Matt P

Hi, I just bought an 89 Civic DX for a winter car. I want to check
the transmission fluid level but can not find a dipstick or even a
reservoir for it in the engine compartment. Is it just very well
hidden, or someplace else?
Thanks!

Matt

Joseph Wind

Manual or Conventional transmissions don't have dip sticks like Automatic
transmission. They use gear oil (MTF) instead of ATF. Basically the oil
has no were to go, unless you have a leak or remove the axles. There is a
fill bolt (axle side next to starter), a drain bolt (axle side) and a fill
level hole (top). The gear oil is filled until it stars coming out of the
fill hole (next to starter). The drain plug is a 3/8" socket, and the
torque spec for all three bolts are 33ft-lbs.

Good Luck!

JW

"Matt P" <m_prorok@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:d2fb0b6a.0412130533.12343ba7@posting.google.c om...
> Hi, I just bought an 89 Civic DX for a winter car. I want to check
> the transmission fluid level but can not find a dipstick or even a
> reservoir for it in the engine compartment. Is it just very well
> hidden, or someplace else?
> Thanks!
>
> Matt

Joseph Wind

Manual or Conventional transmissions don't have dip sticks like Automatic
transmission. They use gear oil (MTF) instead of ATF. Basically the oil
has no were to go, unless you have a leak or remove the axles. There is a
fill bolt (axle side next to starter), a drain bolt (axle side) and a fill
level hole (top). The gear oil is filled until it stars coming out of the
fill hole (next to starter). The drain plug is a 3/8" socket, and the
torque spec for all three bolts are 33ft-lbs.

Good Luck!

JW

"Matt P" <m_prorok@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:d2fb0b6a.0412130533.12343ba7@posting.google.c om...
> Hi, I just bought an 89 Civic DX for a winter car. I want to check
> the transmission fluid level but can not find a dipstick or even a
> reservoir for it in the engine compartment. Is it just very well
> hidden, or someplace else?
> Thanks!
>
> Matt

m_prorok@hotmail.com

Thanks for the info. I was able to find and fill the transmission fluid
(though the bolt was 11/16", not 3/8").

Now I have another question... the shifter is stiff when entering the
slot to engage a gear (but moves smoothly into neutral). I haven't
driven the car much, and the weather has been unseasonably warm (in the
50's, so I haven't needed to). Is this normal for a Honda of this age?

PS- I've only driven the car once since filling the transmission fluid,
and haven't been able to tell if there is any improvement.
Thanks!
Matt

m_prorok@hotmail.com

Thanks for the info. I was able to find and fill the transmission fluid
(though the bolt was 11/16", not 3/8").

Now I have another question... the shifter is stiff when entering the
slot to engage a gear (but moves smoothly into neutral). I haven't
driven the car much, and the weather has been unseasonably warm (in the
50's, so I haven't needed to). Is this normal for a Honda of this age?

PS- I've only driven the car once since filling the transmission fluid,
and haven't been able to tell if there is any improvement.
Thanks!
Matt