Hi Everyone
I finally got around to my first ATF change. I've done everything from clutches to timing belts, but I've only ever had manual transmission cars before, so this was a first for me.
I'll focus on the aspect of filling through the dipstick by putting a hose AROUND the distick. Most threads I've seen describe filling through the dipstick by putting a small-opening funnel INSIDE. This of course lessens the already small opening, leading to complaints about how long it takes to fill.
I was prepared to use the filler-bolt method, but when I asked for a new crush washer at the Honda parts counter to go with my case of ATF, the salesman said "you don't want that; our techs fill through the dipstick". While pondering this a few minutes later looking for a funnel at Walmart, I saw this little Flo Tool ATF filler contraption for about 4 bucks & picked it up.
The end had nearly the same diameter as the dipstick tube, so I bought a foot of 1/2" ID automotive hose, and using 2 small hose clamps with thumb screws that I had sitting around, easily connected one around the end of the contraption, & one around the end of the dipstick tube. The quart bottles of ATF screw right on to the end with the fitting, and the one quart bottles easily emptied in less than one minute (I'm guessing about 40 seconds). All in all, this worked out very well for me, and I'll be using this method going forward.
Following are some details/lessons-learned:
Hope this all helps someone. I do have a few questions for those in the know:
Enough already. Thanks everyone for your time & patience!
I finally got around to my first ATF change. I've done everything from clutches to timing belts, but I've only ever had manual transmission cars before, so this was a first for me.
I'll focus on the aspect of filling through the dipstick by putting a hose AROUND the distick. Most threads I've seen describe filling through the dipstick by putting a small-opening funnel INSIDE. This of course lessens the already small opening, leading to complaints about how long it takes to fill.
I was prepared to use the filler-bolt method, but when I asked for a new crush washer at the Honda parts counter to go with my case of ATF, the salesman said "you don't want that; our techs fill through the dipstick". While pondering this a few minutes later looking for a funnel at Walmart, I saw this little Flo Tool ATF filler contraption for about 4 bucks & picked it up.
The end had nearly the same diameter as the dipstick tube, so I bought a foot of 1/2" ID automotive hose, and using 2 small hose clamps with thumb screws that I had sitting around, easily connected one around the end of the contraption, & one around the end of the dipstick tube. The quart bottles of ATF screw right on to the end with the fitting, and the one quart bottles easily emptied in less than one minute (I'm guessing about 40 seconds). All in all, this worked out very well for me, and I'll be using this method going forward.
Following are some details/lessons-learned:
- Before connecting to the dipstick tube, put a dab of fresh ATF on a clean rag & clean the outside of the dipstick.
- Use the smallest hose clamps that will fit. Otherwise, the clamp will not tighten in a nice circle, and you may get a bad connection.
- Do NOT turn the clamps down real tight. It is not required. Just make sure things no not easily pull apart.
- I had absolutely no seepage between the filler tube & the hose
- Do not use a clear tube like on the Flo Tool. It is much stiffer, and will not get you as good of a seal around the dipstick.
- Using the Flo Tool, you can shut off the flow simply by rotating the outer portion, which makes it easy to get the right amount of fluid into the ATF
- The tool also accommodates larger bottles by removing the adapter it comes with
- I pre-twisted the end in the opposite direction from what is required to twist it onto the bottle. Made it a lot easier/quicker to get the bottle on.
- Having slightly more than 12" of hose might make it a bit easier to get the bottle on, but you don't want it much longer, otherwise you need to be real tall to hold the bottle in a position where it can drain quickly.
- I had trouble getting one of the bottle 4 quart bottles on, but found out that simply holding it on to the end was enough to keep from spilling any ATF :29:
- In mine, the rubber washer between the quart-bottle adapter & the larger end was not put on right, leading to a tiny amount of leakage at the beginning. If you get one in person, make sure this washer is on correctly. I was fine after I tightened it up a bit.
- Learning from others, I poured the old ATF into an empty 5qt oil bottle with the handy measuring lines to see how much to put back in. Even after spilling a little bit, I still had close to 3.7 or 3.8 quarts come out. According to the manual, it should be 3.6. I guess it was high to start. I put about 3.6 back in, & it seemed to come up to the lower line. I'll bring up to between the 2 lines after the next iteration.
Hope this all helps someone. I do have a few questions for those in the know:
- I compared the color of the old & new fluids by pouring a little of each into a glass. I was surprised how dark the old fluid was, so I made up my mind to do another round after driveing around for a day or two. Then I though I remembered reading that color has little bearing on the condition of the fluid. Any thoughts/comments? FWIW I bought this Pilot w/50K miles on it, & it has 52K now. CARFAX indicated a "transmission service" (which I take to include a drain/fill like I did) at about 30K miles, this at the same Honda dealer that regularly serviced the vehicle. I have done one trip towing a 1500 lb trailer up to around 6000' feet, where the ATF topped out at 200F. Getting ready to tow again soon.
- When I drained the 2 glasses, I noticed that the fresh fluid ran out quicker than the old. Is this simply a fresh vs old thing, or could this be a difference in the new DW-1 fluid?
- I screwed an empty bottle onto the end of the FLO Tool when I was done to keep dust out, & capped the other end with a baggie. Does anyone see any harm in letting this sit like this? Will the ATF degrade the rubber or plastic over time?
Enough already. Thanks everyone for your time & patience!
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