2011 TL SH-AWD/Tech - Transmission fluid mystery?

First observation: In the morning starting the car I hear some light noise for about a couple of seconds after that the noise disappears. I could not pin-point where the noise came from.

3 days later the noise is still there, I check the transmission fluid level, Whoa fluid all the way down, just little bit left. The dealer did a transmission flush at 19800 miles upon my request, today I have 26000 miles.

So after 6200 miles the vehicle consumes transmission fluid like mad, I checked the car nowhere one leak. (I’m not aware that a transmission can consume fluid at all, if you wait too long the fluid can discolor and you might be overdue for a flush that’s about it.) (Btw. no burned smell)

Strangely the transmission was behaving normal smooth, no jerking or noise once driving.

The dealer drained the rest of the fluid and refilled to the right level. I asked for a sample of the drained fluid (will ship to Blackstone for an analysis).

All other fluids where checked and everything normal. The noise in the morning by start-up is gone. In my opinion the transmission was starving fluid.

My dealership is top with an excellent service department which is a good thing.

Nevertheless, I try to understand what happened? Some input very welcome.

 

^^^^
No transmission wizards around that can shed any light on this.

Thank you

 

I am no transmission wizard even though I have had 2 failures with 3rd gen TL tranny and 7th gen accord tranny... the BAYA kind that was so messed up with seriously bad quality friction material that was literally dissolving. So, I am scared sh*t when I read about tranny issues.

Here are a few thoughts:

Don't assume that the service tech didn't mess up and forgot that 3rd quart LOL.

Assuming it was one of those 3x drain and refill and no machines were used (hope not!), maybe some oil passage got blocked by metal trimmings. Maybe there is enough oil in there but the reading at the dip stick position is wrong. So its not consuming oil, just the reading is wrong.

A 4th drain-refill may fix it, or kill it LOL. I believe there is a filter, under the battery tray, maybe worth spending a few dollars changing that one too. Doing a drain and refill of the cooler may be an option too (just to make sure passages are cleared).

Best time to check the oil, or actually the only reliable way, is dead cold before you start it in the morning. Other times, when the engine is warmed up or semi-cold, etc, it may be misleading.

Just some thoughts.

 

Mystery solved - they never filled it back to the correct level. You never checked it, you assumed it was correct.

 

I checked it, believe you me; I check everything Gremlins included!

Mystery remains!

 

One idea is to drain it again and see if you get back ~ 3 liters.

Other thought, perhaps, they filled it up with the new ATF for the TLX's or some other freakish oil... but I doubt they are so idiotic to do that. Check the work order papers.

 

6200 miles ago the work order states 4 QTY 08200 - 9008A Fluid (ATF DW-1)

At the present time they drain it and refilled it, the fluid on the dipstick looks at its normal level now between lower and high marker 90 seconds after shutting down the car, as the manual states how to measure.

 

Oh you won't believe how many times I have left a service shop of a dealership and drove straight to the first parking lot or gas station I could find to check out things myself.

In any case, keep an eye on the dip stick. That transmission is waaay to expensive to replace.

 

Following your thread. I feel pretty strongly that the technician did not properly fill the transmission when you had it serviced. The only way to lose transmission fluid is that it must leak out and you said you have no evidence of a leak. Trans fluid, unlike engine oil, can't disappear via leaking piston rings, leaking valve seals, or being sucked into the intake from a faulty PVC valve. The tranny is just a fancy hydraulic pump. It does not consume fluid.

Ensure it is filled correctly and monitor weekly to make sure you don't have a leak you haven't found yet.

 

Indeed, I know how a tranny works that's why I named it a Mystery. Thank you.

 

You bumped your own thread because you didn't get a response in less than 12 hours? And that's overnight.

 

I don't understand why you don't check the dealership's work on your car while it is still sitting in their driveway?

I check their work right there. I walk around the car, I pop the hood, I look at dip stick levels, I get on my hands & knees to look at the car. I don't care if the service writer is following me as I do it. If they did the work I paid for, without any extra damage, than I go on my way.

 

^ you need to drive the car for a few minutes to "feel" and see if anything falls apart. So far so good ... except that one time I drove off a Honda dealership parking lot and the left front caliper top bolt fell off... so yeah need to drive the car a bit to listen, see, smell, touch, etc.

(lucky me, my local acura techs are probably the best there is)

PS. looking forward to updates from the OP, since if this is a serious issue it may appear on other TLs too, if not, I guess all good.

 

Would you describe the noise you heard as a gurgle? or perhaps a chirp? the ATF filter is well known for causing a strange noise on cold start once they are clogged.

 

See, I thought you were around!

 

The noise was very indistinct, lasted maybe a second.