jonah.r7

Recently on my 2003 Acura TL-S I've been experiencing some weird lagging feeling or sort of thumping/jerking between gears when I accelerate. It's pretty spotty and not consistent, as well as a couple times I've heard a sound like a fan hitting something. I thought it might be transmission but mechanic says he thinks it might be the spark plugs, or a slight misfire. I have no check engine or any codes popping up, so I'm wondering if anyone would be able to provide some insight if they've experienced anything similar.

Transmission fluid is full just had everything checked, oil change, etc. Might have plugs replaced and am about to have belt and water pump replaced as well.

Jon M

Jonah, It is pretty hard to troubleshoot such a generic description. Personally your description does not ring a bell. The only recommendation I have is if you are replacing the belts and the H20 pump also replace the hoses and the thermostat if you haven't done this recently, specially if any of them are the originals. Hopefully someone else will have something about your description. How many miles on the plugs?

jonah.r7

I purchased this recently, and as far as I know after doing a car fax just to check, all of them that you listed seem to be originals. Car has just over 132k miles on it so I'm assuming all the parts have the same on them. Only thing I could see about the belt was the tensioner being replaced, so ill have all that stuff replaced as well. I'm not sure what may or may not have been replaced behind the scenes, maybe done by the owner himself, but rather be safe than sorry knowing I have new parts.

Jon M

If the timing belt hasn't been replaced yet it past due. Since you appear to have a shop doing the work the timing belt will be expensive. Depending on the shop around me it would be between $600-$1100. The reason I mentioned the thermostat is the OEM seems to last well but at 20 years they are due and if you replace it while you are doing the H20 pump you won't have to pay for coolant twice. Plugs should be cheap to replace, I would do those first thing if they were not new and I felt that the car was missing power.

jonah.r7

Definitely will do, I always thought maybe there was an issue with plugs considering my headlight doesn't turn on all the time, as well as my odometer lights are fading, but I don't know if they are connected. (I was told it seems the ballast is bad on my passenger side light). Regardless I ordered a new chip and bulbs for behind the cluster, as well as new casings, bulbs, and ballast for my headlights.

jonah.r7

Would it be doable to replace a belt myself as a beginner? I don't know much about it and if there is timing involved I wouldn't know where to start considering I haven't done much research on the topic yet. Last time I had belt and pump done at shop for my 2001 acura cl-s it was around $800 total.

Jon M

It really depends on you. Are you mechanically inclined? Do you have tools? Would you be comfortable doing the work? The timing belt is straight forward but one of the most pain in the .... jobs on the car due to lack of room, Some places even pull the engine to do the job. The water pump and other belts are easier but they are essentially half of getting to the timing belt. Small amount of room to work in, have you taken a look at the area? The thermostat and the plugs are pretty simple, a few bolts and hoses. Do you have a service manual?

jonah.r7

I have neither tools, nor the skills as of now. I figured that honestly it would be cheaper to have the mechanic do the labor on it rather than me purchasing each and every tool and extension required to get the job done. I will be picking up a 10mm to be able to do all my headlight and fog lights stuff myself though. I am purchasing all the parts needed to save some money rather than having to pay markup price of the mechanic purchasing it for me, besides timing belt and pump which I believe they have access to a site that I may not, and I am not willing to cheap out on it. I also do not have the service manual I think I'll pick one up off ebay when I get a chance but the car is a very new purchase for me. I do plan on learning and doing my own work in the future.

Jon M

You should buy a set of metric sockets instead of just a 10mm socket. You will need them. You don't need Pro tools just ones that are decent. You will need the sockets and socket wrench. For you I think 3/8" size is good for now, 1/2" is for bigger jobs that you will need to work up to, 1/4" is for the smaller nuts and bolts but for the most part 3/8" will do 85% of all the work. To do the headlights you will need to take off the front bumper to get to the ballast. I am putting below a couple of links for information.
Since you already checked the transmission fluid, just a word of advise to keep checking and when it starts to get darker, change the fluid.

This link is to the service manual you can download for free. https://www.dropbox.com/s/alzlpd489p...ANUAL.pdf?dl=0


This is a link for video someone did for the 2003 TL, There are others so do a search. It should help you get comfortable.

DBL

It sounds like you also need to clean the filters of the transmission solenoids. Just flushing the ATF can't necessarily fix the issue you're having.
here is the vid if you need DIY

jonah.r7

Yeah I'm planning on picking up a 10mm soon since I need it for the removal of my bumper, also picked up a small trim kit remover that will help me get those annoying plugs. I've also already watched that video multiple times and it is what I plan to use as a reference for my installation. Thank you for all the help!

Jon M

Download the manual from the link I posted above the video. You will need it in the future and can help you with the bumper etc.

jonah.r7

I felt it again so maybe I can give you a better description. This happened after making a left turn onto a straight away. When I began to accelerate up the straight away, it seemed to take place during a shift from 1st, to 2nd gear. It seemed to not want to shift and I heard what sounded like a rapid grinding sound. This does NOT happen everytime, it is very random. Any idea?

Jon M

Was the "rapid grinding sound" like a rotational grinding. Did it grind like something was around the wheel? If it did it could be brakes, brake shield, drive shaft(s). Can you tell if it is coming from one side or the other? Have you inspected the brakes and drive shafts?

jonah.r7

It could easily be rotational but I'm not sure. It sounds as if you were to put say a ruler in between fan blades and they kept spinning while repeatedly hitting it producing a noise. It is very rapid, if it was any quicker it would sound like a buzz. I don't know how else to describe it. Also to me it sounds central but It happens so spontaneously I haven't been able to gage much information off of it. I will keep listening and driving with the radio off.

jonah.r7

Also have not inspected or had any inspection done on them besides a full check up at mechanic, but idk if they looked at that. I wouldn't know where to start and what to look for in an inspection such as what you listed.

Jon M

I'm not sure what to tell you right now other than google something like how to inspect your disk brakes etc. My explanation would be too long winded. Without the basic tools and equipment I wouldn't want to lead you to do something that can get you hurt. I would recommend that you read about how to jack up the car, how to use jack stands, and then read your car manuals. Maybe someone here can recommend a basic car maintenance and repair book to start.