Hi All, just need to get some advice and opinions. I have a 2000 Honda Odyssey 2.3ltr VTEC 178kms that is having transmission problems.The gear changes when cold are very laboured, but once the car has been running 10 minutes all appears to be fine.I have had it checked by a Honda Service centre, and they have changed the transmission oil and flushed the system hoping that would help, sadly it hasn't.They are now talking about a transmission rebuild at a cost of at least $5.5k, most of the cost is the labour (approx 24-30 hours). I struggle to see that the car is worth that kind of money.
Has anybody had a similar experience in repairing a Honda transmission and if so what is your experience.
Would be very interested to get others views on this.
Thanks in advance.
kazbanz,
Jan 5, 5:25pm
Karmar-You have a couple of options. 1) buy a good tranz from strong brothers or similar and have it fitted. 2)call a transmission specialist company and have them give you a price to fix the problem. Even if you go for option 2 frankly it will be at least a thousand if not two cheaper than honda
mugenb20b,
Jan 5, 5:36pm
Odyssey transmissions (same as Accord) are known to be weak. It costs around $2500 for a rebuild + labour to remove and refit (around 8 to 10 hours) + oil. ETA: That's how much the last one cost that we did.
kazbanz,
Jan 5, 6:46pm
My guess was that the first/reverse clutch pack was on its way out or the TC wasn't working propperly.
mechnificent,
Jan 5, 8:28pm
Or the valve body is warped/dirty. it gets better when it warms up. classic warped valve body symptom that. Sometimes/mostly a strip of the valves and working them in their bores for a few minutes is all it takes to get them mint again.
mechnificent,
Jan 5, 8:30pm
I really don't know why people are so keen on flushes when a dropping of the pan, then the valves, clean, back on with new or removed gaskets and it is a far more sure repair than the flush. mind the flush does make for the very easy, safe(main priority) option for the workshop.
elect70,
Jan 5, 8:40pm
^^^True guy i used to help outused todrop valve body off ifchanges wereslow&cleanedthe labyrinth& valves .Tiny bit ofcrapcan causeproblems .The condition of the fluidwould detirmine if full rebuild was needed
kazbanz,
Jan 5, 8:55pm
Karmar--yasee -at least two of us saying its around the 3500 mark at worst
mugenb20b,
Jan 5, 8:58pm
You can't drop the pan on the Odyssey.it hasn't got one.
clark20,
Jan 5, 9:03pm
Talk to Honda some more and see if they would trade it on the newer version, they may do a deal to move a later model one. $5.5K would go better towards a newer one (2004 on 2.4L)
mechnificent,
Jan 5, 9:55pm
Ha, ok. Still sounds like a sticky valve though. the aluminium expands and frees them up.
And, since I'm an ignoramus, why does it take so long to remove the trans!
tgray,
Jan 5, 10:06pm
30 hours labour! That the problem with paying someone by the hour - the slower they go, the more money they make.
mugenb20b,
Jan 5, 11:50pm
Well, it shouldn't take long, 2.5 to 3 hours to remove, allow 4 to refit. Then add an hour or so to flush the oil cooler, refill the transmission with oil and do a couple of road tests.
franc123,
Jan 6, 12:10am
24 hours won't be for removal and refitting, it includes time for the dismantling, cleaning, assessment, overhaul, setup and reassembly too.This sort of work on Hondamatic boxes is usually done in house at the bigger Honda dealers.If the tech is an ace at setting up the clutch pack clearances right the result will be one that shifts like new and is a far less risky option than a second hand unit.Pretty typical of this country now, nobodys time or skilled is valued, especially by car salesmen.
karmar,
Jan 6, 3:30am
Thanks for all your comments, this has certainly given me some food for thought, I think my next step will be approaching a auto transmission specialist and get some feedback from them.
franc whilst I agree with your comments, the questions is whether it is economically sensible to repair, or move on, nobody doubts that these people are true craftsman, lease of all me.The problem today is not the skills that are losing value, but more the general lack of trust.How do I know that somebody has spent that amount of time fixing my car, and installed the parts that they say they have.
Again thanks for your time.
franc123,
Jan 6, 4:13am
Yes of course, I understand from an owners point of view the need to assess the economics of such a major repair, its a complex decision to make and one that involves factors that are hard to estimate like how much longer should I keep this vehicle etc. If you have concerns about what was involved in the repair, ask for a fully itemised invoice and for all the old parts back, you are fully entitled to this and the repairer is legally required to supply you the parts if you so desire them. Yes you should get a quote from an independent specialist, you may find that much of the price difference will come down to non genuine parts being used.See if the repairer you are considering does work for mechanical insurance providers like autosure etc, if they do you can say with a fair degree of certainty that their pricing will be fair, these outfits know what repairs should cost and don't deal with places that overcharge.Good luck.
kaituna,
Jan 6, 2:50pm
Go trade it in already warm.
jcwholesale,
Jan 7, 12:12am
Great one Micheal, and us dealers are sneaky. Suppose that is what you would do. Don't tell the dealer, & then you complain how much margin you think we make out of a car when a rat bag like you trades a faulty car and not telling the dealer. He should sell it to you when it was warm, then watch you complain on here as it was a private sale without comeback.
zak1998,
Jan 7, 1:10am
Part ex it before it lets you down and costs heaps of money buy another one less Km and V6 better pulling power and 5 speed
sabbath-black,
Jan 7, 1:35am
.our 99 accord cost $2200 for a complete rebuild
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