'04 Transmission And Diff Oil Change
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From: Boston
'04 Transmission And Diff Oil Change
This past weekend I decided to change out the transmission oil and the defferential oil in my '04 with 700 miles on it. Procedural thanks to Road Rage and Xviper!
I was getting more and more aggravated with the 1-2 clash-n-grind and the 2-3 crunch.
The transmission behaved as if on a temperature related bell curve. Very nasty when cold, required double clutching or very slow gear changes. As it warmed up, it did get better, but still not 'butter' smooth (by my definition). When it got hot after extended (>1 hour) driving, the clash/crunch would return as when cold.
No abusive clutch techniques, launches, v-tec, etc. No quick gear changes. Checked the clutch adjustment and the throttle cable and everthing to spec. I shift just like Woodwork suggested in an earlier thread. Just didn't feel right, and I was getting impatient.
So I changed the tranny oil to Syncromesh FM. Almost immediate (within a half dozen gear changes) relief of the cold clash/crunchies, and it stays that way even after extended drives. Shifting throught the invisble gates now feels it is at least approaching that buttery feel that I read so much about.
Now I don't know if it will stay that way, but this car is a garage queen which will maybe see 3K conservative cruiser type miles/year, so I figure if I change it every 2 years I'll be ok. I also don't know if I'm doing in the carbon sleeved syncros, but it certainly feels much better than with the OEM oil. Can it be that bad?
As far as differential oil goes, I was very surprised the magnetic drain plug was covered in dust-sized metallic particles. No big chunks or shards, but alot of obviously ferrous material. The oil looked like it was 2-3 years old with metallic looking particles suspended in a dark grey soup-after 700 miles.
After seeing this I'd say change the diff fluid much sooner (than the maintenance schedule) than later.
Just my HO and YMMV.
Regards,
BD
I was getting more and more aggravated with the 1-2 clash-n-grind and the 2-3 crunch.
The transmission behaved as if on a temperature related bell curve. Very nasty when cold, required double clutching or very slow gear changes. As it warmed up, it did get better, but still not 'butter' smooth (by my definition). When it got hot after extended (>1 hour) driving, the clash/crunch would return as when cold.
No abusive clutch techniques, launches, v-tec, etc. No quick gear changes. Checked the clutch adjustment and the throttle cable and everthing to spec. I shift just like Woodwork suggested in an earlier thread. Just didn't feel right, and I was getting impatient.
So I changed the tranny oil to Syncromesh FM. Almost immediate (within a half dozen gear changes) relief of the cold clash/crunchies, and it stays that way even after extended drives. Shifting throught the invisble gates now feels it is at least approaching that buttery feel that I read so much about.
Now I don't know if it will stay that way, but this car is a garage queen which will maybe see 3K conservative cruiser type miles/year, so I figure if I change it every 2 years I'll be ok. I also don't know if I'm doing in the carbon sleeved syncros, but it certainly feels much better than with the OEM oil. Can it be that bad?
As far as differential oil goes, I was very surprised the magnetic drain plug was covered in dust-sized metallic particles. No big chunks or shards, but alot of obviously ferrous material. The oil looked like it was 2-3 years old with metallic looking particles suspended in a dark grey soup-after 700 miles.
After seeing this I'd say change the diff fluid much sooner (than the maintenance schedule) than later.
Just my HO and YMMV.
Regards,
BD
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 8,059
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From: Milford, CT
At what recommended interval should a Trans and Diff oil change take place?
Honda states for severe: 15k for the Diff. I can't recall the Trans.
But getting back to my question. Should I replace the Trans and Diff oil once a year or what? I got the car now for a 1yr 7months with about 9,000 miles. Only changed the breakin oil at 6,500-7,000 before I put her away for the winter.
Honda states for severe: 15k for the Diff. I can't recall the Trans.
But getting back to my question. Should I replace the Trans and Diff oil once a year or what? I got the car now for a 1yr 7months with about 9,000 miles. Only changed the breakin oil at 6,500-7,000 before I put her away for the winter.
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Mar 9, 2007 08:39 AM