| RC98 |
All - I took my 01 X to an independent shop that has a 25 year reputation here in Chicago, working solely on Honda and Acura automobiles.
After replicating the shudder and rumble strip issues, they ran a diagnostic and did a visual inspection. Everything checked out OK.
Here's what I thought was interesting.
The mechanic told me that apart from the rumble and shudder, the transmission performed flawlessly in the road test, up and down shifting smoothly without any slippage. I agreed...apart from certain, replicable, instances at a particular speed and rpm range, the tranny and the engine were perfect. RPM's did not fluctuate during rumble nor during shudder apart from me taking the foot off the gas because it is unnerving.
He noticed that both engine mounts were trashed and demonstrated to me how much the engine actually moved by applying the brake, placing the trans in Drive and engaging throttle. I was looking at the engine and the whole thing actually moved what looked like 3/4" or more!! That is a lot for an engine that is not supposed to move at all with good mounts.
Anyway, he suggested that this could be the cause of the "rumble" and what we perceived to be a shudder. Once the engine reaches a particular resonance or tension level with the tranny, the whole thing can vibrate (rumble) or even hop (front end shudder).
Anyway, he recommended replacing the 2 engine mounts...and suggested that my transmission may actually be fine.
He did not dispell the possiblity of transmission failure...but did note that if there was an internal tranny failure, other symptoms often likely exist...like slippage or locking or failure to engage.
Thoughts on this?
I searched the forum to look for any instances of Acura Client Services picking up some of the tab for busted mounts (it's a common problem with 01 MDX) -- but did not see any instances of this. Anyone get compensated for this expense?
Does Client Services require that the work be done at an Acura dealership for it to cover expense, or are they generally willing to accommodate independent Honda/Acura shops? |
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| hammermdx |
| If it is going to be a good will covered item, then it has to be performed at an Acura dealership. |
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| midnightMDX |
| What shop was this? I am also in the area. Sounds like the tranny is fine. Busted engine mounts would cause alot of shaking and stumbling issues. |
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| RC98 |
quote:
Originally posted by midnightMDX
What shop was this? I am also in the area. Sounds like the tranny is fine. Busted engine mounts would cause alot of shaking and stumbling issues.
HAAS Inc. (Honda Acura Auto Specialists)
http://www.hondaclinic.com
These guys are super helpful, friendly and want to do the job right. They ask good questions before ever hitting the road, which to me, is the most important step of any diagnosis.
I also had a check engine light come on. They ran a code, told me it was a faulty gas cap that caused fuel line vacuum issues, charged me $10 and I was on my way. I had a hell of a time changing out the rear wiper, so they did it for me. If I had a wiper blade, theyd have installed it, but I didnt so I purchased from them. $13 part and install. They use only genuine Honda parts. |
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| midnightMDX |
| Yea, I been there tons of times with my 97 accord and 98 integra. Always helpful and knowledgeable. Much cheaper than the dealer. I didnt know it was 25 years. I thought was it like 15, for this shop anyway. Glad to meet a local. :cool: |
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| RC98 |
quote:
Originally posted by midnightMDX
Yea, I been there tons of times with my 97 accord and 98 integra. Always helpful and knowledgeable. Much cheaper than the dealer. I didnt know it was 25 years. I thought was it like 15, for this shop anyway. Glad to meet a local. :cool:
Ha! You are correct...it is 15 years. Not sure where I got 25. It mustve been the level of competence and customer service I perceived. Stark difference from some of the cold and informal..."got 20 other task orders to complete today" attitude that I feel from the dealer service shops. |
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| SuperTech |
After diagnosing hundreds, if not thousands of MDXs in my time, I can tell you that there's really only a few causes for the shudder or "rumble strip" complaint.
Torque converter
Slipping clutch in transmission
EGR valve and/or passages
Bad engine mounts cause harsh shifts and rough/shaking idle complaints.
Period. Don't let anyone second guess this.
If a shop is unable to duplicate your concern, they are not taking it for a long enough road test. Whenever I had a transmission complaint, I had a specific road test to diagnose it. It involved going up a hill, high speed freeway running, and a city loop. I would do lots of full throttle shifts, lug the powertrain in the sportshift cars, and a couple other things to make sure the transmission got hot. Took about 20 miles and 1/2 an hour. Of course if I confirmed the problem early I turned around and went back to the shop in fear of the car stranding me.
I've had people bring in a transmission concern, and after some questions, I learn that it slipped on them only after driving for two hours with a full load of people and cargo. Kinda tough to duplicate those conditions at pretty much any shop you take it to. |
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| slash007 |
quote:
Originally posted by RC98
All - I took my 01 X to an independent shop that has a 25 year reputation here in Chicago, working solely on Honda and Acura automobiles.
After replicating the shudder and rumble strip issues, they ran a diagnostic and did a visual inspection. Everything checked out OK.
Here's what I thought was interesting.
The mechanic told me that apart from the rumble and shudder, the transmission performed flawlessly in the road test, up and down shifting smoothly without any slippage. I agreed...apart from certain, replicable, instances at a particular speed and rpm range, the tranny and the engine were perfect. RPM's did not fluctuate during rumble nor during shudder apart from me taking the foot off the gas because it is unnerving.
He noticed that both engine mounts were trashed and demonstrated to me how much the engine actually moved by applying the brake, placing the trans in Drive and engaging throttle. I was looking at the engine and the whole thing actually moved what looked like 3/4" or more!! That is a lot for an engine that is not supposed to move at all with good mounts.
Anyway, he suggested that this could be the cause of the "rumble" and what we perceived to be a shudder. Once the engine reaches a particular resonance or tension level with the tranny, the whole thing can vibrate (rumble) or even hop (front end shudder).
Anyway, he recommended replacing the 2 engine mounts...and suggested that my transmission may actually be fine.
He did not dispell the possiblity of transmission failure...but did note that if there was an internal tranny failure, other symptoms often likely exist...like slippage or locking or failure to engage.
Thoughts on this?
I searched the forum to look for any instances of Acura Client Services picking up some of the tab for busted mounts (it's a common problem with 01 MDX) -- but did not see any instances of this. Anyone get compensated for this expense?
Does Client Services require that the work be done at an Acura dealership for it to cover expense, or are they generally willing to accommodate independent Honda/Acura shops?
I had the same exact experience except that I took mine to the dealer. I changed both engine mounts and I still have the same problem. I am going back on Monday so that they can check it again. |
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