The Infamous 2nd Gear Crunch

Is the CDV responsible for what feels like my engagement point randomly changing on me? No matter how slow I release the clutch when upshifting it feels like my RPMs dictate where my engagement point is. That’s why I like to shift higher at around 4K RPM, because those shifts seem to be the smoothest all around. But when the trans is cold I shift lower, and even with the slowest of slow leg movements it’s creating some jerks.

Another thing I noticed is that if you downshift without rev matching, I am still feeling a small jerk as I hold the clutch at the engagement point until the revs catch up. I thought it would be smooth as long as the movement is smooth.

Interestingly enough, at 15K miles now I feel like my 4th gear is notchier than my 2nd gear. Supernodd - my 2nd gear is sometimes crunchy but it seems like 4th is more frequent.

This might seem super lazy and a waste of money but does any one know of a forum member or would any one be interested if I just want too buy a slave cylinder with the CDV removed. Then after I install that one I can send my stock back something like that. Then it would really be a 10 -15 swap job with the CDV being removed by someone that has done it before.

So I went for my first oil change. I told my service advisor about the second gear grind. They checked it out were able to replicate it, and made note of it. Unfortunately there is no TSB, so they didn’t do anything. I’m happy that I have it on record with Honda in case anything happens later. They did make some notes that make it look like I might be abusing the car, but whatever. It’s on record. My service advisor is a Honda enthusiast, and said he would do as much research as possible to find a solution. We’ll see.

I love how manufacturers attempt to penalize owners for driving the cars the way they were advertised and intended.

geargrinder said:

So I went for my first oil change. I told my service advisor about the second gear grind. They checked it out were able to replicate it, and made note of it. Unfortunately there is no TSB, so they didn’t do anything. I’m happy that I have it on record with Honda in case anything happens later. They did make some notes that make it look like I might be abusing the car, but whatever. It’s on record. My service advisor is a Honda enthusiast, and said he would do as much research as possible to find a solution. We’ll see.

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Who's your dealer? Why are they using 08798-9029 oil instead of 08798-9037 full synthetic on your R?

Here's the fluid part numbers for our cars listed for sale:
https://www.collegehillshonda.com/category/2017-2019-honda-civic-type-r-fluids.html

19023 said:

Who's your dealer? Why are they using 08798-9029 oil instead of 08798-9037 full synthetic on your R?

Here's the fluid part numbers for our cars listed for sale:
https://www.collegehillshonda.com/category/2017-2019-honda-civic-type-r-fluids.html

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I don’t know, but I’m going to find out!

19023 said:

Who's your dealer? Why are they using 08798-9029 oil instead of 08798-9037 full synthetic on your R?

Here's the fluid part numbers for our cars listed for sale:
https://www.collegehillshonda.com/category/2017-2019-honda-civic-type-r-fluids.html

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I called, they assured me their bulk 0w30 is full synthetic. I guess I have to trust them.

An Update: I posted about 40 pages of comments ago about my 2018 Type R grinding from 1st to 2nd,..I am just turning 10,000 miles and still have the problem. My wife (who drives a manual 5sp Audi) is also driving the Type R and gets the same grinding 1st to 2nd, it can be scary. The grinding is totally random, happens at any RPM, and we are both rather sedate drivers in the suburbs.
Having said that, I've learned to compensate for this nasty defect,..mostly by shifting from 1st to 3rd, and totally skipping 2nd. If I do go from 1st to 2nd, I hold the clutch in for an extra moment before shifting, and even doing that I still sometimes get the grind, but it's not as bad.
I've taken the car to track days at Laguna Seca with zero problems,..well, obviously there is never a case of using 1st gear on the track, so no 1st to 2nd grind.
I have extended warranty, but still am thinking it will be hard to sell the car down the road with this defect. Funny thing is I am totally in love with my car (yeah, Queen fan here) and I hate to complain about it.

what is the rpm when u upshift to 2nd and grind happens?

Nath said:

An Update: I posted about 40 pages of comments ago about my 2018 Type R grinding from 1st to 2nd,..I am just turning 10,000 miles and still have the problem. My wife (who drives a manual 5sp Audi) is also driving the Type R and gets the same grinding 1st to 2nd, it can be scary. The grinding is totally random, happens at any RPM, and we are both rather sedate drivers in the suburbs.
Having said that, I've learned to compensate for this nasty defect,..mostly by shifting from 1st to 3rd, and totally skipping 2nd. If I do go from 1st to 2nd, I hold the clutch in for an extra moment before shifting, and even doing that I still sometimes get the grind, but it's not as bad.
I've taken the car to track days at Laguna Seca with zero problems,..well, obviously there is never a case of using 1st gear on the track, so no 1st to 2nd grind.
I have extended warranty, but still am thinking it will be hard to sell the car down the road with this defect. Funny thing is I am totally in love with my car (yeah, Queen fan here) and I hate to complain about it.

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geargrinder said:

I called, they assured me their bulk 0w30 is full synthetic. I guess I have to trust them.

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The oil weight should be 0w20 not 0w30, well it is in Europe, maybe different spec on US cars.

davemarco said:

I have about 600 miles on my '19 CTR. Haven't experienced a grind yet, though I have noticed an odd resistance between 1st and 2nd gears. It's like the shifter won't move down past the middle of the two gates until I've held it against an invisible barrier for a half second. Once that brief pause is up, the invisible barrier disappears and the shifter slides perfectly into 2nd.

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I was just driving spiritedly and hit the exact same scenario. It's as if there are two clicks to be fully seated into second. I was lifting the clutch as it was sliding into the second "click" which resulted in a grind. Could have been my fault (most likely) or could have been the defect that is mentioned. I'll assume it was me this time but I will be waiting a bit longer with the 1-2 shift going forward. If this was my bad, a 1 second buffer should clear it up. If it grinds after the second "click" then I'm taking it in to the dealer. Hoping it's just me.

Still love the r though! I might have been chasing a blue gt3 RS and I might have been almost keeping up. All well below the legal posted limit of course

next time I'll be tuned!

Ruckus said:

has anybody else experience any nasty grinding while shifting gears? and before you ask no im not out driving like an asshole, literally just normal driving. i only have 30 miles on my R so far and ive had it happen 3 times so far and only in 2nd, for now anyways. goes into gear okay but just an awful grinding sound. yes i know how to drive a manual never owned anything else. trans fluid is good, no other problems so far. also i am a tech at my dealer so dont just tell me to take it in, im the one who has to diagnose it lmao. let me know people!

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Ruckus said:

has anybody else experience any nasty grinding while shifting gears? and before you ask no im not out driving like an asshole, literally just normal driving. i only have 30 miles on my R so far and ive had it happen 3 times so far and only in 2nd, for now anyways. goes into gear okay but just an awful grinding sound. yes i know how to drive a manual never owned anything else. trans fluid is good, no other problems so far. also i am a tech at my dealer so dont just tell me to take it in, im the one who has to diagnose it lmao. let me know people!

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Yep same here. As you know Honda has not recognized this problem yet, however, most type r owners are having the same issue. Hopefully enough people will complain about the problem for Honda to put out a campaign for a fix.

I encourage all ’grinders’ to try this:

Has anyone experienced gear grind AFTER deleting CDV?

i agree adjust the clutch petal people!! 2nd gear shifts like butter now.
i left about 3 to 4 threads on the stopper and adjusted the push rod to take the slack out.

I occasionally had the grind and always a notchy feel to the change. For me the solution has been to basically stamp on the clutch pedal for the 1st to 2nd change. If I do that and keep my foot hard to the carpet the gear changes smoothly every time.