Honda Car Forum

You can read about here,
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040414/law046_1.html or below is a
cut&paste of it.

It says that if there's no sign of any heat damage to the gear, then
as I understand it, something will be installed to increase the flow
of the tranny fluid to this secondary shaft second gear. However, if
there are signs of heat damage already, then the tranny is supposed to
be replaced.

My question is, what would you rather have done to your tranny, even
if no sign of heat damage had occurred? Does this modification sound
sufficient to prevent the gear from further possible damage? It
almost sounds like only a bandaid solution to a fundamental
design/engineering flaw in the transmission.

Would you guys rather have the tranny replaced in this case, even if
no sign of damage was showing? Thanks.
==================
Press Release Source: American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

American Honda to Recall Certain Light Truck Vehicles to Repair
Automatic Transmissions
Wednesday April 14, 11:00 am ET

TORRANCE, Calif., April 14 /PRNewswire/ -- American Honda Motor Co.,
Inc., today announced a voluntary recall of certain Honda and Acura
light truck models equipped with V6 engines and five-speed automatic
transmissions to inspect and repair a potential defect in the
transmission.

The recall involves approximately 600,000 light trucks manufactured in
the U.S. and Canada. Affected models include certain model year 2002,
2003 and early 2004 Honda Odyssey minivans; 2003 and early 2004 Honda
Pilots; and 2001 and 2002 Acura MDX sport-utility vehicles.

The situation is created by insufficient lubrication of the
transmission's secondary shaft second gear that can occur under
certain driving conditions. Prolonged operation under these conditions
can lead to heat build-up and under certain circumstances may
eventually result in chipped or broken gear teeth or breakage of the
gear. In the event of a chipped or broken tooth, the owner will likely
experience abnormal noise from the transmission and seek repairs. In
rare instances, this condition may lead to gear breakage and possible
locking of the vehicle's transmission, creating a potential safety
hazard.

This more severe condition is extremely rare and affects only vehicles
with high mileage. To date, the company's records indicate only ten
confirmed instances in the United States and Canada of this type of
transmission failure, with no injuries or accidents as a result.

Owners of affected vehicles will be contacted via mail and will be
asked to take their vehicle to an authorized Honda or Acura dealer to
be repaired free of charge. In most cases, the repair involves a
simple gear inspection, which is accomplished without removing or
disassembling the transmission, and a modification to increase the
flow of transmission fluid to the affected gear. If during the
inspection the service technician discovers discoloration of the gear
indicating heat damage, Honda will replace the transmission assembly
at no cost to the customer. Owners will be notified by mail when parts
are available for their model, with notifications going first to the
oldest affected units. Customer mailings will begin in May and should
be completed by September.

Details regarding mailing dates and affected vehicles will be
available on the Honda and Acura Web sites before the end of April.
Owners will be able to access this information by registering at the
"Owner Link" section of www.honda.com or www.acura.com and entering
the 17-digit vehicle identification number found on the driver's side
dashboard near the bottom edge of the windshield.

Customers concerned about the condition of their vehicle may also
contact their local Honda or Acura dealer, or call Honda customer
service at (800) 999-1009 or Acura customer service at (800) 382-2238.

