Who doesn't have the 3rd Gear Grind Problem

[icen]

I am really considering getting the new SI 2008.

I read through the posts about 3rd gear grinds on 06-07.

However, I would like to see what's the chance of getting a "good" transmission if I'm going to get the SI

If your 06-08 Si has good tranny, please add to the list with the year of SI here.

Thanks everyone.

1.

[Special Ringpop]

It's already been done:

The "I have NO 3rd gear problems" List/thread

For a little comparison, here are the people on this forum who have participated, who DO have a problem:

The "I have a 3rd gear problem" List

While no one has any idea or way of knowing what leads to a good transmission in this car, there are those who do have the problem, and those who do not. On a global scale, no one knows.

The 2008 models will be no different than the 2006 or 2007 models. This "fix" that is allegedly coming out for the Si transmission will replace syncros and detend/detent (sp?) ball springs. We do not have an estimated or proposed date for this. Rumor has it that Honda is holding off releasing the fix until they have enough parts for the dealers, which tells me it is quite a big deal.

My suggestion would be to get the Si, and swap your MTF to Amsoil or GM Syncromesh as soon as you can. No one knows whether or not an early swap can be primary prevention (prevent it before it becomes a problem) or whether it is tertiary protection (after the damage has been done, preventing any further damage). Most users report that it almost all but eliminates transmission issues if you switch, but it is NOT a fix.

We have not had any "studies" done to see whether Amsoil, when used at the beginning of the cars life, can prevent the problem from occurring. It is safe to say however, that after the problem occurs, for whatever reasons, Amsoil is nothing more than a band-aid solution, albeit a worthwhile one.

[icen]

From what I read, the 2008 Si should have the "updated" MTF already.

Do I still need to change to Amsoil?

I am worried if Amsoil will give the dealership more reason to apply to "fix" in the future if there's any.

thanks

[Special Ringpop]

Well, I believe most 2007 models and all 2008 models come with the newly reformulated Honda MTF.

I have had this stuff put into my 2006 Si coupe twice now in the last year. It makes the shifting a little smoother for about a month, and then it is right back to grinding and popping out of gear.

My personal advice would be to put Amsoil or GM Syncromesh in your Si as soon as you can. Even if your car ends up being one without the problem, why risk it, you know?

If it makes you feel better, get a gauge of your dealership by going there and inquiring about it, and asking the service manager whether or not a non-Honda manual transmission fluid would affect your warranty. It shouldn't, but we have had some people recount their dealer telling them that it would void their warranty.

Personally, I don't know of anyone who has switched to Amsoil who has had trouble with the dealers. And maybe, if it's that important, have a friend or Jiffy Lube swap out the MTF with Amsoil, and Honda will never know the wiser.

[bkarno]

While I am not denying that some have transmission issues: my trans gets a little notchy when it is cold. You need to remember that people with problems post and people without problems wonder what the posters are talking about. I guess my point is that forums can make problems seem more wide-spread because thats what people are writing about. Am I making sense?

[08CivicSi]

theres already a thread like the guy above mentioned close this thread admin plz

[usakicksass]

Wow, #4 Special ringpop, great reply the you tube video about the 3rd gear problem.
I could see how the damn thing actually popped out, that SUCKS. I've had the problem with minor grinding when it is cold. I would be mega pissed if mine actually popped out. I think I'd start doing "you deserve a brick today" drive bys at night.

[ryana1989]

I dont have a third gear problem.

2006 Civic SI

and I never switched to the new MTF

[Solo Intent]

Originally Posted by bkarno

While I am not denying that some have transmission issues: my trans gets a little notchy when it is cold. You need to remember that people with problems post and people without problems wonder what the posters are talking about. I guess my point is that forums can make problems seem more wide-spread because thats what people are writing about. Am I making sense?

perfect sense, why would you complain about a properly working tranny?

[icen]

Hey just wondering,

I went on AMSoil's site and found quite a few different types of oil

and also, there are a few different GM synhromesh tranny oil too.

Which one should I be looking for?

[neuteboom]

It looks like the "GM Synchromesh Transmission Fluid - Friction Modified" fixes the third gear issues. This has been the fix for Acura TL third gear issues. Like special Ringpop stated you can have any grease shop do the transmission fluid change for you.

Acura TL Community - GM Synchromesh Transmission Fluid - Friction Modified

[Leonard1818]

Originally Posted by icen

Hey just wondering,

I went on AMSoil's site and found quite a few different types of oil

and also, there are a few different GM synhromesh tranny oil too.

Which one should I be looking for?

The one that everyone on here is posting that they've used. The one you find when you do a search of this site

[silverspoon1996]

I t hought my tranny took a sh*t on me today.. first and second were rediculous to get in and out or.. 5th and 6 were real vauge.. 3rd was grinding and poping out.

Second was GRINDING WHILE STOPPED WITH THE CLUTCH TO THE FLOOR.. WTF RIGHT???

SO I was all upset I emailed the local dealership to set up a time I could come by and take a tech on a test drive to show them the probelm. Being a mechanic and knowing what there going to do step 1. I decided to use the extra 2+ qts of Honda MTF I had left over from when I did my clutch.

It is pretty much fine.... after changing the fluid.. it went back to normal.. no poping out.. no grinding.. no difficultly putting into gears.. 6th still is a little vauge.. and 1st is a little hard to get into at times...usually after coming to a stop in second gear.

I am probally going to change the cable that controls the movement of the shifter side to side.. being that 1 and 6 are extremes from side to side. being it goes into gear its just hard to get into those 2 gear..

[chugiboi]

i only have the third gear issue once in a long while. so i'm not too concern about it, because it usually happened whenever i don't push it all the way in and let it engage properly then it pop right back out with a really nasty sound.

[MurderedOut08Si]

08 NHBP FG2. 2200 mi.

No real problems. Sluggish/mushy shifting going into 5th sometimes, other than that if anything goes wrong it's user error. Sometimes 3rd can be a pain if it's cold and your not super deliberate about your shifts then it might get angry and pop it back at you.