I suppose that could be the case.  I drained the tranny then added 3
full quarts.  There wasn't a whole lot on the magnet just a little
black colored metallic dust.  I am planning to go today and pick up
some more ATF at honda.  and drain and refill.  Funny thing is, today
I haven't been able to duplicate the problem - (knock on wood).  My
driving to day was 30 minutes of in town driving to work and 30
minutes back.

Any other insight?

-------------------------------------

It sounds like it's too full (since the problem happens when warm). Are
you checking the tranny level under the right conditions? How much stuff
was on the magnetic drain plug, just for interest sake, and are you
planning to change the ATF two more times?
'Curly'

I have a 1998 Honda Civic EX with 154k on the odometer.  4 days ago I
did some spring maintenance and changed the engine oil and while I was
at it changed the tranny fluid and filled it with 3 qts Honda ATF.

A couple days later I took off from a stop light and it felt like the
tires were spinning on gravel or something.  Kind of a shuddering of
sorts, only when taking off from a stop.  Now after the car has been
driven for 30 minutes or so, if I get on the gas a little from a stop
it will do it most every time, usually followed by a sooner than
normal shift into second gear.

When the car is warm and I reverse out of a parking spot or my
driveway and shift into D4 there seems to be a lag of a couple seconds
before the forward gear engages.

I performed a "stall test" as outlined in the factory service manual
(because I have no pressure gauges - so it was basically all I could
do) and it was all within spec.

I called a local mechanic who speciallizes in Hondas and he theorized
the fluid might have been slightly low causing "cavitation".   Fluid
is full.

Is there anything else I should check/have checked before I give up
and replace it?

Thanks guys