markdt098

Hi guys,

I purchased an 01 tl with 140k miles on it. Right now it runs great but in the back of my mind I will always be worried about the transmission failing on me.

I am fully prepared to eat the cost associated with it but I was wondering if there was any way to check if the tranny has been replaced so I can have some piece of mind.

I called Acura and they said nothing was done through an Acura dealership, but that still leaves the possibility of it being replaced through an independent shop.

Is there any way to tell by looking underneath the car if it is a newer transmission?

Thanks.

ANC297

iTrader: (2)

Carfax? Autocheck?

Theres no way that I know of to tell of it has ever been replaced, however there was a recall for an oil jet kit....That can be seen from the engine bay on the top of the transmission if installed...
Search on here, "oil jet" and a number of search results will come up with images of the oil jet kit.
Or you can look for your trans fill hole, if its a bolt that says ATF, you do not have the oil jet....If its a black elongated shape in the fill bolt's place, you have the kit installed.

gold2003tl (90)

i think if the bolts have a blue dab of paint on them its been replaced by the dealer. to tell if its going bad, slipping coming out of 2nd and 3rd gear. shuddering at low speeds, and harsh down shifts. check the fluid to see if it smells burnt or is black (should be red)

markdt098

Thanks for the replies.

It looks like it may have been replaced. I see blue bolts and what looks like the oil jet kit.

It's odd though since when I called Acura they said it was never replaced by the dealer.

It is comforting knowing it isn't the original tranny. I know it doesn't mean I'm totally in the clear but hopefully it will last me atleast another 30-40k miles.

ANC297

iTrader: (2)

It may or may not have been replaced, apparently Acura didnt do it, maybe an independent shop did...No 2nd gen is totally in the clear, unless you go 6spd...Its really a ticking time bomb, because one day its fine and the next shes a goner....No set amount of time that they generally last.

dudeinaTL

iTrader: (1)

I thought blue bolts = tranny was replaced at one time by the dealer, but even that doesn't mean a lot.

If the tranny has the oil jet kit, you're dealing with a pre-2005/6ish tranny. The trannies after were supposedly redesigned, making the oil jet kit unnecessary.

Even if you don't see the blue bolts, you could also be looking at a rebuilt tranny, or even a tranny dropped in from a yard.

No way to tell with 100% surety.

digitalextremes

A Honda rebuilt transmission should have a barcode sticker on it with the letters RHM, if you see that with oil jet kit then that's a pre 2005 transmission, stay away from it even if it's Honda Rebuilt, if you don't see the oil jet kit but there is a barcode sticker on it with "RMH" letters on it then that's a better choice because it's newer design not the one that needed a band-aid fix using the jet kit.

I put the newer one in my 2002 TL-S, hopefully it will last...

Hondas4Life

Hello all,

I have a 2003 TL Type S that I bought 6 months ago with 101,000 miles. After confirming my car was involved in the infamous transmission recall, I proceeded to research its history to find out if the transmission was replaced with the newer design. Here are the steps:

1. Register at Acura.com as an owner and find out if there are recalls for your car. (side note: Schedule your car at the nearest Acura dealer for any 'active' recalls)

2. If your car part of the transmission recall, check the status of the repair. If it says it hasn't been fixed, you are out of luck.

3. If it says it is fixed, call Acura at 800-382-2238 option #4 and provide the person with your VIN#. That person may or may not be able to tell you if the transmission was replaced or if simply the oil jets were installed.

The person on the phone I spoke to said my tranny was NOT replaced just fixed and had no more information. I was not satisfied with her answer so on to #4.

4. Get a history of your car from CARFAX. This will likely list where your car has been serviced and might give you a basic description of the work involved.

5. Go down the list of every Acura dealerships that worked on your car and speak with a service "advisor." The service technician will ask for your VIN# and will tell you what has been done to your car.


I am VERY fortunate to know that my 03 TL-S had the transmission replaced in Sept. '05 - which means it has the redesigned tranny. I also found out my car had 35k at that time and the fluid change had not been done since then. Luckily, I did the 3X3 when I bought it.

I hope this helps.

Hondas4Life

I realize this thread is for a 01' TL but the process I took for my '03 TL should be exactly the same. Good luck.