"Steve Lee" <gua@comole.com> wrote in message
news:7d6u701lajm8uudfdnlfqsasonbee548rc@4ax.com...
> You can read about here,
> http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040414/law046_1.html or below is a
> cut&paste of it.
>
> It says that if there's no sign of any heat damage to the gear, then
> as I understand it, something will be installed to increase the flow
> of the tranny fluid to this secondary shaft second gear. However, if
> there are signs of heat damage already, then the tranny is supposed to
> be replaced.
>
> My question is, what would you rather have done to your tranny, even
> if no sign of heat damage had occurred? Does this modification sound
> sufficient to prevent the gear from further possible damage? It
> almost sounds like only a bandaid solution to a fundamental
> design/engineering flaw in the transmission.
>
> Would you guys rather have the tranny replaced in this case, even if
> no sign of damage was showing? Thanks.
> ==================
> Press Release Source: American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
>
> American Honda to Recall Certain Light Truck Vehicles to Repair
> Automatic Transmissions
> Wednesday April 14, 11:00 am ET
>
> TORRANCE, Calif., April 14 /PRNewswire/ -- American Honda Motor Co.,
> Inc., today announced a voluntary recall of certain Honda and Acura
> light truck models equipped with V6 engines and five-speed automatic
> transmissions to inspect and repair a potential defect in the
> transmission.
>
> The recall involves approximately 600,000 light trucks manufactured in
> the U.S. and Canada. Affected models include certain model year 2002,
> 2003 and early 2004 Honda Odyssey minivans; 2003 and early 2004 Honda
> Pilots; and 2001 and 2002 Acura MDX sport-utility vehicles.
>
> The situation is created by insufficient lubrication of the
> transmission's secondary shaft second gear that can occur under
> certain driving conditions. Prolonged operation under these conditions
> can lead to heat build-up and under certain circumstances may
> eventually result in chipped or broken gear teeth or breakage of the
> gear. In the event of a chipped or broken tooth, the owner will likely
> experience abnormal noise from the transmission and seek repairs. In
> rare instances, this condition may lead to gear breakage and possible
> locking of the vehicle's transmission, creating a potential safety
> hazard.
>
> This more severe condition is extremely rare and affects only vehicles
> with high mileage. To date, the company's records indicate only ten
> confirmed instances in the United States and Canada of this type of
> transmission failure, with no injuries or accidents as a result.
>
> Owners of affected vehicles will be contacted via mail and will be
> asked to take their vehicle to an authorized Honda or Acura dealer to
> be repaired free of charge. In most cases, the repair involves a
> simple gear inspection, which is accomplished without removing or
> disassembling the transmission, and a modification to increase the
> flow of transmission fluid to the affected gear. If during the
> inspection the service technician discovers discoloration of the gear
> indicating heat damage, Honda will replace the transmission assembly
> at no cost to the customer. Owners will be notified by mail when parts
> are available for their model, with notifications going first to the
> oldest affected units. Customer mailings will begin in May and should
> be completed by September.
>
> Details regarding mailing dates and affected vehicles will be
> available on the Honda and Acura Web sites before the end of April.
> Owners will be able to access this information by registering at the
> "Owner Link" section of www.honda.com or www.acura.com and entering
> the 17-digit vehicle identification number found on the driver's side
> dashboard near the bottom edge of the windshield.
>
We have a 2003 Pilot and the owner's link indicates no recalls!

> Customers concerned about the condition of their vehicle may also
> contact their local Honda or Acura dealer, or call Honda customer
> service at (800) 999-1009 or Acura customer service at (800) 382-2238.

I shall never buy another Honda product with an auto tranny. 1997-2002 Acura
TL and CL, Accord models have a high failure rate and Honda is only
extending the warranty to 100,000mi or 7 years.

"Steve Lee" <gua@comole.com> wrote in message
news:7d6u701lajm8uudfdnlfqsasonbee548rc@4ax.com...
> You can read about here,
> http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040414/law046_1.html or below is a
> cut&paste of it.
>
> It says that if there's no sign of any heat damage to the gear, then
> as I understand it, something will be installed to increase the flow
> of the tranny fluid to this secondary shaft second gear. However, if
> there are signs of heat damage already, then the tranny is supposed to
> be replaced.
>
> My question is, what would you rather have done to your tranny, even
> if no sign of heat damage had occurred? Does this modification sound
> sufficient to prevent the gear from further possible damage? It
> almost sounds like only a bandaid solution to a fundamental
> design/engineering flaw in the transmission.
>
> Would you guys rather have the tranny replaced in this case, even if
> no sign of damage was showing? Thanks.

