CTR EP3 gearbox issue...

[andyjo1982]

Morning all

So recently, I've been noticing that my gears seem to be crunching a lot more lately. Is this a sign of a serious gearbox issue? or could it be clutch related?

Anyone else have any experience of this? Its a 2005 CTR with about 72k on the clock.

Cheers

[Wheeler88]

Is the clutch slipping at all when pulling away?

Also, bare in mind that the outside air temps are starting to decline - especially at night. Do you still find that the car crunches into gear after the car is fully up to temp. And I dont mean on the temp gauge - i mean after the car has been running for 15-20 mins.

2nd gear is renown for crunching anyway, especially when air temps start dropping to 10 degrees and below. When was the last time you had your CVT replaced?

[andyjo1982]

It does feel slightly like it is slipping and it does still crunch even after its properly warmed up.

So far as I know, and I can;t find any receipts to show it, the CVT hasn't been changed.

[Wheeler88]

If it is slipping I would say go get it checked at your local Honda dealership. Given the mileage, it's not uncommon for a new clutch. If it has spent most of its life on stop-start journeys, the clutch will have taken a pounding.

It always seems a pain to have to splash out on getting a new clutch, but given your mileage, your car still has plenty of life left in her yet!

If you don't want to shell out on a new clutch yet (if that is the problem) a quick fix may be the CVT fluid.

Either way, I would say get her booked in for a check up and see what they say

[itsnotarace]

Assuming that the car has been thoroughly warmed up, does it happen only at high revs and in several gears (2nd and 4th most common), if so, clutch is on it's way out

If it's crunchy at low revs too, make sure you bury the clutch pedal in the carpet on changes, and if it still does it then its time to change the gearbox oil

[andyjo1982]

Cheers for the replies. I'll get her checked out ASAP.

[Mr2Mike]

If the clutch is starting to wear then it will show up any weakness into the synchromesh, which will almost always be worse on 2nd gear, especially during high RPM gear changes. The clutch on the EP3 drags well before it starts slipping.

[thatdude]

When was the last time the clutch fluid was replaced and bled free of air?

[Aviz]

I had this going into 2nd. Honda fixed it under goodwill. Don't ask me what they did, but I know the gearbox came out. It was about 6 years old at the time.

[itsnotarace]

Aviz said:

Don't ask me what they did, but I know the gearbox came out. It was about 6 years old at the time.

http://civictype-r.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=43317

Doesn't always fix the problem though, or the problem may jump to 4th

[Aviz]

itsnotarace said:

http://civictype-r.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=40&...

Doesn't always fix the problem though, or the problem may jump to 4th

Yep, that' sounds like it. They also replaced the rear control arms due to tyre wear on the shoulders, and the air con rad (which was actually punctured by a stone, but apparently some had a leaking issue they knew about) out of good will. Think if ran into several thousand . Was very impressed seeing as It was 2nd hand private purchase and well out of warranty. I never actually spent a penny with the dealer the whole time I had it

[dandemoraliser]

Cheap fix maybe just to change gearbox fluids. Worth a try before writing off clutch and / or box