How to check Auto Transmission

krazy_kh (krazy_kh) 2008-10-12 13:00:00 +0600 #1

Salam All.
I'm thinking of buying a 2000-01 civic auto tranny but ppl r advising against it,saying that a 7-8 year old auto box is bound to give trouble
I need to know if there r any signs/symptoms that I should look for while test driving the car that will give me some idea abt the condition of the transmission..I really dont wanna end up buying the car & then spending big bucks on getting the transmission repaired...Most grateful for any help & suggestion

dmx999 (dmx999) 2008-10-12 15:59:00 +0600 #2

pick and gear shifting must be as smooth as possible ( jhatkey nai honey chaiyeh )

Bilaltq (Bilaltq) 2008-10-12 16:04:00 +0600 #3

The people giving you advise must be the conservative "gaddi manual hi honi chayee di" lobby.

Khair, there shouldn't be any problem with a car that's 10 years old in terms of the gearbox. As advised by dmx999, just drive it and see if the gears shift smoothly- if there's any jerk between the shifts, then it has an existing problem, be it small or large. Usually automatics built by Japanese manufacturers are bulletproof and don't go wrong unless someone really screws around with them.

Do keep us updated on the car if you plan on pursuing it.

displacement_on_demand (displacement_on_demand) 2008-10-12 17:36:00 +0600 #4

01-05 Hondas had transmission problem... I have seen brand new hondas (01-05) with transmission. After 05 Honda fixed the problem but before 05 models.. Accord, Civic and many other models had problems.

There are almost no signs for checking for the problem I am talking about.. one day the car could be running fine and next day no power to the wheels... but if you do go out to check some car.... drive it and check out for smoothness... check transmission fluid... if it's up to the level.. that should tell you a little about how maintained the car is...

Bilaltq

Is that why brand new Hondas and Acuras had transmission problems? because they are bullet proof?

Bilaltq (Bilaltq) 2008-10-12 17:40:00 +0600 #5

^Okay FINE the Acura TL is an exception... and the CL....

BUT OTHER THAN THAT, they're bulletproof.

toofast (Ali) 2008-10-12 17:47:00 +0600 #6

Drive it on highway and see car uses all gears.

displacement_on_demand (displacement_on_demand) 2008-10-12 19:15:00 +0600 #7

Nope @ Bilaltq

All hondas had problem... cause they all use the same transmission...

Year 00-2005

As far as I know... I didn't take the honda course.. but heard it a lot in my other course...

Bilaltq (Bilaltq) 2008-10-12 19:21:00 +0600 #8

Okay I accept defeat.

But is there a particular reason as to why they mess up? I've heard the thing about the spontaneous downshift (5th to 3rd I think it was).

riz_ (riz_) 2008-10-12 21:37:00 +0600 #9

krazy_kh, following is what I would do to check an automatic transmission if I didn’t want to take the vehicle to a transmission shop to verify its full functionality; the best way to ensure what you are trying to accomplish.

Start the engine and wait for a minute for the transmission fluid to get circulated.
Remove the transmission oil dip stick and check the color of the oil. It should be as close to the original color of the transmission oil as possible. Now smell the oil. It should not have very strong burnet smell.
Take the car out for a drive on an expressway/freeway.
While driving the car with transmission in “D”, notice how smooth up and down shifts are. A minute jerk while shifting is ok, anything more is not. Also, while cruising on the freeway at reasonably high speed, floor the accelerator. A fully functional transmission should shift immediately to a lower gear. If there is a problem, it will either not downshift or will start to shudder; not a good sign at all.
When you are done with the test drive, don’t turn the motor off and check the transmission oil for burnt odor.
Turn the engine off and check under the vehicle for any leaks. It will be ideal if you had access to a lifting mechanism to check the seals for any minor leaks. Transmission seals do start to leak after a while. Nothing to worry about, just get them changed if you detect any leaks.

I will remind you of what I wrote earlier; the best way to find out if a transmission is fully functional is to take it to a transmission specialist.

Good luck with your purchase. Keep us updated if you have time.

portage1 (portage1) 2008-10-12 23:13:00 +0600 #10

ok now is my turn to sayl......start the car, put the car in D, press the brake down and give gas, do this in all gears and reverse too..... If the car dont die down or you dont listen any clunk you in a good shape, than do what @toofast and @riz said take the car for spin on open road, and feel how the gear change and also see if RPM dosent go way high...... and mail me my fee 70 per hour...make check payable to SY's Auto Body Inc: