Questions and Answers
About a month after that things went downhill. In the morning the transmission is very stiff, and requires considerable effort for the first 2 or 3 shifts from third to second. When the transmission heats up after driving for 15 - 20 minutes, shifting from second to third or from third to fourth the gears grind, albeit very very briefly. It's not even a grind really, more of a click. But if I shift slowly, say leave the clutch in for an extra second and move the lever a bit slower, then there is no grinding. In summary, shift above 3000 rpm and shift at a normal pace = brief grind. Shift below 3000 rpm or shift at a slower pace = no grind. I'm convinced had I not changed the gear oil I wouldn't have this problem but what's done is done I guess. The question is what's the problem here and am I looking at having to rebuild or replace?? My suspicion is the synchronizers are starting to go. What exactly do the synchronizers do? Is it true that if it is the synchronizers, any repairs don't need to be done soon because the synchronizers only work when I shift, thus they don't work that much?
Honda Grinds
Q. Here's my problem. About 9 or 10 months ago a friend convinced me to change the gear oil in my 1993 Honda Civic si with a 5-speed transmission. We put in 2 bottles of Castrol synthetic. I'm not sure if the previous oil was synthetic.
Thanks,
Neil MA. The synchronizers provide a smooth transition from one gear to the next. Since the different gears are spinning at different speeds, it's important that they can mesh smoothly without grinding. They also keep the transmission in gear. If they go bad you'll be driving along and the transmission will shift into neutral all by itself. Reverse gear is not synchronized that's why you have to come to a complete stop to engage reverse.
It may be that the synchronizers are not bad, just that you have the incorrect fluid in the transmission. Honda recommends SF/SG 10W-30 or 10W-40 Motor Oil in their transmissions. Draining what you have and putting in the recommended oil will probably fix the cold hard shifting and grinding.
