jwoods4290

Hello everyone!

First, let me introduce myself, I am a new member to your forum and stating the obvious, I've always been in absolute love with the TL (especially with these years!). I've owned a Acura Integra (Still have it) and besides rust problems, I've sold myself to stick with Honda's and Acura. With this being said, I'm looking to purchase my first TL. There is a major concern of mine so please if anyone could help, it would be of much relief.

So I've been speaking with someone about their TL (who is the seller) and the TL is a 04, at 169K (Is this considered alot for this car?) and it's a 6 speed manual. Besides an O2 sensor that needs to be replaced, my major concern is, he mentioned it could have transmission problems but I figured I would come here and ask. this is what was said quote and unquote.

" it jams a little bit on 4th gear that's all, when I asked him a question he responded with " not neccessarily a jam it makes a certain sound on 4th gear like it's CLACKING"


I'm unsure of what to think. I've tried to look it up and I couldn't find anything at all. If one of you guys could, please help me out here , I'm ready to get my dream car!


John Anthony

nfnsquared

There's a known issue with 3rd gear (not 100% manifested) that is covered by a TSB. Are you sure he said 4th gear? At any rate, this would be a major concern. I'd investigate further...

169K for an '04 is not a lot of miles. Why didn't he replace the 02 sensor already? I'd definitely drive it and pull codes just to be sure there isn't something else going on.

Also, for the 6MT, GM synchromesh fluid has worked wonders. No guarantee it will fix this issue, but it's worth a try. I'd ask him to do a drain and fill and see if it helps.

jwoods4290

Thank you for your quick reply and hopefully you can help me out a bit more . I'm going to see the car today at some point and truly see how it feels. From our conversation, he doesn't seem to be much of a car junkie so to speak, very blunt. The one positive thing about this is, I got him to drop it from 3500 to 2000. Would you still recommend the deal?

Also, he re-assured me it was 4th gear. he said there was no rejecting the gear but just a noise or "clacking" from what he said. From the sound of it, it seems like the flush would be of great use or fix. Please let me know your opinion and what should I really be feeling for when driving. Thank you.

nfnsquared

$2000? That would ring alarm bells for me....

Jackass

My '05 has "oddities" with gears other then 3rd....but nothing like a "clacking" sound. My 2nd and 6th are difficult to engage sometimes, especially when cold. But they do not clank, clack, or make any sound, you just can't get it into gear as easy as expected at times. It has been this way since I bought it with 44k miles and I am now sitting around 155k miles. GM juice helped, but didn't 100% resolve my issues.

Any transmission that makes noises when shifting should be a concern. Drive it, listen to it, and inspect the crap out of it. If it comes down to it, go price out replacement used transmissions and be prepared for the worst.

dap0901

Agreed with all above. Get it checked out by your Mechanic or the Stealership. I have an 04 6MT with 180k. Only issue was 3rd gear but GM fluid fixed it. Shifts are smooth and predictable.

csmeance

sounds like bad synchro's on 4th

Maxfli24

I can only speak for my recent experience with my 04 TL. Purchased it 16 months ago with 165K and currently have 189K. After purchasing it I noticed what seemed to be "slipping" or a "hesitation" going into 3rd gear. First few places I visited went immediately to replacing the tranny, but after reading hear went with just a drain and fill. Found a shop that agreed with that approach and went there, no problems since. As good of a price as you're getting, that would scare me as well, but it also gives to wiggle room to make some repairs as well. Best of luck!

SayItAintTom

Why do you tolerate that crap? Why dont you get a new clutch or something?

6spdwrx

It jammed 3rd gear really badly. I don't know how many times I'd missed 3rd gear. Sometimes it happened twice a day.

Jackass

Why would I? In over 7 years and 100K miles later, it hasn't really changed behavior. When the clutch dies...then I will deal with it. If it was every day, on every shift...then I would have probably looked into it more.

JasonK

I'd say take the 3500$ off get it inspected and save it for when you need a manual tranny or new clutch.

anx1300c

iTrader: (2)

This.

jwoods4290

So I managed to buy it from him for about 1500 ( We had title issues and all so I told em that is the best I can do, he just bought a 2010 Mercedes and was fed up) so, it sits in my driveway rght this second.



This is what I will say. Sometimes, I also have a problem putting it in reverse. It's like it doesn't accept it or doesn't feel like it's fully in reverse. With fourth gear, I'm trying to not drive the car by any means until I can have it looked at but yeah, when in park, it has no problem with shifting into it but on the test run, a complete grind throughout the gear and in.

Let me know your opinions.

nfnsquared

Well, assuming the title is indeed clear and the car (other than the transmission) is in fair to good condition, I'd say you stole it. Worst case is rebuilding the tranny which should cost way less than the difference between $1500 and the book value of a 2004 6Mt in fair/good condition.

If I were you, I'd grab 3 qts of the GM fluid (do a search to be sure you get the right part #) and do a drain and fill ASAP. Run that and see what happens. Might cost you ~$20-$35 for the fluid...

anx1300c

iTrader: (2)

Damn, you stole it. Off to jail!

+1 on the GM Syndomesh fluid. Can't hurt to try, but it still sounds like a 4th gear syncro issue.

nfnsquared

And just to give the OP some hope, the TSB for 3rd gear was due to a faulty 3rd gear synchronizer or 3-4 shift sleeve. Several Azine members found that GM SM fluid resolved that issue without having to have the TSB done

042

$1,500? I couldn't even find one with blown engine or transmission...or maybe even both for that much around here.

I'll give you $1,750 for it.

BassMekanikdB

me either. i bought mine (04 TL 6MT) for $5k and put a junkyard motor in it for $2600. that included replacing timing belt, water pump & whatnot.