Rep Power: 0

Hi, I wanted to introduce myself I am new to the forum but not new to cars. I've done most of the work on my cars since I was in high school back in the stone age. I bought a 98 Civic LX with 140k. It's mainly for my son but I drive it too. It is a super clean car that has had a recent timing belt, WP, alt, dizzy, front seals. So al lot of the stuff that goes after 100k has been serviced. I am concerned abot the auto trans though. I have been reading a lot here about them going unexpectedly w/o notice. I have replaced the dipstick which was loose and have done 2 drain and fills with Maxlife ATF. It does seem to flare going into third gear. Can anyone offer some insight or suggestions into my particular 1998 trans?

 
Rep Power: 812

if the fluid was not changed until now, there is likely permanent damage already done and not much you can do. just drive til it breaks. small amount of slip does not mean it will break right away tho. im not sure if your year of civic has a removable filter in the pan, but if it does you may want to try an auto-rx.com trans treatment to clean it out.

 
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Thanks for your reply GB

Unfortunately it's a split case design just like your gen7. Do you think it is worth it to get an external filter like a Magnefine? I can pick one up for about 16 bucks. Or am I ?

 
Rep Power: 812

i do not think at this point in time, a filter would do any good. maybe if you installed it when the trans was new. the deposits and junk is already there and burned into the trans. just change the fluid often and it could still last you a long time. the maxlife is a great fluid, i switched recently from the honda atf and the slipping has gotten much better, tho not completely gone.

 
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Unfortunately you have re-enforced what I have naggingly suspected. Ugh...I should have gotten a used "H" of another type from Korea. Oh well, I'm in for the spin. I'll keep up with fluid changes and hope for the best.

Thanks for giving it to me straight...GB

 
Rep Power: 205

I have a '98 LX Auto and at around 145K I felt the transmission giving way. At first I didn't know what to think of it...first time owning an A/T and experiencing minor transmission failure--it would all of a sudden grab, like it down shifted from 4th to 2nd when I let off the gas going down hill. I drained & filled the transmission with OEM ATF it definitely reduced the effect. As I drove it more and more I rarely experienced the minor transmission failure. 163K miles later it's still going good.

I'll drive it till it breaks. You can always swap another motor for like $500-$800...so I hear.