DIY gearbox fluid filler. AND easy gearbox fluid change !

Disclaimer: The following is provided as a GUIDE ONLY, and neither myself nor Ozhonda take any responsibility for the outcomes of someone else doing the following. You follow these steps at your own risk!


Aim: To make a easy way to fill gearboxes...rather than use a sludge pump from the normal "fill" hole.

Required: scissors. about 1m of tubing ( any sealed type) with a maximum diameter of about 2.5cms. Cheap funnel with narrow nose.
Cost = about $5 all up.

http://www.ozhonda.com/gallery/data/500/medium/FUN1.jpg


Steps:

http://www.ozhonda.com/gallery/data/500/medium/FUN3.jpg
Grab funnel , and firmly push into one end of the tube.


http://www.ozhonda.com/gallery/data/500/medium/FUN2.jpg

Grab the other end , and cut a diagonal slit into it. This is to aid in directing the fluid into the gearbox ( not to mention guide the end into the VSS hole)


http://www.ozhonda.com/gallery/data/500/medium/FUN5.jpg
Thats it. DIY filler.

Now to use it....

Easy to drain fluid ~ jack up car , open lower drain bolt + catch all excess fluid. Place drain nut back in.
Now , open the 17mm fill hole ( located on side of diff housing)
Place a small container ( take away etc) under the open hole on hte ground below

Heres the easier part.

Lower car down to a "normal" ride height.
Make sure its supported by a BIG jack or on stands / bricks etc.

Take out the VSS ( located on the top of the diff housing) - simple CLIP it off. Then use a 10mm socket + extension to get down there and take out the 1 or 2 bolts , remove VSS.

http://www.ozhonda.com/gallery/data/500/medium/FUN4.jpg


Simply place the slit end into the hole carefully , hold up the piping and slowly pour the MTF ( or chosen fluid) into the funnel. It will slide down and slowly fill the gearbox.
Put 2 containers in , then slowly top up with 3rd container. Should take about 2.3-2.5 litres.
When its full , it will flow a small constant dribble out ( look !)

Once done , retighten 17mm fill bolt, place VSS back in ( be CAREFUL on the small 10mm bolts) and thats about it.

Easy !

Other comments

This Way is much easier , more accurate , quicker ( and less messy ) than using a sludge pump or similar. It pours the fluid thru the gearbox and then gives a very accurate indication of level.

Enjoy.

excellent bren :thumbsup:

been doing it like that for a while. its nice and easy and less messy like ben said!!

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: good work!!!

ben i think i need to try out this method

Awesome.. i will do this very soon

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bennjamin

Lower car down to a "normal" ride height.
Make sure its supported by a BIG jack or on stands / bricks etc.

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"normal" ride height, but the car still on the jack? Won't the front still be higher cause it has the jack on?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by twing

Awesome.. i will do this very soon


"normal" ride height, but the car still on the jack? Won't the front still be higher cause it has the jack on?

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On the jack , it should be able to drop down to "normal" ride height.

You can do this with the wheel on or off - probably easiest to do the last filling step , with the wheels on and jack removed to give best level.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bennjamin

probably easiest to do the last filling step , with the wheels on and jack removed to give best level.

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I assume the 2 bolts have been put back before filling it ya? Otherwise I'll have to jack the car up again to put the bolt.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by twing

I assume the 2 bolts have been put back before filling it ya? Otherwise I'll have to jack the car up again to put the bolt.

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As said ~ You re apply the drain bolt. Leave the FILL bolt off - this is to give you a gauge of how much fluid inside. When it leaks out slowly, thats it ! Put nut back on and finish up.

Quote:

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Place drain nut back in.
Now , open the 17mm fill hole ( located on side of diff housing)
Place a small container ( take away etc) under the open hole on hte ground below

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nice work, 1 rep point for you!

I assume this method applies to all Honda gearboxes?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by skinnyboy

nice work, 1 rep point for you!

I assume this method applies to all Honda gearboxes?

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Id say any FWD honda is pretty much the exact same principle.
Keep the "tube" alittle longer ( say 80cm) to reach larger engine bays etc.
Best thing about it , is that once you get the tip in firmly in the VSS hole, the fluid will 100% lead to the whole and properly fill :)

Beats holding a leaky pump under the wheel arch !

sure does! sort of on topic, anyone using the new Honda MTF fluid? Its in a white container with a white lid or something?

http://www.hardtopguy.com/store/image.php?productid=253

hms... never seen that bottle before.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bennjamin

You can do this with the wheel on or off - probably easiest to do the last filling step , with the wheels on and jack removed to give best level.

