City Vario 2007 (Transmission?) Issue

[bk7690]

If you decide to get the cvt oil changed please make sure to get it done from a dealership and use genuine honda cvt oil.

[mrashidsaleem]

Which gear oil is recommended for Vario? Honda CVTF?

[saify37]

Dear Experts, I need your thoughts on this please https://www.pakwheels.com/forums/city/269036-honda-city-2009-humming-sound-wheels-high-speed

[babarhyd]

I own 2004 vario and is currently 180K without any problems. The jerking you mentioned is a bit of a problem in cold start in vario from day one, I noticed it when I was in Quetta specially during those sub-zero temp mornings. You need idle the engine for few minutes before driving it to office or home, the problem is cvtf oil does not get hot enough for gearbox to work as it should be. Start the car in morning and idle it for 5 mins or till the engine cold light turns off, and than try driving the car. The problem should not arise than. Another solution is keep it driving until cvtf and engine temp is high enough for optimal performance.
If its on petrol and car is maintained properly than believe me u don't need any engine or gear maintenance of any kind apart from oil change.
Remember to change your coolant asap. Change oil to 10W40 for optimal consumption. Change gear oil to cvtf original Honda, will cost you 1100rs/litre to 1300/litre I think. That's it. No throttle body cleaning. Change air filter if its dirty. And change 8 spark plugs to OEM spec if u want it to perform better. Nothing more nothing less. For further read the Honda City Fan Club thread and also download the manual for your car its there.

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[mrashidsaleem]

@babarhyd - thanks a lot for valuable suggestions.

Last night, I visited Usman Autos (FB Area, behind Javed Nihari). This guy (Usman) is regarded as automatic transmission 'cheetah' by some other mechanics. I don't know him to be honest.

He checked my car and confirmed that its a gearbox issue. Additionally, he said that the foundation is not properly in place and jerking causes the foundation to hit body sometimes, causing a booming sound (has happened 2-3 times in last couple of weeks). Also, the accelerator pedal is a bit hard. He said it is quite likely that the old owner (or his mechanic) was aware of gearbox problem and tightened accelerator. With a free pedal, the problem would have manifested earlier. However he said that this could happen anytime, so I can't blame the seller for this (besides, there is no point doing this).

Usman said he would prefer to overhaul the CVT gearbox. He said he has done it many times and gives 6 months warranty for his work. Total cost (including gear oil Honda CVTF, 8 liters of that, costing 8K+ itself) is going to be 35K! This is huge, given that I've took the car ownership just a 3 weeks ago. But, anyways...

Usman said the gearbox replacement is an alternate option but there is no warranty/guarantee that the replacement would work flawlessly.

What to do now? Any suggestions?

[aamirahsan89]

@babarhyd - thanks a lot for valuable suggestions.

Last night, I visited Usman Autos (FB Area, behind Javed Nihari). This guy (Usman) is regarded as automatic transmission 'cheetah' by some other mechanics. I don't know him to be honest.

He checked my car and confirmed that its a gearbox issue. Additionally, he said that the foundation is not properly in place and jerking causes the foundation to hit body sometimes, causing a booming sound (has happened 2-3 times in last couple of weeks). Also, the accelerator pedal is a bit hard. He said it is quite likely that the old owner (or his mechanic) was aware of gearbox problem and tightened accelerator. With a free pedal, the problem would have manifested earlier. However he said that this could happen anytime, so I can't blame the seller for this (besides, there is no point doing this).

Usman said he would prefer to overhaul the CVT gearbox. He said he has done it many times and gives 6 months warranty for his work. Total cost (including gear oil Honda CVTF, 8 liters of that, costing 8K+ itself) is going to be 35K! This is huge, given that I've took the car ownership just a 3 weeks ago. But, anyways...

Usman said the gearbox replacement is an alternate option but there is no warranty/guarantee that the replacement would work flawlessly.

What to do now? Any suggestions?

