Hey, sometimes i have trouble shifting into 3rd gear on my accord (stick). I have asked around and people told me it might be my tranny fluid. I am thinking about getting it drained n replaced. How much should i expect to pay for a service such as this?? Thanx

 

the tranny changes just like the oil, drain it and put in 10w30 oil approximately 3 qts, there is no oil filter. It sounds like you are loosing the syncronizer for 3rd gear.

 

yeah its not the tranny fluid. i had someone take a look at it n they drove it around. but it didin get stuck for them. basically i'll shift at 3.5k n it wont go into 3rd i'll either have to force it or stay in neutral for a sec. if it is the 3rd gear synchronizer what can i do bout it?? thanks

 

What year? No matter, I'd try using Honda MTF, it has worked well for me; even tho mine didn't have troubles to start with.

There's also some people who are very fond of GM Synchromesh fluid (Pennzoil Synchromesh) too.

Takes less than 3 quarts at $6 each, so less than $20 if you change it yourself. It's pretty easy.

 

hey could yall break it down for me lol?? i had it checked at jiffy lube n the guy went under the car to check the mtf fluid n it looked fine to him. but whats the stuff bout "third gear synchronizer"?

97 prelude sh 5spd 133k miles...clutch was replaced a lil over a year ago....if this helps

thanks

 

The synchronizer is a mechanism on each gear, which helps the gears synchronize themselves together. It's like a little clutch to get them spinning together before it lets each gear engage.

How exactly do you 'have trouble' shifting into 3rd? A better explanation would be good.

1 - If it allows you to shift straight in without forcing you to pause, the synchro is getting weak, allowing you to get thru & grind the gears.

2 - If it blocks you out of gear, not allowing you to push the lever into gear, the synchro's cones might be worn so it's having a hard time doing it's work.

3 - If the lever is sloppy, making it difficult to find the gate for 3rd, that could be something loose, worn, or not lined up in the shifter linkage. (Shifter linkage had to come apart when replacing the clutch...) Also, I'm not sure if the Prelude has a cable shifter or ??

4 - Try to give us a good explanation of just what's happening with YOUR tranny.

#1 & #2 might be improved by the fluid. Did the guy at JL drain it? I'm not sure how he could actually check it any other way.

What type of fluid is in there now? Synthetic engine oil can be 'too slippery' for the synchro's cones, so they have a hard time doing their job.

 

the mechanic at jiffy lube just went under the car to take a look at how my mtf fluids were. He did not drain them or do anything else. He said my prelude used a diff. kind of fluid that his shop did not have. However, he said he would take a look anyways and said my fluids looked fine to him. but to help you out some more....my problem is basically "2 - If it blocks you out of gear, not allowing you to push the lever into gear, the synchro's cones might be worn so it's having a hard time doing it's work." occasionally when i shift into 3rd gear it will block me out and i will really have to force it into 3rd or i'll stay in neutral for a sec. n then shift into third. I have noticed that when down shifting into third its smooth only when shifting into 3rd i have trouble sometimes. thanks

 

Like I said, I'm not sure if the Prelude has a cable shifter. Your first post says something about an Accord... If it's a solid shaft, then I'd check engine mounts & the joints on the shift linkage. That's all external stuff, it's easy to check & rule it out as a source of trouble.

In fact, the bit about downshifting into 3rd is ok but upshifting into 3rd is blocked... That kinda sounds like it might be a problem with shift linkage alignment or sloppy engine mounts.

You didn't say what fluid's in there now. Don't know? I guess the first thing I'd do is change the fluid. Use Honda fluid or Pennzoil/GM Synchromesh. Maybe a previous owner put synthetic engine oil in there.

Normally, when a synchro wears out, it'll let you into gear too easily. Then it grinds because it didn't force you to wait long enough. That doesn't sound like what's happening.

I'm a little skeptical about the JL guy checking it. The only way I know to check the oil without draining it, is remove the FILL plug & stick your finger into the oil & look & smell. That really doesn't tell you what the fluid looks like down in the bottom of the tranny where dirt & stuff collects.

The drain plug has a strong magnet. It's normal for that to have a little bit of really fine 'mud' stuck to it. If there's any chunks or if the drained oil is dirty, then you'll have to worry about other things. Let's not worry about that until you see it...