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Ok.. I'll do the easiest one. Wheels on.. jack removed... Leave the FILL bolt off.

Then I fill it untill it leaks out.
The question: Can i put back the FILL bolt without jacking up the car again?

Thx for the answer Ben.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by twing

Ok.. I'll do the easiest one. Wheels on.. jack removed... Leave the FILL bolt off.

Then I fill it untill it leaks out.
The question: Can i put back the FILL bolt without jacking up the car again?

Thx for the answer Ben.

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yes u can.

after it dribbles out - apply the 17mm bolt (dont forget the washer) by hand.
Then , from above tighten with a 17mm spanner. Easy.

bump !

http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35408 <2006

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dxs

http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35408 <2006

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but the difference being the filler location,so also useful

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dxs

http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35408 <2006

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you fail to realize the purpose of this thread. as above , its to make a handy tool and also how to use it. Handy , since it fills to the exact amount quickly :)

hang on, did you fill via the vss or filler hole???

I'm unclear on this.

and how is this method more precise than DXS's method?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bludger

hang on, did you fill via the vss or filler hole???

I'm unclear on this.

and how is this method more precise than DXS's method?

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Yes its filled via the VSS hole.

It is greatly more accurate than other methods. Why ? Because you are filling above and beyond the actual fill hole. This doubles as a level guide too.
Once the fluid is poured in from the top , it works its way past the main and counter shafts and around the gears etc , then fills up the gearbox. When it leaks out the fill hole you stop. Once it stops dripping this is the exact fluid level you want. 100&#37; accuracy :) Alot cleaner and easier than filling into the fill hole

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bennjamin

you fail to realize the purpose of this thread. as above , its to make a handy tool and also how to use it. Handy , since it fills to the exact amount quickly :)

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did you even check my thread?
http://home.iprimus.com.au/suban/dxs/art1/5.jpg


why bother removing the vss and the filler bolt..
just fill via the filler bolt.. there is no real difference

it is a filler bolt for a reason as well

but anyway
keep bumping the thread up

I'm guessing that for n00bs, messing with the VSS will have the slight chance of ****ing it up.

Hey guys sorry about the noob question...

But what does "VSS" stand for? :confused:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sir_vtec

Hey guys sorry about the noob question...

But what does "VSS" stand for? :confused:

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Vehicle Speed Sensor

has anyone got a pic showing the clear location of the vss on a B-series???

what happens if u fill using the 17mm bolt, and put too mcuh fluid in.. lol

17mm bolt being the filler bolt?

You can fill it through there but once it overflows and the fluid starts coming out the fill hole you stop and wait till it stops dripping. Once it stops dripping thats the correct amount that you should have in the gbox. Thing is its on the side of the gearbox housing which means theres not much gravity taking it in.

Im still trying to locate the Vss! I know its under the throttle body.. but where exactly?

im gonna keep bumping until someone can point out where it is exactly

http://www.norcalcrx.org/library/images/axle_28.jpg

http://www.norcalcrx.org/library/images/axle_31.jpg

thanks simo

Are there any ramifications for over filling a gearbox via the VSS?

if you follow my guide you CANT overfill it. As long as its on level ground , and the standard filler hole is open then you cannot overfill it. The excess will simply drip straight out of the side fill hole

I see that.

However Im just saying. My mechanic only used 2L to fill up my gearbox.

I started crunching into 5th.

I could not locate the filler hole, so I just removed the VSS and topped it up 100ml.

The crunching has subsided.

Hypothetically speaking however, would overfilling do any damage?

hypothetically yes.
but 100ml is still 400ish ml short of what the capacity of your dc2 box is

Had another go again today.

Benjamin was right. Was still 400 short. I topped it up until it started to drip out of the filler plug. Gearbox is much smoother and gears dont crunch!

Thanks!

another idea: leave the drain plug out when pouring the first 100-200mL through the VSS hole. This should flush most of the residual, dirty fluid out. Wait till it drains through, put the plug back then top it up.
:)

hmmmm im gonna have a go at this through the filler hole, but gonna sitt the car on a jack to get it level first... understanding exactly what Benn idea is, removing the Injen is a ****ing prick of a job as far as im concerned, will let you know my thoughts

gl zilli - let us know how you go. You CAN reach around any intake to remove the VSS tho - with a small ratchet + 10mm + small extension

Thanks Benn... thought about it but dont have the patience...

