86 accord lxi automatic f4(h4) transmission

[86-accord-lxi]

Hello to everyone.
I have an 86 accord lxi with an automatic f4(h4) transmission.
When i first got the car it would not shift to 2nd automatically.
However it does drive in 2nd if i put there manually with the gear shift.
but i have noticed that it will hesistate a little bit when i put it in second manually you can hear and feel the front wheels spin a little.
I have changed the atf 3 times with dexron III. The first time it was a bit
dark and smelled old. By the 3rd time it was fresh looking and smelling.
The final change I used valvoline atf 75,000mile and over formula.
It said the formula was also made for rebuilt trannys.I was told by the previous owner that the tranny was rebuilt about 2 years ago,
and the car sat parked in her driveway for 1 year and was never ran for 1yr.
I also added lucas transmission fix/conditioner/sealer.
I have noticed a small leak from the tranny where it seals up to the engine.
However ,everytime i check the fluid it is full. Since the last fluid job
the tranny shifts automatically from 1st ,2nd ,3rd ,4th. Sometimes it shiftes likw there was never a problem , then other times it will still hesitate when shifting from 1st to 2nd.What could be the problem here? The fluid change and lucas has made a significant difference.My friends 88 chevy van did the same thing and after a fluid and filter change shifted just fine.The problem is that there is no transmission pan on the honda. I purchased a filter at o'reilys.
but had no idea you had to remove the whole tranny just to change it.
Any suggestions??? Thanx in advance to anyone and everyone who can help.
I searched this site and found no answers .please help!!!

[Vanilla Sky]

not only do you have to remove the trans, you have to disassemble it. the filter is an internal piece.

[86-accord-lxi]

i know that with a ford or chevy 3 speed auto
if the roller clutch is broken it can cause the tranny to not shift automaticly
is there anything like this on a honda accord?

[DanG86LX]

If tranny does not upshift, is because of dirty governor.. which is sort of speed related pressure regulator. Problem is a fluid change wont clean it since there is no free fluid flow through it. A rebuilt is only option.
Here (3geez.com/showthread.php?t=39112 ) is my story.. :sad2:

[86-accord-lxi]

thanks for that info dan.
would you recommend rebuilding it myself, having a transmission speacialist
rebuild it? or just get one from a salvage yard?
would an auto tranny from an 88 or 89 accord fit and work preoperly?

[DanG86LX]

You have to be good with the wrench for rebuilding yourself. Besides it is time consuming 1..2 weeks if u work 2..3h/day and that is because u do it for the first time. I had some previous experience with a manual tranny and much to my surprise, our F4 is similar, plus the valves which make it auto.
A rebuild kit ~$100 (no steel plates necessary). Info is available (Paul's manuals) but then u may need to figure out some special tools..

I had that option from a salvage yard for ~$500 with like 1 month warranty, but I was curious to see what was the problem in my F4.

Yah, proly 88..89 will fit since all 3Gs AT are F4 but as u seen in my old post, there are differences between 86..87 and 88..89 F4s

I would say wait and see, maybe your AT is getting better..

[86-accord-lxi]

ok ,i'll wait and see what happens.
sometimes she will shift with no problem at all.
other times she sticks in first gear.
i got some slick 50 auto tranny treatment today.
gonna try it out tomorrow.
keep yall posted .

[POS carb]

all F4 trannys shift into 2nd when you put the selector in 2 and they all slip when you do. It's not the tires, its the clutches/fluid

No tranny pan, you gotta take it apart, an not only that but it's under the valvebodies so you have to take out the gears and the valvebodies (the whole damn thing)
I'd drain the tranny, put in 3 qts of autoparts Dextron III ATF and turn on the engine, go up and down through each gear, take it once around the block, then drain and refill it to the proper level w/ new fluid. Lucas works wonders for sticky valves.

[86-accord-lxi]

thanks man , but i already did that 3 times.
i'll give it one more try with the slick 50.

[86-accord-lxi]

wooohooo!!!
my 3g is alive!
the slick 50 did the trick!
she shifts on her own now , theres still some slight hesistation
but now its when shes upshifting from 2nd to 3rd.
but she's shifting all on her own from 1st to 4th!!!
hopefully this lasts for awhile.
thank you all for your help and information.
if the b20 engines and trannys are still available within the next 3 weeks im going to get a set.i hope they are i wont have the money till then.

[86-accord-lxi]

I hate this damn auto trans!!
Now its back to the sam old.