NSXNEXT

iTrader: (2)

Took a nice long drive down to Annapolis a few weekends ago and I guess that's what did it in. Died a few days later.

Torque converter went. This tranny only went 50K.

Talked to my friends at the local Acura dealer I buy lots of parts from.
After a little negotiation, we agreed that I would pay half and they'd pay half. Came to just under $1500.

Would have loved to do a TypeS engine/tranny swap but between moving into our new home and work I just needed a car quick.

DarkSithCL

iTrader: (1)

Glad they worked with you on your tranny troubles!!!!.... If someone had told me 10 years ago, that Honda was going to have this much trouble out of their trannys, I would have called them a LIAR!

NSXNEXT

iTrader: (2)

Tell me about it.

I don't think I should be on my 3rd tranny in 11 years.
I talked to the sales manager and told him that the chances of me buying another Acura was slim and none. He told me to come see him personally when I was looking to buy a new car. Yeah right.

01tl4tl

so he can walk you over to the Lexus dealer they own across the street?

xtremex626

iTrader: (1)

man .. this is why im scared to ever take my tl for long trips or cross country ..the fact that i need to do the 105k service soon too D:

Mr. Maker

iTrader: (4)

damn that sucks...i'm on my original trans at

185,000 in my 99 tl....

tlzib

That sux man, i will say though $1500 is a good deal. Guess it pays to have a good relationship with a dealership. My 3rd tranny just went and have no clue on what to do. Do a honda oddy tranny, call the dealer and see what they will do?

Can any of you guys give me advice on what you would do? I love my TL so much but its getting to the point where the tranny failures are getting ridiculous. Hell if my dealer offered me that price i would have it towed NOW!!!

hANDYcaptd

iTrader: (5)

Wow, that sucks. Glad you were able to work something out.

I'm taking a drive to Boston this weekend.... Hopefully the trans makes it back OK.

NSXNEXT

iTrader: (2)

what's the mileage on the tranny? Have you had your car serviced at that dealer?

The only thing that helped me was I've spent a few thousand on parts from them over the years so they were willing to help me out.

DarkSithCL

iTrader: (1)

Dude... the whole Honda thing fell off my radar after I dropped over 3G's for my 3rd tranny( the car was paid for...).... it makes you really gun shy!

DarkSithCL

iTrader: (1)

...it also helps if you get a Honda certified tech to change your tranny fluid at the proper intervals.... at least thats what the Acura regional rep told the service writer when i asked how I could keep the price down...

tlzib

I believe about 65-70k miles on this 3rd one that just went out. The 1st 2 lasted, get this 35k which is weird how they both went out at almost the same mileage. Had the car serviced at a couple dealers for a few things and bought parts but most of the big stuff went to an independent shop.

I was referred to a certain dealer from guys years ago when the 1st tranny went out and she took care of me both times, real nice manager. I guess it doesn't hurt to maybe call her.

russianDude

What was the year/month your last transmission was replaced, was it replaced post 2005 Feb?

russianDude

actually I don't know if Acura made any changes to 99 tranny in 2005. 99 is supposed to be even better than 2001-2003, so I am surprised.

fsttyms1

Bummer.... At least they are picking up part of the tab.

I know that this car will probably be my last acura for some time to come. Between teh Hideous looks of the new ones out there and the 5 failures i had they have stained my look at the brand.

dudeinaTL

iTrader: (1)

5 trannies??? Over how many years? How much has that cost you, or were they all under [extended] warranty?

tlzib

What car brand would you chose?

MOBB

I feel the same way as you, But I still love my TL to death, I still look back at it when I exit the car and it still puts a smile on my face when I look at it. I love saying i own an "acura" and I don't think I'd be as satisfied with any other car.
But yes the tranny tripped me out a bit, but the rest of the car is rock solid and we have proven that! The 3g's are solid and the 2nd Gen RL's are calling mee!! I think that will be my next purchase after my TL is gonna be an RL!!

ThreePointTwoTeeEl

iTrader: (1)

My 99 is about to hit 150,000. I bought it with 88,000 and still no troubles at all...lets hope I never do!

Mr. Maker

iTrader: (4)

[quote=MOBB;12171950] I still look back at it when I exit the car and it still puts a smile on my face when I look at it. I love saying i own an "acura"quote]

NSXNEXT

iTrader: (2)

I've got a few on my list. Maybe in a year or two

Family hauler:
pre-owned CTS-V
Buick Lacrosse
Hyundai Genesis

Toy:
C6 Corvette (can't decide on Z06 or vert)

NSXNEXT

iTrader: (2)

Wanted to fly you out for the weekend to do my swap. If I wasn't moving into the new house that week (and you didn't have a newborn) it might have been a reality.

