Clean Your Transmission Screen!
#1
Cruisin'
Thread Starter
Clean Your Transmission Screen!
I was not aware that the transmission screen could be cleaned or replaced on 1st Gen. TL's. I was quite surprised when I saw an oil pan on the bottom of my transmission. I had always been told that Honda products didn't use a filter. Wrong. The screen is so fine, it might as well be a filter.
My 96 TL with 170,000 miles was experiencing a flare on the 3-4 shift (sometimes), and also in cold weather the transmission sometimes didn't want to go into gear. Cleaning the screen resolved my problems. I purchased a new pan gasket ($13), and cleaned the filter. Extremely easy procedure.
This is a new filter (Note, this is a 2.5 filter). The screen is so fine it is almost transparent. It is visible through the small suction hole. That dimple is behind the screen
My screen was really plugged. This is what it looked like after a finger was wiped across the screen.
Since they gave me the wrong screen, I cleaned the old one. This worked quite well.
It was extremely easy, and totally resolved my shifting problems. Completely! (I guess the ease of this change makes up for the starter mounting). Hope this helps someone with a similar transmission problem.
My 96 TL with 170,000 miles was experiencing a flare on the 3-4 shift (sometimes), and also in cold weather the transmission sometimes didn't want to go into gear. Cleaning the screen resolved my problems. I purchased a new pan gasket ($13), and cleaned the filter. Extremely easy procedure.
This is a new filter (Note, this is a 2.5 filter). The screen is so fine it is almost transparent. It is visible through the small suction hole. That dimple is behind the screen
My screen was really plugged. This is what it looked like after a finger was wiped across the screen.
Since they gave me the wrong screen, I cleaned the old one. This worked quite well.
It was extremely easy, and totally resolved my shifting problems. Completely! (I guess the ease of this change makes up for the starter mounting). Hope this helps someone with a similar transmission problem.
The following users liked this post:
nich0085 (11-15-2017)
#3
Senior Moderator
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Better Neighborhood, Arizona
Posts: 45,634
Received 2,328 Likes
on
1,308 Posts
Originally Posted by WolfpackBill
Awesome info!!! Thanks!!
This thread needs to be stickied!!
This thread needs to be stickied!!
#7
OMG! Oh N0ES!
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Chantilly, VA
Age: 39
Posts: 606
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
its called ATF strainer (item #7 in the pic)
$40.67 from www.acuraautomotiveparts.org
look under AT main valve body
Trending Topics
#8
OMG! Oh N0ES!
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Chantilly, VA
Age: 39
Posts: 606
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
www.importec.com has the AT strainer for $39.xx and it comes with the $18 gasket included with it.
if you goto importec.com, look under transmission -> filter kit
if you goto importec.com, look under transmission -> filter kit
#9
2.5 TL ART
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Nashville,TN
Age: 44
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
can anyone post pictures or directions on how to get to this part, or how to get it off?
I don't recognize this part, even though I've drained/filled my tranny 6 times. But I wasn't looking for this part either. I also have 200K miles should I just buy a new screen/filter or should I just clean mine?
I don't recognize this part, even though I've drained/filled my tranny 6 times. But I wasn't looking for this part either. I also have 200K miles should I just buy a new screen/filter or should I just clean mine?
#11
4th Gear
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Watkins Glen, NY
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
3.2 Tranny filter?
Just aquired a '97 3.2 and thought I should change tranny fluid and filter while I'm at it but: searching importec.com and elsewhere there is no filter listed (as there is for the 2.5). I'd rather not open up the pan until I have everything needed to do the job right. Does the 3.2 tranny have no servicable filter? Thanks for any advice.
#13
Registered Abuser of VTEC
Originally Posted by 2doe
is a flush same as a drain and fill? thanks
#14
1998 2.5TL
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Malden, MA
Age: 46
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The dealership charges $180.00 for a tranny flush while chain outlets like Big10 charge around $100.00 for the same. Is the dealership worth the extra $80.00? Do other stores do a decent job of it? What do you guys recommend?
