'05 Pilot - Transmission going, keep it or get out now?

[rabydanimal]

I had the dreaded radiator failure at 90k on my '05 Pilot. I drove it about 4 miles to the dealer after it started slipping, stopping half way to let the transmission cool down. Honda replaced the radiator to the tune of ~$1,000. When I picked it up I asked if the tranny was OK and the SA said he didn't have any notes from the tech on it.

As I drove it home I noticed it was shifting much harder than usual. Downshifts into second are especially rough, especially when giving it more throttle (e.g. going up hill). I took it back to the dealer, they flushed the tranny again at no cost and said if that doesn't do it that it will need to be replaced. Their price for a factory rebuilt tranny installed is $3,500. The flush did nothing so I contacted American Honda. The woman that called was polite but after speaking with the dealer didn't offer any assistance based on the fact the car had not been dealer serviced and thus they have no repair records. We got it via private sale with 60k and the guy didn't have receipts for service so I guess we're out of luck there.

So I'm in the car for a grand now and it will need brakes (pads, calipers and rotors) all around very soon. Otherwise it is in decent mechanical shape. The tranny doesn't slip at all, it just shifts roughly. I was quoted $2,000 to have the tranny rebuilt by highly recommended local shop who warranties their work for 3yr/36,000 miles.

My question is this, how much life do you think we can get out of the tranny as-is? Also, will it give signs before it fails completely? I don't want my wife stranded somewhere because the tranny spontaneously blew up. Also, would you put the money into a 6 year old car it or trade ASAP?

[rocky]

I'm no fan of tranny flushes as the can stir up sediment that gums up the valve body. I recommend only simple drain and refill. You suggest it was flushed twice-is that correct?

The valve body controls the gear change. It does this by opening and closing tiny valves which control which gear you are in.If dirt (clutch material) gets into a valve or stops it from opening or closing properly you get bad changes.

Drive it for several days, if you had no problems before the flush it should settle down. and behave properly.

[rabydanimal]

I have driven it approximately 700 miles since the service. Yes, the tranny was flushed and refilled at least 3 times (twice the first time it was in, once when I took it back). I would think you would definitely want to flush it to get any traces of antifreeze out. Since the service it hasn't gotten any better but it also hasn't gotten noticeably worse.

[normkol]

I had the same failure of the radiator about 1 month ago. See my earlier post.

The difference for me I think is that my daughter, who was driving, only drove about 3/4 mile before parking. We then had it towed to the dealer.

4 miles, with little fluid in the tranny, might have caused some damage.

Fortunately, our tranny seems to be ok.

Good luck with it.

[mclairmo]

If it were me, I would swap the fried trans with a good used one myself. You don't want the wifey stranded. Sometimes rebuilt is worse than a good used tranny. However, if your recommended rebuilder is good, has no BBB complaints, has not been sued lately and comes highly recommended by others that have actually used him, then go for it, if that makes you feel better. I would not get rid of it as the Pilot is an awesome vehicle and a busted tranny is not fatal to the entire vehicle. Also, I dont see why you need calipers and rotors? I merely changed my pads myself with Autozone cheapy pads and lightly deglazed my rotors with fine grit sandpaper. If the calipers are dry then keep them. If the rotors are not warped and not bady scored, then just deglaze.