oldmancivic

Hello. New user here.

Question. I am getting some noise from the transmission area of my 2000 Civic LX

It sounds like a ratcheting noise primarily in 1st and 2nd gear. Sometimes it
starts at takeoff, sometimes it waits till I am about 15 mph. The car is manual,
and has 80K on it. My kids drive it often. I think they may be doing some
gear slamming between 1st and 2nd.

What could this be? I am planning on changing the manual trans fluid, but the
owners manual says 10w30. I will call Honda dealer today to get the slim on
type.

This is quite bothersome, and I would like to remedy this problem soonest.

Many Thanks,

Oldmancivic

Deemeetree

If there is some type of "ratcheting" or "grinding" noise going from 1st to 2nd gear, or any gear for that matter, your Synchros may be going out. Do you know if your kids are doing anything "stupid" with the Civic like racing or being like any other dumb teenager?

Usually, Honda people LOVE using either Honda MTF or GM/Pennzoil Synchromesh. Many use the GM/Pennzoil Synchromesh and have said that it works wonders, even if you have a SLIGHT grind from any gear. For the most part, the "ratcheting" or "grinding" went away. Try that. The GM Synchromesh can be bought at any GM dealer for about $10 a bottle, but that is WITH the Friction Modifier already mixed. The Pennzoil Synchromesh is the SAME THING and costs about $5 a bottle at your local auto parts store. Only difference is the Pennzoil doesn't come with the Friction Modifier, so you'll need to buy a small bottle and mix it in.

bbarbulo

put in GM synchromesh and forbid your children from driving your car altogether. they don't deserve it, trust me. What they need to do is buy their own ******* car with their own ******* money, and maybe they'll learn some respect for other ppl's ****.

PhatBoy5015

My civic did the same thing. When I took it to the tranny shop, they said it was the main shaft bearing. If it is the main shaft bearing, you need to fix it quick, cause if you let it go long enough, it will put a hole in the transmission case.

BauleyCivic

Listen for a clanking at idle that goes away when u press the clutch in, if its that then your input shaft bearing is dead. Read here: https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=596873

If ur tranny is just loud and grinding into gears, try two quarts of GM synchromesh tranny fluid. Part # 12377916

oldmancivic

Hey Everyone, Thanks for your help.

I purchased 2 quarts of the GM Syncromesh oil and put in
the tranny. However, I did not get the Friction Modifier.

What a difference!! The car is really quiet now.

Thanks!!

You guys are awesome!!

Deemeetree

Does the bottle look like the one above? If it does, you do have the Friction Modified one. I'm not sure if the GM Synchromesh comes in a non-Friction Modified model.

Glad we all could be of service.

oldmancivic

Hey Dimi,

No. The bottle is round. It says GM Syncromesh, but it does not say
Friction Modified. I called the local GM dealer where I got the two quarts,
and asked if they had another type that stated "Friction Modified". He was
suprised to find out they had the bottle like you are posting. The cost of
the bottle you posted is $11.75 a bottle. Non-FM was $9.91.

BTW. I drove the car last night. I was mistaken. The noise is still there.
Clackety clackety, clack. 1st and 2nd gear primarily. I hate this. The oil
did smooth the noise out, but not completely. Maybe I should invest the
$23.50 and try the "friction modified" type.

So, I gotta ask this question to the group. What am I looking at to
get this car fixed? I have 80K on the 2000LX. Do I sell it hoping the
new buyer is deaf? (just kidding). To I do a tranny swap? Or should
I just get a vtec motor and tranny?

Thanks,

Old Man

FERIOkid

I would say bring it to a local shop and have them check the bearing and if it's fucked and they have to get you a new one when they take all the tranny fluid out have them put in the GM Syncromesh with the "friction modifier" added. If that does solve the problem then i'd tell your kids to fix it and deal with it and maybe next time they shouldn't be railing on your car

Deemeetree

Change the input shaft bearing. If the noise is still there, you can get a used tranny for a few hundred MAX. If that has to happen, you can always upgrade to the D16Y8 transmission (96+ EX model) which will give you better gearing (more acceleration). No need for a motor upgrade.

So, start with the bearing and move from there.

BTW, don't let your kids drive your car anymore.

oldmancivic

Hey Dimi,

Thanks for your past replies. Your information is
very appreciated. Now, a couple of more things.

Short of heading to the tranny shop, I was wondering
about a couple more things.

1. The noise is now coming and going, depending on how
hard I accelerate. Being an old man (kids term) I generally
dont get on the gas that much.

2. Can I still drive it this way without further damage?

3. Since I put the fluid in that WAS NOT friction modified,
should I drain the current fluid, and try the friction modified?
I'm thinking this may help some more.

Since your postings, the kids have been cut-off of driving my
car. I think they got the message because they removed the
boom-boom stereo speakers and amplifier from the trunk.
They now are driving their own beaters. No more Mr. nice guy.

Thanks,

Craig (Oldman)