Does your transmission grind when cold?

[meth0d]

I know this topic has been covered, but I want to see how many people have the same problem I do.

Is the problem normal, is it abnormal but won't harm the transmission, or is it abnormal and I should get it fixed ASAP? I don't know if I want my tranny ripped open again if the problem is just going to come back...

Anyways, please vote. :D

Edit: Is it possible that Honda MTF is too light to work effectively in the winter? Honda MTF is 10W30, right? Maybe there's transmission fluid out there that's a little better suited to cold weather...

[Pre_Z34]

My second gear grind when cold, and more so in winter. I've only had the car since Nov. 01 So I can't say if this problem will be there on cold spring days.
How bad is the grind. I have to double clutch perfectly to get the gear in with out a grind!!

[Dynamatt]

i have driven around 4-5 different preludes (4th gen and 5th gen) when the tranny is cold...and all of them grinded in 2nd gear if i shift normally...gotta double clutch that so that it won't grind...mine does the same...not all the days of the winter...only when under extreme cold...but i change my tranny fluid every year, so my tranny still in good shape!...

[meth0d]

Originally posted by Pre_Z34
My second gear grind when cold, and more so in winter. I've only had the car since Nov. 01 So I can't say if this problem will be there on cold spring days.
How bad is the grind. I have to double clutch perfectly to get the gear in with out a grind!!

The grind I notice is moderate. It's not a full out squeeling gut churning grind... more like a nice quick "cruuuunch" of the gears. Like you feel and hear the stick crunch as you slide into 2nd gear.

Anyone try GM Synchromesh transmission fluid? Maybe Honda MTF isn't sufficient for our winters...?

[Dynamatt]

Originally posted by meth0d


The grind I notice is moderate. It's not a full out squeeling gut churning grind... more like a nice quick "cruuuunch" of the gears. Like you feel and hear the stick crunch as you slide into 2nd gear.

Anyone try GM Synchromesh transmission fluid? Maybe Honda MTF isn't sufficient for our winters...?

but many mechanics recommend nothing but Honda MTL...hmm....

[Usman]

my 2nd gear gets murdered when its cold.....only in winter tho, i never faced this problem in the summer yet.....

[Jarek]

Originally posted by meth0d

The grind I notice is moderate. It's not a full out squeeling gut churning grind... more like a nice quick "cruuuunch" of the gears. Like you feel and hear the stick crunch as you slide into 2nd gear.


This is what I experience also.. a slight "crunch", not a major grind and only when I'm not paying attention and don't rev high enough and shift too quickly.

[Pre_Z34]

Originally posted by Quick_lude


This is what I experience also.. a slight "crunch", not a major grind and only when I'm not paying attention and don't rev high enough and shift too quickly.


Ya, What Quick_Lude said.....

[Flavour]

this winter i havent had it crunch yet! but it has happened past winters. i havent even had to double clutch this winter either, i just shift a little slower when its cold than when its warm...

[2fast]

My car is pretty much brand new and in cold weather it is slightly harder to go into gear but there is no real grind.

My sisters 97 lude is the same.

But I messed her transsmission up at the 22000 km mark and we had it rebuilt. It was very stiff when we got it back, but now that it has about 90 000 km it feels very smooth.

After a rebuild you have to work it in real slowly.
Give it time.

I would get it down if warrenty is paying!

[h22a@7400.Rpm]

Mine is more notchy. With a bit of a slight hint of a grind. But only when its cold. After she warms up, its all good.

[ZzRicezZ]

ok stupid question.. what do u guys mean by grind?? like hard to get back into gear when stopped?

[meth0d]

ttt

[Jarek]

Originally posted by ZzRicezZ
ok stupid question.. what do u guys mean by grind?? like hard to get back into gear when stopped?
It means that when you shift from first to second, it doesn't go in smoothly into gear and you feel/hear a small crunch. If it is really bad, it's much louder/rougher and then it's a grind.

[meth0d]

Originally posted by Quick_lude

It means that when you shift from first to second, it doesn't go in smoothly into gear and you feel/hear a small crunch. If it is really bad, it's much louder/rougher and then it's a grind.

