98 Civic auto tranny problem #2432

I have a 1998 Honda Civic EX with 154k on the odometer. 4 days ago I
did some spring maintenance and changed the engine oil and while I was
at it changed the tranny fluid and filled it with 3 qts Honda ATF.

A couple days later I took off from a stop light and it felt like the
tires were spinning on gravel or something. Kind of a shuddering of
sorts, only when taking off from a stop. Now after the car has been
driven for 30 minutes or so, if I get on the gas a little from a stop
it will do it most every time, usually followed by a sooner than
normal shift into second gear.

When the car is warm and I reverse out of a parking spot or my
driveway and shift into D4 there seems to be a lag of a couple seconds
before the forward gear engages.

I performed a "stall test" as outlined in the factory service manual
(because I have no pressure gauges - so it was basically all I could
do) and it was all within spec.

I called a local mechanic who speciallizes in Hondas and he theorized
the fluid might have been slightly low causing "cavitation". Fluid
is full.

Is there anything else I should check/have checked before I give up
and replace it?

Thanks guys

 

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It sounds like it's too full (since the problem happens when warm). Are
you checking the tranny level under the right conditions? How much stuff
was on the magnetic drain plug, just for interest sake, and are you
planning to change the ATF two more times?
'Curly'

 

It sounds like it's too full (since the problem happens when warm). Are

I suppose that could be the case. I drained the tranny then added 3
full quarts. There wasn't a whole lot on the magnet just a little
black colored metallic dust. I am planning to go today and pick up
some more ATF at honda. and drain and refill. Funny thing is, today
I haven't been able to duplicate the problem - (knock on wood). My
driving to day was 30 minutes of in town driving to work and 30
minutes back.

Any other insight?

 

Well, the problem seems to have went away. Just to be safe I still
drained and refilled one more time. Yesterday, I returned from a 400
mile round trip and the transmission seems to be functioning 100%.

 

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For the sake of completeness and for others who may have transmission
problems, I wanted to follow up, so here it is...

Well, it was too good to be true. Changing the fluid didn't work
after all. My tranny started slipping in 1st from a stop, shifting
really strange, hard shifting, sometimes "flaring" and it started
making clunking noises when I would pull up to a stop light. Finally,
while driving yesterday the check engine light came on (code 70) and
the tranny kicked out of fourth gear and down into 3rd. Wouldn't
upshift into 4.

I just replaced it.

I picked up a used tranny with 40k miles on it at my local salvage
yard. Got a one year warranty. Put it in myself. Total cost
including 8 quarts of honda atf, new exhaust gaskets, torque converter
O ring, 20" high floor jack, new deep well impact sockets, and a new
17" breaker bar - less than $500.

Followed the directions in the factory service manual. Took me 7
hours start to finish.

Now after driving it I realize my old transmission has been on the
fritz for a long time. Probably a year or more. Original tranny had
160k miles on it. Hope the "new" used transmission lasts another
100k. After going through all this, I plan on doing lots of regular
tranny service!!