Yes its another one of those great threads...

Started changing the tranny fluid with Redline D4 about 4-5K miles ago (which I completed all drain and fills about 1K ago), and I've also changed the pressure switches too. I'm not getting a flare which I think is when the rpms jump up, but I am getting what I think is called a shudder going from 1st to 2nd. There's also a horrible delay when decelerating and then accelerating again. Oh yea the car has about 146K on it.

So how long has your car lasted once you started noticing signs? I have a internship that has a 30min drive each day and I'm afraid its going to die on the highway.

 

Doesn't sound good, but I know very little about this. We will certainly need to know the year of your car though. I'm guessing 04 or 05.

 

It's an 04. I want to say the symptoms started last weekend when shifting from 1st to 2nd I would feel a vibration which I sure isn't good. Then today when driving home I came to a stop then made a left turn up a slight incline and there was a bad delay when shifting from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd.

I'm assuming a new tranny is about 2500-3000 if I get it done at the stealership? I want to have some kind of warranty on the tranny.

Edit: I also want to mention that I've noticed when shifting from 1st to 2nd around 5-10mph the car lunges forward and I don't believe it was this bad before.

 

^ I have the same issue with 1-2 shift on my 02 CLS with a 2008 era trans. so far it has lasted me about 66K miles. Just replaced pressure switch for 4th due to some issues related to it. Original was replaced due to a Internal AT malfunction code at 71K miles.... I change my fluid every other oil change and it has never turned dark on me.

 

which fluid do you use?

 

stock, I don't think it makes any difference as to the transmission living or dying imho....

 

I agree with you, just being curious... So I checked the dip stick for the ATF and it's just above the 2nd hole will that play apart in problems with the tranny? (after the drain and fill I checked it and it was below the 2nd hole guess not)

I'm going to switch out the pressure switches again. Even though it may be on its way out I don't think the tranny is shifting correctly maybe due to the switches and too much fluid in the tranny? Good thing I have money saved up for when it goesss.

 

anyone?

 

Meh. I just completed my 3rd drain & refill with D4/Lightweight/Racing. I checked my fluid level before the drain and it was a tiny bit above the second notch - maybe 1cm. I don't imagine that it would be an issue, but I'm no expert.

My plan if my trans fails? Switch over to 6M/T

 

Doing a full drain is risky cause the clutches wear in the transmission and then gum up all the orfices. U may have replaced the switches but that doesn't
T mean jack if all the lines inside are caked with clutch material which interferes with the pressure going to the switches and then u get intermittent actuation of the sensors and switches which is likely ur problem... Or it's the actual clutches themselves.

When I got my trans rebuilt he disassembled everything and cleaned and tested every single component.. The switches on the trans are actually extremely reliable and usually the problem is physically in the transmission.


I fixed all my issues with the levelten.com rebuild kit for 500. Don't put shity acura clutches in a car that has know heat issues in the trans.. Put clutches in that are made for he heat... Then ur set... Like me. I tow with my CL now lol. Going on 70000 miles on that rebuild to and it hauls ass

 

How much did it cost it get everything rebuilt? Or did you do it yourself? I read it cost more to rebuild the tranny than just getting one swapped it. So i'm not entirely sure what I'll do at this point maybe clean the filters??? I did notice metal shavings on the drain plug everytime I did a drain and fill (3x3).

 

For the shudder, I would double check your side engine mount. It was causing shuddering on my 07 58k TL when going from 2nd to 3rd gear.

 

Thanks for the info but I'm pretty sure its good to go. It looks as if the last owner replaced it but I have a feeling the rear mount is bad. Hard to want to replace other parts when the tranny shifts like shit.

 

Bad delay when shifting from 1st to 2nd is not going to be fixed or influenced by 3rd and 4th P-switches.

Pressure switches are reliable in as far as they close and open, how most repairers test them (no p-switch code), however they are not reliable in the fact that they drift out of tolerance and will then slowly destroy your clutch packs.

 

Called Acura yesterday and got a quote for a new manufactured tranny w/ Torque converter from Acura (they said) and it'll cost around $5,000 for everything before taxes. Comes with a 3yr 36,000 mile warranty which is not even worth it when I paid $7,000 for the car. I'm getting a quote from Honda on Monday but think there just quoting me for the Transmission. So far they told me 850 for labor and comes with a 5yr 50,000 warranty. How can I tell if I should replace the torque converter too? Or is it just safe to replace both?

 

Lol I got mine done for 2 gs with the level ten clutch kit... Acura is a rip off..


