Do we have a 3rd gear fix? I think so!

si_civic · 01-04-2007, 07:14 PM

UPDATED SCROLL DOWN!

Today, I swapped out the old Honda MTF for Amsoil's Synthetic Manual Synchromesh Transmission Fluid (MTF) and so far, my 3rd gear hasn't grinded YET.

Product
https://www.amsoil.com/StoreFront/mtf.aspx

Vehicle
2007 Honda Civic Si with 2070 km's

Test conditions
I drove only a few km's home, only because I wanted to do a FULL test when the transaxle is cold. So far, it is -3 out, (27 ?) and the 3km trip home, 3rd gear wasn't a problem. Usually in-town driving is where my 3rd gear problems occur: popping out, grinding in, and when you think the gear is in, it's not etc.

So far, it seems to have fixed the problem. Paid only $20 CDN for 2 quarts, and I believe the tranny either takes 1.5 or 1.7 (got my local shop to change for me for a box of donuts).

NEW!
UPDATE: After many tests involving various shifts, engine temperature (from cold to warm) rpms, speeds, hills or not the conclusion is that the AMSOIL MTF fluid 100% fixed my shifting problem. I shifted 53 times (to be exact) to 3rd from in town driving to highway. Even when the car was cold it shifted great. No notchy crap at all. I am 100% sold. This isn't a psychological thing either

. Out of all those driving conditions and number of times going to 3rd gear I would have at least grinded 3rd four times without that fluid.

-Darryl
Canada

skittleslegend · 01-04-2007, 07:37 PM

For those wondering, Amsoil seems to be about equal to the GM fluid but it might be cheaper depending on where you go.

si_civic · 01-04-2007, 07:44 PM

I guess I never even bothered checking the price for the GM synchromesh fluid..... BECAUSE I ONLY WORK FOR GM lol. Stupid me.

Manik · 01-04-2007, 09:29 PM

My K20A2 eg runs pennzoil GM syncromesh always!!! Never have any grinding or bad shifting.

FG2z_K · 01-04-2007, 10:48 PM

get the SS from comptech or twm performance and their bushings will solve the problem.

si_civic · 01-04-2007, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FG2z_K

get the SS from comptech or twm performance and their bushings will solve the problem.

I already bought the TWM but wasn't going to install until I knew for sure it was the fluid causing the problem. Now it's fixed, I'm going to install the TWM VERY SOON! w00t!

SiRyan · 01-05-2007, 01:12 AM

YUP! I have GM Synchromesh Friction Modified in my tranny and it shifts perfect Cold or Hot.

But it doesn't solve the 2nd gear grinding at redline, for me at least.

skittleslegend · 01-05-2007, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FG2z_K

get the SS from comptech or twm performance and their bushings will solve the problem.

Not in all cases. In some vehicles, the metal bushings actually made it worse.

si_civic · 01-05-2007, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SiRyan

YUP! I have GM Synchromesh Friction Modified in my tranny and it shifts perfect Cold or Hot.

But it doesn't solve the 2nd gear grinding at redline, for me at least.

That is what I noticed as well, but probably because I shifted hard during my "hard acceleration + shifting" test phase.

Quote:

Originally Posted by skittleslegend

Not in all cases. In some vehicles, the metal bushings actually made it worse.

That's like when I had a shift kit purchased for my Torino way back in the day. It made my tranny shift worse (because it was old and needed rebuilding). I thought the shift kit would make it shift more crisp but was the opposite until I got it rebuilt.

NIGHTHAWKSI · 01-08-2007, 10:18 AM

just thought i would share my experience...i was tired of the 3rd gear problem and so i went out looking for penzoil (sp?) synchromesh and was not able to find it anywhere. so i decided to go to the GM dealer near my house...they sell all GM's except chevrolet. so when iask for the MTF the parts guy tells me that they have not seen any manual cars in about 5 years!! as i am sitting there thinking about this for a second i ask him avout the v-series cadillacs, the gto, the g6 and he says he doesnt know that they come in manual. i walked out amazed how they could have such a stupid guy selling parts for their cars. anyway....i went to they chevy dealer and got it without a problem. byt the way...it works great,every gear is better and third is very smooth and when i changed the fluid mine was also overtfilled by almost half a quart.

si_civic · 01-08-2007, 10:32 AM

Good to hear you fixed your problem as well, but not good to hear those people at that GM dealer didn't know manuals existed in the past five years LOL. My god, hello CORVETTE, hello Aveo, hello 5 speed K1500's, 6 speed K3500HD's... wow, avoid that dealership

-Darryl

***letsgoflyers81*** · 01-08-2007, 02:29 PM

I just ordered two quarts of the Amsoil MTF. Let's see how this works. Since I'm at work I can't get to the manual, can someone tell me what tools/supplies I'll need to change the transmission fluid? I know I'll need ramps to get under the car, something to drain the old fluid into, and a new filter. What size socket for the drain bolt? Anything else?