#15
Cruisin'
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: pittsburgh, PA
Age: 48
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If I am correct, the dealership does not do a power flush. Atleast they are not suppose to Per Honda/Acura. They will do a drain and fill 4 times to get all the old transmission fluid out. There are a bunch of posts here to do it yourself and you should definitley use the geniune honda ATF(Lots of posts on this topic also).
Now somebody please give me a location and picture for this screen damnit
Now somebody please give me a location and picture for this screen damnit
#16
Registered Driver
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Bristol, Rhode Island
Age: 37
Posts: 2,493
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Originally Posted by clune
If I am correct, the dealership does not do a power flush. Atleast they are not suppose to Per Honda/Acura. They will do a drain and fill 4 times to get all the old transmission fluid out. There are a bunch of posts here to do it yourself and you should definitley use the geniune honda ATF(Lots of posts on this topic also).
Now somebody please give me a location and picture for this screen damnit
Now somebody please give me a location and picture for this screen damnit
#17
OMG! Oh N0ES!
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Chantilly, VA
Age: 39
Posts: 606
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by UnsanePyro
Yeah, I have heard that it is best to use the honda ATF, and was expecting an outrageous price when I picked some up, but it was actually pretty reasonable
#18
Cruisin'
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by youngTL
Flush is more expensive, but worth it IMO.
Somewhere on a newer TL board, the statement was made that once your transmission starts the shift flair thing and the cold weather initial shift problems, it's already too late and you need a new transmission. And that is really why I posted this thread. It was just sort of a fluke that I discovered the possibility of a clogged screen causing this.
After flushing my Accord transmission, it totally refused to do anything. Several people remarked AFTER THE FACT "Oh, that happens sometimes with high mileage transmissions, you need a new transmission." Same thing happened on a friends Dodge van. Ask the people that flush them, and they'll tell you that it's a very real possibility.
My transmission pump was making cavitation noises which indicated something wrong on the suction side of the pump. So in desparation, I took a 12" long 3/8" drill bit, reached through the drain hole, and perforated the filter body and screen ( the transmission was trash already and that wasn't going to hurt anything.) The totally nonfunctional transmission then started working. After removing the transmission, the blockage on the screen was very obvious. The big problem on the Accord is that you have to remove the transmission and break down the case to service the screen. And that's why most Honda product mechanics have never actually seen a Honda transmission screen. It's too labor intensive to just clean the screen and it possibly wouldn't fix a problem anyway. So they replace the entire transmission. However, on our TL's, you don't have to remove the transmission which didn't seem to be common knowledge.
Originally Posted by clune
Now somebody please give me a location and picture for this screen dxxxxt
And since my transmission is working, I'm NOT crawling under there for more pictures.
#19
2007 6SMT Type-S
Originally Posted by hrtrworms
There is a danger in flushing a high mileage transmission that has not been serviced on a regular basis. Be prepared for the possibility of your transmission not working at all.
Somewhere on a newer TL board, the statement was made that once your transmission starts the shift flair thing and the cold weather initial shift problems, it's already too late and you need a new transmission. And that is really why I posted this thread. It was just sort of a fluke that I discovered the possibility of a clogged screen causing this.
After flushing my Accord transmission, it totally refused to do anything. Several people remarked AFTER THE FACT "Oh, that happens sometimes with high mileage transmissions, you need a new transmission." Same thing happened on a friends Dodge van. Ask the people that flush them, and they'll tell you that it's a very real possibility.
My transmission pump was making cavitation noises which indicated something wrong on the suction side of the pump. So in desparation, I took a 12" long 3/8" drill bit, reached through the drain hole, and perforated the filter body and screen ( the transmission was trash already and that wasn't going to hurt anything.) The totally nonfunctional transmission then started working. After removing the transmission, the blockage on the screen was very obvious. The big problem on the Accord is that you have to remove the transmission and break down the case to service the screen. And that's why most Honda product mechanics have never actually seen a Honda transmission screen. It's too labor intensive to just clean the screen and it possibly wouldn't fix a problem anyway. So they replace the entire transmission. However, on our TL's, you don't have to remove the transmission which didn't seem to be common knowledge.
