xanchaudry

Hey guys,

My tl runs fine, no problems in transmission so far. So the car makes a sound when i go from D to R. Its as if two metals rods are banged together. Its just one bang and if the car is in elevation its even harder. Like i said you only hear it when you go from Drive to Reverse. You dont hear it when it goes from Parking to Reverse or vice versa. This sound occurs only when i change gears like that but other than that the car runs smooth. The sounds been there for over a year now, Is this normal?, has anyone experienced this before ?. Could this be a sign of the tranny going bad?

History: The car was taken to the dealer for tranny recall (within 60k miles), it was in the car history report, I am the second owner and I got it at 90k miles. Current Mileage: 125k.

2000tltranny

My 2000 tl does the exact same thing - only going from D5 to P, over the R there is a loud clank noise - started about a month ago. After 2 weeks I took it to my mechanic friend and wouldnt you know - it would not make the noise with him - he looked at me as if I was nuts. I was worried about the tranny so he drove it around - used the manual shift which I have never done - it seemed ok. I must admit I did notice a shutter in 2nd and 3rd gear on occation - but not bad at all. The next week or so it made that noise on R once in a while. Last saterday i noticed the tranny slip in 2nd gear - twice. I have driven it once since 2 miles slowly because i needed to be somewhere. Since then I found this thread and am searching for some advise on what to do next - whether my tranny can be saved. I am out of warranty since my tl in 10 years old and have zero " goodwill " . I plan on calling my local acura dealer to see if they will help me. 01tl04tl has a lot of good advice if you search for him. I think I may be screwed. I may try a drain-refill again and change the external filter - trying to get confirmation that is a good idea at this point.

01tl4tl

x please leave the font and size alone thank you

ck the motor mounts, front and pass side like to fail, front and rear are vac boosted so failure will cause roughness too

the trans recall was only to install an external part- not a replacement of the trans (unless heat damage was found, then they comp a trans at oil jet kit install)
note: post 05 `new design trans cases` have the kit moved internal to the case

If the trans is acting up- its worth a 3 qt fluid change, replace the external filter and possibly clean or replace the shift selenoids to keep it running for a while

how does the trans fluid look and smell- thats the easy tell

thelastaspec

Mine does it. Its the front motor mount worn out.


That ETD thing i got helps, doesn't clunk as much.

01tl4tl

aspec- you know better than to drive with a bad mount!!!

xanchaudry

So you say its the motor mounts. I dont think my tranny is giving me any trouble. Just to be on the safe side, quick question, what will the trans oil look like which shows the transmission going bad ? I will post pictures of it soon.

01tl4tl

dark color and smell like burnt sugar = bad trans fluid, probable trans failure
you can get the fluid tested and learn trans real condition -blackstone labs for info

it MIGHT be the motor mounts- the front typically fails after ~60kmiles and is discovered to be leaking fluid by the acura trans tech when its in for trans prob ~70-90kmiles

pass side mount goes after taking extra load for the failed front!
front and rear are trick fluid filled mounts- most have vac booster system too- bad mount causes several problems

look for oil traces or dirt on the bottem part of the mounts,
prybar method on side mount to test it
see diy for more- pics of bad and new

xanchaudry

Thank you for all that information, it really helps, you seem quite knowledgeable, i respect that. Do you have any idea what could a repair for the mounts cost?, I dont think it has to be specifically done by a dealer, i could take the car to any mechanic shop right?

01tl4tl

front mount cost $120-150 depending on dealer markup
labor can be 1-3 hours! but really takes less than 1 hour- see our DIY

Side mount cost 50, takes 30 minutes to install

ck phone book for small ad- repair shop that says honda/acura in specialties,
private owner shop,, not a chain tire store or dealership

totaledTL

Online price is approx. $128 for front, $71 for pass. side (OEM) + shipping of course. Recently had mine repl. by private mech. who supplied parts, $330 total.

01tl4tl

thanks totald--my pricing knowledge is a few years behind so had to guess
Yes people stick with OE on this part (front/rear mount) for the street driver

Always ck with our sponsoring dealers- as they will often go below other posted prices
make sure to mention azine~

use the VENDOR link next to Log Out box to find them

2000tltranny

Could bad motor mounts ruin a tranny?

01tl4tl

maybe not ruin,,
but contribute to excess torque loading and movement--the mounts would normally absorb
and the vac boosted ones causing a mystery vac leak and engine miss~

The CV joits may take extra load--movement in directions its not expecting

Its usually a good plan to have the engine and trans solidly attached to the vehicle at all times!

01tl4tl

if the front mount is bad at trans rebuild time -replace it -
way cheaper labor- a few minutes to install then compared to hours

totaledTL

It probably took my mech. about 45 min. to replace them both- eng. & trans. in place-

01tl4tl

someone who knows what they are doing can crank them out- correct

I was talking about what the shop gets to charge you for the job,,
based on a `book time`/flat rate, not actual time to do the work

thats how a good tech makes their money--flat rate!! where they can do 3 cars at once and get paid for 12 hours in 8

totaledTL

I see. He was a former Honda tech. so he def. looked like he knew what he was doing.

01tl4tl

always nice to find the right person for the job!
If other ziners in your area-via the `local area` sections-
maybe you can spread the name~

xanchaudry

Hey guys, I think i am noticing the tranny problem. Read my thread "Car Jerks" under problem and fixes.

01tl4tl

no- your trans is slipping and thunking into gear- the clutch plates are toast

You have had problem since before Jan of this year when you started thread on strange trans noise,,its finally dead
No amount of new fluid and cleaning is going to restore the friction

uleiro

I got the Same problem on my 99 tl. When changing from D to R. Ive changad all mounts and driver side axle. Start by replacing all mounts and then you can try both axles. In my case, it's probably a tranny issue but it doesn't bother me since im already use to it.