if there is no problem with the trans afterward why would they even check?

 

So im going to look at a 06 TL manual with 34K on it but not i'm really nervous about getting a manual. Whats the concerns I know the guy hasn't done the TSB he didn't know about it and said he didn't have any problems. Should I advise him to do it then decide if I want the car lol?

 

You people need to stop freaking out about this stupid crap. I have not done the TSB and it has been 5 freaking years of flawless butter like shifting. Not one problem since I put the other fluid in.

 

I've owned all kinds of vehicles over the years and I can tell you with some confidence that I would be more "nervous" about an automatic trans than a manual trans!
I switched to Amsoil @ 50k but I've never had any issues whatsoever.

 

Maybe in general but maybe not a manual with these issues. I currently own an Acura legend with 182,500 miles automatic and still drives beautiful. I plan on keeping my tl this long or longer so longterm reliability is a must! Hard to say probably not to many high mileage tl 6 speeds

 

Man, this thread is so fail. I feel like I am banging my head on a wall. The 3rd gear issues are not actually an issue at all. It is because of the fluid. If you replace it with the GM stuff it is like it never happened. There are no issues with my gear box, and it does not need a TSB. It works flawlessly and shifts smooth. There is no problem with the MT trans.

 

Seems like the TSB has a higher return rate than the fluid change. My 3rd gear was pretty bad before I switched and it's been fine ever since. I did mine @ 7K Mi and I am now at 35K mi still smooth as butter.

I am going to change mine this summer just to see how much syncro flakes are in the fluid. There was a lot with the original fluid with very few miles.

 

If you've treated your transmission right, there shouldn't be any more flakes in the outgoing fluid. 1st changed mine at 7K (flaked out of course), then at 35K intervals for what turned out to be no reason at all as the old fluid was as good as new. I'm now letting it go at least 50K to the next one.
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I would never go 50K between fluid changes thats just asking for trouble. If your really considering that I would send some of your fluid in at 30K in for analysis first to see how its doing and what percentage of metal etc you have in the sample

 

I know there won't be a problem with the fluid, but if there ever is a problem with my tranny before my warranty is over, then they may blame it on the fluid. I don't want this happening and I don't know if they can prove that I was using another fluid or would even notice it. Again, this is a "just in case" sort of deal. Can anyone tell me if the dealer would be able to identify the fluid or show that it isn't the acura fluid?

 

You would be wise to put the honda fluid back in if you are still under warranty and your having them check the trans.

 

Alright, update time...
Been doing the DC for a couple of months now and got it going like butter - practice certainly makes perfect.

And speaking of butter... I took advantage of the unexpected warm weather and finally changed out the tranny fluid yesterday. The 3rd gear shifting had gotten even worse and I can't tell you how many times I wound up grinding when trying to get off the line quickly - man that just pisses me off (nothing says total dork like trying to get past grandma and grinding 'em).

So, as you predicted, the old stuff was all nice and glittery (I'm assuming it was the original so it probably had all 36K on it - I got the car at 28K).

I put in the (acurazine) recommended GMSMFM and took her out for a drive. I didn't wanna come back. Absolute BUTTER. Not only is the 3rd gear thing totally gone, but even the rest of the family feels better. Feels like brand new. Anyone having the 3rd gear problem and considering the fluid change should do it - it works!

The GMSMFM fluid seems tough to find. I tried to get the it at a local GM dealer and the (young) guy in parts told me they had some so I asked him to confirm the part number. I told him that what he had was the regular GMSM stuff and he tried to tell me no - that this is what I was looking for and that it was friction modified. I told him no way and he went and checked with someone (it's nice to be armed with the right information). When he came back he asked me what kind of car it was for - after I told him, he said the only place that had what I wanted in stock was about 30 miles away. So I ordered from PACE Performance.

THANKS to Acurazine (particularly members like Southernboy) for keeping us all so informed - what to do, how to do it, where to get it... Thanks for taking the time to share your experience and knowledge.

 

Where I live in Virginia puts me close to the mountains (about 3-4 miles from the first line of them). This also puts me within a mile of some really nice roads and very nice drives. I just now got back from a short trip on a few of these roads because it is so nice out. We have been having warm weather in the upper 70's to 80 this week and next week may approach the high 80's. Makes for some really beautiful weather to take our manual TL's out for a little exercise.

I'm happy to hear all is going really well for your "new" shifting techniques and your (now) happy transmission with the GM fluid change. Makes things very enjoyable doesn't it.

 

Acura just quoted me $54 to change the fluid, yet would only put Honda stuff in it. Have the fluid in hand and don't really want to wait until I find the time to change it so I was going to just have them do it. I bought my TL last week and have been having this 3rd gear issue ever since. Anyone else having trouble with Acura not wanting to put the GM stuff in?

 

Just called my local Chevy dealership and they only have 4 quarts of the fluid at $20 a quart! So is this Amsoil fluid the same stuff?

http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/mtf.aspx

That page has the right GM part number for the fluid, but it doesn't say Friction Modified anywhere.

 

If I could no longer get the GMSFM fluid, I'd buy Amsoil's product.

 

the ac delco friction modified is the same as the gm and a lot cheaper.

http://www.acdelco.com/html/pi_vehcare_lub.htm

Part 10-4014
88900399
Synchromesh Manual Transmission Fluid (Friction Modified)

 

Are both washers the same as the oil fill? I have a few extra unused from oil changes. If not, any idea on a part number for the fill plug washer?

 

No. The drain plug washer is the same one as the one you use for your oil pan drain plug. However, the fill plug washer is quite a bit larger.

