99 Accord V6 - power steering/trans flush?

Discussion in 'Accord' started by Dave Garrett, Dec 28, 2006.

  1. Dave Garrett

    Dave Garrett Guest

    Took my 99 Accord V6 to the dealer today for an "express" oil change
    that turned into a longer wait than expected. When the service advisor
    came out, he showed me samples from my power steering fluid and
    transmission fluid compared to samples from new fluids, and recommended
    that both systems be flushed.

    I just recently had a 90K mile service done on the car at the same
    dealer, and one of the services that was performed then was a drain-and-
    fill on the transmission. I told the advisor this, and he said they
    still recommended a flush. Given the well-documented fragility of the V6
    auto trannies, and the comments I've read here in the past advising
    against flushes, I declined to have this done. Is there anyone who has
    anything positive to say about flushing, other than the shops for whom
    it appears to be a nice profit generator?

    Power steering flush I'm not sure about - does the power steering system
    really require flushing, or is it like the trans where a drain-and-fill
    is just as effective, if not better? This particular dealer wants $140
    to do the power steering flush. I opted to do nothing for now except the
    oil change I'd come in for, pending further research. I also suspected
    that if the power steering fluid really needed to be changed, it would
    have been mentioned when the 90K service was done.

    Dave
     
    Dave Garrett, Dec 28, 2006
    #1
  2. Dave Garrett

    E Meyer Guest

    When the transmission fluid is changed with the drain and fill method, it
    has to be done several times to actually change all the fluid. Normally
    three drain & fills will get it all. The service manual specifies that the
    procedure be repeated until the fluid is the right color and smell.
    Apparently, your dealer only did it once and that did not replace enough of
    it to clean it up.

    Unless the guidance has changed recently, Honda does not recommend flushing,
    but rather repeated drain & fill until it cleans up.
    There is nothing in the service schedules for any of my cars (including the
    '06 Honda) about periodically changing power steering fluid & I've never
    changed any. I've seen this come up occasionally just in the past couple of
    years. Does anybody know what is prompting this new maintenance issue?
     
    E Meyer, Dec 29, 2006
    #2
  3. Dave Garrett

    E Meyer Guest

    When the transmission fluid is changed with the drain and fill method, it
    has to be done several times to actually change all the fluid. Normally
    three drain & fills will get it all. The service manual specifies that the
    procedure be repeated until the fluid is the right color and smell.
    Apparently, your dealer only did it once and that did not replace enough of
    it to clean it up.

    Unless the guidance has changed recently, Honda does not recommend flushing,
    but rather repeated drain & fill until it cleans up.
    There is nothing in the service schedules for any of my cars (including the
    '06 Honda) about periodically changing power steering fluid & I've never
    changed any. I've seen this come up occasionally just in the past couple of
    years. Does anybody know what is prompting this new maintenance issue?
     
    E Meyer, Dec 29, 2006
    #3
  4. Dave Garrett

    Eric Guest

    A power steering flush is a fairly common procedure. A standard
    recommendation is to do it every 5 years or 50,000 miles. The procedure is
    outlined in the Helm factory service manual. It uses the power steering
    pump to flush the fluid and not an external machine so there is no danger of
    forcing fluid through the system in a way for which is was not designed.

    With regards to the transmission flush, I would avoid it and follow the
    recommendations of the other posters. Three to four fluid changes, drain
    and refills, should get most of the old fluid out.

    Eric
     
    Eric, Dec 29, 2006
    #4
  5. Dave Garrett

    Eric Guest

    A power steering flush is a fairly common procedure. A standard
    recommendation is to do it every 5 years or 50,000 miles. The procedure is
    outlined in the Helm factory service manual. It uses the power steering
    pump to flush the fluid and not an external machine so there is no danger of
    forcing fluid through the system in a way for which is was not designed.

    With regards to the transmission flush, I would avoid it and follow the
    recommendations of the other posters. Three to four fluid changes, drain
    and refills, should get most of the old fluid out.

    Eric
     
    Eric, Dec 29, 2006
    #5
  6. Dave Garrett

    johngdole Guest

    Flushing machines are cash cows at the dealers. Flushing can force
    particles into valve bodies I wouldn't do it on any car. Three repeated
    drains and refills over short intervals should do the trick. On for
    cars with removable pans, drop and clean the pan and change the
    filter/strainer.

    PS flush is outlined but I'm not aware of any recommendation to do so.
    What I had done was siphon the fluid out of the reservoir every other
    oil change. It's not much, but quick and easy.
     
    johngdole, Dec 29, 2006
    #6
  7. Dave Garrett

    johngdole Guest

    Flushing machines are cash cows at the dealers. Flushing can force
    particles into valve bodies I wouldn't do it on any car. Three repeated
    drains and refills over short intervals should do the trick. On for
    cars with removable pans, drop and clean the pan and change the
    filter/strainer.

    PS flush is outlined but I'm not aware of any recommendation to do so.
    What I had done was siphon the fluid out of the reservoir every other
    oil change. It's not much, but quick and easy.
     
    johngdole, Dec 29, 2006
    #7
  8. Dave Garrett

    motsco_ Guest

    =====================================

    Ummm, Dealers realized they were _mi$$ing an opportunity _ to lighten
    the customer's wallet just a little more?

    My be$t Gue$$

    'Curly'
     
    motsco_, Dec 29, 2006
    #8
  9. Dave Garrett

    motsco_ Guest

    =====================================

    Ummm, Dealers realized they were _mi$$ing an opportunity _ to lighten
    the customer's wallet just a little more?

