Honda Tranny Filter

[GearGuy]

I need some help from someone with exploded diagrams of the Vue.
I'm looking for the tranny filter and it is not a well known part. Even many Honda dealers mistakingly claim that the filter does not exist.

Here is a picture of an '04 Honda Odyssey tranny.
Note item #8.
http://www.saturnfans.com/photos/data/500/thumbs/04_honda_od_atf_pipe5at.jpg (http://www.saturnfans.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=29539)

Here is a picture of an '05+ Honda Odyssey tranny.
Note item #7.
http://www.saturnfans.com/photos/data/500/thumbs/05_Honda_atf_filter.jpg (http://www.saturnfans.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=29540)

Both items are the tranny filters for their respective years.
I think I can see that circular cover (item #10 from the second diagram) on my Vue but it is buried and hard to see.

Can somebody confirm if these same items exist on the 3.5L V6 Vue?

THIS (http://www.odyclub.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=28594&highlight=Transmission+filter) thread at Ody Club got me interested.

[burnout]

These filters DO NOT exist on the 04+ vue. Believe me, one night I tore out a lot of stuff looking for it :-P

The new version of the transmission was installed in the vues, not the old ones that didn't have the 2nd gear burnup fix. (those were in honda products)

[GearGuy]

The 2nd gear burn up problem ocurred for the '02 to early '04 trannys.
That '05+ picture IS the new tranny!

[burnout]

I didn't notice that... Why the heck does ours lack it then... Maybe its a simple 'addon' at the honda factory(for the odyssey/pilot/mdx), they probably figure our lighter vehicles don't need the filter.

[GearGuy]

If you read that Ody Club forum link, you'll find that Honda owners are having a hard time getting Honda dealers to acknowledge that the filters exist!

It is a cartridge type filter that is installed into a recess in the tranny housing. So it is very much a part of the tranny design.

The tranny is a clutch pack based design and I can't accept in my head that a filter (not the screen) has not been added to the design to pick up the worn clutch pack particles.

If one truly does not exist, I will consider adding one myself.
In the forum link, the Magnefine (http://www.emergingent.com/magnefine/installation_page.htm) is mentioned.

But I'm still holding out hope that a factory installed filter exists.
And if it does exist, it sounds like 30k miles might be a good time to change it on a regular interval.

[burnout]

I read that thread a LOONNG time ago. I would love going to a dealer and proving the technicians wrong :-P (Unless they know, but refuse to acknowledge)

[Ritz]

IIf one truly does not exist, I will consider adding one myself.
In the forum link, the Magnefine (http://www.emergingent.com/magnefine/installation_page.htm) is mentioned.



That's an interesting idea about the inline filter in the cooler loop. I jury rigged a similar system using an oil filter relocation kit for use on a hot rodded S4 (450hp). All that extra power was a bit "hard" on the tiptronic transmission and it was a pain in the behind to keep dropping the pan. The guy just spun on a new filter every 5000 miles when he did his oil change and has since added the same kit to all his vehicles. Having an easily servicible transmission filter is one of the things that I liked about my original Saturns (SL1/SL2/SC2).

Cheers,

[fastdrvr23]

I've noticed this guy on lately selling a kit that sounds similar to what you guys are talking about (I think). Filter kit (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda-Odyssey-External-Transmission-Filter-OEM-T-Flush_W0QQitemZ4645839868QQihZ002QQcategoryZ43982Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

Also, I noticed a few of the stores online have some pretty good deals for the Honda Z1 fluid: ATF (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/5-Quarts-Honda-Acura-Automatic-Transmission-Fluid-ATF_W0QQitemZ7977341967QQcategoryZ33727QQssPageNam eZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

Finally, if any of you guys are picky like me, I found a place for oil drain plug washers for pretty cheap as well: Drain plug washer (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8061709684&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&rd=1)

At the moment, I can't really decide if I want to go with the Honda fluid or some from Amsoil. I'll be changing it at ~25K miles, so I don't have too long to decide... I'm at ~20K now.

Good luck guys!

[Ritz]

I've noticed this guy on lately selling a kit that sounds similar to what you guys are talking about (I think). Filter kit (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda-Odyssey-External-Transmission-Filter-OEM-T-Flush_W0QQitemZ4645839868QQihZ002QQcategoryZ43982Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

Also, I noticed a few of the stores online have some pretty good deals for the Honda Z1 fluid: ATF (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/5-Quarts-Honda-Acura-Automatic-Transmission-Fluid-ATF_W0QQitemZ7977341967QQcategoryZ33727QQssPageNam eZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

Finally, if any of you guys are picky like me, I found a place for oil drain plug washers for pretty cheap as well: Drain plug washer (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8061709684&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&rd=1)

At the moment, I can't really decide if I want to go with the Honda fluid or some from Amsoil. I'll be changing it at ~25K miles, so I don't have too long to decide... I'm at ~20K now.

Good luck guys!


I think we picked up a generic oil filter relocation kit (might have been from JC Whitney or some Mustang hotrod rag) that took a standard Ford 5.0L oil filter. Then he just got the best quality oil filter he could find in that form factor, which I believe was a WIX. We mounted it in the cavity behind one of the intercoolers if I remember correctly. In hindsight, we probably should have used something from the Honda tuner crowd since it would likely have used a much smaller filter.

