Hi everyone, this is my first attempt of getting advices online for my 96 honda accord EX.

Last winter my transmission gave up so I decided to bring it to my mechanic for a swap. Maybe 5-6 months later, as I get off the highway the car starts reving without any acceleration. Basically the car would go on neutral. I still managed to make it to the mecanic so he suggested that we start by changing the silenoids. Didn't work, it actually got worse... I took the car home and left it there for the winter. Now after a few months, the car starts fine, gets into gear, check engine light is gone. I havent dared to drive it around I just drived and reversed in my parking. I was thinking maybe change the tranny oil but I feel like I'll waste my time... Should I just scrap the damn thing if the tranny keeps going on neutral like that? Any moderate cost solution to try first?

Thanks and sorry for the long message.

 

If the transmission was swapped out for a used unit, it is most likely that the sump pickup on the used unit is full of debris and the pickup is blocked.
Do you recall if there was a whining coming from the transmission when it stopped functioning? If so that was the pump cavitating.

I would highly suggest draining the fluid and see what comes out, if it is dark and full of gunk you will need to do a few drain/refills to get the goo out.
I would suggest purchasing a few pints of Sea Foam Trans Tune(or any other hydraulic system cleaner/solvent) and allow it to soak and break down the gunk in the sump.

DO NOT use any kind of fluid or 'fix-it' fluids that claim to fix leaks or fix slipping gears. Those will just cause more problems.

Common failure mode of the H4A is people do not change the fluid on a regular basis, the accumulated buildup of worn clutch material and metal particles builds up in the sump. Eventually the pickup in the sump just because clogged. These transmissions do not have a removable pan for filter changes. Access to the filter is only possible through removal and disassembly of the transmission.

 

Actually yes there is always that whining sound, in particular when I put foot on the accelerator.

Sorry btw I forgot to mention it's an automatic transmission.

Thanks for the advice!

 

I kind of have the same whining sound. It got better after I got trannt fluid flushed. Would I have to change the tranny fluid after sea foam treatment? Also last time I put seafoam into oil by bearing spun...

 

Yup, the transmission will whine if the sump is plugged or restricted.
Draining and refilling will help remove a good bit of junk, but you would be better off to use a cleaner that can further break down any buildup so it will flush out when the sump is drained again.
Trans Tune can stay in with the fluid. I do this as it seems to allow the transmission to shift better.
Sea Foam alone would not cause a spun bearing. Unless there was only a pint of Sea Foam in the crank case(no oil). But then that would not be Sea Foams fault.
To have that dramatic of a bearing failure there would have to be major mechanical issues prior to that. The only thing that Sea Foam might have done was break down any varnish/gunk that was between the bearing and the block or main cap surface. If that was the only thing keeping the bearing in place then the Sea Foam would have un-stuck the bearing and it would have let loose and stacked/spun. Stretched(failed) main or rod bolts, combined with excessive clearances(worn bearings/crank journal) or a balance or vibration(faulty harmonic damper pulley) problem may cause the spun bearing. Not the Sea Foam.