Honda Insight 03' CVT noise in Drive/Reverse - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

hyper-miler · 04-22-2012, 12:17 AM

My Honda Insight 2003 CVT is making a noise when put in Drive or Reverse (stationary or not- Reverse is much quieter than drive), but not in Neutral or Park. I changed transmission fluid w/honda cvt and engine oil, but noise continues.
Tranny Fluid drain plug had some metal shavings but not alot.

Video of noise below on youtube.

youtube.(com)/watch?v=mfEpJ1nWgfU
(can't post links yet)

It has made the same noise since I bought it. Previous owner claimed it always made the noise (car has ~100k mi). Does anyone know what it could be?

Mpg is not affected as I got 68mpg on trip down to LA recently
UPDATE 6/21/2012: After replacing the tranny the sound is gone. I will take the transmission apart and update the thread with my findings. I suspect it to be the bearings.

user removed · 04-22-2012, 10:41 AM

I think Honda had a service bulletin about the surfaces where the CVT belt contacted the cones becoming smooth to the point where it was necessary to burnish the surface to increase the coefficient of friction between the belt and the cone surfaces. If I remember correctly it was called burnishing the surfaces and was done at the dealer.

regards
Mech

hyper-miler · 04-22-2012, 01:36 PM

I lifted the front end, put it into drive & reverse and the noise was the same. It sounds like it is coming from the transmission (drivers side).

Ryland · 04-23-2012, 12:10 AM

Even used transmissions for the CVT is $800 to $1,200 while a new one is $1,800, so a rebuild or pulley resurface is going to be your best bet.

Red · 04-23-2012, 03:19 AM

Apparently burnishing the starter clutch isn't too difficult. Basically start the thing, put it into gear and rev it up for a bit. I'd try to find the exact procedure thought before trying it

Yahoo! Groups

hyper-miler · 04-23-2012, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red

Apparently burnishing the starter clutch isn't too difficult. Basically start the thing, put it into gear and rev it up for a bit. I'd try to find the exact procedure thought before trying it

Yahoo! Groups[/url]

The starter clutch does not makes that noise. There is also no shudder at start off to indicate the starter clutch needs burnishing.

Could someone make a video of a 1st gen insight cvt at startup with transmission in drive/Reverse so I can compare?