Honda CR-V 2001 - Auto gearbox 'rumble'

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Tue 5 Mar 2019 12:39
Honda CR-V 2001 - Auto gearbox 'rumble' - Willspring

Hi,

Several months ago I bought a 2001 CR-V Auto with 80k. After a few weeks noticed a noise coming from 'somewhere' Very long story short my local mechanic has finally been able to hear it and has identified it as coming from the gearbox.

Its best described as a low, rhythmic rumble. Almost like a helicopter. It only occurs when in gear and if placed in drive with the handbrake on its audible. As soon as its in Neutral or Park it vanishes. He's a bit stumped as he suggested its potentially normal.

It also seems loudest at low revs..up to about 2000. Its at its loudest when pulling away or under load.

Obviously as its an old car I don't really want to shell out a grand + On a gearbox repair as it essentially writes the thing off. Do love my car though so if there are any suggestions as to what it might specifically be, or indeed of its common and 'normal' then all gratefully received!

Thanks

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Tue 5 Mar 2019 13:56
Honda CR-V 2001 - Auto gearbox 'rumble' - gordonbennet

Could be the torque converter itself, has it seen hard use, is the correct level showing on the gearbox dipstick and oil looks clean, assuming it has a dipstick.

Alternatively it could be something as obscure as an engine or gearbox mounting going a little soft, and yes i have had odd things like this before and they can take an awful lot of tracking down, especially if the sound is intermittent.

A quick change of the transmission oils would be my first move here and see if it makes any difference at all, not forgetting any extra oils that might be required to send drive to the rear axle on one of these, it would be cheap enough and is part of good ongoing servicing anyway, and you'll be able to filter and examine the old oil, doesn't need to be Honda's Gucci oil, there are many makers of equivalent oils much cheaper to be found.

Edited by gordonbennet on 05/03/2019 at 13:57

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Tue 5 Mar 2019 14:04
Honda CR-V 2001 - Auto gearbox 'rumble' - Willspring

Thanks for the reply. Much appreciated. Sounds like a good idea. Bit worried if it was the torque converter as I've heard that that's a bit on the pricey side.

The fluid in the transmission is clean and at the right levels (it does have a dipstick) but a flush is probably a good idea.

I'll take that step and then see what's what. Thanks again.

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