Has anyone replaced CVT gear box?

[guest2224]

As I no longer have a reverse, I have bought a second hand CVT Gear box from another Jazz and will be replacing it on Friday.

Have any of you replaced the CVT Gear box before?  Did you have any problems and how hard was the job?
Phil

[DV]

I have never changed a CVT gearbox only the manual one (the principle is close the same) but it is not that easy unless you have the right tools.

This is not the right order, but:
You have to chain up the engine, take the wheels off, the engine subframe off (disconnect the steering servo and the gearbox from it), battery and air cleaner out, disconnect everything from the top of the gearbox too (reverse light switch, speedo sensor), support the gearbox (chain up from the top), place the gearbox jack under the gearbox than take the gearbox bolts out and pull out it from the engine.

It seems very simple and easy but don`t forget some bolts can be rusty. I was needed an allen key too and a ball joint separator. Luckily I had a printed workshop manual in my hand to make it easy and not to forget anything and do it in the right order.

Good luck with it!

[guest2224]

DV,
Thanks for your reply.
How did you chain up/support the engine?  On inspection to wrap a chain around does not look viable as it will crush.  I was hoping for a liftiing eye which is not evident. Where did you position the chain etc?

[DV]

I took the air cleaner out and there is an engine mounting eye about 10mm hole in it.
I put a strong padlock in there and connected to the chain.
Basically I had a home-made solution, a strong wood beam above the engine across under the bonnet sitting both sides of the engine bay and the chain was around it. My headlights were out not to damage it.

Picture about it:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18635761/Honda%20Engine%20mounting/CIMG3183.JPG

[guest2224]

Cheers DV
I saw the (pathetic little) lifting eye and decided against it (also could not think what to put through it). That was an igenious soloution!  I also looked at the bonnet layout and saw that the headlights would have to come out.  I decided to support it underneath with an axle stand and block of wood.
The gearbox is now out. I took the subframe off too but am pretty sure it can be done without taking this off.
The new gearbox (second hand from a written off Jazz) will be arriving tomorrow.  It will cost more 100 pounds just for the oil for the CVT! 
Hoping it goes in relatively easily.
That pic of your "engine support" is great!!

[Geoffers]

  But, the padlock? 

[guest1440]

Hi Phill,
 For some time I have noticed that my CVT is getting less responsive in reverse.I mean higher
revs when on a slope then forward.It is '03 model.I changed oil two time since may last year.To be honest the car worked much better with the old oil. I am following your post here.How are you getting with yours?Have you changed it yet?

[guest2224]

Hi,

I have just finished changing the box and it is now perfect! Reverse is now as powerful as ever and all forward gears good.  I have flushed the oil from new box "second hand from 04 car with 22k) and it was disgusting, grey and emulsified.  I will do another flush next week.

Your reverse problem is likely to get worse.  I have spoken to a CVT "Specialist" from honda who has said although he has never come across this problem, it is likely to be the reverse clutch pack. 

My car went from struggeling to reverse up a hill, to (practically) no reverse after the cvt oil flush,

Do you have the D light flashing at all? This would indicate an error code from one of the many sensors on the box.  If it was this then it will likely be an easy fix.

If it progresses you will not have a reverse and need another gear box.  I paid £414 pounds then about £80 for the oil.

Your best bet would be to buy a gear box from a written off car and fit it, or get it sent to a garage for fitting.  I was quoted about £1000 for second hand hear box and fitting from some places.

I was quoted nearly £3000 to overhaul the old gearbox!

Hope this helps and sorry to be the bearer of bad news. 

If you need any advice on the job or anything feel free to send me a message.

Phil

[guest1440]

Hi Phill,
Thanks for the response.It doesn't show any fault codes.I will probably wait to see how much worse is going to get before taking further steps. What are you going to do with the old CVT.It's
worth investigating what actually happened, but on the other hand its a lot of  hassle.

[guest2224]

I will strip it down next week to see what caused this (for interest).  My SRS airbag warning light was staying on after the gearbox change, so I re-set this today (using the old tried and tested shorting with paper clip).  Hope your reverse is holding out