Manik · 01-08-2007, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NIGHTHAWKSI

just thought i would share my experience...i was tired of the 3rd gear problem and so i went out looking for penzoil (sp?) synchromesh and was not able to find it anywhere. so i decided to go to the GM dealer near my house...they sell all GM's except chevrolet. so when iask for the MTF the parts guy tells me that they have not seen any manual cars in about 5 years!! as i am sitting there thinking about this for a second i ask him avout the v-series cadillacs, the gto, the g6 and he says he doesnt know that they come in manual. i walked out amazed how they could have such a stupid guy selling parts for their cars. anyway....i went to they chevy dealer and got it without a problem. byt the way...it works great,every gear is better and third is very smooth and when i changed the fluid mine was also overtfilled by almost half a quart.

Oreilly auto parts sells Pennzoil Syncromesh. They dont have it on the floor just ask a salesman. They keep it in the back storage.

foolio_67 · 01-08-2007, 08:42 PM

I'm going to do this, what shop did you take it to? Yes I realize that it will cost more then a box of donuts, hopefully not though.

articsilber323 · 01-08-2007, 08:57 PM

what is everything needed to swap the MTF out

MutantCheese · 01-08-2007, 09:02 PM

subscribed

goofygamer · 01-08-2007, 09:21 PM

It would be nice if you created a DIY of changing this fluid. But then again, you said the shop did it. Any DIY would be nice because I'm new to the car world and wanted to see how do you change this fluid.

Manik · 01-08-2007, 10:08 PM

Havent looked at my SI. But my K20 hatch has a drain bolt on the side of the tranny. I remove it and drain it. Then I remove the speed sensor to pore more in. Replace the speed sensor and Im done. Like I said this is how I do it on my K20a2 tranny.

**dentrecords** · 01-09-2007, 08:39 AM

Bump for another update from Darryl. If this is still working perfect for you, I'll be ordering some Amsoil MTF shortly!

Seemund · 01-09-2007, 08:45 AM

Theres a DIY MTF on the DIY sec. posted by city_jail bata

01-04-2007, 07:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
si_civic Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: B.C. ,Canada Age: 30 Posts: 4,608 A/Cst.D.F.Abate iTrader: 10 / 100%	AMSOIL MTF fixed my 3rd gear problem ! pending UPDATED SCROLL DOWN! Today, I swapped out the old Honda MTF for Amsoil's Synthetic Manual Synchromesh Transmission Fluid (MTF) and so far, my 3rd gear hasn't grinded YET. Product https://www.amsoil.com/StoreFront/mtf.aspx Vehicle 2007 Honda Civic Si with 2070 km's Test conditions I drove only a few km's home, only because I wanted to do a FULL test when the transaxle is cold. So far, it is -3 out, (27 ?) and the 3km trip home, 3rd gear wasn't a problem. Usually in-town driving is where my 3rd gear problems occur: popping out, grinding in, and when you think the gear is in, it's not etc. So far, it seems to have fixed the problem. Paid only $20 CDN for 2 quarts, and I believe the tranny either takes 1.5 or 1.7 (got my local shop to change for me for a box of donuts). NEW! UPDATE: After many tests involving various shifts, engine temperature (from cold to warm) rpms, speeds, hills or not the conclusion is that the AMSOIL MTF fluid 100% fixed my shifting problem. I shifted 53 times (to be exact) to 3rd from in town driving to highway. Even when the car was cold it shifted great. No notchy crap at all. I am 100% sold. This isn't a psychological thing either . Out of all those driving conditions and number of times going to 3rd gear I would have at least grinded 3rd four times without that fluid. -Darryl Canada Last edited by si_civic; 01-04-2007 at 10:07 PM. Reason: Reason for editing: Reason for editing:

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01-04-2007, 07:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
skittleslegend Senior Member Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stowe, Vermont Age: 23 Posts: 7,833 iTrader: 1 / 100%	For those wondering, Amsoil seems to be about equal to the GM fluid but it might be cheaper depending on where you go.