Cheers,

[fastdrvr23]

I think we picked up a generic oil filter relocation kit (might have been from JC Whitney or some Mustang hotrod rag) that took a standard Ford 5.0L oil filter. Then he just got the best quality oil filter he could find in that form factor, which I believe was a WIX. We mounted it in the cavity behind one of the intercoolers if I remember correctly. In hindsight, we probably should have used something from the Honda tuner crowd since it would likely have used a much smaller filter.

Cheers,

I used a similar setup from summit racing on my 03' Silverado, I'll see if I can dig up the part number... it used an oil filter as well, amazing how dirty that thing got.

On the first link I mentioned earlier (Ebay Honda Part (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda-Odyssey-External-Transmission-Filter-OEM-T-Flush_W0QQitemZ4645839868QQihZ002QQcategoryZ43982Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)) It's actually a Honda part, for a honda odyssey. Shouldn't be much need to have to use a generic kit. Hope that helps!

[Bigdaddy94sc2]

Fluid Filter Removal




Remove the transmission fluid filter bolt (930) from the torque converter housing.
Remove the transmission fluid filter (931) from the regulator valve body (430).
Remove the transmission fluid filter O-ring seal (947) from the transmission fluid filter. Replace the O-ring seal when assembling the transmission.

There is one. I have a diagram from GM for it in my gallery.

[GearGuy]

Strange.
Why would Honda change the filter design when supplying the unit for the Vue?

Were you able to find a part number? Maybe I could find a better picture of the filter somewhere.

So you had to dig around on the GM website? Don't they have assembly diagrams in the Vue service manual? I thought getting the service manual would give you diagrams of just about everything...

[GearGuy]

From the picture, it looks like you have to split the tranny case to get to the filter. Is that correct?
Man, what a pain!

If that's the case, I will probably take a serious look at adding an inline filter that is more serviceable to remove as much junk from the fluid as possible.

Anybody have any idea what the serviceable life of this internal filter is?

If you can find a part number on the filter that would be great.

[Bigdaddy94sc2]

Yeah, the trans has to be split to replace the filter, but replacement isnt really that necessary unless the trans is out already. It isnt a very fine filter, ~20 micron if I remember correctly. With the use of magnets in the case, regular maintenance on the fluid changes, and the fact that the trans is tested by honda before installed (any metal shavings are flushed out afterwards from break-in process) makes it not as major of a deal as it used to be. Does anyone sweat replacing the internal filter on an S series? That spin on filter doesnt catch much, especially after the first service.... But I digress....

[bandit77]

part#12589901 all auto/fwd/v6(mj7) or auto/awd/v6(mj8) my04-07. go to any saturn retailer and they should be able to print you out a picture of the location for this filter. it looks like it is next to the reverse shaft fork inside the case. it does exsist!

[turbotoad]

After some digging it appears that there are TWO filters inside the 5A tranny. One is refered to as "fluid filter" and is item #931 in the images. The other is refered to as "tansmission fluid filter" and is item #55 in the image. Either one requires opening up the case!

[kodak_jack]

You guys are scaring me with your talk about the tranny filter. Is this tranny still problematic or are you just talking about being proactive on preventive maintenance? What about the fluid change? Is there a recommended fluid change interval other than what the manual calls for? I think I remember seeing posts about guys doing it around 30,000 miles. Do you just pull the plug and replace what comes out? Do you pull a line going to the radiator and try to get the torque converter's fluid too? If I just pull the plug and replace what comes out, how much would that be (or am I going by what the dip stick is telling me)? How critical is the fluid used? Can it be generic or does it need to be a specific brand/number, etc. ?

[GearGuy]

turbotoad, that is awesome! How do you find this stuff? Can anybody get to this kind of info.?

So there appears to be 2 tranny filters and both can only be accessed by splitting apart the transmission case.

Ouch.

Now, what it looks like to me is that the smaller, round filter is fed by the return line from the tranny cooler in the radiator. That's a rough assumption from the diagrams. This is important because it could justify the installation of a more serviceable filter mounted midstream in the tranny return line. The new filter will filter the fluid before it gets to the filter installed inside the transaxle, extending the life of the internal filter. I can now understand why the larger flatter filter would be a coarse mesh that does little actual filtering. It just prevents the pickup of large particles from the bottom of the transaxle.

That being the case, I mentioned the Magnefine with link above.
What other filter setups would you suggest?

kodak_jack, don't panic. I'm pretty anal about maintenance of my mechanicals. So I'm just personally a little PO'ed that a designer decided to make normal service items accessible only after a major teardown of the tranny.

For the 3.5L V6, the transaxle fluid is ATF Z1, Saturn part# 22717466.
It is Honda automatic tranny fluid and can also be obtained from a Honda dealership or online as linked above.

There are synthetic fluid upgrades available.
Amsoil (http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/atf.aspx)
Specialty Formulations (http://specialtyformulations.netfirms.com/store/nfoscomm/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=46)

Severe service calls for changing the fluid every 25k miles.
Normal service is every 100k miles.

[kodak_jack]

[QUOTE=GearGuy]kodak_jack, don't panic. I'm pretty anal about maintenance of my mechanicals. So I'm just personally a little PO'ed that a designer decided to make normal service items accessible only after a major teardown of the tranny.

QUOTE]
Hey, it looked good on CAD!

[sspeer]

I happened to notice that Valvoline now claims that their MaxLife ATF fluid meets the Z1 spec...so now there's an OTC option.