They just put in the same components that will fail and they rape your wallet at the same time


Get a transtar tq converter... Do no got through the dealer they are thieves...

Get a transmission specialists to tear it down, clean all the lines and switches out, throw in the level ten.com clutch kit which comes with all the o ring, seals u need. Then add a trans cooler.



My genuine acura rebuild lasted me 26000 kms


This trans I am on now is at almost 110000 kms and I now tow with the CL too!

As a matter of fact the guy who did my trans called me up last week to ask me what parts we put in my trans cause he's got another guy who is burning through trannys. So I saved his ass too

 

I'm assuming your talking about a auto transmission. Could you elaborate more on this level ten clutch kit, transtar torque converter and where to get it from? Is this a rebuild kit? Is it made for TLs?

I'm obviously going to run this tranny into the ground but it's good to have something setup once it goes.

Thanks!

 

Go on levelten.com. They sell the rebuild kit for 498.00

They also sell now a super dooper tq converter for another 500.

The transtar tq converter is just a really good brand of oem equivalent tq converters... You give them your as a core charge and then they give u a new transtar one.

The tq converter u can get at most local places that sell tq converters.

But listen there is no point in rebuilding if the trans is not fully dismantled and clean meticulously. The cleaning is just as important than anything. The clutches fail and all that debris clogs up all the orfices that give pressure to the switches... All ur switches are useless without having a clean passageway. So make sure whoever rebuild it is taking their time and is making sure everything is mint when reassembling.

 

This is good info! I'll have to search for good transmission shops around the area, only thing I'm worried about is not getting some kind of warranty from the shop who does the install because THEY didn't get the part. How's the difference with this kit installed?

 

^ I would just go to level10.com and/or transstar.com and check out those sites. I just checked out the Level10 site and am very impressed with their components, prices and ease of finding information. The transstar site is extremely complicated in comparison trying to find what you need for your acura- you wind up having to page through multiple PDF files to get your answer. The nice things about transstar is they have a nationwide presence instead of only a New Jersey presence for Level10.


I would personally get a level10 kit and level10 TC to simplify things.

 

I would keep a fair distance away from any level10 products

 

Care to elaborate?

 

There are a lot of bad reviews out there from plenty of other forums. Have to google search level 10 transmission reviews.

 

Well this just complicates everything again.. Any links to these reviews? I'm going to call a place in Illinois that specializes in Honda and Acura called "The Pit Shop Garage" and see what they say. I'm not paying $5000+ to get this fixed I'd rather sell the car (Obviously tell the people what's wrong with it) then buy a manual. After this I'm not buying anymore late model Honda auto's, only manual Although I did have a bad experience with my 03 rsx type s with the tranny case cracking.

Anyone care to share good experiences, seems like CL-S Progression has had a good experience with the kit.

 

When I got the kit installed it was noticeable different in shifting. 1-2 was almost not by cause it grabs so damn hard... That smoothed out eventually as the clutches wore in. But 2-3 is insane. It shift so hard and fast. I will have to post a video so u guys understand, it may be hard to convey tho on there rpm gauge or speedo, but I will give it a whirl and throw it online so you guys can see.

Levelten was in a lawsuit a few years ago which pretty much destroyed their reputation. That was because of work they did, not cause their product to me recollection..


Anyhow I did more than a bit of research before I spent 200 on express shipping to get them here to put in my car....

It takes years to build a reputation and u lose it overnight just remember. U gotta read through all the bs sometimes... Anyways, it has been the single most gratifying and lifesaving thing I have ever done to the CL.... Contrary to what every single acuraziner told me I did it. and look who's laughing now lol

The funniest part is everyone says to not do it yet they have no clue what they are talking about cause they have never seen anyone get their car done with levelten parts. I find it odd that people have such strong opinions on things that have not been done. Which is why I wonder how ppl hate on the kit and opt to swap in a whole other transmission, which is much more work lets be honest. And then u still need to rebuild the sucker

 

This is good insight, although I really know the in's and out's of a tranny. I do remember reading in another thread where someone had a problem with their tranny and a member recommended Levelten I can't remember who it has. I'll have to call around and get estimates on rebuilding a tranny once mine goes out. Hoping that its not too expensive for labor...

 

My trans died on me at 84k

 

What route did you go? Swap trannies or rebuild? What symptoms were you having before it died? How long did it last once the symptoms started?

