HONDA: I think my synchros are going... can someone validate or dispute my concerns?
I bought the car about 3 weeks ago. 94 del Sol VTEC with the original B16 (146k mi), but it has a hydro LS transmission (unknown mi). While test driving, I noticed a slight 3rd gear grind during high speed shifting. I also noticed the car was sorta sluggish in 3rd gear @ low RPMs, but figured it was an o2 sensor problem. That concern aside, I went ahead and bought the car, figuring if the tranny goes its just a good excuse to swap the GSR drivetrain in. Weeeeell I guess I should have been careful what I wished for, cause I think the LS is about to take a dump on me.
Driving at about 50 on Barrett pkwy this afternoon, I heard a loud metallic clank... like a wrench dropped in a garage. Though it was alarming, I didnt initially really feel any difference while driving, so I figured maybe something had fallen from another car or something. I was right by my destination at the time, so I parked and went in with no problem. When I left, I realized something was wrong. Ive been driving around for a bit to get back home, and I've tried to pinpoint what I've noticed.
First, between 1st and 2nd gear I sometimes hear a loud sorta metallic popping noise. Not a grind, but a loud pop. Theres not really a rhyme or reason that I can find, but it seems to only be in 1st and 2nd gears. (Over an hour or so of driving, I heard this maybe 5 times). My exhaust note is very irregular and sounds... uh... reverberated, I guess you'd say. I'm getting alot of pedal vibration during acceleration. The car is sluggish, especially in lower RPMs. If I cruise at 3-4k RPM and then give the car a quick burst of gas, it sort of feels like something thuds into place - just a slight little jerk - and is sluggish (This is very obvious in 1st and 2nd, a bit less obvious in 3rd and 4th, and almost non-existant in 5th.).
I decided it was prooooobably a tranny problem of some sort, and tried double clutching.... it did alleviate alot of the problems like popping and that sort of thing, but Im still sluggish in pretty much any gear, particularly in lower RPMs. Not sure if its related, but in 30 minutes or so of traffic I also noticed I was idling at 1600-1800RPM at any given time.
All in all, its kinda hard for me to describe what the car is doing, but any hints as to what the problem is are greatly appreciated. I think its a synchro issue.... but correct my if im wrong. Also, whatever it is, how safe am I to drive it, and for how long? If I need to swap a transmission, I'm gonna have to find one first.
thanks in advance!
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Originally Posted by blackshine007
that helps your tranny stay in tip top shape