    My be$t Gue$$

    'Curly'
     
    motsco_, Dec 29, 2006
    #9
  10. Dave Garrett

    Joe LaVigne Guest

    Probably an accurate one, but one that the local quick lube places were
    hitting before the dealers thought of it.

    My local Valvoline used to ask me if I wanted the Power Steering fluid
    replaced at just about every oil change.

    Funny thing is, though, I've never even seen the slightest discoloration
    in Power Steering fluid...
     
    Joe LaVigne, Dec 29, 2006
    #10
  11. Dave Garrett

    Joe LaVigne Guest

    Probably an accurate one, but one that the local quick lube places were
    hitting before the dealers thought of it.

    My local Valvoline used to ask me if I wanted the Power Steering fluid
    replaced at just about every oil change.

    Funny thing is, though, I've never even seen the slightest discoloration
    in Power Steering fluid...
     
    Joe LaVigne, Dec 29, 2006
    #11
  12. And a lighter wallet means faster acceleration, better gas mileage and
    less wear on the suspension. They really are looking out for the
    customer.
     
    Gordon McGrew, Dec 29, 2006
    #12
  13. And a lighter wallet means faster acceleration, better gas mileage and
    less wear on the suspension. They really are looking out for the
    customer.
     
    Gordon McGrew, Dec 29, 2006
    #13
  14. Dave Garrett

    Joe LaVigne Guest

    But what is the benefit? Every power steering failure I've ever had was
    from rust on the outside eating through the pump. And that was on Dodges...
     
    Joe LaVigne, Dec 29, 2006
    #14
  15. Dave Garrett

    Joe LaVigne Guest

    But what is the benefit? Every power steering failure I've ever had was
    from rust on the outside eating through the pump. And that was on Dodges...
     
    Joe LaVigne, Dec 29, 2006
    #15
  16. Dave Garrett

    Tegger Guest



    Provided this "drain and fill" was done correctly, you're fine as-is.




    Sorry, but the rip-off buzzer is sounding just now. Ask him how many
    times they did the "drain and fill" procedure. It needs to be done a few
    times in succession to change most of the fluid.




    ONLY SOME OF




    Honda has fixed this issue, which was due to a particular and very
    specific design flaw. You need to see if your VIN is covered under the
    extended transmisison warranty, or if the corrective repair has been
    already carried out. Have your dealer check.




    Drain and fill -- done the correct way -- is all you need. The factory
    service manual gives the procedure.



    Yep. Drain and fill is fine. Done correctly of course...




    The price is fine. Just make sure they do the drain and fill properly,
    and do not use any substances other than genuine Honda power steering
    fluid,
     
    Tegger, Dec 30, 2006
    #16
  17. Dave Garrett

    Tegger Guest



    Provided this "drain and fill" was done correctly, you're fine as-is.




    Sorry, but the rip-off buzzer is sounding just now. Ask him how many
    times they did the "drain and fill" procedure. It needs to be done a few
    times in succession to change most of the fluid.




    ONLY SOME OF




    Honda has fixed this issue, which was due to a particular and very
    specific design flaw. You need to see if your VIN is covered under the
    extended transmisison warranty, or if the corrective repair has been
    already carried out. Have your dealer check.




    Drain and fill -- done the correct way -- is all you need. The factory
    service manual gives the procedure.



    Yep. Drain and fill is fine. Done correctly of course...




    The price is fine. Just make sure they do the drain and fill properly,
    and do not use any substances other than genuine Honda power steering
    fluid,
     
    Tegger, Dec 30, 2006
    #17
  18. Dave Garrett

    jim beam Guest

    STAY AWAY from this place. stay away from /any/ place that offers to
    flush your honda.

    1. power steering fluid is usually good for the life of the car. my
    17-year old civic only had its fluid changed for the first time last
    year. no problems whatsoever.
    2. honda power steering systems will fail very expensively unless honda
    fluid is used.
    3. honda transmissions are drain & refill with honda fluid. google this
    group for reasons and experience of others.

    again, stay away from anywhere that offers to flush. very bad news.
     
    jim beam, Dec 30, 2006
    #18
  19. Dave Garrett

    jim beam Guest

    STAY AWAY from this place. stay away from /any/ place that offers to
    flush your honda.

    1. power steering fluid is usually good for the life of the car. my
    17-year old civic only had its fluid changed for the first time last
    year. no problems whatsoever.
    2. honda power steering systems will fail very expensively unless honda
    fluid is used.
    3. honda transmissions are drain & refill with honda fluid. google this
    group for reasons and experience of others.

    again, stay away from anywhere that offers to flush. very bad news.
     
    jim beam, Dec 30, 2006
    #19
  20. Dave Garrett

    Dave Garrett Guest

    Thanks to all for the input - pretty much what I expected to read. I'm
    going to have a discussion with my regular service advisor (the "express
    service" area for oil changes and the like uses different service
    advisors than the regular service desk) concerning exactly how the drain
    and fill was performed on my Accord's transmission.

    I've been considering moving all of my major service business to another
    local Honda dealer who my dad purchased a new car from; he's been very
    happy with them in terms of post-sale service. The other dealer also
    offers loaner cars if you have to leave your car overnight for service,
    something my current dealer does not do. Considering that both dealers
    are on the other side of town from where I live, neither is very
    convenient for me location-wise, so a loaner car is a fairly significant
    perk.

    Dave
     
    Dave Garrett, Jan 2, 2007
    #20
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