Should the tranny problems prevent me from buying an 01 TL? Is there anything the dealer or I can do to prevent the tranny from going?

 

only thing to do for protection is buy an extended warranty thru the dealer- you dont have to buy the car from them- they will sell a real acura warranty to you

Make sure the recall for installation of External Oil Jet kit was done

If not- thats good for you since the 01s are on the limit of time on trans warranty
The recall thing has them look inside the trans with a boroscope and check for heat damage- if found- instant free trans for you

My 01 got its 1st replacement in 11/06- has always had a funny prob that is finally getting bad at 84k miles. Going in for replacement #2 soon!!

Changing the fluid will only hasten its death!!!!
read the Tranny Failure thread- the first few and last few pages for detailed info

On the test drive for an 01 TL- driving with light throttle cruising in D5 at 25 and 35 mph, stomp the gas to the floor and hold down.
It should make a positive downshift into 2nd and launch forward with no free-revving of the engine- just engagment of the trans and go

If it revs and doesnt accellerate- that baby is toast!
If it shifts hard into 2nd and 3rd on normal driving- bad news soon
If it takes longer than 1-2 seconds to go from N to D5 and engage so you can go forward- thats a warning sign
the trans replacement is worth 4000$$$$
If it cost 1000 to buy a warranty direct from acura that will cover anything and especially our friend the transmission,,,, for longer than you plan to own the car.....bargain

call acura with the VIN number of any car you really like and ask for its warranty and recall history- tell them you are looking to buy- not the owner yet-
thats 1-800-382-2238 x5 gets a human 6am to 5 pm pacific weekdays

 

Are you sure this blanket statement is always true?

 

MANY TLs that wait until 100k and throw new fluid at it, often get a surprise within a few months
Just read the azine threads on the subject
Sometimes its due to using a machijne flush- others put in Dextron3
So not 100 percent, but enough to merit notice

 

Ohhh ok if wrong fluid is put in- that makes more sense as to why they would fail after fluid change...

 

even with the right fluid----just have a read back thru the failure threads and see