Tranny fluid ? for 01 Civic

[SinisteR1]

Hi guys,

I hope posted this in the right section. Anyway, I need some input from you guys. I have been having problems with my 01 civic the last week. I keep hearing a whining or whirring sound at around 60-63mph. Not too loud but it is noticeable. I thought it was my bad tires at first. So I had a new set of tires and struts installed but the sound is still there. So that pretty much ruled out the tires and suspension. I have a feeling that it might be the transmission (auto). I checked the fluid and its brown. I thought it was suppose to be pink/red? I had the transmission serviced at 77K miles at the dealer and I remember the color was not brown before I had it serviced (It now has about 112K). I was told that the tranny was fine and everything looked good. Now investigating it further this evening, I was like..damn...the tranny is shot because of the fluid color. I've done a search and most have said that brown is bad but I've also read that brown is normal on some fluid brands (heard that its pink at first but turns brown as you put miles). I guess the only thing I can do is wait until the dealer looks at it. I'm hoping the tranny is okay and it just needs a fluid change. This car has been great with very good mileage and hoping to keep the car for another 100K miles lol. What are your experiences with tranny fluid?

[csimo]

Some transmission fluid does turn brown pretty easy... it really depends on the clutch pack compounds used in the transmission.

I've always relied on how the fluid smelled more than how it looked. I've seen fluid that looked pretty good that smelled burned and UOA proved that to be the case. I've seen fluid that looked bad that didn't smell burned.

With transmission fluid my policy is to put much more faith in the odor than the appearance.

[shovelhd]

Spot on, Joe.

[HondaTech]

I have replaced a handful of the 01 style Civic auto transmissions. Often times there is the whine noise you describe. It sounds a lot like a power steering pump that is low on fluid. As for the fluid condition you have now - it shouldn't be brown. Honda ATF turns darker - it goes from light red to a deep red almost black color. Brown would be quite odd. Anyways, trans fluid is supposed to be changed every 30,000 miles.... you're kind of late in changing it. I would change it and see what happens.



HT

[SinisteR1]

I have replaced a handful of the 01 style Civic auto transmissions. Often times there is the whine noise you describe. It sounds a lot like a power steering pump that is low on fluid. As for the fluid condition you have now - it shouldn't be brown. Honda ATF turns darker - it goes from light red to a deep red almost black color. Brown would be quite odd. Anyways, trans fluid is supposed to be changed every 30,000 miles.... you're kind of late in changing it. I would change it and see what happens.



HT

Thanks for info guys. I know I'm little low on steering fluid but I didn't think I'd hear that whining noise on freeway speeds going straight? I'll top it off and see but just in case, it still is going to the dealer.

HT, replaced a handful? That doesn't too good considering Honda built its reputation on reliability?! The car only has 112K on it and most of it is freeway miles commuting to and from work (35miles each way). My driving habits is pretty normal and usually take it easy.

Check out this site I found regarding my model/year Civic:

http://www.carcomplaints.com/Honda/Civic/2001/transmission/transmission_failure.shtml

:(
I mean this is only a handful of people that has complained about the problem online. I can only imagine the # of people who haven't found that site. Hopefully the dealer can ease my mind.

Thanks again for your input guys.

[HondaTech]

You have to keep in mind the numbers....

If Honda built 50,000 2001 civics with the automatic, a 0.5% failure rate would equate to 250 failed transmissions. 99.5% reliable is pretty good in my opinion. Now consider how many Civics were produced between 2001 and 2005.... 500,000? A million? The more produced the higher number of failures. Too often we look only at the failure and not the whole. There will always be issues... but the idea is to make them as few and far between as possible.



HT

[SinisteR1]

You have to keep in mind the numbers....

If Honda built 50,000 2001 civics with the automatic, a 0.5% failure rate would equate to 250 failed transmissions. 99.5% reliable is pretty good in my opinion. Now consider how many Civics were produced between 2001 and 2005.... 500,000? A million? The more produced the higher number of failures. Too often we look only at the failure and not the whole. There will always be issues... but the idea is to make them as few and far between as possible.



HT

HT, you're absolutely correct. I think I was just overwhelmed with the fact that it was a possibility of having to pay for a new tranny that has only 112k on it, especially considering I just paid alot for a new set of tires and struts. But I'm glad I was wrong.

I just heard back from the dealer and they said it was just a wheel bearing. They suggested on getting both replaced. They wanted to charge $466 to the work but I think I'll just do it myself. I've never done it on a Honda but I'm guess that the bearings will need to be pressed in and probably would need another alignment afterwards. Is this a correct assumption? Thanks again HT.

[HondaTech]

The bearings will need to be pressed in and out - but if it's done on the car - the way the dealer would do it - no alignment will be required. If you remove the knuckles then you should get it aligned again. It's not that difficult to remove the knuckles. The balljoint will be difficult to separate without the special tool (a pickle fork will tear the boot- and a hammer will damage the control arm). Once you accomplish this on both sides, you have to remove the axle nuts, and brake calipers, rotors, etc - then take the assemblies to a shop with a press and have them remove the old bearings and install the new ones.



FYI- I think if I were the average consumer I would have the dealer replace only the noisy side. Saves some money and hassle.


HT