Wayne or Jens,

Can you give us any info on the transmission problems that many of us are having with our TL-S's?

Is there really a seal problem? (My dealer said there is a seal that is too small and causes the problem)

How many have you had go bad at PAA?

How long is the back-order, really?

Do you expect this to happen to all early TL-S's?

Are the new transmissions that are being shipped as replacements "fixed" as far as the defect goes?

Why can't the tranny be repaired on site?

Are the newer shipping TL-S's suceptable to this problem?

It would be nice to hear from someone who ACTUALLY knows something about the cars, and is at least somehow attached to ACURA.

Thanks Guys,

:-jon

 

Guys- we really don't have any real answers. We read the same stuff you do. We have changed a few units, but not dissassembled any. They are replaced on an exchange basis and the old ones are shipped back to Acura. I have heard many rumors, but at the risk of sounding very "corporate", I'm not going to say anything as to cause until I am sure I really know the answer! I will say that sometimes flushing the trans fluid a few times cures some of them, leading me to the opinion that is is sometimes fluid related. We are reccomending to those who care, to change thier tranny fluid at 7500 or 15,000 miles. This is OUR OPINION- not anything remotely related to Acura. Just some common sense advice derived from many years of experience. It is easy and inexpensive, and, if it saves further grief- why not! It certainly wont hurt- just use genuine Acura/Honda ATF.

I don't know the failure rate and can't really speak to it. I have worked for other manufacturers. both foreign and domestic, and have seen transmission failures in all of them. I am sure that if the failure rate is beyond normal for our cars, that Acura would be very hard at work trying to find out why. I can say that they care a great deal about customer satisfaction- despite what you may read. If there is something that needs to be done- they will do it! It just might take some time. As you can imagine- it costs them a lot of money to replace one of these units- money I'm sure they would rather not have to spend! I also know they do read these boards from time to time, so maybe your feedback does get to them

Sorry I can't be more helpful- I really do wish I had more info- I just don't. I won't speak for Acura in any matter and neither will Jens- we'll let them do that. We will share our knowledge and advice freely, and if information comes to me that I know will be helpful- I'll share it if at all possible.

I hope this helps ...

 

Wayne, when did you get a white TLS? I thought you had a black one. Thanks for the info. I will make sure I change my tranny fluid every 7500 miles w/HONDA/ACURA ATF.

 

Wayne,

Now I'm concerned about the service knowledge at my dealership. Just had the 7500 mile service done last week and NO ONE suggested the transmission fluid be changed. Now I'm almost at 8000, would it be okay to wait till 15k miles....or should I have this done soon?

Please advise.

 

TL,

Same thing here. When i enquired about changing tranny fluid when i brought the car in for routine at 12000 miles or so, service advisor insisted it's not necessary until 18000 miles, per the Canadian manual, and it's a "waste of money" at this point.

 

Guys....reread what he said......

That means its HIS service department recommending this. Your dealer may not be....its not anything official from Acura. There are people on this board with over 20K miles that have no problem. Im sure Acura is researching this and will have a service bulletin or something out soon. All Jens is saying is that it is cheap insurance, and HE recommends changing out the fluid.

 

Yep, I got that. Just wanting to ask WAYNE if since I missed the ATF change at 7500....can I wait till 15000 and still have the "cheap insurance"? Datz all. If not, I'll get it done on my next oil change

 

Wayne,

Thanks for the thoughtful reply. I did not mean to ask for you to speak for Acura, and I understand your position.

I also realize that Acura did not intend for these units to fail, and they surely did not buget for them to fail, and the fact that they are replacing them as whole units indicates their resolve as to getting the cars back on the road with minimum call-backs.

I am just fortunate to be able to get input from people like you and Jens, and I think you guys are a huge asset to this board!

:-jon

 

I'll second that! Thanks for helping keep us informed.

 

Thanks for the kind words guys! You are correct in that it is our dealership reccomending the early fluid change. It really can't hurt, and, just maybe, it will prevent a possible failure. At least you'll know you did your best! I will say this- I haven't seen any tranny failures yet in the cars we did an early fluid change on. That might change, but for now- its the best we have. Some people may believe its not necessary, and I can understand that too. You have to go with what you feel is best and are confortable with. Maybe if enough of us try it, we can get a feel if it is really a preventative or not.

 

Wayne,
I am on my second transmission on my CL and was wondering what you would suggest for the next transmssion flush. I had the transmission replaced at 27k, and currently have 37~38k. I know i'll be due for my 45k maintenance soon, and was wondering if I should go ahead and get a transmission fluid change at then as well. Should I just do a transmission fluid change, or should I do a flush and refill??

Will doing an abnormally early transmission fluid flush and refill be detrimental? I tried initially when I was having problems (initial symptons) to have the dealer change the transmission fluid @ 15k and they refused to do it initally, and it lead to failure eventually even after they did the flush and refill after the fact.

Again I appreciate these insights you so willingly and openly distribute to us on this board as well as the CL board. If I was in the NJ area I would surely without a doubt have picked you as my dealer of choice.

-Johnny

 

Johnny- I would reccomend you do a drain and fill change at the 45k as a precaution. It seems as if the replacement trannys are holding up real well so far, but it can't hurt!