NEED HELP getting off Transmission Oil Fill Plug!

1989 lx 5sp sedan. There is something in the way and I can't get my ratchet in there! I have a 17mm attachment for the ratchet, the fill hole is the 17mm size right? and the drain is the 3/4 in. ratchet head. Do I need to remove the thing (spedometer box or something?) that's in the way of the fill or do I need a better wrench? This is so frustrating! Help out a young brotha!

speedometer box?? it should be above the drain plug on the pasanger side of the car. and i belive its a 17mm, but could be wrong.

the transmission plug is located behind the fender lining on the passanger side. just remove that and you'll see the plug

fill through VSS

fill through VSS

I tried to do this it takes 4ever. It is a 17mm use a box end wrench to get it off. At least on mine there is not enough room to get a scocket in there.

Why would anyone fill through the VSS? I would imagine using that would overfill the tranny. Check here (http://www.binghamtonlife.com/manual/2gsm/images/91-13-3.jpg) GL

Why would anyone fill through the VSS? I would imagine using that would overfill the tranny. Check here (http://www.binghamtonlife.com/manual/2gsm/images/91-13-3.jpg) GL

you can fill thru the vss. how would you overfill? if you know the amount that's supposed to be in there....then only pour that amount in there. I believe its 1.7 qts. It's actually more accurate than filling it at the overflow plug because you con't know what angle your car is on.

yeah its about 1.7-1.8.

you can fill thru the vss. how would you overfill? if you know the amount that's supposed to be in there....then only pour that amount in there. I believe its 1.7 qts. It's actually more accurate than filling it at the overflow plug because you con't know what angle your car is on.

OK, so my logic was mis-placed (I'm using the same logic as filling the tranny through the fill hole). But the sentiment is the same, why use the VSS hole because isn't there some clip or what not that can fall into tranny if not disassembled properly? Not to mention the risk of dirt falling in...

BTW, when I removed the plugs on my car I used a breaker bar and my foot to break them loose. I'm happy to report that I got the proper amount of oil in it and it runs great.

look in the honda manual. They tell you to fill it thru the vss. That plug that you're using to fill it is called the "overflow plug". You open that and fill thru the vss. When it starts to pour out, you have the right amount.

OK, so my logic was mis-placed (I'm using the same logic as filling the tranny through the fill hole). But the sentiment is the same, why use the VSS hole because isn't there some clip or what not that can fall into tranny if not disassembled properly? Not to mention the risk of dirt falling in...

BTW, when I removed the plugs on my car I used a breaker bar and my foot to break them loose. I'm happy to report that I got the proper amount of oil in it and it runs great.

Is the VSS the little, straw-sized hole above the tranny? I think there are two bolts next to it. And also, what is a breaker bar and how do you use it? I couldn't for the life of me get the 17mm bolt off there with a box end wrench. It just wouldn't budge.

yes it is the one your Speedo cable goes into. Watch out for the clip that holds the cable into the tranny.

I just got done filling up a new tranny on my 89 Si hatch. Yes. it is a 17mm. No. the socket won't work. it's too big. use a standard 17mm wrench to get the bolt off. Now... the best way to fill it it to use one of those pump-n-spray things. you know the kind for bug spray and shit? thats it. a funnel is a pain in the ass. just fill it till a little starts to pour out and tighten the bolt up.

Is the VSS the little, straw-sized hole above the tranny? I think there are two bolts next to it. And also, what is a breaker bar and how do you use it? I couldn't for the life of me get the 17mm bolt off there with a box end wrench. It just wouldn't budge.

A breaker bar is just a long handle with a attachment on the end to accept a socket. If you don't want to go out and buy one you can just put a pipe extention on your regular ratchet. All to get extra leverage.

I did mine a while ago and now I remember I also used a 17mm box end wrench. However, I did cheat a little in that you can lock another box end wrench to the 17mm and made my own breaker bar that way.

But if you don't want to mess around with the fill plug you can do what others have suggested and fill though the VSS. I have the offical Honda and Haynes manual and neither mention using the VSS hole to fill the tranny. Check here (http://www.binghamtonlife.com/manual/2gsm/images/91-13-3.jpg)
GL

Thanks everybody. I tried using the 17mm box end but it just wouldn't budge. I will try to lock another box end on to the end to get some more leverage. If that doesn't work, I'll be forced to try and fill through the VSS. I won't get a chance to work on it for a few weeks though, but I'll update when I try again.

I use the back-up swith hole. its abit more accesible but be sure tighten it back because it can unscrew just like those darn o2 sensors an spill oil in you engine bay. The switch sould be right below the dizzy, maybe a lil to the left of it on top of the tranny. good luck.

is this the vss hole? can i fill through this hole?
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/501/147078far_tranny_top-med.JPG
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/501/147078tranny_top-med.JPG

I use the back-up swith hole. its abit more accesible but be sure tighten it back because it can unscrew just like those darn o2 sensors an spill oil in you engine bay. The switch sould be right below the dizzy, maybe a lil to the left of it on top of the tranny. good luck.

what he said... your freaking crazy if you try and fill it through the vss when you have that big hole right out front that is so much less hassle to get to remove and replace...