Cost of Transmission Fluid Flush

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by Moochie, Jun 1, 2006.

  1. Moochie

    Moochie Guest

    I was wondering how much I should expect to pay for a transmission
    fluid flush (not a drain). I'm talking about when they completely
    remove all the old fluid and replace it with new fluid, as opposed to
    just draining and re-filling. I've got a 1998 Honda Accord LX 4-cyc
    with 72K miles.

    I was quoted a price of $220 from a mechanic I trust, but just wanted
    to make sure.
     
    Moochie, Jun 1, 2006
    #1
  2. Moochie

    G-Man Guest

    I have been told by MANY that this will do more damage than good on a Honda
    transmission.

    Just drain and refill.

    G-Man
     
    G-Man, Jun 2, 2006
    #2
  3. What does Honda's service manual say?

    Modern Hondas are supposed to get a drain-drive-drain service of about 4
    cycles. "Flushing" isn't recommended.

    And from my experience, you'd do good to avoid "flushing".
     
    Elmo P. Shagnasty, Jun 2, 2006
    #3
  4. Moochie

    Moochie Guest

    Assuming that I WILL go ahead with the fluid flush, how much should I
    expect to pay?
     
    Moochie, Jun 2, 2006
    #4
  5. Moochie

    G-Man Guest

    I don't know, how much is a new transmission these days? :)

    G-Man

    PS, I consulted my AAMCO dealer whos mechanic was the head mechanic at my
    Honda dealer for years. They WILL NOT do a flush on a Honda transmission
    even if someone asks.

    Do what ya have to, but don't complain at the results!

    G-Man
     
    G-Man, Jun 2, 2006
    #5
  6. Moochie

    ExtremeValue Guest

    For drain and refill it cost me
    3 litre @7.something = $21.something +
    30 min labour= $25

    All prices is Canadian dollars and from a Honda dealer.
     
    ExtremeValue, Jun 2, 2006
    #6
  7. Moochie

    TeGGeR® Guest



    A half-hour of dealer labor is $25? Was this 20 years ago or something?

    Dealer shop rate these days is more like $90 per hour. Even higher in some
    places. Even the independents are around $60-$70/hr.

    And that drain and fill only replaced about half the total fluid, so you'd
    need to get it done several times to make sure most of it's fresh.
     
    TeGGeR®, Jun 2, 2006
    #7
  8. Moochie

    Moochie Guest

    I must admit that I'm disappointed. I ask a simple question and I get
    a bunch of advice that I didn't ask for. I appreciate the concern
    about having a transmission FLUSH in a Honda, but I've decided to do it
    (no post on this board will change my mind). And I wanted to know how
    much a FLUSH costs, not a breakdown of how much labor costs these days.
    If you haven't had one done or don't know how much they cost, then
    don't reply to the post.
     
    Moochie, Jun 2, 2006
    #8
  9. ---------------------------------------------

    The reason that Honda says you can't 'flush' their trannies (as I
    understand it) is Murphy's Law.

    There's more than a 50/50 chance that the bozos at Monkey Lube will hook
    up the hoses BACKWARDS and when they start pumping, the contents of the
    INTERNAL FILTER will be distributed equally throughout the transmission.

    Yes, it's very expensive. Ask 'Chip', if he's around these days.....

    'Curly'
     
    'Curly Q. Links', Jun 2, 2006
    #9
  10. Enjoy.
     
    Elmo P. Shagnasty, Jun 2, 2006
    #10
  11. Moochie

    G-Man Guest

    If you didn't want advice, just pick up the phone and ask the dealer. You
    posted in a public newsgroup. Take the good with the bad.

    Some of us see you standing on a bridge, and we are just trying to talk you
    down!

    G-Man

    Enjoy your flush!
     
    G-Man, Jun 2, 2006
    #11
  12. Moochie

    jim beam Guest

    you ask for free advice from experienced experts, but it "disappoints"
    you? then why ask us? just pick up the phone and ask people who don't
    know - they'll tell you what you want to hear, and charge you for it too.
    use the TELEPHONE. sheesh.
     
    jim beam, Jun 3, 2006
    #12

  13. That's a big fault that I find with Honda automatics... No converter
    drain plug.

    JT
     
    Grumpy AuContraire, Jun 3, 2006
    #13


  14. It's a fool who ignores advice from those in the know...

    JT
     
    Grumpy AuContraire, Jun 3, 2006
    #14
  15. Moochie

    TeGGeR® Guest



    It's heartening to know you're flexible.




    Okey-doke.

    You wouldn't want to phone around, would you? Be a lot faster than posting
    here, and more accurate for your local market.

    Hey, wait. I just replied when I wasn't supposed to, didn't I?
    Bad, BAD Tegger! A spanking for you with an old timing belt!
     
    TeGGeR®, Jun 3, 2006
    #15
  16. Moochie

    TeGGeR® Guest



    Jump...jump...jump...jump...jump...
     
    TeGGeR®, Jun 3, 2006
    #16
  17. Moochie

    jim beam Guest

    why? it's not necessary. and on a thin sheet converter like this, it
    would not only cause unnecessary balance issues, it would be a potential
    fatigue point.
     
    jim beam, Jun 3, 2006
    #17


  18. Why???

    Why should one have to change fluid several times to renew and even
    then, some old fluid will remain. It is a major flaw in a lot of modern
    tin, er.. plastic.

    There is no excuse for poor serviceability by Honda or any other
    manufacturer for that matter.

    Shame on Honda for shaving a few cents in manufacturing savings that
    results in a major inconvenience for customers regarding the maintenance
    of their cars.

    Just because it's a Honda does not mean it's perfect.

    JT
     
    Grumpy AuContraire, Jun 3, 2006
    #18
  19. Moochie

    jim beam Guest

    with respect, i don't think you're considering all the design criteria.
    as far as lubrication is concerned, there's really no need to fret too
    much about the changes. there's two main sources of fluid problems:
    contamination and heat degradation. contamination comes from friction
    lining wear [not as much of an issue with the honda design], from gear
    tooth wear and to a much lesser extent, bearing wear. as far as gear
    box control operation is concerned, the filter ensures contaminant
    particle size is kept below a critical level where they won't cause
    harm. and as you know, the filter can't be changed]. heat degradation
    is not common unless service conditions are unusual or there's something
    wrong. this, in combination with better lube technology these days,
    means a lot of cars not only specify highly extended change intervals,
    some [bmw] don't even specify a change at all and don't provide any kind
    of drain plug! my friend's 88 automatic accord had /never/ had a fluid
    change in 360k miles [yes, three hundred and sixty thousand miles] and
    that car ran & shifted like a champ.

    so, sure, it's a "nice to have" to be able to change 100% of the fluid,
    but reality is, when looking into the actual service conditions of the
    lube itself, that it's just not that critical. balance that against the
    very sound mechanical reasons [converter design] for /not/ putting in a
    converter drain, and the 100% fluid change concept is easily abandoned.
     
    jim beam, Jun 3, 2006
    #19

  20. Uh, in the Texas heat, dino fluid is good for not much longer than 50K.
    Add to this the lack of a filter that cannot be changed (or cleaned)
    plus the lack of a drain plug in the converter (where the majority of
    fluid resides), Honda is shortchanging its customers pure and simple.
    The record of tranny failures speak for itself.

    I'm done with this thread.

    JT
     
    Grumpy AuContraire, Jun 3, 2006
    #20
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