Gapper

I own a 2003 Acura 3.2 TL. It has 88,000 miles. I really like the car. No trouble since I purchased it certified used in 2006 with 40,000 miles.

My dilemma is whether or not to replace the timing gear chain and water pump for an estimate of $1100.

The manual says to replace it at 105,000 miles or 7 years, whichever comes first. The car was originally purchased in March of 2003, so I am a year over and 17,000 miles under.
The transmission is covered on an extended warranty of 105,000 miles or 7 years, so if it goes out the repair will be at my expense. I don’t want to put $3500 into it for a new transmission.

What is the probability that my transmission will go out? Should I replace the timing gear chain & water pump and hope the transmission does not fail?

Rockstar21

iTrader: (1)

these cars have a timing belt... so you wont be changing the timing chain anytime soon

your car is around the age where its about time to change the belt/water pump, its never a bad decision to do so..

but changing these will have no bearing on your transmission what so ever...
these cars are known to have problematic transmissions and its really luck of the draw how long they last.

some last to 200,000... others have been replaced 3 times in that span...

Karanx7

iTrader: (2)

Yea, I would change the timing belt. They tend to go bad with time, rather than mileage.

As for the transmission, there's really nothing you can do. Just cross your fingers, and hope it lasts forever!

fsttyms1

Age is more a factor than miles. Change the timing belt. FInd a independent shop to do the work, many have had the job done for half the dealer cost.

When was the last time you had the trans fluid changed?

fsttyms1

Age is more a factor than miles. Change the timing belt. FInd a independent shop to do the work, many have had the job done for half the dealer cost.

When was the last time you had the trans fluid changed?

E's00TL

you can definately find a better deal than 1100. shop around a little more.

01tl4tl

private owner shops --look in phone book for honda type shops, with smaller ads

Definetly replace the tensioner pulley!!

ck if it was part of the covered 02-03 vins that got a timing belt recall
it would have been taken care of when dealer resold it to you,, if prior owner had not come in
1-800 382 2238x5 is acura care

or look it up in the DIY threads--bottem of the list has VINs for all major problems with recalls or extended warranty- here is the link
https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-tl-1999-2003-98/new-official-2nd-gen-tl-diy-thread-706083/

Do change 3 qts atf every year --thats about the best you can do to keep it going good
Clean the selenoids and replace external atf filter (not inside pan like other cars)

01tl4tl

current trans warranty for covered Vins is 7 years + 9 months from date first sold
OR 109kmiles,,or 114.5 miles if part of `odometer error vins`--whichever occurs first--time or miles

after that `goodwill assistance` from corp based on low miles and good dealer service customer may apply

trans rebuild is about $2500 aftermarket

Gapper

Sorry it's so long for reply. I did not think my message got through and did not know where to look for reply. I found it today. I transmission fluid was changed @71,000. Now have 88,000.

01tl4tl

it wont hurt to change 1 drainings worth of 3.4 qts
replace with the new honda DW-1 fluid,,its better stuff

did you do the timing belt-water pump yet?

Gapper

I did not do the timing gear belt yet. I am debating replacing the 2003 tl vs repairing it. Dealers are quoting $1100 for the repair, but found an independent for $600. I may do the lower cost repair and take my chances on the transmission.

VTEC11

Since you purchased the car in 06 any idea if the trans was already replaced? If so and it was post 2005 you may be fine as the rate of failure is much lower on those units.

01tl4tl

look at trans from above- bolt heads painted blue mean warranty unit

01tl4tl

600 is low and I doubt they replace the tensioners for that price
its 250 aftermaket just for basic parts, 300-350 special deal from azine sponsoring dealer,
add 100+ for tensioners

If the shop tech has done several TL 105s, they can whip it out in a few hours or less, give you a break on labor time, and still make money on the deal
Dealer charges way too much- and their guys definetly do it faster than the `book time` you are getting charged for!

I wouldnt sweat the time or miles yet- there is a safety margin built into that number- assuming you are not taking the car to the race track or otherwise running it really hard

ck Regions link at top of pages- other ziners in your area may be able to help diy

Gapper

I checked my VIN# on the Acura website and it said the transmission was "fixed". No other information.
I called the 800# and they were not able to add to my information.
I looked at the engine from above and I have blue bolt heads. I can't tell if I have an oil jet kit or not.
I had the TL in to the dealer for the air bag recall and asked about the transmission replacement. They said it had a oil jet kit.
My understanding is the best replacement is the blue bolt heads and no oil jet kit.

01tl4tl

thats the point they made a new case design and moved the jet kit inside
at least its been replaced once- thats a start

Gapper

Does having the oil jet kit inside with blue bolt heads mean I have the latest and best transmission replacement?