nishant11

I will be reaching 200K by end Aug 2015. I bought 2003 TL-S at 75,000 miles and have put in additional 124K. I did not have to change transmission.

I called Acura by phone as well as Chicago dealer to know my car has original or rebuilt transmission. None knew. First owner told me that it is original. I was not sure what to believe.

How many of you have reached TL life with original transmission? Is no issue a symptom of sudden death?

I have absolutely no issues on transmission or on engine.

Skirmich

There have been at least a dozen reports of owners with original trans.. They seem to be the oddball but they are out there for sure!

02tl-p

Mine is completely original. I have been very lucky with my car.

TLer trash

I guess just talking about having an original trans is ok, but don't ever brag about it. Anything even remotely boastful, will bring about it's sure and sudden demise. Just kidding,..........sort of.

ErickUa5

Lucky you, Any previous ATF changes ? Z1 or Dw1

Curious3GTL

How often do you change the fluid?

thoiboi

Just hit 260K on 99Accord v6 (J30A1 engine too) on original transmission.. definitely unicorns!!

musiclevelz5

My 99 TL has 280k on the original trans and still shifts like butter. I do a 1x1 with DW1 every 10k to make sure it stays clean inside.

Ernest72

185k on original trans. Still going strong.

Skirmich

I'm pretty sure that's the 4 speed trans he has the "fragile as glass" 5 Speed unit which is a miracle to keep going for 200K. My original 5 Speed unit died at 114K with spot-on Maintenance.



That doesn't count, you have the more reliable 4 speedo!
Also why? a 1x1? you actually drain/fill a single quart each 10k?

acutee

There is no question about the flaw in the original 2nd gen transmission, 2000+ TL. The same series of transmission will fail on many models including honda accord, and odyssey. There is no magic of why or why not. It has weaknesses, and if those weaknesses weren't being beaten on, then those transmission will survive.

01tl4tl

skirm I think he means 1, 3 qt drain and refill- 1 time. Not 1 qt change~

nishant: open the hood and look down at trans, see all those things attached to trans- brackets and such, and the bolts that hold trans to engine- if those have BLUE paint on the bolt heads- it will be obvious = that's a warranty replaced trans

On top of trans- If there is a small hose running to a fitting that goes in where the normal ATF fill hole is? its bracket held on the side by 1 10mm bolt?
that's an original trans with the recall installed 2nd gear oil jet kit

Dealer is able to tell you if it was replaced by VIN number- did they BS you over the phone or in person at the service desk? 10 seconds of in-person time with the hood open reveals it too!
acura care- the 800 number doesn't know everything you think it should!

nishant11

I am now at 199,500. I changed oil at 105,000 as per owner's manual. I was with the mechanic when the oil was changed. I literally suggested the mechanic to filter the oil to see whether I see any clutch wear residue on the screen. None found.

I did 2 x 2 flush with Acura dealer bought oil. Since nothing was contaminated, decided to skip 3 x 3.

I did identical check at after another 60,000 miles- total 165,000. Again zero clutch wear residue. Oil did not smell burnt or anything.

I plan to continue 2 x 2 every 60,000 miles in view of above.

Skirmich

2x2?


I'm confused 01tl... Are we using the same terminology than the 3x3?
Because 3x3 means 3 changes with 3 quarts.


1x1 would mean 1 change of 1 quart
2x2 would mean 2 changes of 2 quarts < needs 1 more quart


A simple 3 quart change is just an "ATF change" even then the correct number would be 1x3 = Single ATF Change.

MarcDavidoff

Not to be argumentative but I can't see how you went 105k without one trans fluid change without issue on one of these units. And there not being any clutch residue is even more hard to believe as some is normal even after say 15k miles.

That's what I would say is correct

drcookie

Looks like you are the super tranny on your Acura.
I am on my 4th tranny on my 2002 TL-S with 224k on the clock. Everything else still runs very strong except for that crappy tranny. If it fails again, the car is going to the junk yard.

Skirmich

^ That's some bad luck there... I'm on my 2nd trans on my TL-S with 216K, If it fails again the AV6 goes in.

02tl-p

When did you replace your trans the first time?

Skirmich

^My trans is the original but rebuilt so I never replaced it?. It was rebuild at 114K around 5-6 years ago? I really don't re-call when but I know for sure the original died at 114K.

02tl-p

Rebuilding the original trans is the way to go. When my moms mdx transmission went the mechanic that specializes in Acura told us never to replace the trans just rebuild it

bigcocoon

99 TL with 199,500 miles as well on original transmission.

Believe it or not, I did my first transmission fluid change last month at 198,000 miles. I never felt like I had to do it prior to that (have never had a schedule to do it on any previous cars either).

Normal maintenance is motor oil change at 3k miles.

MarcDavidoff

4speed in the 99 was more reliable but 200k is still very good. Amazed you went that far on original fluid. I would have left it go and not changed it now. Seems new fluid may very well do more harm than good at this point.

Skirmich

Well yes in the MDX there is no other way since the trans case has the rear shaft exit so your pretty much stuck with the original trans.. I rebuilt mine because I didn't know about the AV6 at the time.. Now there is no way I'm rebuilding the stock trans.

mrcosna

I got 200k out of mine before i had to rebuild it

Timski

Ok so you have the 5 speed trans - which is considered the problem trans.

I didn't see you mention if you have the RBK or RMK rebuilt sticker on the trans. Or blue marks on the trans bolts.

Then again if you had, I guess Acura would know about it.

And even if the original owner says it's the original I have learned to never believe them. Most people know nothing about cars.

Bought my 2003 TLS and was told by the owner the timing belt was changed. Nope.

nishant11

Sorry about the confusion about 2 x 2 earlier I mentioned.

I ask mechanic to drain complete transmission oil to the extent possible. Fill with fresh Acura dealer bought oil. He drives for 15 minutes and drain again to the extent possible and fill again. I give him 7 quarts of oil so as not to be low on oil level.

I meant two fresh oil fills in one day and one fresh oil drain on same day.