So I sold my 02 cl today. Don't gotta worry about auto tranny... yes!

So now need to get another vehicle..used. I've had my eye on the TL and G35 from 04 to 06 model years. Both with MTs. Got more interest in acura because of the sexy.

So now I'm thinking well.... honda was good to me besides the tranny... now I'll get MT and it will be bulletproof. Well then I read about the 3rd gear issue. Now I don't know what to do. Anything I buy will be out of warranty and sure I could get a 30/30 warr from acura for $1650... but damn... not again!

 

I dont have a MT, but it's my understanding that if you put in some good high quality transmission fluid, it helps with that 3rd gear issue.

 

Right. I've read about the GM Synchromesh fluid. But I've also read the negative side. Does anyone know
#1 About what percent of the MT TLs have this issue?
#2 If the TSB has already been done for the 3rd gear issue, am I solid?
#3 How much would an out of pocket repair cost if there is no dealer goodwill?

 

Full synchro replacement is about $850 at the dealer.

 

any MT that has had the fluid changed to the new one won't have this issue, but the issue has only been severe in only one instance I've seen on acurazine in 4 years, and then too it was an inexperienced tech taking the car out for a test drive and 3rd gear popped out, he looked down and hit a concrete barrier...

If the TSB has been done, you are good to go! But if there is an issue, just drain and refill the trans with GM Synchromesh Friction Modified Manual Transmission Fluid!

 

I had the 3rd gear issue. Before I went in for warranty work, I gave the newly formulated Honda MTF a try. At exactly the 1000 mile mark, the problem returned. That's when I sent the car to Acura with a copy of the TSB. I figured I would give that a try first since it was still under warranty. They followed the TSB (which simply replaces the old parts with the same parts so no updates), and the car's been great ever since.

If the car had the problem and was not under warranty, I would DEFINITELY give the GM Synchromesh FM a try first. It's cheap and did fix the same issue for me in my wife's 03 Element with 85k miles. It's been documented again and again that this fluid makes all the difference in the world. I know that if I ever start getting stiff shifts in any of my cars, I won't hesitate to by the GM stuff.