Transmission Noise help!!!

Crafte · Post by **Crafte** » March 19th, 2006, 9:12 am

Hey guys,

Hi guys, I'm a new owner of a 98 itr. Its an amazing car and probably never ever going to sell my baby. Don't know how people can let this car go. Anyways....

I have this interesting grinding noise when ever I'm in either 1, 2, or 3rd gear while driving with the rpm low like below 2.5. An example is cruising in a parking garage or around my neighborhood.

The noise only happens when ever I give it alittle gas, but not when i'm letting it cruise. I know its alittle hard to understand so I made alittle video clip.

The noise is really noticeable near the end of the clip. In the middle there's a louder vibration noise, but thats just change in the ashtray ( forgot to take it out).

Any help would be great! Thanks again!

Video:

http://members.cox.net/chuynh1/itr-problem.html

I've shown the video to a few friends of mine and they said it might be the syncros. Don't know what that is, but wanted to see what you guys thought.

I also took it to the Acura Dealer today and had a technician sit in the car with me while I drove it. He said he wasn't sure and he would have to charge me 800 just to take the transmission apart to see what hte problem is.

Do you guys think its the clutch or transmission itself? Thanks for the help again.

Dawn, Destroyer of Worlds · March 20th, 2006, 6:20 pm

Wish I could help.

Good luck.Let us know what it is when you find out.

Dawn

Post by **Jan Niemi** » March 21st, 2006, 8:57 am

The first thing I would do is drain the transmission oil through a coffee filter and see what type of particles are in the oil. If they are bronze particles then your synchros are really worn, but that's something you would notice when shifting, not while in gear. If the particles are magnetic, then it's bearing, or gear related.

BudMan · Post by **BudMan** » March 21st, 2006, 9:27 am

Jan Niemi wrote:The first thing I would do is drain the transmission oil through a coffee filter and see what type of particles are in the oil. If they are bronze particles then your synchros are really worn, but that's something you would notice when shifting, not while in gear. If the particles are magnetic, then it's bearing, or gear related.

Beautiful instruction. I love itrca.com.

Thanks Jan - I agree completely.

Crafte · Post by **Crafte** » March 28th, 2006, 3:22 pm

Thanks for the help guys. Unfortunately I just bought the car and the person had the transmission fluid changed already so I can't really test to see the shavings. I'm not really sure what to do now so the car is still making the noise, but it drives great.

I don't know if this helps, but when ever I try to cruise in second gear the gas pedal seems very sensitive. When ever i touch it it would jerk forward, but i think thats normal. Thanks for the help though!

importrepairguy · Post by **importrepairguy** » March 29th, 2006, 10:17 am

Sound's to me like main shaft bearing's. There are three bearing's on the main shaft one of which is at the end near the output shaft (contend's w/ all the engine load), generally the one to go bad. Typically this bearing will show sign's of wear if the trans was out and you rotated the output shaft by hand and it was not smooth, had sorta a rough or binding feel... Needless to say sound's like the trans is gonna come out, split case and determin the gremlin making the noise. Clutch will not make these noises neither will synchro's good or bad while in gear. Good new's is this bearing is only around $15-20.

Trans removal can be done in a weekend w/ common skills and tools, then either get it off to a local trans shop to have it benched or send it to me!! I can do it for $400 but then there's shipping,etc... I'd be glad to help.
Good Luck.

Crafte · Post by **Crafte** » March 30th, 2006, 12:09 pm

Thanks for the help!!

Now that you mentioned it, the acura dealer did say mentioned the bearings on the shaft, but he also through out 15 other ideas and at that point I wasn't giving him much credit.

Do you know what would happen if I don't get that taken care of right away? I just don't have the money right now. Also where are you on the East Coast?

Thanks again for the help!

rene m · Post by **rene m** » March 30th, 2006, 2:07 pm

Crafte wrote:Thanks for the help!!

Now that you mentioned it, the acura dealer did say mentioned the bearings on the shaft, but he also through out 15 other ideas and at that point I wasn't giving him much credit.

Do you know what would happen if I don't get that taken care of right away? I just don't have the money right now. Also where are you on the East Coast?

Thanks again for the help!

Just a stray question....
You said the oil just got changed from what to what? Honda MTF or someting else? I have seen several trans develop noise when someone puts the wrong oil in.

Crafte · Post by **Crafte** » March 30th, 2006, 4:28 pm

Thats a great question ... I'm not really sure because I just bought the ITR about a month ago. THe guy said he had it changed, but he didn't ssay where. I've tried to contact him to ask, but he never responded.

I was aslo trying to find records on it, but no luck.

How would I know if its MTF or not? I check the fluid level and it was fine. The fluid coming out looked pretty clear. Is Honda MTF colored at all by anychance?

Bbasso · Post by **Bbasso** » March 30th, 2006, 5:02 pm

For the piece of mind and only $15.00 with 30 mins of work, you will have the right fluid.