Working on the assumption that your transmission isn't damage, why do you
think that you're entitled to a new transmission? If you get a new
transmission you'll get the same thing you have now, just newer and with the
mod.

Agreed, I'd rather have a new transmission but if there's no sign of damage,
you're not entitled to a new transmission. They're not going to put a new
improved re-designed transmission in your car.

-Bruce

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/Con...=1081939370150



"Steve Lee" <gua@comole.com> wrote in message
news:7d6u701lajm8uudfdnlfqsasonbee548rc@4ax.com...
> You can read about here,
> http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040414/law046_1.html or below is a
> cut&paste of it.
>
> It says that if there's no sign of any heat damage to the gear, then
> as I understand it, something will be installed to increase the flow
> of the tranny fluid to this secondary shaft second gear. However, if
> there are signs of heat damage already, then the tranny is supposed to
> be replaced.
>
> My question is, what would you rather have done to your tranny, even
> if no sign of heat damage had occurred? Does this modification sound
> sufficient to prevent the gear from further possible damage? It
> almost sounds like only a bandaid solution to a fundamental
> design/engineering flaw in the transmission.
>
> Would you guys rather have the tranny replaced in this case, even if
> no sign of damage was showing? Thanks.
> ==================
> Press Release Source: American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
>
> American Honda to Recall Certain Light Truck Vehicles to Repair
> Automatic Transmissions
> Wednesday April 14, 11:00 am ET
>
> TORRANCE, Calif., April 14 /PRNewswire/ -- American Honda Motor Co.,
> Inc., today announced a voluntary recall of certain Honda and Acura
> light truck models equipped with V6 engines and five-speed automatic
> transmissions to inspect and repair a potential defect in the
> transmission.
>
> The recall involves approximately 600,000 light trucks manufactured in
> the U.S. and Canada. Affected models include certain model year 2002,
> 2003 and early 2004 Honda Odyssey minivans; 2003 and early 2004 Honda
> Pilots; and 2001 and 2002 Acura MDX sport-utility vehicles.
>
> The situation is created by insufficient lubrication of the
> transmission's secondary shaft second gear that can occur under
> certain driving conditions. Prolonged operation under these conditions
> can lead to heat build-up and under certain circumstances may
> eventually result in chipped or broken gear teeth or breakage of the
> gear. In the event of a chipped or broken tooth, the owner will likely
> experience abnormal noise from the transmission and seek repairs. In
> rare instances, this condition may lead to gear breakage and possible
> locking of the vehicle's transmission, creating a potential safety
> hazard.
>
> This more severe condition is extremely rare and affects only vehicles
> with high mileage. To date, the company's records indicate only ten
> confirmed instances in the United States and Canada of this type of
> transmission failure, with no injuries or accidents as a result.
>
> Owners of affected vehicles will be contacted via mail and will be
> asked to take their vehicle to an authorized Honda or Acura dealer to
> be repaired free of charge. In most cases, the repair involves a
> simple gear inspection, which is accomplished without removing or
> disassembling the transmission, and a modification to increase the
> flow of transmission fluid to the affected gear. If during the
> inspection the service technician discovers discoloration of the gear
> indicating heat damage, Honda will replace the transmission assembly
> at no cost to the customer. Owners will be notified by mail when parts
> are available for their model, with notifications going first to the
> oldest affected units. Customer mailings will begin in May and should
> be completed by September.
>
> Details regarding mailing dates and affected vehicles will be
> available on the Honda and Acura Web sites before the end of April.
> Owners will be able to access this information by registering at the
> "Owner Link" section of www.honda.com or www.acura.com and entering
> the 17-digit vehicle identification number found on the driver's side
> dashboard near the bottom edge of the windshield.
>
> Customers concerned about the condition of their vehicle may also
> contact their local Honda or Acura dealer, or call Honda customer
> service at (800) 999-1009 or Acura customer service at (800) 382-2238.


