1992 Honda Civic Transmission Trouble

20,000 MILES • 4 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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BAM_V9Y_2000
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Hey everyone,

So I brought my car in to an auto shop to change the ATF. I have a 92 Honda Civic ex, it isn't like most cars where you can just take off the transmission pan. So anyway they do their thing and hook it up to a machine to pump it, and I leave there broke.

Before long the transmission begins slipping, and revving oddly and I dunno what it is. It gets worse over time, and my patience is tested, until finally I take a day off to do my own thing.

I siphon out some of the fluid and add some Lucas Goo. It helps, but not enough. I later find out that the shop used some regular ATF, when they should have used the Honda brand ATF. So I buy some Honda ATF, and begin to siphon as much regular ATF out of the transmission as possible. Once I think theres barely anything left, I go ahead and add the Honda ATF.

The stick never gives me a correct answer as to where the correct level is, and when I think its at the correct midway level, I test her out. She actually moves, so its not empty. But when I drive her, she will not shift into higher gears. She only revs higher and higher and makes a tough switch. Afterward I checked it again, and there was white smog rising from where the ATF dipstick sticks in. I'm not about to spend a couple thousand getting a new transmission for this car I was about to sell.

Any Ideas, opinions, or tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Sep 5, 2008 at 8:21 PM
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KHLOW2008
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 41,812 POSTS
Hi bam_v9y_2000,

Your trans is overheating due to insufficient fluid.
For your year model ATF Dexron II grade is good enough, no need to use Honda ATF.

To check the level, you need to run engine and the check with the engine OFF.

Hope you have not burnt the clutches. Most probably the ATF level was not correct all this while.

I will never subject my own car to flushing of the trans.
Sep 8, 2008 at 4:33 AM
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