Gearbox issue 1996 Civic Vti

Hi Guys

So never done this before but my mate suggested i get on the this forum and see if anyone can help me. I don't have a lot of experience with cars so please excuse my lack of technical terms.

I had my 1996 Civic Vti go in for a service and when i went to pick it up i was told that my gearbox was "flaring". I was told that i needed a new gearbox and that it was probably cheaper to buy a new car. I was pretty upset cause i love this car and it's been in the family for agers. I was told this happens to the vti model a fair bit....

I have got a second opinion from my uncle who is a second hand car dealer and he could find the part slightly cheaper but not a whole lot of difference. The car is coming up to 160,000 and not sure if i should sell it or if there is a way to fix the problem without paying close to 2 grand.

If anyone could help with suggestions or have had the same issue, please let me know.

Cheers

I assume this car is automatic?

Start with a 3x3 ATF flush then go from there

For honda gearbox's their a premium to repair, you're better off going to the wreckers and picking up one 2nd hand.

keep your eye on the for sale section of the forums too. someone who's doing a B swap or wrecking an EG/EK may be able to help you out. if you've got an auto you might be able to do a manual conversion - but might be a bit over your head if you're not real experienced.

btw, can someone fill us in what flaring is?

is your transmission a CVT or an ordinary Automatic ?

Flaring is where the auto will rev further and hold gears longer than what is "normal" and you get a bit of a clunk once it changes gears

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Originally Posted by stndrd

I assume this car is automatic?

Start with a 3x3 ATF flush then go from there

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Thanks Stndrd, can you explain what a ATF flush is?? and would this be something a mechanic could do??

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Originally Posted by VIP-EK

For honda gearbox's their a premium to repair, you're better off going to the wreckers and picking up one 2nd hand.

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Even second hand was nearly the same and only a 3 month warranty came with it. Thanks for the help

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Originally Posted by ECU-MAN

is your transmission a CVT or an ordinary Automatic ?

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I am pretty sure its just an auto...

Sorry guys, i am not big on all the specifics. I just am relaying what i have been told. Appreciate the help.

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Originally Posted by prime101

Thanks Stndrd, can you explain what a ATF flush is?? and would this be something a mechanic could do??

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A 3x3 flush is where you drain and refill the trans fluid 3 times. A mechanic will be able to do this quite easily

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Originally Posted by stndrd

Flaring is where the auto will rev further and hold gears longer than what is "normal" and you get a bit of a clunk once it changes gears

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actually no

flaring is when the engine rpm increases due to the clutch pack within the transmission is not engaging and slipping, the thud is due to poor or incorrect clutch pack clearances due to ware. During flaring loss of drive is experienced.

misaligned throttle pressure cable for the transmissions will also cause the thud on upshift between first and second

low fluid can also cause flaring if the torque converter cannot couple

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ECU-MAN

actually no

flaring is when the engine rpm increases due to the clutch pack within the transmission is not engaging and slipping, the thud is due to poor or incorrect clutch pack clearances due to ware. During flaring loss of drive is experienced.

misaligned throttle pressure cable for the transmissions will also cause the thud on upshift between first and second

low fluid can also cause flaring if the torque converter cannot couple

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Well explained

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Originally Posted by stndrd

A 3x3 flush is where you drain and refill the trans fluid 3 times. A mechanic will be able to do this quite easily

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Cheers, so this should fix the problem for a while???

Bandaid fix for short-term, maybe 5,000-10,000KM+.

Replacement auto GBox will be cheap, add labour to change it over and new fluid, it's probably a $800-1,000 problems parts and labour.

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Originally Posted by dougie_504

Bandaid fix for short-term, maybe 5,000-10,000KM+.

Replacement auto GBox will be cheap, add labour to change it over and new fluid, it's probably a $800-1,000 problems parts and labour.

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Many thanks, at least that gives me an idea what i am looking at. Beats the 2500 i was quoted haha.

Thanks

Where do you live? Get a tranny mechanic not a Honda dealer.

Adelaide, anyone you can recommend.....???

Honda dynamics is apparently the place to go

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Originally Posted by stndrd

Honda dynamics is apparently the place to go

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I'll check them out, many thanks :)

Why dont you do a b16a2 conversation, since your already spending 1k.

Will cost at most 3k, But then you will get alot more power and many years of fun out of the car.

ECUMAN has a good write up on b series conversion if you wanna do it yourself and save yourself a 1k for installation.

Just my 2cents.

Hope it works out for you in the end. Auto trannys dont last as long as Manual box's.

I predict $4g for a B16A + install. Doubt he wants to spend that rather than just buy an EK4/EM1?

If its a VTI, it would be the CVT. SO it wont be as straight forward as putting a 4 speed automatic in.
Drive it till it dies and in the meantime save up for a new car.

$2k odd for a working CVT transmission is probably ok. Although if that is second hand, how long will that last.

Yep i understand what you guys are all saying. I guess it always a hard decision. But ah ek said, a second hand transmission might not last that long either. And spending 4 grand on the car when i can pick up another car for the same, if not a bit more doesn't seem economical. I am going to see a transmission specialist hopefully next week and see what they say. Thanks for all the advice.