First off I've read a lot of the threads regarding third gear popping out and like everybody else I thought it was just user error. After making the drive 7 hours home I've taken the time to research it came to the conclusion I wasn't crazy.

Here's my dilemma:

It's an 07 with 66k miles so its desperately close to the drivetrain warranty expiring. The threads I've looked at mentioning the GM fluid fix were dealing with cars (at oldest) half the mileage as mine, so I'm not sure if changing the fluid at this point will help save what is left of the synchros. What should I do? I figure with almost four years of this TSB in existence these techs have become decent at doing fixes.

Who should I look to for advice, the Acura dealer I bought it from 7 hours away from here? (Fuck that, I'm not making that drive again) or the dealership local in indianapolis?

I appreciate the thoughts.

Kyle

 

call the nearest Acura/honda dealer to see if they are cover under powertrain warranty (most likely not because you just dropping by to do a recall service) if not then your final solution is call whatever place you bought the car from and have them perform the work under 30 days warranty (used car protected under state law) or calling Acura regional manager and ask for a free repair. I would let the dealer deal with this issue after all you spend almost $22k for a car not like you spend $2.2k for a car so everything won't be new but should be mechanical perfect.

 

I'd take it to your local Acura dealership to be fixed under warranty. When I bought my 07, it had the same problem and Acura fixed 3rd gear and put in a new clutch. Mine had 58k on it when I bought it. If they're ignorant about it, I'd make the dealership you bought it from (I suspect you got at least 3,000 mile/3 month warranty) and get them to pay for it to be fixed locally.

 

I thought the 07 & 08 TLs had "improved" transmissions ... even an additional 3rd gear switch

 

OP has a 6MT.

I would take it to the dealer and get it fixed. Take advantage of your warranty now before it's too late and your only choice is to use GM fluid or pay to get the transmission fixed down the road.

Sure, there are horror stories of them screwing up the replacement. But even if your car's drivetrain warranty were to expire, the work they've done has a warranty, so just keep bringing it back until it's good. Then swap with GM fluid.

Look on yelp.com and see if that particular dealer has good service dept reviews (you'll have to filter through them to see. many will be regarding sales which can often be negative).

 

Thanks guys, thankfully I live near a few different Acura dealers, when I lived in Southern Oregon there was only 1 within 200 miles.

Is there any verbiage or talk-track that works better than others when working with the service writer to get this fixed?

 

I'm here in Indy and while I've had limited experience with them b/c I do most regular maintenance myself, Ed Martin on 96th street has always provided good service to me....

Also, I have a few extra quarts of the GM fluid if you want to buy them off me and try that route...

 

Awesome, I'll keep that in mind. Thanks!

 

If its popping out of gear you're prolly past fixing it with fluids. Thats a telltale sign of a worn or broken synchro ring. Do whatever you can to get it goodwilled or warrantied, your tranny needs to be rebuilt.

 

Once it's in gear there's no issue with it popping out, solely on a 2-3 shift and only when it's cold.

 

Mine would occasionally pop out of 3rd when I got it. Usually did it about the same, warm or cold. Didn't notice it until weeks after I got the car, and then I assumed it was me doing something wrong. It was odd how most every shift into 3rd was fine, but occasionally it was VERY hard to get into 3rd, or wouldn't fully engage and popped out. Probably did it 3-4 times before I changed the fluid to GM SMFM and it's never done it since. 3rd has about average engagement feel now, 6th is probably the worst out of the bunch, followed by 1st. The shifter practically falls into 4th and 5th. Could be how the previous owner used the car.

However, I did have the car not go into 1st a few weeks ago when it was cold. Never did it since, but it was a bit concerning...

 

put in the GM synchromesh fricition modified fluid. Search on it theres tons of posts.

It fixed my 3rd gear pop out.

 

Ditto. Inexpensive and long-lasting fix. I have 80,000+ miles on the GM Synchromesh Friction Modified fluid, which I changed out once more since 2006 just to be prudent. Not a single bad shift since the original fluid swap.

 

an unused warranty is a wasted warranty imo especially when there's a problem lol. doesnt hurt to try getting it done. Dont understand why people are so against taking it to the dealer for zero out of pocket. GM Fluid should the the last resort if you have a warranty.

 

Alright guys, I've got an appointment tomorrow morning to get it looked at, in the meantime are there any tips I can give to the service tech to maximize the chances of this issue occurring during his test drive? I thought that it was a cold issue only but realized yesterday that this wasn't the case.

With my luck these days it probably won't happen on the drive.

Thanks in advance!

 

There's a TSB that may apply. TSB08-018.

Follow the access instructions in post #1: https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/3g-tl-technical-service-bulletins-tsbs-3g-garage-j-016-a-613659/


Although, in all I've read, it's the GM Synchromesh FM fluid that is the most used and apparently most reliable fix.

 

How often does yours do it? I'd prefer to get the updated gearset rather than 'mask' the issue with the GM SMFM fluid, but I assumed the tech would never experience the issue on a test drive since its rare on my car. And that would mean I'm out a few hours of my time, the $60 diagnosis fee, and I always assume the techs abuse the car on test drives.

