DDragon7

I guess I just have to becareful when adding oil.

ctx66

If its easier for you to fill the transmission with fluid with the car jacked up unevenly, just put exactly 1.6qt's (or whatever it is) into a container, and keep filling the transmission until the container is empty. No overfill worries.

DDragon7

Just did the tranny oil change on Sat, turns out you should have the car leveled because the oil sits mostly in the front and the drain plugs are in the rear. That is why when your only have the car jacked up only in the front the oil is leaking out once you unscrewed the filler bolt.

So far I have noticed that the shifts are a little smoother but I still have some kinks when shifting and 2nd gear still pops, but at least its a little smoother.

Civic_RedLine

iTrader: (18)

more than doing this on your own, I recommend changing the tranny fluid at least once a year.. depending on ur driving that is..

kind

This is a must do! Really easy DIY and is worth the $10 in HONDA MTF. Much smoother shifting and I personally have noticed increased power after a change!

This is from the Honda service manual for any that are interested:

MT Oil Capacity
1.5 l (1.6 Us qt, 1.3 Imp qt) at fluid change
1.6 l (1.7 US qt, 1.4 Imp qt) at overhaul

stepchild

Does anybody have the torque specs for the two bolts (Bolt #1 & Bolt #2)? These are the the bolts Storm897 posted a picture of on page 1 of this thread. Any help on this would be GREATLY APPRECIATED.

Strider

I know that Honda recommends using 10W-30 (or Honda MTF), however what would happen if I were to use a lower viscosity... say 5W-20?

My thought process is that with the smaller particles it should allow for a smoother shift. I have experienced that using a 0W-20 does provide a slight increase in gas mileage, which is my goal objective with my '01.

Thanks in advance for the responses.

-Strider

gearbox

iTrader: (95)

but 0w20 falls apart at high temps. i wouldnt use that in any engine. if i had a hybrid that came with 0w20, i would chage it to 5w20 to prolong the motor life

jamis33

Hey im goiing to do this change tomorrow. I plan on using AC Delco Syncromesh synthetic blend mtf. I have heard this is the best product on HT but guys on here arent so sure. my buddy says he wouldnt use anything else on his kswap. Any thought gearbox or others? Also should I listen to what that other guy said about just measuring 1.6qts and dumping it in????

sl33pyriceboi

iTrader: (3)

ive changed my MTF twice. first time with honda MTF, second with syncromesh....


and syncromesh is the **** for manual transmissions....

gearbox

iTrader: (95)

well for manual trans the type of fluid isnt as important as auto. idk, if it were me id stick with honda oem. they have a really good additive package.

jamis33

do you mean **** as in it sucks or THE **** as in its freakin amazing. I did mine today and im thinkin it is THE ****. Shifts are so so so much smoother.

babzog

I know it's an old post but here's the specs anyway (excerpted from the Civic service manual).

Referring to Storm897's pic:

Bolt #1 torque is 44 N.m or 33 lb.ft
Bolt #2 (the one with the ratchet fitting) torque is 39 N.m or 29 lb.ft.

Both plugs are recommended to be fitted with new washers before re-installation.

babzog

So I changed mine this past weekend.

Yeah, it was about as much fun as I thought it would be.

It was also overfilled by my mechanic 120,000km ago and was quite filthy. Took $14 in fluid and a handy tip from a Honda mechanic. He suggested (in response to me asking how the heck do you fill the thing up again) the following (air compressor required):

1. Take the cap off one of the bottles of fluid.
   
2. Take a piece of flexible tubing (I used 3/8OD x 1/4ID clear plastic tubing from TSC).
   
3. Drill a hole the size of the tuning into the cap.
   
4. Drill a second, smaller hole, beside the first.
   
5. Reinstall the cap onto the bottle.
   
6. Insert the tuning into the bottle and feed it to the bottom.
   
7. Insert the other end into the tranny (after draining the oil and replacing the lower bolt).
   
8. Take your blow gun, decrease the pressure to 30-40lbs (my own advice) and gently pressurize the bottle, forcing the fluid into the tranny.
   
9. In his words: "Pump till it starts coming out, then pump a bit more, in case there's air bubbles."

Worked like a bomb! I had to wedge the tubing into place to keep it from falling out of the fill hole and it's pretty tight under the car, even when it's all jacked up, but it certainly did the trick with no mess (unlike when I initially popped the cork and got tranny goo on me, my floor...). Afterward, I just coiled it up and let it hibernate in a Ziplock freezer bag for the next 100,000km.

Car is shifting much more slickly now! Very nice!

civicplaya

Can I possibly get a link to a manual pump? I'm not sure which one to get.

-Thanks

DDragon7

You could also fill the transmission fluid from the VSS hole. Its a hell of a lot easier.

babzog

VSS hole? Is that the upper hole (17mm socket required)?

gearbox

iTrader: (95)

yeah its just a sensor with wires and plug on top with a hex pattern.

babzog

Aha. Didn't see that one, not that I was looking for it, at the time, either. Thanks!

korndo1284

Great Stuff... I just did mine but i started too late. Now its dark and time to go to work. Thanks for the great DIY.

gearbox

iTrader: (95)

has anyone noticed the oem drain plug magnet is really weak? im surprised it does anything.

korndo1284

I didnt pay too much attention to that, but i did notice that procivic has a drain bolt set. It looks meaty but for both drain bolts its like 33 bucks + Shipping.

oh its from skunk2

korndo1284

Well Just got home and buttoned everything up and set out for a test drive. I put in mobil 1 10w30 and i gotta say it shifts like butter.
I figure ill drive for a month with the mobil 1 and then change to the Syncromesh.

hondaguy2582

I use redline mtl fluid in my 02 civic ex. Smooth as butter shifting.

For filling the fluid next time though, get an electric fluid extractor that you would use for oil changes. One hose sucking the fluid in towards the pump, the other going into the transmission itself. Easy, requires only one person, and your done in less than 10 minutes.