SS Transmission Leak - Honda Prelude Forum

radtek223 · 07-14-2008, 09:00 PM

I have a 2001 base model with a severe transmission leak. It doesn't drip in the driveway. Using about 1 quart every 400 miles. 130,000 miles on the tranny but shifts fine when topped off with Honda ATF. Suggestions other than swapping to a manual xmission?

98auto · 07-14-2008, 10:06 PM

lol find the leak and fix it. but i have to tell you, id sell it and buy a 5spd, or swap the tranny out with a 5 spd

Speed Stick · 07-14-2008, 10:27 PM

5spd swap ahaha.

If its a sever transmission leak that it shouldn't be the most difficult thing to find. Kinda weird that it doesn't drip in the driveway though....

radtek223 · 07-15-2008, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 98auto

lol find the leak and fix it. but i have to tell you, id sell it and buy a 5spd, or swap the tranny out with a 5 spd

Guys if I was the only one driving this car, it would have been a 5 spd from the go. Alas, things we must sacrifice to try and get along. That said, if it would leak at an idle, locating the leak would be much easier. I'll contact a local transmission shop to see what my options are. BTW, Honda was unaware of SS xmission problems. HA!!

radtek223 · 07-15-2008, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speed Stick

5spd swap ahaha.

If its a sever transmission leak that it shouldn't be the most difficult thing to find. Kinda weird that it doesn't drip in the driveway though....

I agree. My guess is that a seal is failing under pressure, during shifts. Hard to duplicate that while I'm under the car. Guess I should feel lucky that I don't have puddles in my driveway tho.
I've read that the high pitch whine is common to these. The local tranny shop said the ball bearings used in these transmissions have flat spots on them to aid in lubrication and that's what generates the noise. What if all manufacturers used these? Rush hour traffic would have an all new sound to it.

radtek223 · 12-17-2008, 07:19 PM

The leak turns out to be the result of a blown differential. The right axle had an excessive amount of play in it that caused the case seal to fail. The leak went from minor to major the day I took it to the shop. New tranny $1,600 with 1yr wrty.

98auto · 12-17-2008, 09:39 PM

ACK...don;t do it. the SS trannies fail. It's a flawed design. Just sell the car after they fix it or swap to a 5 speed.