Even if they did experience it, I don't know if it would be repaired under warranty, or chalked up to being 'normal'.

Definitely keep us updated as to where this goes. I'd assume it's going to be somewhat dealer specific.

 

I've read the TSB, and my VIN falls within the range I saw in another thread.

It doesn't happen that often, maybe two-three times a day and I drive maybe 40 miles of city driving per day.

 

This one is an easy fix: Always go with the tech. Has the advantage of you discussing, seeing/hearing the problem with the tech.


As far as a 'band aid', some argue the Acura/Honda transmission 'fixes' are the 'band aids' and proper fluid is the fix.

- I can only go by what's reported here; having AT's I don't have direct experience with the MT issues. I have had AT issues though and the collective wisdom here is spot on.

 

Well I dropped my car off this afternoon, hopefully they find the issue. However, the conversation with the service writer had me a little confused.

Me: Hi I'm here to drop my car off

Tech: Okay, I see you're here for an issue with third gear?

Me: Why yes..(I then go on to explain the issue)

Tech: I see, how many miles?

Me: 66,000

Tech: Ah, so you're looking for a goodwill repair or credit?

Me: Well, I'm under warranty

Tech: Well yes, if there's no signs of abuse. (Wtf?)

Me: I just bought the car, there's an open TSB on this exact issue.

Tech: I know, but abused transmissions can do that too.

Me: I don't abuse my cars, it's not because of that. Are you aware it's an issue with these transmissions?

Tech: Oh yeah, I see them all the time.

So wtf are we talking about??

In short, I really hope this goes well. I'm notifying the salesperson of the status with this too as the car has a 3mo/3k warranty from the dealership I bought it from too.

 

I had a similar issue when I dropped my car off for a 'chirping' noise at idle thats caused by a misaligned idler pulley causing the timing belt to rub the block. TSB makes it clear its caused by improperly machined surfaces, which would exist when new and I would assume could be covered under power train. They basically told me no way it would be covered under the warranty, and the thing somehow stopped doing it the day I dropped it off so they didn't even diagnose it. The tech then took the vehicle out for a test drive without my knowledge. All I know is he did hit rev limiter according to my Scangauge. Had to make sure it wasnt making the noise bouncing off rev limiter I presume.

I have read a few horror stories of the replacement 3rd gearset not helping, or screwing up something else in the transmission, and mine rarely even did it. I just changed the fluid and it went away, so it's good enough... I suppose.

 

So I go to the dealership for warranty work and they act like they think I abuse my car. And I'm, like, dude, come on .... do I look like the kind of guy that would abuse his car ....

 

might be an unrelated question, but do you look young? If so, I bet if you were a "fatherly looking" gentleman you probably wouldnt be told that.

either way I agree, it's pretty dumb to not give the benefit of the doubt to the customer if there's a freakin TSB for it. GL.

it's like coming in for that early tire wear TSB and the guy saying "well yeah if that happens if you do hand brake turns or stops"

 

I'm almost 30 and came in wearing a tucked in polo and slacks which is why her comments threw me for a loop. The only mod on the car is a front license plate delete, lol.

I had a modified subaru I traded in for the car, and you wouldn't believe the shit I got every time I had a warranty claim.

 

My 08 6mt has a 'notchy' 3rd gear and definitely gets grinded if you don't put the effort into the shift to 3rd. Thing is, my VIN is not in the range of the TSB so what would that mean?

Also, where would I take my car to get gm synchromesh put in rather than DIY? Any specific shops or would an Acura service dept arrange to do that!

 

call and ask your local dealer. They most likely will not warranty their work if you bring your own fluid and release themselves of liability. It's hit and miss though, i've read some dealers encourage GM while some have never heard of it. YMMV.

if not, take it to a japanese specialist and have them do it. I dont see it costing more than $30 if you bring your own oil.

But just fyi, i have GMFM fluid in my 6mt and the 3rd gear is usually notchy along with 2nd and 6th (you can feel some kind of mechanical gear resistance, especially cold). Seems like its just the way it is. But get GM fluid in yours anyway, it can only help. People usually put it in because their 3rd gear pops out while driving.

see: https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-problems-fixes-114/6mt-still-notchy-after-gmsmfm-792222/

 

Does anyone have any idea how much it would cost to replace the 3rd gear syncro without the warranty? Or replace all of the syncros?

 

Well good news is that my car is getting fixed under warranty. The thing that pisses me off is that I never got a call with the test results or even signed a work order for them to even start. I show up to the dealership because I handn't heard anything all an my car is in pieces. I guess when I dropped it off last night they had taken it for the drive and ordered the fix kit soon after. They pulled out the trans this morning and got it rebuilt by the time I got there. I pick it up tomorrow afternoon. I'll let you guys know how it goes.

 

Hope it works out.

 

Picked up my car today and they did a fantastic job fixing it. Shifts smooth!