01-04-2007, 07:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
si_civic Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: B.C. ,Canada Age: 30 Posts: 4,608 A/Cst.D.F.Abate iTrader: 10 / 100%	I guess I never even bothered checking the price for the GM synchromesh fluid..... BECAUSE I ONLY WORK FOR GM lol. Stupid me.

01-04-2007, 09:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
Manik Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Houston, TX Age: 26 Posts: 187 Chris iTrader: 0 / 0%	My K20A2 eg runs pennzoil GM syncromesh always!!! Never have any grinding or bad shifting.

01-04-2007, 10:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
FG2z_K Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 215 Jason iTrader: 2 / 100%	get the SS from comptech or twm performance and their bushings will solve the problem.

01-05-2007, 01:12 AM	#7 (permalink)
SiRyan Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Vallejo,Ca. Age: 23 Posts: 5,525 iTrader: 16 / 100%	YUP! I have GM Synchromesh Friction Modified in my tranny and it shifts perfect Cold or Hot. But it doesn't solve the 2nd gear grinding at redline, for me at least.

01-08-2007, 10:18 AM	#10 (permalink)
NIGHTHAWKSI Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: long island Posts: 10,178 iTrader: 12 / 100%	just thought i would share my experience...i was tired of the 3rd gear problem and so i went out looking for penzoil (sp?) synchromesh and was not able to find it anywhere. so i decided to go to the GM dealer near my house...they sell all GM's except chevrolet. so when iask for the MTF the parts guy tells me that they have not seen any manual cars in about 5 years!! as i am sitting there thinking about this for a second i ask him avout the v-series cadillacs, the gto, the g6 and he says he doesnt know that they come in manual. i walked out amazed how they could have such a stupid guy selling parts for their cars. anyway....i went to they chevy dealer and got it without a problem. byt the way...it works great,every gear is better and third is very smooth and when i changed the fluid mine was also overtfilled by almost half a quart.

01-08-2007, 10:32 AM	#11 (permalink)
si_civic Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: B.C. ,Canada Age: 30 Posts: 4,608 A/Cst.D.F.Abate iTrader: 10 / 100%	Good to hear you fixed your problem as well, but not good to hear those people at that GM dealer didn't know manuals existed in the past five years LOL. My god, hello CORVETTE, hello Aveo, hello 5 speed K1500's, 6 speed K3500HD's... wow, avoid that dealership -Darryl

01-08-2007, 02:29 PM	#12 (permalink)
*letsgoflyers81* Nacho Cheese! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Lansdale, PA Age: 26 Posts: 1,347 iTrader: 0 / 0%	I just ordered two quarts of the Amsoil MTF. Let's see how this works. Since I'm at work I can't get to the manual, can someone tell me what tools/supplies I'll need to change the transmission fluid? I know I'll need ramps to get under the car, something to drain the old fluid into, and a new filter. What size socket for the drain bolt? Anything else?

01-08-2007, 08:42 PM	#14 (permalink)
foolio_67 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Kamloops Posts: 898 iTrader: 1 / 100%	I'm going to do this, what shop did you take it to? Yes I realize that it will cost more then a box of donuts, hopefully not though.

01-08-2007, 08:57 PM	#15 (permalink)
articsilber323 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 997 iTrader: 5 / 100%	what is everything needed to swap the MTF out

01-08-2007, 09:02 PM	#16 (permalink)
MutantCheese Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Edge of Insanity Age: 39 Posts: 3,088 '06 Si Coupe NBP Full HFP iTrader: 0 / 0%	subscribed

01-08-2007, 09:21 PM	#17 (permalink)
goofygamer Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 596 iTrader: 0 / 0%	It would be nice if you created a DIY of changing this fluid. But then again, you said the shop did it. Any DIY would be nice because I'm new to the car world and wanted to see how do you change this fluid.

01-08-2007, 10:08 PM	#18 (permalink)
Manik Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Houston, TX Age: 26 Posts: 187 Chris iTrader: 0 / 0%	Havent looked at my SI. But my K20 hatch has a drain bolt on the side of the tranny. I remove it and drain it. Then I remove the speed sensor to pore more in. Replace the speed sensor and Im done. Like I said this is how I do it on my K20a2 tranny.

01-09-2007, 08:45 AM	#20 (permalink)
Seemund Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,547 iTrader: 2 / 100%	Theres a DIY MTF on the DIY sec. posted by city_jail bata