What to look for with 2nd hand auto?

tc20

Hi all,
i will be soon to be buying a used automatic, the first i will have owned.
More than likely it will be a Honda Accord, 01-02.
What specific things should i look for with regard to the auto box?
Is there a dipstick for ATF, or is it just a reservoir similar to the one for brake fliud etc?
Any tests i should perform to see if kickdown/gearchanges are working as they should?
Cars in the age bracket im looking at will have mileages ranging from 50K to 80K, all with FSH.

Cheers

sohappy

Transmission: Check the fluid for colour, smell and level. Transmission fluid level should be checked while the vehicle is running and on level ground. The fluid should be pink to red in colour: not be brown or black. Brown or black fluid may have a burnt smell to it, indicating possible internal damage to the transmission. Next, check the transmission's engagement. Shift from park to drive, then from drive to reverse and observe the amount of time the transmission takes to engage. The transmission should engage firmly and not take very long to engage. While shifting, listen to any banging, grinding, whining and squeaking. Such noises indicate a worn or broken engine or transmission mount or possible internal problems. When road testing the vehicle, observe transmission shift points when the transmission shifts gears. The shift points should be smooth, yet positive and firm. You do not want the transmission to slip or slam into gear. Get the vehicle up to highway speed to ensure you have gone through all the gears. After the car is at highway speed depress the accelerator slightly to increase speed to ensure that the transmission is not slipping and that the transmission down-shifts properly.

Captain Slow IRL

they don't give a lot of trouble - worst fear is check the 2 timing belts have been changed on time, there's no big oil leaks from it and also, they can go through brake pads so check operation of foot and hand brake.

tc20

Thanks for the info guys -

@ land9 - Two timing belts? How so, does this indicate the car is twin cam?

@ sohappy - good stuff, do you know if the ATF is in a visible reservoir, or is there a seperate dipstick for this?

michaelanthony

sohappy wrote:

Transmission: Check the fluid for colour, smell and level. Transmission fluid level should be checked while the vehicle is running and on level ground. The fluid should be pink to red in colour: not be brown or black. Brown or black fluid may have a burnt smell to it, indicating possible internal damage to the transmission. Next, check the transmission's engagement. Shift from park to drive, then from drive to reverse and observe the amount of time the transmission takes to engage. The transmission should engage firmly and not take very long to engage. While shifting, listen to any banging, grinding, whining and squeaking. Such noises indicate a worn or broken engine or transmission mount or possible internal problems. When road testing the vehicle, observe transmission shift points when the transmission shifts gears. The shift points should be smooth, yet positive and firm. You do not want the transmission to slip or slam into gear. Get the vehicle up to highway speed to ensure you have gone through all the gears. After the car is at highway speed depress the accelerator slightly to increase speed to ensure that the transmission is not slipping and that the transmission down-shifts properly.

If it groans after changing the gear lever, this is ok. All automatics BMWs do it, new and old.

Captain Slow IRL

no, there's a small belt that goes around the crank and the counter-balance shaft; it has to be changed with the timing belt (sorry for confusion!)

SouperComputer

Couple of tests to peform with an auto box:

Hold the car on the the brakes and put it in neutral. Then select drive. The gear should engage smoothly and should take no longer than two seconds. If it comes in with a thud or takes a while to come in it can be a sign of trouble. Repeat this a couple of time, and try reverse also.

Hold the car hard on the brakes, select drive and open the throttle for NO MORE THAN FIVE SECONDS. The revs on the engine should raise up to a certain level (Stall speed) and not above. If the revs do not hold then the torque converter is proabaly toast.

When test driving, ensure that it shifts smoothly both under partial throttle opening and under full tilt. Test from a stand still under full throttle, espcially the 1st to 2nd shift.

Also, be sure that the car changes down gears smootly both under braking and also that its drops down quickly and smoothly with no hesitiation when you floor the throttle.

If it behaves well and the fluid looks to be at the correct level and good colour with no odour of burning, the box should be good to go.

tc20

Thanks Souper, thats a great help. Hope to buy in the next month or so.