 

Well I was quoted $4000-4300 for a new transmission w/ torque converter 3yr 100,000. The auto shop said they use remanu trannies from Jasper there suppose to be better than Acura's trannies. May have to bite the bullet and go with the repair, sucks because I have an 04 w/ 146k, just doesn't sound reasonable. They also said they don't do rebuilds due to the fact that it usually doesn't end well with these transmissions. May end up selling it.

 

^ Find a Honda shop, that that guy just told you is that they do not know how to properly rebuild the 5at...

 

The thing is this place specializes in Honda and Acura, and from what I've research its a well reputable shop. When I spoke to the guy he sounded like he knew what he was talking about. I know some guys on the forum have taken their car here.

http://pitshopgarage.com/

Are you talking about a Honda dealership that services? Or just a Honda auto shop?

 

4 grand for a rebuild is insane, I would have sold me car if that was my only option.

 

Totally with you on that one. I bought Acura for it's perceived reliability. These bulletproof cars are supposedly supposed to go past 250k. Yea tranny are wear parts I know, I know. But this is a known problem Acura doesn't want to acknowledge in the 3G. In my case I am the original owner and yes the car was well maintained. So to expect the tranny to last until 200k is not unreasonable.

I'm done with any Honda automatics. Never again.

 

Hey CL-S, that tranny rebuild kit looks interesting. But most of the problem is finding a reputable shop that knows what they're doing. The tranny swap is at that $5k level, I was shocked when quoted the same. I agree, don't trust the dealer. But how do you trust a tranny shop? We have Aamco here in the US which are known crooks.

The advantage with the Acura swap is that warranty without a hassle at an Acura. But that price is hard to swallow. I wouldn't mind spending half of that, that is what it normally costs in an average car.

 

Well the end is very very near lol After work I hit so much traffic which was not good for the tranny at all. While I was sitting on a hill in second and started going and the car was just shaking as it was moving forward. Seemed like it would catch then release and then catch and release but pretty quickly. I would say it's pretty similar to a car that is real low on gas giving that chug motion. I'm sure it's going to die pretty soon.

Funny thing is I haven't read anyone describe these types of things. I've read people just hit the gas and the rpms would just shoot up.

 

Also is there any way or signs to tell that it could be the torque converter? Anyone knowledgable in this department please chime in. I'm taking the car to Honda tomorrow to get it looked at I can't waste anymore time as I need this car to get to work in. Might have to bite the bullet and send it in for a swap.

 

they can be rebuilt and they can last but the shop has to use the most recent version of the external case and remove the internal screen filter(s). There are also, depending upon unit, valve body modifications that can be done to ensure proper operation. If honda wants this transmission to live, they need to reprogram the ecm to provide firmer shifts and enlarge the cooling passages for better lubracation to the clutch packs.

 

^^^ I would go the rebuild route but in all honesty I think its a bit risky and I don't have the time to research shops and their creditability. I wish I could just do it in my garage but I don't have the knowledge for that.

As I read more and more about the torque converter it seems that this one of the major reasons why the transmissions go bad. My hope is that it is the torque converter that needs to be replaced and that it didn't cause to much damage to the tranny. I'll update tomorrow once the guy at honda takes a look at it.

 

Well on the way to the dealership the car took a shit so currently waiting for it to get towed. Great start to my day.

 

I only would bring my car to a place that so done else has had work done on their car and had a good story to tell...

For me I just went to acura one day... Bitched about some noise my brakes were making... Got there most knowledgeable mechanic to come for. Ride with me cause he always works on CL/TLs and then were went for a drive. He explained what the noise was and we started talking about modding the car.

Then I asked if he ever does work on the side and said hell yes... Then I got his number.

When my trans went he gave me the number of HIS mentor who is a insane master mechanic and that is the only guy who has ever touched my trans... And he does it in his garage in the boonies.

It's a bit h to get my car their. 45 min drive or tow. But once it's their my blood pressure drops to a very healthy level.

I have only had two people ever work on my car.when I go to my local acura to get Anything done that I cannot do like find my evap cel issue, or flush the brake fluid... Only my buddy al at acura is allowed to work on it. Haha

IMHO. The less people that touch your car the less that is likely going to go wrong. And we both just help each other out with stuff. Like I'm helping him install a pool liner for his dad's house and in return I will be getting some free work done on my car.

So if I could give your guys any advice it would be to find a way to get a reputable acura specific mechanic in your phonebook. Because my car has been worked on more than Michael Jackson was and never have I run I to problems because of it.

And on top of all that u save a shit ton on da monies