The drain plug is located on the transmission's oil pan, on the very bottom. Remove the pan AFTER removing the drain plug. Immediately under the pan is the filter, bolted directly to the bottom of the valve body. It's the lower most piece on the transmission. Four bolts hold the filter on, and it's pretty obvious which ones they are. No rocket science here. You don't have to remove anything else. The screen inside the filter housing is metal, not delicate, and being metal lends itself to cleaning. I used the intake cleaner because I had it already, and it had the plastic tube to reach inside the filter.
And since my transmission is working, I'm NOT crawling under there for more pictures.
Somewhere on a newer TL board, the statement was made that once your transmission starts the shift flair thing and the cold weather initial shift problems, it's already too late and you need a new transmission. And that is really why I posted this thread. It was just sort of a fluke that I discovered the possibility of a clogged screen causing this.
After flushing my Accord transmission, it totally refused to do anything. Several people remarked AFTER THE FACT "Oh, that happens sometimes with high mileage transmissions, you need a new transmission." Same thing happened on a friends Dodge van. Ask the people that flush them, and they'll tell you that it's a very real possibility.
My transmission pump was making cavitation noises which indicated something wrong on the suction side of the pump. So in desparation, I took a 12" long 3/8" drill bit, reached through the drain hole, and perforated the filter body and screen ( the transmission was trash already and that wasn't going to hurt anything.) The totally nonfunctional transmission then started working. After removing the transmission, the blockage on the screen was very obvious. The big problem on the Accord is that you have to remove the transmission and break down the case to service the screen. And that's why most Honda product mechanics have never actually seen a Honda transmission screen. It's too labor intensive to just clean the screen and it possibly wouldn't fix a problem anyway. So they replace the entire transmission. However, on our TL's, you don't have to remove the transmission which didn't seem to be common knowledge.
The drain plug is located on the transmission's oil pan, on the very bottom. Remove the pan AFTER removing the drain plug. Immediately under the pan is the filter, bolted directly to the bottom of the valve body. It's the lower most piece on the transmission. Four bolts hold the filter on, and it's pretty obvious which ones they are. No rocket science here. You don't have to remove anything else. The screen inside the filter housing is metal, not delicate, and being metal lends itself to cleaning. I used the intake cleaner because I had it already, and it had the plastic tube to reach inside the filter.
And since my transmission is working, I'm NOT crawling under there for more pictures.
#20
Senior Moderator
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Better Neighborhood, Arizona
Posts: 45,634
Received 2,328 Likes
on
1,308 Posts
Originally Posted by SurfingScotty
Is this for the 3.2 or 2.5?
Someone with a 3.2 should look under. I havent had time.
#21
Reppin' the T-Dot!!
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Age: 49
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
1 Post
I will be getting a tranny flush done next week. I won't be cleaning mine, I am getting a new filter (MSRP = $100, I pay = $25, through my friend's tranny shop. So I'll let you know how the tranny feels after.
#22
Banned
Another awesome thread - this is the VERY thing that happened to my tranny. My tranny would not shift out of 1st gear at low speeds or a stop. After getting the screen cleaned, the tranny began operating like normal again.
But as mentioned above, a full-blown flush was NOT recommended for my tranny since it has 150,000 miles on it. I have always replaced the fluid per Acura's recommendation, but never got the tranny flushed.
But as mentioned above, a full-blown flush was NOT recommended for my tranny since it has 150,000 miles on it. I have always replaced the fluid per Acura's recommendation, but never got the tranny flushed.
The following users liked this post:
nich0085 (11-15-2017)
#24
TL Enthusiast
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Iowa
Age: 38
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Cornflake
I will be getting a tranny flush done next week. I won't be cleaning mine, I am getting a new filter (MSRP = $100, I pay = $25, through my friend's tranny shop. So I'll let you know how the tranny feels after.
haha
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
mada51589
3G TL Problems & Fixes
79
05-03-2022 08:54 PM
tallyrlx
3G RLX Audio, Bluetooth, Electronics & Navigation
12
02-26-2016 03:44 PM
asahrts
Member Cars for Sale
0
09-04-2015 05:55 PM