I did a search and didn't come up with the answer I was specifically looking for so I thought I would give a new tread a shot.

I have a 1998 Accord Ex 4cly Auto (apparently) that has a rebuilt transmission (at least 30-40k miles ago). I noticed about a month ago that there was a very slight "flare" that occurs at around 40mph. I also noticed a shudder that developed along with it at a few different speeds. I changed the fluid and added lubegard black and lubegard shudder stop as well. For a few days it seemed that the problem was remedied, but skeptical I kept a keen eye on the tranny. After a week, I can still notice the very slight flare at 40mph, but no shudder.

The question: Is this an early indicator that the transmission is failing? If so, does the life expectancy vary at this point or does anyone have a definitive answer as to how long it has?

I'd like to sell the car, but cannot in good conscience without being able to give honest answers about the car.

 

Describe this flare. Is it during a shift? Letting off the throttle? slowing down? speeding up? the TCC on these cars disengage around 40-43 mph and the rpms swing down then bump back up normally. At least on my car it does.

 

Might be the VTEC kicking in. I would say, make sure all the maintenance is up-to-date, and don't sweat the small stuff on a 15 year old car.

 

It is not during accel, it's if I cruise at 40mph. It is intermittent and the RPMs flare about 100, so it's not very bad. The fluid was due for change and that could be the cause for the previous shudder. I doubt anyone would even notice during a test drive, but I just try to be careful when I am selling something to someone.

Maintenance done. I am OCD, even with old cars.

 

The 100 rpm fluctuation sounds like torque converter lockup going on/off. Sometimes this can be remedied by removing the lockup solenoids (A/B single unit) and cleaning the inlet screens on each.

However, as you will see from attached video link, this may not be a permanent fix. There were more problems w/ the 98-02 AT's than earlier models.


Usually "flare" is a rpm increase/decrease (rather than abrupt decrease) during trans upshift, typically 1-2. This may be a wear issue on clutches and usually will not get better. Upside is it can be driven for years w/ this condition, if you release throttle slighlty when upshift is approaching.

good luck

 

I went through 2 trannies on an 03 Accord V6 coupe. I thought the bands were loose; it was downshifting as it they were. Of course the dealer was happy to mess with tightening the bands, knowing full well that late 90's to mid 2000's ATs were just faulty. If it's shifting well TX Honda has the ticket.

 

Thanks for all the info and suggestions. The issues aren't bad at all, but they are enough to worry me. I'm going to assume it will need work in the near future and price it accordingly. I'm not personally going to try and fix it at this point though.