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In article <7d6u701lajm8uudfdnlfqsasonbee548rc@4ax.com>,
Steve Lee <gua@comole.com> wrote:

> My question is, what would you rather have done to your tranny, even
> if no sign of heat damage had occurred?

I would first make arrangements to test the trans fluid at the facility
of my choice.

Should the test show anything negative, I'd have them replace it.

I *will* do this.

In article <OLHfc.17326$Fb7.16021@newssvr22.news.prodigy.com> ,
"Bruce Chang" <bechang@swspambegonebell.com> wrote:

> Working on the assumption that your transmission isn't damage, why do you
> think that you're entitled to a new transmission?

Get ALL the facts before determining it isn't damaged.

One external look-see by some random mechanic at a Honda dealership
isn't enough for me. I want a fluid analysis.

Should that come back bad, it's up to Honda to defend any position they
may have that doesn't involve the transmission being replaced. My
position would be, you know you have problems and the fluid analysis is
much more detailed and telling than any external test some dealership
mechanic can do.

> One external look-see by some random mechanic at a Honda dealership
> isn't enough for me. I want a fluid analysis.
>
> Should that come back bad, it's up to Honda to defend any position they
> may have that doesn't involve the transmission being replaced. My
> position would be, you know you have problems and the fluid analysis is
> much more detailed and telling than any external test some dealership
> mechanic can do.

all tranny fluid is going to show some metallic particles, some clutch
material, etc. unless you know what "normal" honda V6 auto tranny fluid is
supposed to have in it, youll have nothing to compare it to.

In rec.autos.tech Elmo P. Shagnasty <elmop@nastydesigns.com> wrote:
> In article <7d6u701lajm8uudfdnlfqsasonbee548rc@4ax.com>,
> Steve Lee <gua@comole.com> wrote:

> > My question is, what would you rather have done to your tranny, even
> > if no sign of heat damage had occurred?

> I would first make arrangements to test the trans fluid at the facility
> of my choice.

> Should the test show anything negative, I'd have them replace it.

> I *will* do this.




If I read the article correctly Honda was quite clear on what they
were going to do. I see nothing where customers are allowed to determine
their own testing methods. If you do not want what they are offering
fine, sue them. What I find amazing is that this is a Japanese vehicle
that someone has admitted that there might be a chronic problem with.
Have fun dealing with them, you might find out what they really think
of us...

On Fri, 16 Apr 2004 02:43:58 GMT, "Bruce Chang"
<bechang@swspambegonebell.com> wrote:

>"Steve Lee" <gua@comole.com> wrote in message
>news:7d6u701lajm8uudfdnlfqsasonbee548rc@4ax.com.. .
>> You can read about here,
>> http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040414/law046_1.html or below is a
>> cut&paste of it.
>>
>> It says that if there's no sign of any heat damage to the gear, then
>> as I understand it, something will be installed to increase the flow
>> of the tranny fluid to this secondary shaft second gear. However, if
>> there are signs of heat damage already, then the tranny is supposed to
>> be replaced.
>>
>> My question is, what would you rather have done to your tranny, even
>> if no sign of heat damage had occurred? Does this modification sound
>> sufficient to prevent the gear from further possible damage? It
>> almost sounds like only a bandaid solution to a fundamental
>> design/engineering flaw in the transmission.
>>
>> Would you guys rather have the tranny replaced in this case, even if
>> no sign of damage was showing? Thanks.
>
>Working on the assumption that your transmission isn't damage, why do you
>think that you're entitled to a new transmission? If you get a new
>transmission you'll get the same thing you have now, just newer and with the
>mod.
>
>Agreed, I'd rather have a new transmission but if there's no sign of damage,
>you're not entitled to a new transmission.

If my tranny is defective and the fluid cooler kit is just to prolong
the period before the failure of the part of the tranny to hopefully
get it out of the warranty period, then I am entitled.

> They're not going to put a new
>improved re-designed transmission in your car.

Then that's not a question of entitlement or fairness, but, rather,
one of bottomline for the car maker.