Sometimes mine is a crunch, other times its a bad grind. After the tranny fluid change it went away, but came back yesterday morning. First a few crunches, then a really bad grind. Then it went away. Didn't happen last night. And it wasn't as bad this morning, but it wasn't too cold last night either. I just wish I knew what the cause of the problem is.

[bighead]

That was one of the problems I left with Lakeshore Honda this morning. We'll see if they do anything about it.

[meth0d]

What long term effects does all of this grinding have on the tranny? I mean, Preludes are supposed to be reliable, but this totally sucks if I have to spend the next two years worrying about replacing my tranny once my warranty is over!! I can't afford to do taht... plus I bought a Honda so I didn't have to worry about reliability. Sometimes I feel like I own a Dodge! :(

[2fast]

Are you sure when you are shifting you are pushing the clutch all the way down. Cause my car has grinded a few times and I caught my self lifting my left foot to fast before the gear was entirely in. Try to keep this in mind.

Also GM, DODGE or Honda etc.. Its all about how the car is treated. My dad always used to buy American cars. Here is a list of cars and there life span.

1971 Dodge Polar -> lasted 22 years and its life came to end in an accident with a transport truck.

1980 mazda GLC -> 14 years and 350K. Life came to an end cause my sister drove it without maintanence and the engine starved from running dry on oil! Rings were shot and car started buffin blue smoke. Had to dump it at that point!

1986 Oldsmobile Delta 88. --> Still running today as a daily commuter. But the tranny was rebuilt once but engine is still very good! Car gets regular maintanence.

Bottom line if the car is in good hands it should live a longer life.
Engine and tranny oil is a must. change it often.

If you race it or abuse it will eventually suffer. Race cars get tuned after and during each race. That shows how much engines go throught. So if a car is driven for 50K km imagine the stress it goes throught. Things eventually start to go.

Some people buy honda's cause they think it will give them 10 years of problem free driving. That is simply not the case!

I hope your cars problems get better!
Get the transmission replaced if possible cause there are lots of preludes that do not have this problem. A new tranny may solve all problems!

[ZzRicezZ]

Originally posted by Quick_lude

It means that when you shift from first to second, it doesn't go in smoothly into gear and you feel/hear a small crunch. If it is really bad, it's much louder/rougher and then it's a grind.

ok kewl i haven't experience that yet..

[meth0d]

Originally posted by 2fast
Some people buy honda's cause they think it will give them 10 years of problem free driving. That is simply not the case!


Keep in mind I drove a Honda Civic with 480,000km on it. My Dad and I babied that car and it lasted forever. So I understand that cars need maintenance... IE, I change my oil every 4000km, tranny fluid gets changed every six months, etc.

I even get the grind if I push the clutch in and wait a second. Trust me, when this grind happens, I'm not trying to shift fast at all. The clutch pedal is completely pushed in. Keep in mind, this problem happens first thing in the morning when the car is cold, I'm cold, and I'm just slowly trying to make my way to work. I don't race or try to drive quick the second I pull out of my parking spot. :)

[Jarek]

I think Method just got a lemon.. it happens and unfortunately it happened to you.

[2fast]

Take it up with honda.

You once said you bought your car used.
maybe that is the problem righ there. Maybe the guy before you trashed the car. u would never know this.
Maybe he learned stick on your car! Who knows.

Once you get a new tranny it will be notchy at first, but then it will feel very good once its worked in!

hope things get figured out!
Good luck!

[meth0d]

Nevermind...

[sam]

my 2nd gear feels a bit hard when it's cold. actually all do, and u just have to be a little gentler i find. but i drive a 6th gen civic, so the trannies are diff.

also, i found that before i roll out for the first time, just hold the clutch and shift thru all the gears, excpet 5th and R. it helps a lot during that initial 1st to 2nd shift when rolling

[Satan_SRV]

No grind when cold..however I grind in 5th every time..but I double clutch, so I have absolutely no grind :thumbup: