Is this the wrong tranny fluid??? - Honda Prelude Forum

blueludeWV · 02-23-2003, 06:24 AM

I just started doing my H22 swap yesterday and I noticed that the 5sp. tranny I got has gear oil or GX 90 in it. I thought Honda manual trannies had motor oil in them. Can anybody help explain this? I need to know, because I'm going back in with it today! Please help...I'd kinda like to know something before I put this back in. I'll ship it back and I can use my H23 tranny for now if I have to. Thanks!!

Keith
'94 Si

prelude2005 · 02-23-2003, 06:31 AM

I am pretty sure it is motor oil. However I would recommend putting Honda Manual Transmission Oil in there.

blueludeWV · 02-23-2003, 06:39 AM

Thanks. This is a JDM setup, I didn't know if things might be different for the JDM. I wonder how long that GX90 has been in there and if it hurt it. Or will it be ok to change it? I'm also wondering if the company I bought this package from is trying to screw me. I just don't want to put this in and have it go bad after my 30 day warranty. Thanks again.

Keith

blueludeWV · 02-23-2003, 06:58 AM

I was just thinking. I'm saying this is gear oil in here because it smells like gear oil. Ya know how gear oil has that distinctive smell. Well, what does Honda Manual Transmission fluid smell like? Does it have a smell unlike 10w-30? Thanks all, I'll check back soon before I hoist this thing up!

Keith

bk94si · 02-23-2003, 08:02 AM

I'm pretty sure you have motor oil in there. It just gets a different smell when it is in the tranny. Mine smelled pretty bad when I changed it. I think it is from the clutch material.

red92s · 02-23-2003, 08:49 AM

In my 93 Helms, it does not SPECIFY to use Honda MTF (just motor oil of a certain grade). In later edition Helms manuals, Honda MTF is specified as the ONLY fluid you should use. I played it safe and used the genuine honda stuff, but people have also had good results with GM Syncromesh fluid. Mine smelled nasty when it came out, but I dont remember like what. Check the 4th gen Faq (top of 4g page) for the complete H22 write-up if you run into problems.

rybred · 02-23-2003, 03:41 PM

i noticed when i changed from redline mtf to honda mtf...i took a whif and they smelled very similar and yes kinda like gear oil...definetly not like regular oil...anyone else notice this?

U.K VTEC · 02-24-2003, 01:15 PM

I use 10w40 semi synthetic motor oil in my tranny and it's been fine. You can use the Honda MTF, but it is still rated at 10w40 and one of the mechanics at my local dealer (also with a JDM lude) told me he uses motor oil too.

SikRedRX-8 · 02-24-2003, 02:47 PM

I have only used motor oil in my lude.

LudemanDan · 02-25-2003, 10:19 AM

4th gen trannies are supposed to take 10w30 motor oil. As long as you're in there, I'd say change it. The worst that can happen is you've changed the oil in your tranny.

When I got mine changed, they said the stuff that came out was gear oil, and that I was lucky to still have 5th gear.

Dan

blueludeWV · 02-25-2003, 10:26 AM

Thanks everybody. I changed the tranny fluid and put 10w-30 back in it. I just wonder why it had gear oil in it and if that might cause any problems later on? I guess we'll see!