DisgustipatedAP1

Hi,

Recently found a TL 6 speed I'm interested in. Owner says that after having the clutch replaced at 90k miles, the AAMCO he had it done at said that the reason his 3rd gear clicks and grinds is because the teeth need to be replaced (on the countershaft I'm guessing), similar to THIS thread:

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-performance-parts-modifications-112/mt-3rd-gear-failure-fixing-pics-788731/

AAMCO quoted $700. I can get the guy to go to $9000 for the car because he said he needs the money for his business. Question is, would it be worth buying the car for that much if I need to spend $700 to fix that? Kinda wary of this, but if it's only a $700 fix it's not a big deal. Hell, I'd even drop a new transmission into it if I had to.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

your s2k didnt have the grinding issue?

Most honda's have the 3rd gear grind or popout.
this applies to several platforms; the s2k, civic si, 3rd gen TL, 4th gen TL, 1st gen TSX, and so on.

we have came up with a fix.
We change out the Manual Transmission Fluid from the Honda MTF to GM Syncromesh friction modified.

the GM stuff is just a better fluid all around and MOST of the times it cures the 3rd gear.(It worked for me. My mom could always tell something was fishy about 3rd gear when I got my car. After the fluid change, She noticed it was smoother and not popping out any more.)

if the gears are FUBAR'd then you would have to get them changed out.

but you wont know unless you try the GM magic juice.



So, to answer your question......9k is cheap for the car. try the magic juice, first. its only about 60 dollars. Then if the gears are too fucked up, you might need to change out the gears.

in reality, $700 dollars is relatively cheap.
I've spent over $2k in one year for maintenance and MODS.(this includes changing out the clutch, brakes, etc.)

csmeance

Your problem can be easily fixed with the GM Manual Transmission Fluid. As well if you are still not satisfied with the fix, Acura had a TSB out for the replacement of the 3rd gear set b/c of the popping/grinding and most dealers will try to get it good-willed for you.

However beware that dealers love to mess other things up when they take apart a 6spd. transmission like loosing reverse or having other gears not work properly.

HighRevving

Man this seller is one honest guy! I hope his business takes off and prospers.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^tranny and clutch are two different things.

its very possible that the clutch is new, and the gear teeths are messed up.

DisgustipatedAP1

No, my S2000 has never had any gear problems. It's an 02 AP1 with 64k miles. I think the TL has sold, so I guess this is a moot point anyways. It's so hard to find a nice TL 6 speed.

$2k isn't too much to spend on mods and maintenance. I just finished selling $8k worth of modifications I had on my S2000, so it'll be nice to have a car that I'll only spend maybe $1-2k modifying.

DisgustipatedAP1

Found the guy's phone number, he still has it! I'll be checking it out.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

Nice, keep us updated.!!!!!

EATSLEEPRACE

iTrader: (1)

post pics of the car!

JTS97Z28

iTrader: (4)

GM synchromesh removed any and all 3rd gear issues in both TL 6mt's I have owned. Shifted like brand new cars the second I changed the fluid. Best thing you can do to a 6mt TL hands down.

Absolutely do not let a glitchy 3rd gear issue steer you away from a nice TL 6mt because 90% of the time the fluid will fix the problem completely. I suppose if the problem went long enough yes the synchros will be messed up, but thats not something you can tell very easily until you drive the car or change out the fluid and see how it is.

James

DisgustipatedAP1

Cool, thanks guys. I'll be going to look at it tomorrow. I'm going to offer the guy $9k by telling him I'll have to fix the front bumper (slight scruff on it), the transmission $700-1500 (assuming GM Synchromesh FM+ doesn't fix it), and that I'll have to replace the shocks (I'm anal about suspension, comes with being an S2000 owner, so I'll be putting on some nice Koni Yellows because at 80-100k, replacing shocks is a great idea...)

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

good job on the koni yellows!
any idea what springs you want to pair it with?

of course, we're getting ahead of ourselves.

kimosupreme

Hi All,

i am a newbie and I just purchased an 05 TL 6spd and the owner told me that he had this 3rd gear issue and he took it to the dealer a while back and they couldn't find the issue so they just topped up the tranny fluid, but didnt fix the issue. before selling it to me he told me that he had found the service bulletin but as it was intermittent, he didnt bother fixing it since he just learned to deal with it. He had been driving it for a few years like this and since he always made sure to shift carefully/make sure it didnt pop out, he never heard the grinding.

I called the local acura dealer this morning and they said they wouldn't do the service on it since its out of warrenty and will likely want to charge a ton of money as its a 2 day job.

do you see an issue here that could affect the tranny eventually?
what should i do? just do the GM stuff you guys explained above?

thank you

ez12a

Well if you're not grinding then little wear is occurring.

Try the fluid, it only costs ~14 a quart (i think you need 3), and is a much cheaper alternative than getting the trans rebuilt.

kimosupreme

thanks ez12a.

has anyone posted instructions on how to do this? i am still getting used to the site and couldn't find anything.

Scottwax

Common problem with '02/03 6 speed Maximas too (3rd gear crunch) and a lot of times, a fluid change takes care of it.

I would definitely not take it to AAMCO, read up on them, shady business practices, half-assed work, etc. Find a good independent mechanic who specializes in Hondas and Acuras.