What i did was jack the car up take off the driver side front wheel for easy access with a kreeper, and put the car on stands. I then took off the 17mm filler hole and watched a litre pour out on my garage floor :-) It was in a bad spot so i used a rattle gun probably not the best idea but i like the sound...

Then i undid the drain and let the fluid drain out.

Cleaned the magnetic drain plug which was absolutely covered in shit, in general i found the oil was really in bad shape judging by the colour and the specs of shavings that my plug hadnt picked up. But then this could have been remnants from the 3 other oil changes i did today. Those cars didnt have magentic drain plugs.

i got a hose and attached a small funnel, and ran it down to the filler hole as a check, then put the wheel back on after replacing the drain plug with a fresh washer. I then dropped the car down on the wheels to ensure it was at the right level, to make sure when the oil started dripping out of the filler the car was 100&#37; level.

I then poored the fluid in, but for some reason way too much went in and i lost about 300mls on the floor after it started pooring out. Small price to pay i suppose. Replaced the filler plug with a new washer and done.

I then jacked it back up to degrease all the bits that had dripped, because im anal like that

I havent driven the car yet, but just moving it out of the garage showed a lot of improvement already.

great couple of DIY's in this thread. Thanks a lot guys, was a great help... i'll be changing the fluid everytime i change my oil from now on

:-)

hey man anyone with a dc2r box know how much oil they should take.. my drained box took exactly 2 x 1 litre genuine honda box oil.. which was 2 litres although i bought 3 litres... the car is on stands... is this the normal amount it should take because it started to poor back out of the filler 17mm hole after pouring the last bits of the 2nd bottle... ??

just over 2 bottles. About 2.1 to 2.3... Try and fill the car when it is on the floor with the wheels on, that way you make absolutely sure that the car is level. i thought about doing it while on stands but i couldnt be sure if it was to be level.

mine took exactly 2 litres on the dot... well if its around 2.1-2.3 then that should be fine... if i remeber though ill top more up lol... should be fine though

Make sure the entire car is dead flat - height makes no difference.
use 3 MTF bottles - i simply empty them all in.
pour into the VSS until you can see a constant dribble out of the fill hole.
let this dribble out until it completely - this is the exact level required.

is the vss the 17mm bolt cos thats the one i was fillin up?
It started to pour out very slowly consistantly after exactly 2 litres... although my cars on a angle becoz its on stands....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by damo46

is the vss the 17mm bolt cos thats the one i was fillin up?
It started to pour out very slowly consistantly after exactly 2 litres... although my cars on a angle becoz its on stands....

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dude thats not accurate. the gearbox should take around 2.4-2.5 litres when drained properly and not at an angle like you have it.
You fill it up via the VSS hole , for ease and accuracy.
read the beginning of this thread

you shouldnt have filled it in an angle, its never going to be right...

I got the hose in the hole, then dropped rhe car back down on its wheels so it is level, THEN i filled it from the 17mm bolt, rather than Bens idea of the vss simply because im lazy...

I filled about 2.3 bottles and it started seeping out consistantly in a little stream, by the time it stopped i had a puddle of oil on my garage floor about 70cm in diameter...

welll the 17mm bolt is fine but when its on the ground ill put the other litre in it... its not like the two litres has gone to waist.... ill put the other litre in when its level untill its full then... that should be ok yea???

yes that should b fine. In the fill or VSS hole - just fill it until it dribbles out again and you will be sweet.

yep osounds all good... thansk guys.. ill do asap when its on ground...

thank you for the review

want to ask if you want to put the Nulon G70, do I put it in the same hole that I fuel up the gearbox oil?

Thanks

anyone got a clear pic of this vss hole? i'm not sureee where it is or what it looks like! much appreciated... =)

This is with the VSS pulled out (sitting to the left)

http://www.ozhonda.com/gallery/data/.../3IMG_5170.jpg

Ooh..very clear, thanks wynode =) maybe i can try this out today..or on the wknd!

do i have to remove the air filter to get to this vss?
and is this vss also known as the speedometer sensor connector?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jusybabe

do i have to remove the air filter to get to this vss?
and is this vss also known as the speedometer sensor connector?

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VSS = vehicle speed sensor

so yes to your question.

remove air filter???......... totally up to you, if you can get to it without, then by all means.

do whatever it takes to get the job done.