Hi people,

I have been on a search for a 3rd Gen over 2 years and to find the one in perfect condition mechanical and body wise. I finally found one last week which I picked up over the weekend. 1992 K (RARE K REG, LAST ONE REGISTERED!) 2.0i 4WS AUTO. The condition is fantastic, no rust, corrosion, dents or scratches, I was amazed! It has been owned by an eldely women and she has had it for the last 8 years! I paid £800 for it, down to the condition and mileage (81k), and the fact it had 12 months MOT and 6 months TAX.

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However, bringing the car home, I found 2 mechanical problem which I am quiet concerned about. I hope you guys can provide me with some help and guidence:

- Auto transmission, when it goes in 4th gear at 2200-2500rpm at 45-55mph, there tends to be vibration (ride goes horrile) and then when accelerating abit harder, the vibration just goes and drives as normal. I think its coming from the transmission. The transmission fluid is fine and at the right level and is normal red. What could it be?

- Radiator fan, stays on after the engine is switched off up to 10-15 mins, tempreture is normal, but when fan is running and I switch the ignition on, the fan goes off, then comes back on when I turn the ignition off.

Can anyone advise please?

Thanks,
Arif.

Fan running on is a system on the car to keep the engine bay temperature down after running. Next-door's Volvo does the same and I'd forgotten all about that!

Autobox I have no clue but I'd say have the oil changed (proper Honda ATF stuff), drive it for a week then change it again.

BTW, sweet car man.

I didn't think that the fan staying on was normal for a Honda? But maybe on the older models?

I was thinking of changing the Transmission fluid, maybe that will cure the problem?

Thanks mate!

Hmm, the 3g fans can and do come on when the engine is hot and turned off. However, in this weather, it shouldn't happen at all.

Chances are, the rad is missing a load of fins and it's cooling ability is diminished, also check the thermo is working correctly.

As for the autobox, my friends 92 Accord auto does the same thing, not sure what it is either, but i'd suggest a Honda ATF change, just because it's red, doesn't mean it's the right stuff.
You can't just throw any old crap in there, it's not that simple.

I'll have to read up on the manual, I have had many Honda's but never heard the fan running when the engine is switched off, so there I take it its normal? On the weekend, ill look into the radiator more.

My main concern is the auto tansmission, so do you think a change on fluid will fix the problem? How much is it from Honda and how much fluid does it take?

Is it just the matter of changing the fluid, no bleeding or anything needed?

My fans would come on quite often after I'd parked up. I think it's normal, but do as MaXX suggests and check the rad' and thermo'.

I would change the ATF as a matter of course. It may not have been changed recently, (within the last two years), and they may have used an inferior product.

Def change the fluid as max says. And only use what honda recomend in there or a derivate of it from amsoil for example.

Sounds like the fluid isnt allowing enough slip causing the juddeing. Check the gearbox mounts as well just to be sure.

my 3rd gen fan stays on after i park depending on how hot the engine is
nice to know its a standard thing
most ppl think iv got a turbo under my hood

Ok kool, ill check the radiator but as so many have got this same issue, its sounds common and it should be happening, but even so I am going to check the radiator and change the coolant as winter is on its way with the Honda's orignal coolant.

Lol, yeah it does sound like a turbo is still on!

As for the gearbox, I will change the ATF aswell, anyone know what it takes, and how much it takes? Do Honda have this fluid at a reasonable price?

Has any 3rd Gen owner had this transmission juddering before?

(On the 4th gen) the water outlet's thermo switch controls the radiator fan after the engine is switched off. Mine's broken and doesn't come on at all, but (I found when I was searching the internet) they can also fail so that the fan stays on for the full 15 minutes.

I don't know if this is the same for 3rd gen but worth a check.

Rad Fan coming on after parking is a feature of the car but should be temperature related..ie parked up with hot engine. If it does it all the time then there is a fault with the fan switch or relay.

Capacity for the auto box is 5.8 ltrs but you will need more than this if you intend to flush the system as well.

Oil - you can either use Honda genuine or Castrol TQD

Ok that's some good info, but someone told me that the auto gearbox take 2.8 litres of transmission fluid? I better get more in that case. I want to change it this weekend and also the coolant as it look like its all water and may have an effect on the way the fan comes on. I will have a look at the switch and nip down the scrapy to see if they have any and will change and test the switch. I want to use the genuine Honda transmission fluid and will find out cost and confirm how much it will need tomorrow... I will let you guys know for future reference.

Has anyone changed the auto gearbox fluid before? Anyone know how to do it and where the bolt to remove the fluid is?

Thanks!

If you are simply draining and refilling then you'll probably only need around 3 ltr. "Capacity" includes torque convertor.

If you don't want to get involved with a full flushing then I'd suggest a drain and refill. Run for a few hundred miles and then do another one - there's alot of fluid that doesn't come out with a simple drain.