Opinions on CVT noise

[PotentialBuyer]

Hi all.

I'm looking for members' opinions on my groaning CVT transmission on a 2011 EXL. It drives perfectly fine - no jerkiness, and at 51+ mpg.

I've linked to two of my mp3 files to illustrate:

1. Going downhill at about 30mph where engine braking occurs https://jmp.sh/0jSnVBhK

2. Going uphill where I switch between D and S modes https://jmp.sh/nXKnWZaX

I think it might have sounded this way since I bought the car a few years ago, but I'm not 100% sure.

Although, I think I am perhaps just far more conscious of the sound these days since the mechanic passed comment on it after my last MOT.

He said it is quite common in Hondas with the CVT. I've since had the CVT fluid changed by Honda, and it has made no discernible difference.

Is he right? Is it meant to sound this way? Is it merely ageing and nothing to worry about? Can it be remedied?

I'd be interested in hearing about any similar experiences members have had.

Thanks.

[stevieboyyyy]

Mine made this noise, after changing the oil the noise went away a week or so later.

[PotentialBuyer]

Mine made this noise, after changing the oil the noise went away a week or so later.

Thanks for that. Just for clarity, the transmission fluid was changed rather than engine oil?

If so, was that a regular change of fluid, or a full flush of the transmission?

[chrisv]

Hi,
It sounds like a bearing on the way out( sorry) it may continue ok for years or fail, there's no way of telling. Honda were totally unhelpful concerning repair, no information about parts, no reconditioned parts available, new gearbox only, available around £15,000 plus fitting, you can get a new car for not much more. I took mine to an auto gearbox specialist near Cannock who obtained a gearbox in good condition from a breaker then rebuilt my box with donor parts. They give you a free loan car while they fix yours. My bill was over £2,000 but was better than scrapping the car. The alternative is " we buy any car". If you want to contact the repairer send me a message and I'll look up his name and address for you,
Chris

[stevieboyyyy]

Mine made this noise, after changing the oil the noise went away a week or so later.

Thanks for that. Just for clarity, the transmission fluid was changed rather than engine oil?

If so, was that a regular change of fluid, or a full flush of the transmission?

The local mechanic I use is very meticulous, just checked the invoice, was a full drain and refill of the transmission fluid. Not sure if he did a flush.

2012 reg, was a pre-reg car, was always Honda serviced till I got it, I bought it in 2020 with 24k miles.

Hope this helps.

[PotentialBuyer]

Hi,
It sounds like a bearing on the way out( sorry) it may continue ok for years or fail, there's no way of telling. Honda were totally unhelpful concerning repair, no information about parts, no reconditioned parts available, new gearbox only, available around £15,000 plus fitting, you can get a new car for not much more. I took mine to an auto gearbox specialist near Cannock who obtained a gearbox in good condition from a breaker then rebuilt my box with donor parts. They give you a free loan car while they fix yours. My bill was over £2,000 but was better than scrapping the car. The alternative is " we buy any car". If you want to contact the repairer send me a message and I'll look up his name and address for you,
Chris

Well that sounds grim!

If that's the case then mine has already been in that state for years, probably already on borrowed time.

I'd say the sound could well be an iffy bearing as you suggest. Hmmm.

Thanks for the offer, but I'm in the north of Scotland, so not massively convenient!

[PotentialBuyer]

Mine made this noise, after changing the oil the noise went away a week or so later.

Thanks for that. Just for clarity, the transmission fluid was changed rather than engine oil?

If so, was that a regular change of fluid, or a full flush of the transmission?

The local mechanic I use is very meticulous, just checked the invoice, was a full drain and refill of the transmission fluid. Not sure if he did a flush.

2012 reg, was a pre-reg car, was always Honda serviced till I got it, I bought it in 2020 with 24k miles.

Hope this helps.

Mine has been annually serviced by Honda including fluid changes (with a few small bits and bobs elsewhere too), and to be fair, it has over 91k miles now. I presumed that'd be about mid-life, but judging by chrisv's comments, it might require a premature transmission transplant!

I do find it interesting though that so far, for seemingly similar sets of symptoms, yours was a relatively cheap and easy fix, and chrisv's sounded like a proper ordeal.

Anyone else have any insight or experiences of this nature?

[chrisv]

Hi,
After buying mine from a Honda dealer I found that they hadn't done the transmission oil change or much servicing as it was a low milage disability car? I went to my local Honda dealer who were another branch of the same dealership and they did the oil change FOC.
I was not impressed with the first dealer who argued that the oil change was due at 5 years, they ticked the box saying that the puncture fluid was within date when it was out, obviously an exercise in box ticking. I always wondered if this contributed to the early failure.