Hi everyone,

My 1999 Accord is my baby. Bought it new. Has 172,500 miles on it. I started having a small transmission leak a few months ago. Took it to my local Honda Dealer and they informed me that they do not open up transmissions or rebuild. Referred me to a local Cottman transmissions. I've been filling up transmission fluid in the meantime whenever I'm low a quart or two. Again, it's a very SLOW leak. I finally got time to take it to Cottman today and they informed me that taking apart the tranmission to repair the leak, is basically rebuilding the transmission. It will cost around 2200.00.

I realize this is not going to be cheap to do. There is really nothing else wrong with the car. Engine is in great shape. I've kept to a strict Honda maintenance schedule.

My dilema is this: Do I throw 2200.00 into a 13-year old car with 172,500 miles on it or just bite the bullet and go for a 2012 Honda Civic (can't afford an Accord anymore!!), trade it in and put the money that I was going to give for the repair towards a new car.

I'm really sad to think that I must give this car up. When I purchased the car, my intent was to get at least 200,000 miles on it. At this point, it really doesn't owe me a dime.

So I'm asking for opinions, advice, thoughts, etc? Someone also told me about a liquid stop leak... but I'm not so sure about that.

Your help and guidance will be greatly appreciated!

Thank you so much,

Christina in PA

 

you could try Lucas transmission additive

 

Thanks for the suggestion.

 

 

Thanks for posting the video... it seems quite logical to me to try this. I'm way beyond any warranty life, so I can't run the risk of breaking the warranty. I've had a few people recommend this to me as well!! I'm quite excited. I gotta hang on to the Old Lady for at least another 28k miles to make it to 200k

 

Here's the deal. Are you going to be doing your own maintenance and repair? Granted replacing the transmission is beyond most DIYers, but there's going to be other things that come up. If you can do the brakes, tune up, replace alternator etc.. etc... the. I'd say keep the car. Otherwise between the tranny and other items that will likely come up you may spend more money repairs than the car is worth.

My general rule is if repair(s) are 50% or more than the car is worth
it's the to move on. I your doing the work yourself the cost is much lower so you can keep it longer.

 

Wingsnbeer, no -- I or my husband won't be doing the repair ourselves. We were referred to a friend of a friend that works on Hondas, and he wants to charge us just a few hundred bucks less than Cottman would... and with Cottman, I would get a one-year warranty. So, in short... at this point -- we picked up the Lucas seal additive, waiting for my transmission fluids to get low enough, add it -- and wait to see if we continue to get the leak. If we do... it's crunch and decision time. This time at least allows me to do more research and test driving of cars that I may want to replace my 99 Accord with.

 

We added the Lucas Seal additive today. Hoping for the best!

 

Good luck! Let us know how it works out for you.

 

I'm also interested to know if it works for you.

 

As promised, I would return to this to give you all an update. The Lucas did wonders at first, it really helped slow down the leak, to more of a drip. Even added it again. In short.... The transmission is getting worse and now, with just a few miles over 174,000 -- it's time. I don't know if I want to put 2200 into rebuilding this tranny. I test drove a 2012 Civic EX and a 2013 Accord LX over the weekend. Really dislike the Accord and I'm leaning heavily to signing on the dotted line for the Civic tomorrow night.

I'm just getting too emotional over giving up my great 99 Accord.... I know I could have done alot better with the miles!!