I have a 2004 Accord EX-V6 automatic with 182k miles. About a year or so ago, I started hearing a noise/vibration at 35 -50 mph. I took it to a mechanic and he said that he thought it was the heat shield and that I would have to go to a muffler shop to get it repaired, but it wasn't really hurting anything except the noise. (I know shame on me for ignoring it, but finances have been tight.) Any way fast forward to now...around the same mph, the car has started to lunge slightly when it switches gears from 2nd to 3rd. I took it to the local honda dealership and they informed me that they thought the noise and lunging were from the transmission. They checked the fluid and said that it was "burnt" and that I needed to replace the transmission. They quoted a price of $4677 for a re-manufactured transmission. I asked if performing a transmission service to change the burnt fluid, etc. would help. They said that they recommend not doing it because the detergents in the new fluid would dislodge grime that would clog the hydraulic holes in the transmission and would make matters worse. Do you guys have any advice on what I should do at this point? I have maintained the car in other aspects, oil changes, brakes, tires, struts, timing belt, etc. I don't really want to spend $4677 on it and wondering if there is any way to keep it going for as long as possible with a less expensive solution.
Thanks.

 

Is Check Engine Light On? If yes, what are codes; Pnnnn?

Suggest draining/replacing fluid in any case. It can't hurt to drain/replace fluid. Some perform multiple times to also partially replace non-drained fluid in torque converter.

good luck

 

Check Engine Light is not on.

Thanks for the advise. If I do replace the fluid mutliple times, what would you suggest in between replacements? i.e. replace fluid...drive for a day...replace fluid...etc.

Thanks.

 

Drive for 5-10 mins and change. Total volume is circulated w/i a minute or so.

good luck