DIY: Gearbox oil/fluid change (b16a1)

[Dxs]

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:
Service/Replace gearbox fluid in a b16a1 gearbox (y1 trans?) [And i know wynode already has a gearbox removal DIY that tells how to do this but i thought I would create a thread specifically for fluid changes to promote discussion ]

Required:
2ish litres of honda MTF gearbox fluid (i purchased 3L just in case)
drain bolt washer
filler bolt washer
WD40 or something similar
Car ramps or jack and jack stands
1/4" drive ratchet
17mm spanner/socket and maybe extensions
Tubing and funnel
Phillips head screwdriver
Pliers

Steps:
Replacing the fluid in a gearbox is similar to doing a oil change for the engine. There is a gearbox drain plug/bolt and a filler plug.

1) Put your car on ramps or jack it up and locate the gearbox drain and filler bolts.



2) Unbolt the top bolt, the filler bolt with a 17mm spanner. This can be a hard bastard, so a hammer onto the spanner and some WD may be needed. Be sure to have a bucket or something to catch the fluid that will come out. Eventhough this is the filler bolt, because the car is on an angle fluid will come out of it. Then place a ratchet onto the bottom drainage bolt and let all the fluid flow out.

3) Now pop the hood and remove the intake pipe.For my b16a all that was needed was to undo the clamp to the throttle body, unclip and pull out the two airlines to the intake and slide the pipe off the induction box.


4) Wait untill most of fluid has drained from the gearbox, and then get the new washer and the drain plug and bolt it back into the gearbox tight.

4) Now get your rubber tubing, I used some left over 9mm silicone vac hose, and drop it down through the engine bay. then put one end into the filler hole and have the other end attached to a funnel.


5) Now either roll your car off the ramps in Nuetral with the engine off or jack down your car. Do this so your car is level so you can get the correct ammount of fluid into the gearbox.

6) Now make sure the hose is in the filler hole and poor fluid into the funnel and let gravity take it into the gearbox. It may take a while for the fluid to drain down.

7) Now either watch under the car or keep an eye on the filler whole. When fluid begins comming out of the filler hole you know you are done. My car took around 2.1 litres. So then bolt in the filler bolt with the new washer from the top of the engine bay so the car is still level.. get a skinny mate to help you .


8) You may wish to then put your car back on ramps or jack it back up. I was able to do the bolt a little tighter from under the car.

9) Be happy

Other comments
There are other methods to filling the gearbox, such as removing the VSS and pouring it through there. I found this way the least hassle though. Fairly easy task and only cost the max of 40 bucks using gen honda parts

[Dray_Templar]

nice write up.
just a quick noob question, is the process pretty much the same for an auto transmission eg. 98 accord V6?

going to try and attept it this weekend if i can :s ... is there anything else i will need, new washers, filters etc..

thanks again for the great DIY.

[bennjamin]

nice write up.
just a quick noob question, is the process pretty much the same for an auto transmission eg. 98 accord V6?

going to try and attept it this weekend if i can :s ... is there anything else i will need, new washers, filters etc..

thanks again for the great DIY.

Not the same for a AUTO FWD. You dont need anything else except a oil pan and a funnel of sorts ~ like the one DXS shows here.

All you do is drop the drain bolt , let the fluid flow out. Once it stops , replace the drain bolt and take out the dipstick (on the gearbox). Fill this up with the recommended amount , and test the level with the dipstick gauge.


BTW check my thread below on how to make the filler and fill easy
http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?t=58596

[Dray_Templar]

thanks a heap bennjamin you a life saver

[muhhan]

Great info! Unlike changing engine oil, the transmission oil only needs to be changed every 40000kms if you follow the maintenance schedule or more regularly if you like to take care of your ride.

Dray_Templar, don't forget to use new crush washers! It'll save you having to do the bolt up donkey kong tight and prevent any leaks. On the D-series tranny it's drain plug 39Nm (29lbsft) and 44Nm (33lbsft) on the filler plug if you're anally retentive like me and everything needs to be done up right.

On a completely different note, Dxs, that blue bar underneath your engine connecting your lca mount points together, what is that and what does it do?

[Rasputin]

Looks like it's a front lower tie bar.

It's for cars with an independant suspension, and helps to strengthen the subframe.

It'll help your handling through corners, as well as reduce torque steer and wheel hop. (In a FWD, anyhow)

[NA15BS]

thats good DIY il try dis weekend, thanks

[bigjo5]

Great info! Unlike changing engine oil, the transmission oil only needs to be changed every 40000kms if you follow the maintenance schedule or more regularly if you like to take care of your ride.

nah 40,000km is quiet long.. average is 20,000km but i change mine every 10,000 to keep it in good nick.

[muhhan]

Agreed, 40000kms is what interval a grandma would get it changed cos that's what the maintenance manual says, unless the grandma enjoys spirited street driving and track days! Kind of like how regular oil change is scheduled for 7500kms but I dare say most people change it every 5000kms here. No harm done changing it more regularly, for sure.

[Dray_Templar]

Dray_Templar, don't forget to use new crush washers! It'll save you having to do the bolt up donkey kong tight and prevent any leaks. On the D-series tranny it's drain plug 39Nm (29lbsft) and 44Nm (33lbsft) on the filler plug if you're anally retentive like me and everything needs to be done up right.

thanks muhhan, as always ozhonda members are the best

just a Quick one was told that Mitsubishi's Auto Tranny fluid is 98% the same as honda's, and seems to work as well as honda's , and can be used in a pinch when honda's, isn't easily available. let me know what you guys think

cheers and thanks again ppl

[egSi]

awesome.

funny too

[AsH_]

i think my gearbox hasnt been flushed in ages...

with flushing... how should i go about it??? just keep on filling up the fluid a few times and getting any shit out???