2003 TL base - 166K. First trans went at 102K - Acura paid half for the new one. Recently I noticed trans leak, went to dealer, "new trans @ $4500, thank you." I want a second and third opinion. It drives fine and I keep the fluid topped up. He tells me the "axle seal on the passenger side is leaking and the differential is loose." I am not paying for a new trans - tired of this crap. Suggestions? Options?

 

Yeah, it'd be worth getting another opinion from an independent tranny shop.
If the fluid level is kept up and you're not experiencing any shifting issues.... than ya may possibly be able to have just the leak repaired and not needing to replace the entire tranny.

 

Thats exactly what happened to me with my 99. I bought the car and a few weeks later I noticed leaking trans fluid. Put the car on the lift to replace axle seals only to find bad diff bearings. If thats the case the trans will have to be pulled and split to replace them. The parts are relatively cheap the labor is what sucks.

 

UPDATE - got a call from the Acura shop this afternoon offering to pay half the cost of the $4500 estimate. They are generating a quote for me. In the meantime, I am going to follow the 3.2TLc and get the opinion of a local Aamco guy I trust and have used in the past. It just chaps my hinney that this has happend to the one the put in less than 60K ago! I bought the brand for the (supposed) track record of reliability.

If I go through with another one - might be time for an extended warranty.

 

Don't forget to ask the dealership if this rebuilt tranny is gonna be bullet-proof, or is gonna fail again after accumulated enough mileage.

Maybe it's time to sell the TL.

 

Get an Accord V6 2006-2007 trans for 1K and Install it for 500 bucks = 1500 bucks and Save yourself while you still can.

1500 > 4500
3000 bucks in savings = Get a Bike or Headers + Intake + Exhaust.. The sky is the limit!

 

Alright - Acura quote is $1965 plus tax installed. Stopped at local Aamco guy I know, he says there is an aftermarket stabilizer "axle saver" that he installs with the new seal for about $200. His rebuild = $2200.00. I have to weigh this out over the weekend. I will look into the 06 honda option.

Anyone heard about the axle saver?

 

I have to agree with Skirmich. Even though your tranny seems to be working fine, it is not worth $3,000 to fix what is currently wrong with it knowing that it can (and probably will) fail later down the road.

Not only is the AV6 transmission the cheaper, more reliable option, it is a huge upgrade.

 

Sounds like the best option is the dealer rebuilt - very close in cost to the used accord trans. Thanks for the input Ed, I will be looking for some kind of extra coverage beyond the 3/36 standard BS.

Funny thing, my Aamco guy has nothing but good things to say about the Honda transmissions, and he works on them regularly. My car is in otherwise outstanding condition and I keep up with the maintenance. This is very disappointing. People buy this brand for expected higher quality. Its making me look at Fords.........

 

Did the Aamco shop verify that the existing tranny is actually bad ?
Was the necessity of rebuild your desire with the differential axle repairs ?

If the tranny was indeed DOA, then the Honda V6's tranny would've been the better overall resolution, IMO.
Good luck trying to get a long term warranty from the dealership. It'll get ya by until ya trade the car in on a Ford !

 

Yeah, Aamco is known for this bullshit. What a joke they are. They seem like a decent option, but as soon as their rebuild fails, they point to some fine print about how their warenty won't be covering it.

Nothing but good things to say about Honda transmissions? Good joke. That guy is clearly doesn't know what he's talking about, and sounds like he doesn't have much experience with transmissions in that case. I would never recommend anyone ever go to Aamco.

As for the rebuild... I would be weary. Even though yours has the blue bolts, I don't know how much I'd trust it. If it's almost the same cost as the AV6 transmission, I don't see any reason why you shouldn't upgrade to one. Just my of course.

Semi-related: I know Ford Fusions from the mid to late 2000s had severe transmission problems early on. So if you do switch over to ford, be cautious of that.