What is there that has to be repaired?
I say get a second opinion

[mrashidsaleem]

What is there that has to be repaired?
I say get a second opinion

He said the belt, that goes across two cones, is loosened. There might be other problems too.

I've got this checked by Shahid (mentioned in original post) and another local mechanic. All of them say that the gearbox has issues. However only Usman has offered to repair (overhaul) it, with 6 months warranty. Others saying to replace it with gearbox of JDM City (Fit; would require some alteration) or search for a local city gearbox in Shershah (going to cost more, potentially more than 30K).

[saboor73]

He said the belt, that goes across two cones, is loosened. There might be other problems too.

I've got this checked by Shahid (mentioned in original post) and another local mechanic. All of them say that the gearbox has issues. However only Usman has offered to repair (overhaul) it, with 6 months warranty. Others saying to replace it with gearbox of JDM City (Fit; would require some alteration) or search for a local city gearbox in Shershah (going to cost more, potentially more than 30K).

CVT belt replacement in 35k :o what seriously ?

[aamirahsan89]

He said the belt, that goes across two cones, is loosened. There might be other problems too.

I've got this checked by Shahid (mentioned in original post) and another local mechanic. All of them say that the gearbox has issues. However only Usman has offered to repair (overhaul) it, with 6 months warranty. Others saying to replace it with gearbox of JDM City (Fit; would require some alteration) or search for a local city gearbox in Shershah (going to cost more, potentially more than 30K).

Drive it till it runs, when it stops working or becomes unbearable, get a new gearbox

[babarhyd]

Accelerator maybe hard because of plastic footpads. 6 months warranty and 35K. That's damn expensive. Go for replacement one JDM. But before that make sure your gearbox is really defective only than go for such repairs. Did u try what I asked you to do?

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[mrashidsaleem]

6 months warranty and 35K. That's damn expensive. Go for replacement one JDM.

Thanks a lot for your opinion. I assume this means that
1. JDM gearbox replacement (including cost of gear oil) will cost lesser than this. Is this true? What should be the cost and how to ensure JDM gearbox quality?
2. JDM gearbox will fit in seamlessly in local Vario. Could you please confirm this.

Also, could a local Vario gearbox as a replacement would perform better, and cost less?

Did u try what I asked you to do?

I usually keep the car start for a minute or so. Tried your suggestion (kept it idle till the Cold Engine light went off). It didn't change anything regarding the problem.

Haven't yet tried gear oil change (is going to cost a lot and would be lost money if gearbox ultimately needs replacement). Coolant looks fine. I'll check Engine oil but that also looks in good shape. I don't know if it was 10W40 or not but will find that out.

Thanks a lot for your suggestions.

[krafiq]

Have you taken it to Honda dealerships for a thorough checkup? May be this exercise will be helpful in making an informed decision. Best of luck.

[mrashidsaleem]

Hi,

Ran into serious problems in the last week (Thursday), with D gear blinking now and then, and car refusing to climb up in slow speed (probably gear not shifting down). Had to go for replacement therefore.

Had been talking to the dealer for arrangement of local City gearbox. Got one installed on Friday for a total cost of 27K (including Honda CVTF oil and accelerator wire replacement). Don't know if the dealer gave any favor or not. He mentions this is a discounted price for local City gearbox aren't easily available in market.

There is 1 month warranty from the dealer's mechanic. So far, it is running OK Alhamdolillah. Checked with slow/high speeds, cool/hot engine, w/wo AC.

[typeN]

i am facing the same issue with my vario these days. taking it to dealership tomorrow lets see what happens.

[fahadwizz]

Where did you get the work done from ?
Take extra care, CVT once messed with requires lots of care. Replace oil at 10k (will take about 4 liters). Everytime you disconnect battery, get first clutch re-calibrated. Also keep the plugs and coils in good condition.

[SER_GTR]

A Common Issue In Vario CVT's..... Get Ready To Buy A Used Transmission Possibly.....NEW Transmission Will Cost Fortune

Stay Away From Gimmicks As It Will Suck Your Pocket Empty Nothing Else...