As some of you know, I've been having problems shifting into 1st and 2nd on my '02 S2000 recently. I took it to the dealer and had their shop foreman drive it. He said it felt like I have worn synchros.

I have a third-party extended warranty that I was hoping would cover the worn synchros. However, the Honda dealer told me this:

#1.
If the synchros are only worn and not entirely broken, then the extended warranty probably won't cover it.

#2.
The extended warranty won't cover normal wear-and-tear items, and the synchros might fall in that category.

Can anyone who has replaced their synchros comment on the above? I'm particularly interested in #2...are synchros usually considered a wear-and-tear item? I understand that this will all vary from case to case, but I'd like to hear your experiences and feedback.

I was given an estimate of $1800 just for the labor required to tear down the tranny and then put it back together. If my warranty claim is denied, then I'll have to eat that cost, which is why I'm concerned.

As usual, thanks for your time and input.

 

Synchro's would be considered a "wear & tear" fault by an extended warranty company and they are unlikely to pay for repairs. That's not to say that you should expect badly worn synchro's at anything but high mileage, but the syncho's in the S2000 don't seem to work particularly well anyway. Some cars seem better than others and there are lots of threads on this subject on this site if you do a search.

My advice would be to get the transmission oil changed (use Honda MTF) and try "rev matching" when you change down ratios and allow the synchro's time to work when you change gear. I would only consider gearbox repairs if you have badly whining bearings or if it slips out of gear when engine braking (if you have either of these symptoms then you have got a problem).

 

let me know what happens

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by cyber_x
As some of you know, I've been having problems shifting into 1st and 2nd on my '02 S2000 recently.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by mikdys
Synchro's would be considered a "wear & tear" fault by an extended warranty company and they are unlikely to pay for repairs.

 

PM sent.

 

Try "rev matching" - once you get used to it you'll be able to live with the weak synchro's I'm sure

 

I don't think synchros should ever be considered a normal "wear and tear" item. Wear and tear items are things which wear out rather quickly and are replaced routinely over the life of a car. The synchros in most cars wil generally last the life of the car if they are not abused. Now as mikdys said, a warranty company may not see it the same way but that doesn't mean they are right. I would definitely push them on it myself.

ron

 

A warranty company will only honour a claim if a part is actually broken, I think you will find (99:1 against them paying if you want odds)

Plus, can't you live with weak synchro's by revving the engine as you change gear so that the shafts in the gearbox run at about the same speed before you let the clutch up (like you would have to if you had a "crash box")?

Also, how good is the average dealer at rebuilding a complex transmission, and will you end up with a big bill and yet more problems (go to a specialist if you seriously want to pay to have the work done)?


Just my

 

so why would you have extended warranty based on the number of years and miles on your car, when wear and tear items aren't covered? Aren't you asking that your car is covered based on a certain amount of usage, or what exactly are you getting with "extended warantee"?

why don't you just get "coverage" which means that some parts are classified as "will wear out" and others which "will not wear out." for the lifetime of the car?

And at the same time, can you take it to honda and say "is this a wear and tear item, or is it defective." I was always under the impression that Honda made engines to last(at least consumer), and the reason for buying a Honda was for reliability and the fact that you could have a car for 2-300k miles and not have serious problems with it.