Hey Acurazine! Been folllowing the website to gain more info on the 2G TL's. I found a great deal on an 02' Type S but needed some second opinions.

Dealer wants about 3600 but im sure I can negotiate down abit since the car has 164k miles. I ran an autocheck and it was owned by a woman for about 11 years (she bought it new) and swapped owners in 2012 then was traded in. My mechanic looked at it, and said the car is mechanically sound overall, just needs tires and has a small oil leak.

I am fully aware about the transmission problems as ive had a 98 accord coupe tranny rebuilt around 170k miles.


The question I have for you guys is, do all J series 5 spd trannies shift kinda hard into 2nd and sometimes 3rd? under normal cruising its fine, but once you get on it, it bangs into 2nd. No splipping just rough. As a comparo I test drove an 01 CL base with 210k and it did the same, as well as a 99TL with 190k and it did the same bang into second. is it normal? or all the trannies failing on each? haha.


P.S I checked the recall statuses on Acura.com, all the recalls were done including the 2nd gear clutch pack, however the tranny has not been replaced after the extended warranty was sent out. Should I pass? Thanks again!

 

Banging HARD HARD into 3rd? Only situation when it will do that is when WOT but driving or cruising it should shift smoothly..

1st and 2nd share the same shaft/Clutch Pack so they are bound to shift more smoothly than 2nd to 3rd which changes from a shaft to another..

I would first of all:
Change ATF to Honda DW-1 and do a 3x3 to see if your oil isn't the issue, Then check all Mounts as a failing mount will make the car bang into 3rd.. Under no Circumstances this is normal though car should shift smoothly under low throttle if it bangs even on cruising you have damaged motor mounts.


This hasn't anything to do with our transmission problem so your safe! Trans would slip rather than shift hard (Shift Hard means the clutch packs are healthy).

 

Hey thanks for the response! The shift into 3rd isnt as abrupt as 1-2, but I guess since theres more power going through the torque converter this would happen. under normal driving the tranny is smooth as silk, I figured since this is one of the few powerful Auto cars ive driven it would be normal. I was just a bit concerned, but its good to be reassured! When I pick it up ill deff have my mechanic do the 3X3, since I dont have much free time on my hands right now.

 

Yeah, as Skirmich previously stated.....check the tranny fluid's level and condition. Also, have all of the mounts inspected. Worn mounts are common and can cause harsh shifts.

Make sure that ya use Honda DW1 fluid with the drain & fill. Ya could also replace the "spin-on" external ATF filter and consider cleaning the solenoid screens at the same time.

 

Make sure to look on the front passenger side wheel well for subframe rust, if its there avoid it.

 

The oil leak should be addressed right away. In addition to the 3x3 tranny flush. check all fluids.


A few things if you buy the car.
~Check the battery
~Check the motor mounts
~Check/replace the air and cabin filter
~Check the condition of the spark plugs
~Check the brake pads
~Replace the PCV valve
~Pull the top cover off the engine if the egr ports are gunked up so is the egr valve, the IACV valve and the throttle body.


Sounds like a lot but for around a couple of hundred bucks you can address all the above.


Most important is to drive your new/used car with brand new fluids and have a starting point for personal maintenance.