It's ok, the 58" panny plasma comes this weekend to take my mind off the car.

dukelx2005

you know if they made these TL's in 5 and 6 Speeds they would last forever

pmptx

Kris, I am with you. I am on my 4th and have fewer miles than you.
Acura is tarnished in my mind as lacking styling/visual appeal and some of the bulletproof reputation.

MOBB

Even though you're on your 4th tranny I bet you still love your tl to death, I must admit the 02-03 TL were the best looking Acura's I've ever seen.

djescobar973

I wonder if the engineer(s) that designed this damn tranny still work for Acura or have they been transferred to kia..

tlzib

Hell i hope they no longer work in the auto industry period!!
O and im about to be on my 4th tranny : )

03bl AC k CL

my tranny blew on me 150 miles into a 450 mile trip... on a sunday evening in the middle of nowhere. it was installed 10/06... this happened 4/09 ... i had about 121k on my car (02 type s) and about 30k on the tranny. acura was awesome and i only had to pay $460 for the replacement, however i no longer had piece of mind that the supposed 02/05 and later trannys gave us so i sold it 3 months later... i would buy another acura when the time comes for a new car though (KBP 08 type s ftw)

OP, should have done the 6 speed swap if you had the luxury of time

kriz2fer

yeah when i had my TL i was always scared of long trips i would take the accord..i know how you feel!

BlackRaven

What year accord? They too had problems with their 3-shaft auto trans. Lots of them. Both 4 and 6 cyl variants. Don't want to discourage you but read up on it and have one thing in mind.

You guys that have garages and some tools need to get a trans rebuild manual and rebuild the transmissions yourself. The kit + new torque converter will cost you around $350, and it will take you around 3 days of work if it's your first time. I've already rebuilt 3 transmissions like this quite successfully. The first one I didn't change the torque converter, made my own housing gaskets, and changed only certain worn internals and the whole procedure cost me $60, that's including new fluid.

YeuEmMaiMai

24K on my replacment trans and it's junk mine was replaced in november 08

BlackRaven

By the way, forgot to add: from my research I've come to the conclusion that part of the problem with our transmissions is the fluid honda uses: their Z1 ATF was made extra "slippery" in an effort to make the shifts more seamless. As it turns out, this puts extra shearing forces on the fluid as the clutches are engaging, tearing the atf's structure on a micro level. This causes premature breakdown of the ATF, followed by insufficient cooling and "grip", and ultimately destroys the clutch packs.

So, the solution in my opinion is using your regular Valvoline MaxLife ATF, found at your local parts store or even walmart. It is perfectly compatible with the Honda/Acura transmissions, while not suffering from the Z1 problems. It is also cheaper. I have now used it in several hondas and can say that it does not diminish performance or make the shifts harder.

YeuEmMaiMai

would not be a problem if there was sufficient oil flow to the clutch packs. after all the same fluid is used an ALL of their automatic transmissions and the 5th gen accord transmissions routinely go 500K or more.......and the 5at attached to the K series has excellent longevity as well. The 4at even last with the new updates.....this is a design flaw and there really is no fix for it.

NSXNEXT

iTrader: (2)

No way it's a fluid issue. It might help contribute to premature failure but this would not be isolated to just the TL/CL/Accord tranny if it was simply a fluid issue.

pitmen

i got you beat...00 TL just over 195,000km's

SUUUUUUCCCCKKKKKAAAAAAAA

hANDYcaptd

iTrader: (5)

hahah...fail. He's got more MILES!

pitmen

realize he never posted km's or miles i keep forgetting this is an american board too

BlackRaven

Like I said in my post, it's part of the problem, not the whole problem. Changing to Valvoline Maxlife or some other compatible ATF will extend the life of the trans.

YeuEmMaiMai

no it won't and fyi there is absolutely NO issues with honda fluid when used a recommneded except for the 5at trans (which was replaced with a new model in '06)

BlackRaven

You sound very sure of yourself. Perhaps you are not familiar with the Baxa/Maxa transmissions, or the M6HA? Nearly every honda/acura AT made between 1997 and up to at least 2003 has had issues with the ATF breaking down even after additional squirters were put on the 2nd gear clutch packs. The ATF is part of the reason. Research it.