoir and refilling it with new fluid.
You then bleed each caliper till you see the new fluid. If you use a clear hose on the bleeder screw you can usually see a slight difference in fluid color or clarity.

jay · 09-23-2003, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by N_Jay
Close, but no cigar!

...snip

That's ok, I don't smoke.

Thanks for clarifying.

thread drift-- Did your trip to D.C. get re-scheduled?

N_Jay · 09-23-2003, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jay
That's ok, I don't smoke.

Thanks for clarifying.

thread drift-- Did your trip to D.C. get re-scheduled?

Friday's flight was canceled, so I went Saturday.
Just got back last night.

Now the waiting starts. (I hate this game!)

09-22-2003, 03:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
Pilot pilot Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 38 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Just changed rear diff fluid The old fluid looked brand new. I'm starting to wonder if changing this stuff every 15k miles is overkill, especially at $24 a gallon. Kind of reminds me of Honda's recommendation of changing the brake fluid, one of the things I see as not needed. I mean, what can go wrong with the fluid any way? It looks like tranny fluid and does not get the workout that a tranny can get and it's change interval is 30k. Please correct me if I'm wrong. __________________ '03 Pilot EX Sagebrush

09-22-2003, 05:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
minliang_c Junior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 19 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I second Pilot pilot's Pilot pilot, I think the manual says first diff fluid change is after 15K, then at every 30K interval. I changed the diff fluid this weekend, and noticed the same. My neighbor, who used to be a service manager at a Dodge dealer, told me "just check this stuff to see if there's dirty in the oil, if not, you don't need to change this stuff ..." I didn't listen to him, changed it anyway. The oil came out real clean, like brand new. How much diff fluid did you use up? Did you use up all the 1 gallon? I managed to pump in about 3/4 gallon. I felt it's hard to pump in the oil, some spilt out initially, so I was afraid not put in enough back in. Just want to check with those who performed DIY diff fuild change. Thanks.

09-22-2003, 06:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
Pilot pilot Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 38 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I think the book says to change the rear diff fluid at 15k, 30k and then every 30K after that. I guess they want to remove any metal shavings/dust that occurs during break-in. BTW, did you think to wipe off the magnet on the lower plug. I thought more about my tranny comparison and it came to me... The tranny has a filter but the rear diff does not. I guess that's the reason for more frequent changes. I also had to pump in about 3/4 of a gallon. The manual says it takes 3 quarts. Yeah, pumping was a bear. I must have pumped for 20 minutes straight. The entire time while laying there I was thinking to myself if I should just pay the dealer to do it next time. __________________ '03 Pilot EX Sagebrush

09-22-2003, 06:32 PM	#4 (permalink)
minliang_c Junior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 19 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	You are right. You are right, 1st diff fluid change at 15K then at 30K miles, then every 30K miles afterward. Yes I noticed the short magnetic rod on the lower plug, it had some metal shaving on it. I managed to wiped it clean before installing it back in. Thanks.

09-22-2003, 06:42 PM	#5 (permalink)
Pilot pilot Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 38 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Next time I will have the dealer do it, along with a tranny fluid change at 30k. __________________ '03 Pilot EX Sagebrush

09-22-2003, 07:14 PM	#7 (permalink)
Pilot pilot Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 38 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Yeah, kind of goofy the way I worded that, especially when taken out of context. __________________ '03 Pilot EX Sagebrush

09-23-2003, 10:16 AM	#11 (permalink)
MG Pilot Super Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Minneapolis Suburbs Posts: 920 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	How does one go about changing brake fluid??? __________________ '03 Starlight Silver EX-L...Rear Splash Guards, Cargo Tray, All-Season Mats (Husky Liners In Front), Trailer Hitch, 3M Clear Nose Mask, K&N Performance Air and Oil Filters, Mobil1 5W-20 Oil, Sylvania Silver Star Bulbs, FS Spare, Michelin X Terrains, Bosch Micro Edge Excel Wiper Blades, Amsoil ATF, Bosch Premium Oil Filters, Purolator PureONE Oil Filters, Fumoto Oil Drain Valve, Akebono Ceramic Pads, Brembo Rotors-

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