 

I finally got around to getting in some syncromesh and had my mechanic (independent) put it in. I had intended to do it myself, but the A13 minder came up so I just had him do it. All I can say, is wow. Before, the tranny would balk going-into or pop-out of 3rd and/or 4th gear about once every five or six shifts. After about 150 miles, it hasn't happened once. It's hard to believe that a 'mechanical' problem or design flaw can be practically fixed by a change in the transmission fluid. If you're like me whose factory warranty was up when I bought the car, and you're having the '3rd gear' problem, get the syncromesh or even Amsoil in asap. The difference is remarkable.

 

It is, isn't it. I don't know this from personal experience as my '04 manual has never exhibited any of the problems reported on this site with manual transmissions. But what you have found to be true mirrors what most others have also discovered. Good to see things are working to your favor.

 

I haven't put in the GM Synchromesh fluid yet, though I do plan to, but a couple other things that I've done seem to be helping with the third gear issue. I've started double clutching when down-shifting to all gears, not just third. And I did the zip tie mod to the shifter cables. These are the only things I've done differently after finding out about the 3rd gear issue and I'm pretty happy with the results.

 

Double clutching your downshifts will significantly reduce synchronizer wear. This is something I have been doing since I was a teenager which is many years ago. Some will tell you this is not necessary and as far as completing downshifts, they are correct. However, there is no doubt this action will reduce wear to almost nothing when done correctly.

 

My car had the TSB done before I bought it- I saw it in the dealership's computer warranty records. But it still had the 3rd gear problem at 33k. After I had them put the Synchromesh fluid in ( they had no warranty related objections), it is 100% smooth at all times- and never pops out. I put maybe 7k miles on the car since then. This tweak is definitely on top of the best-bang-for-your-buck list.

 

Glad I found this thread. I purchased an '08 Type S MT about a month ago and started having the 3rd gear grinding etc. Been driving sticks for about 30 years and though maybe I was having trouble getting used to this particular clutch/transmission. Certified vehicle shouldn't have had this issue and wondering if this is why the previous owner traded it in for an MDX after 2 months.

Will call local dealer and see what their plan of attack is to remedy the situation. Other than that sure love the car!

 

Just go back and ask for the GM Synchromesh. They all are aware of it. You will get years of smooth shifting for $50.00 or $60.00- well worth it. Since you just bought it, most likely they will do it at no charge. It's cheaper and more effective than changing parts in the tranny.

It will get worse in winter- so don't wait.

 

why would anybody want to have their transmission torn into? When the alternative is a simple fluid change, that guys have been running for years without any problems. Honda guys been running this stuff well before the 3rd gen TL and I've not heard of any problems.

 

This is true.

 

I can see it coming now.. Just looked at the TSB and the vin list for 2008 stops at 8A029085 and mine is 8A030.

Either way I'll ask them to just change over to the GM fluid or Acura equivalent first which I would think they'd have no problem with.

 

Forgot to ask what was the fluid that is being used now? I see threads that the GM Synchromesh is no longer available so is Amsoil used or does Honda/Acura actually have a new fluid to solve the issue. Want to have this all in hand before calling the service dept. tomorrow.

 

Someone recently reported that Amsoil's product for the TL manual tranny is no where near as good as the GMSFM fluid. You might want to locate this post and read it.

 

Forget BOTH the Amsoil AND the Honda/Acura stuff. If you can't locate the GM fluid, then go with AC Delco's MTFM which is the exact same thing as the the GM.

AC Delco part# 10-4014 / 88900399
.
.

 

Dealership was great to deal with and we agreed to put the AC Delco fluid in first and see how it goes. If it doesn't clear up they said they'll replace the whole trans and not be taking this one apart. Seems like I saw some posts about even new transmissions having the issues as well. That'd be my luck.. lol

 

Sorry if this is a stupid question. I was reading the super long thread about automatic transmissions doing a 3x3 drain/fill and the fluid recommended over there is the Redline racing fluid with no friction modifiers because it slows wear. How is this different since we have manual trannys and we are putting a manual fluid in that is friction modified?

 

Have any of you guys ever tried Royal purple synchromax

 

I read this whole thread, and unless I'm mistaken, it seems like those who have '04 models are not running into this issue as much. Is that a fair assumption or not? I just bought my '04 MT a month ago and haven't seen any sign of these 3rd gear issues yet.

However, it seems wise as a preventive measure to put in the GMSMFM fluid anyway. I've read here and elsewhere that it's not being carried by GM dealers anymore, but I just called my nearest Chevy dealer and they have 6 qts in stock (which I'm going out to buy right now!) Point being, call around first, as you might find it still around. It's $14+ a quart, but I think that's cheap preventive maintenance that's totally worth it in the end, esp given I hope to put 250k+ miles on this car.

 

I was in the same situation with my 08 TL - S and let the dealer talk me into having the TSB done. Car was in the shop for roughly 10 days and problem is 95% gone. Every once in a while I have a issue, but overall very happy after having the TSB done. I've been debating the GM Synchomesh to take care of the other 5%. Oh, and like you - love the car.

 

I'll bump this back up as my car is in the shop now. Apparently Honda Parts Distribution closes for the holidays so they won't be able to do anything until AFTER New Year's?!

What a joke. It's only the 20th of December.

Just picked up the car a week ago too. Go figure.

 

I ordered some GM Friction Mod Trans Fluid last week from http://www.gmpartsonline.net/

At $8.83 per quart and $8 for ups shipping, it makes for a reasonable deal for those looking to order MT fluid.

 

The pdf link on page 1 no longer works, and Google is failing me. Does anyone have a valid link to this TSB? Dealer has been unable to reproduce this issue, but I'm having issues with 3rd gear every day. A post in this thread states that the TSB says it may not be able to be reproduced and the TSB should be performed anyway? I'd like to read it myself.