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Maintenance & Repair Transmission Traumas?
2411 messages, Last post on Dec 04, 2009 at 1:19 PM
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| Have any of you folks heard about possible problems with Acura Automatic Transmissions? I was warned by a car wholesale buyer that they avoid high mileage Acuras, because they could get stuck with a big $ repair. I am curious, because I am in the process of maybe buying a Honda Odyssey, which may or may not have the same trans as the Acura...??? Thanks, 917 | |
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I am confused. My owners manual does not say I have to change tranny fluid unless severe driving. Should I change it anyway at 40,000 miles? Thanks INKY |
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| I am thinking of buying a 92 Mazda MPV. The owner says she had the transmission replaced at the dealer. Does this mean it's fixed, or might I have continual trouble with it? I haven't heard really good things about the MPV transmission on this site. | |
| I have a 94 ford taurus that the transmission went out on at 58000 miles. The warranty covered it which I was happy with. I bought a 95 v6 mustang with another automatic transmission and now I'm told that ford has a lot of problems with their transmissions. Is this true? Will I have the same kind of problems with the mustang since It't a rear wheel drive? I was also thinking about a used explorer. Would it also have the same problems. Is there a solution to the transmission problem? | |
| In the matter of fact Ford do have problem with their front wheel drive transmission. On the older cars it is worse, because of possible leaks from the seals, cooling lines. If you stuck with older Ford - the only reasonable thing to do is keep an eye on the fluid level - not only in tranny, but in power steering and radiator. In my old Merqury Gran M I had to top off every 2-3 days until I sold sucker to unsuspected stranger. Police cars olso having tranny problems, but they just got budget for it. When you buy Ford you buy more luxury features but not a longer lusting car. | |
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gchernya1. My experience with an 87 Taurus was: a leaking transmission fluid hose led to fluid loss and a friend tranmission. Of course, this happened within a few months of my having paid for the car. So my experience reflects yours. I would disagree that the only course of action is to check the fluid level daily, however. Replacing the hose (and probably metal line) and transmission pan seal is a reasonable course to take, too. Interestingly, I did not feel any transmission slippage until I went to accelerate from a dead stop - all highway driving that day, until then. I have now adopted the habit of checking all fluid levels the morning of any highway trip. I'm also driving a GM now with a "bulletproof" 3.1L V6 and 3spd auto, and pampering it. |
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I have had some experience with Acuras -- I've owned two 1987 Integras with automatic transmissions. I sold one six months ago at 126K miles and still have the other one at 89K miles. Both transmissions are still strong and in good shape. However, they are both clunky in shifting, particularly from R to 1st and 1st to 2nd, and have been for many thousands of miles. My research and reading confirms that Honda and Acura automatic transmissions do tend to be clunky in shifting, but they are durable. The Honda/Acura manual transmissions, however, are both snick-snick wonderful and durable. Did the wholesale buyer you spoke to specifically say the problem was transmission failure? One reason some buyers may avoid high mileage Acuras/Hondas is due to the need to replace the timing belt at regular 60k intervals. The Honda/Acura engines are OHC engines with very little clearance between the valves and the piston. If the belt breaks, some of the valves will stop in the open (down) position and the pistons will smash into them, resulting in an engine rebuild or a new engine. This arrangement is much more power and fuel efficient, but does pose this problem in the event the timing belt breaks. Many engines, mostly used by the domestic manufacturers GM, Ford, and Chrysler, have greater clearance and if the timing belt or chain breaks the engine stops but there is no contact between pistons and valves so no permanent damage was done. Honda/Acura recommends that the timing belts be changed at 60k, 120k, etc. These timing belts can go well beyond 60k but it is felt that 60k is a safe recommendation to avoid breakage and the resultant damage. However, it is an expensive job ($500 - $700) so many people don't do it. I believe it is extremely rare for a belt to break short of 90k and many go well beyond 100k. The risk with high mileage Acuras and Hondas is that the timing belt has never been replaced and who knows when it will go. If you are interested in the Odyssey, don't let this deter you. The auto transmissions are not the smoothest, but they are durable. Regarding the timing belt, it is a far more powerful and efficient engine because of this design. Just look at it from the perspective that at 60k this van will still be worth putting the money into it, while its competition (Caravan, Venture, Windstar) will be ready for the junkyard by 60k or at least worth virtually nothing in resale value. |
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I recieved a recall on my 94 Ford Taurus with a 3.8 liter engine. The recall was on the head gaskets. Has anyone had problems with these? I think it may just be on this engine. On the transmission problem I had, the fluid level was kept up and was good when the transmission failed at 58000 miles. I had the fluid changed three times in the 40000 miles that I have owned it-before it failed. Anyone else with that problem?
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| rdeschene Unfortunately, replacing everything what might leak in the Ford very expensive,and list of lines, hoses and seals to long. As of your case, yes,daily check helps to spot lines that really ready to go, but what an annoying routine to start your day dealing with violation of common sense and laws of enginering for profit by somebody within second largest automaker. | |
| gchernayl. If you re-read my response, you will find that I specified transmission seals, lines, etc.. Yes, it is a pain in the butt. And one best avoided, if you can. Unfortunately, the reality of the used car market is you make the best choice among what is available - and possibly adapt your behaviour to suit. | |
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