| cosmoo |
We've all read a few thousand posts about the *possibly* "minimally engineered" (ie weak) transmission, and I think everyone agrees the lack of a replaceable filter seems kinda boneheaded (I've got a 2003 with the 5 speed auto), along with the inability to completely drain the tranny case.
Soooo.......I'm planning to install an external auxiliary ATF filter in the ATF cooler circuit line. I have the tow package installed, so it looks pretty straightforward to plumb in a filter. Locating the filter itself in those tight quarters may be a little bit of a trick, but doesn't look insurmountable.
Here's the filter:
http://store.summitracing.com/defau...?part=PRM-10678
I am loathe to do anything to put my warranty at risk, but this seems to be about as safe a mod as you can do. I expect that a modern filter would very minimally affect fluid flow (and therefore cooling). It would also be pretty easily removable if desired. Having the filter installed would also minimally increase fluid capacity (half a quart?), always a good thing. I am planning to replace whatever filter Summit sent with an equally sized Mobil 1 filter (after all the work, why not go with the best).
Question and help request: I need to know which hose is "from" and which is "return" to the transmission, so the filter can be properly installed. If anyone knows, or would check the shop manual, I'd really appreciate the info.
I assume the current flow direction is tranny to radiator to external cooler back to tranny, but would like to confirm (without just removing both hoses and seeing which one pumps out fluid when I start the car!)
Thanks. |
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| hammermdx |
quote:
Originally posted by cosmoo
We've all read a few thousand posts about the *possibly* "minimally engineered" (ie weak) transmission, and I think everyone agrees the lack of a replaceable filter seems kinda boneheaded (I've got a 2003 with the 5 speed auto), along with the inability to completely drain the tranny case.
Soooo.......I'm planning to install an external auxiliary ATF filter in the ATF cooler circuit line. I have the tow package installed, so it looks pretty straightforward to plumb in a filter. Locating the filter itself in those tight quarters may be a little bit of a trick, but doesn't look insurmountable.
Here's the filter:
http://store.summitracing.com/defau...?part=PRM-10678
I am loathe to do anything to put my warranty at risk, but this seems to be about as safe a mod as you can do. I expect that a modern filter would very minimally affect fluid flow (and therefore cooling). It would also be pretty easily removable if desired. Having the filter installed would also minimally increase fluid capacity (half a quart?), always a good thing. I am planning to replace whatever filter Summit sent with an equally sized Mobil 1 filter (after all the work, why not go with the best).
Question and help request: I need to know which hose is "from" and which is "return" to the transmission, so the filter can be properly installed. If anyone knows, or would check the shop manual, I'd really appreciate the info.
I assume the current flow direction is tranny to radiator to external cooler back to tranny, but would like to confirm (without just removing both hoses and seeing which one pumps out fluid when I start the car!)
Thanks.
Check out this thread:
http://acuramdx.org/forums/showthre...tf+fluid+change |
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| cosmoo |
Thanks for the note; however note that beginning with the 2003 model year there is a new 5 speed tranny with no externally accessible filter. I believe I've heard there is an internal "screen" which is only accessible during a complete remove & rebuild.
Just as an aside, I've changed the external transfer case gear oil (also new for 2003) at about 20k miles. Fluid looked perfect (and there's a nice drain plug right at the bottom..........now why couldn't we have that on the tranny?). Refilled with 75W-90 (per the manual), and I used Mobil 1 synthetic gear oil. I can't imagine why anyone wouldn't spend the extra $5 on the one quart of synthetic that matches the manual-specified viscosity. Didn't even have to jack up the car. |
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| hammermdx |
| Matybe someone with a 2003 Service Manual can check it to see if there is a similiar filter on the 2003 tranny's. |
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| Jin_Chris |
No!
What cosmoo says seems true according the 2003~2005 MDX manual (purchased and arrived last week).
Tranny filter seems to be way deep inside of the tranny. There seems no way to service the filter without complete tranny overhaul.
I am interested in the external filter if can prove it works.... hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm |
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| G. COLTON |
I have never heard of a case where a transmission failed that anyone blamed poor filtering for the cause. Also have never heard of having to do overhaul to change the filter. Usually all that is required to change the internal filter is to remove the transmillion pan. I think that you would be wasting time and money retrofitting an external filter.
G |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by G. COLTON
I have never heard of a case where a transmission failed that anyone blamed poor filtering for the cause. Also have never heard of having to do overhaul to change the filter. Usually all that is required to change the internal filter is to remove the transmillion pan. I think that you would be wasting time and money retrofitting an external filter.
G
The MDX does not have a conventional transmission filter, so conceivably could be one of the ONLY vehicles to have a problem directly related to NO filtering. There is no transmission pan.
The internal 'filters' are not really filters by definition only by function. They are not like paper, resin, etc. media we associate with servicable filters. They are not replaceable, but would be cleaned as a normal function of overhauling the transmission assembly.
Interestingly, screw-on filters are installed on the input line of REPLACEMENT MDX TRANSMISSIONS. I will assume this is done in the interest of filtering out any debris from the previously failed transmission that was not completely removed by flushing. |
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