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New to the forum. I picked up 06 TSX A/T a couple of weeks ago. The car is in great shape 118K on the clock (with maintenance history), but there's a high pitched transmission or diff whine. Symptoms:
1. Happens >30 MPH 2-5 gear
2. Not too loud, won't hear it: if A/C is on max or music is on, or driving on a concrete highway, but still noticeable otherwise. The hotter the louder
3. Probably loudest in 5th gear when coasting
4. High pitched, almost like whistling or old phone ringing
5. Happens under load only, depress the gas pedal and it disappears
6. Car shifts great, no other tranny issues otherwise
I drained the fluid today and there's a bit of metal in there. Not outrageous, but more than I expected. Those shavings are not powder and can definitely be felt, probably a fraction of a millimeter
Here're my questions:
If you were in a similar situation, how many miles did you get out
of your transmission?
Anyone found a way to prolong tranny's life with this issue? Fluid/filter replacement goes without saying. Anything else I am missing?
Not a good sign, for sure. What did the magnet, at the inside end of the drain plug look like. Other than, some Very Minute Silver Grayish material, affixed to the magnet, IMO would be abnormal. If, those particles, at the bottom of the drain pan, are all small fragments of metal, that transmission, has a VERY serious issue. As far as prolonging that transmission's life, it appears, the damage, has already, and is continuing to occur. I can't think of any way to prolong it!
The magnet looked fine and the car shifts fine. I realize something is wearing out. I searched through the forum and it seems there’s a lot of people with similar whining sound. Anyone ever drained their transmission oil and looked at it?
Thinking out loud here. What are my options?
1. Make it a science experiment. Drive as is. Change fluid and filters and see how long it lasts. Start saving money for a rebuild.
2. Sell it. Being on the receiving end now, I realize how much this sucks though.
3. Rebuild professionally. That's probably at least 3 grand, maybe more.
4. Swap it myself. Need to find a reputable place that remans these transmissions.
FWIW: IMO, no need for a reman. unit. Used, low mileage, "ie" 17K, 21K, 29K transmissions, for your car, are relatively inexpensive, "ie" in the $300-500 price range. (car-part.com). I would search for one, with a 3, or 6 mo.warranty! If U were in a position, to swap it yourself, that would be the least expensive way to go. It would probably cost in the $600 range, to have a professional shop, do the exchange. If the car is as you describe, and you like it, otherwise, seems to me, repairing it would be the way to go. With that much shrapnel, in it's system, I wouldn't invest any money, in experimenting! Cheers
Last edited by frankjnjr; 07-02-2018 at 11:18 AM.
Reason: add comment
Thanks that's helpful. I am not a professional mechanic but do my own repairs. I looked up the transmission swap instructions and it shouldn't be too bad, but I will be doing it the first time. Will have to learn as I go.
May be a good idea, to solicit advice, on this Forum, from others, who have done this exact repair. Such a person, or persons, could alert you, to the (TRICKS) involved, so you are more aware of what problems, you might encounter, before you encounter them.
It's the transmission, I had a 04 TSX that exhibited the same symptoms you are hearing now too. My car did shift fine for a while but the noise got louder and the tranny eventually went out. As for your case, seeing metal shavings is a tell tale sign the transmission is on the way out. Given the age and mileage on these vehicle, I would probably recommend you get a used tranny. I had a local repair shop locate me a used one for $1200 + another $1000 in labor. Honda ATF Fluid added another $100.
This trans does have an inline filter. It's a PITA to change but it "might" make a difference with your transmission. My 2012 TL V6 actually had a TSB (technical service bulletin) to change the inline filter because it can get clogged and limit fluid low. Incidentally its the same filter for all my cars (2012 TL, 2008 TSX, and 2004 Accord) so I keep one on hand in my garage. It's sits on top of the transmission and I had to remove the air filter box to gain access. I also utilized special hose clamp pliers.
For a 2006 see here, item 4: https://www.acurapartsforless.com/au...-atf-pipe-scat
Were you able to discover your problem? I have 135k miles on my TSX, just like yours shifts and drives with no issues. no metal shavings in the fluid. However, under load at low speeds 0-30mp/h (or at least up to when i can physically hear) i can hear this weird sound, i would compare it to a bearing or other rotating part coming off the transmission area or engine bay. as soon as i let go off the gas pedal it stops, i can hear it when i shift manually, or if i go on a downhill and just let the car go on its own. Anyways, it is annoying , and i have no clue what is causing it. I hope you figured out your problem.
07-02-2018, 12:10 AM
