Four speed transmission noise when cold

2006 HYUNDAI SONATA
256,000 MILES • 3.3L • V6 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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BSWEENYMAN
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Just got this car from my dad (GLE model. I immediately noticed a noise when I drive it a mile it goes away. I took it to my personal mechanic and he did a drain and fill on the transmission. He noted that the fluid was like oil very dark, when he refiled it I immediately had issues driving in reverse but that went away when the fluid circulated. In the following weeks I had some slipping into first and that noise when I start to drive the car cold. So I took it to a transmission expert and he told me there is nothing wrong with the transmission, but it was a quart low on fluid. The following day I took it to get topped off. Good news no more slipping and the noise is less noticeable and only lasts about five minutes only when the engine is cold. I have tried self diagnosing by driving with the noise then slamming the car in neutral and even killing the car, but the noise goes away but I can hear it a little when revving the engine in neutral, it seems the noise is only when I accelerate. Also I can get it to make the noise if I am in gear and have my foot on the brakes and gas at the same time. I can also hear it a little in neutral. Note: The transmission has a lifetime permanent no serviceable filter that you have to remove the transmission to replace it. I am planning to do another drain and fill, contemplating using Lucus transmission fix? I have a video below, please help.

Update: Okay, so this morning I put it into drive and started driving and there was the noise so I hit the gas then put it in neutral and hit the gas, the noise was less obvious but it was still present but much quieter. So I put it in park and hit the gas, and the noise was there but very faint. Seems like the car driving makes it louder, but when the engine is warm the noise goes away completely.
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Aug 23, 2018 at 1:05 AM
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BSWEENYMAN
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So, I have replaced the transmission fluid twice and tomorrow I am going to add Lucas Transmission Fix, this forum said it will take two days for a response but I have no answer yet. I asked my friends for help and they said it sounds like the fluid needs to warm up.
Aug 29, 2018 at 12:56 AM
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STRAILER
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Thanks for the video. Sorry for the slow response. Did you not confirm your membership? We only got notified about your second entry? Anyway that noise is wild. It sounds like the starter pinion gear is still engaged in the flex plate which mean you need a new starter. Were you driving the car in the video?

Here is a guide to help you see what you are in for when doing he job and diagrams below to show you what it will be like for your car:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-starter-motor

Remove the starter to see if the pinion gear is sucked back into the motor.

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
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Aug 29, 2018 at 11:14 AM
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BSWEENYMAN
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I had the phone in the engine by the air box, and yes I was driving. Thank you for your response. How do I test if that is the issue?
Aug 29, 2018 at 11:49 AM
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STRAILER
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That is a good one and a first on the video, lol. Remove the starter to see if the pinion gear is sucked back into the motor. If the gear just flops back and forth without resistance the starter is bad. Please take a video of the starter with you trying to move the gear back and forth on the shaft. Please let me know.
Aug 30, 2018 at 9:45 AM
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BSWEENYMAN
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Okay, I cannot seem to find the starter, but the noise is not constant, it only makes the noise when driving not stopped and not revving the engine. Once the engine starts warming up the noise goes away. The fluid on the transmission is full and I added Lucas stop slip and that seemed to stop the occasional slip.
Sep 4, 2018 at 12:50 AM
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STRAILER
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Yes, that is what a broken starter Bendix spring does, I think it is worth a look. The starter is located between the engine and transmission. The only other thing I can think of that would make that noise what be a broken flex plate. I will feature this post to our other experts to see if they have heard this noise before. Cheers, Ken
Sep 4, 2018 at 9:48 AM
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BSWEENYMAN
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Thank you so much Ken.
Sep 4, 2018 at 10:02 AM
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PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
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Add a pint of STP to the motor oil and listen if the noise gets any quieter at all. Because I am leaning toward a crankshaft main bearing that is making that noise. If the noise gets quieter with that really thick STP in in engine, that it is the engine, not the transmission you should be concerned about and no I would not use any Lucas or any other treatment in the transmission until you are absolutely sure you know what it is supposed to fix and even in that case I do not think I would add anything just find out first what it is. The STP is not to fix anything, just a test.
Sep 4, 2018 at 10:33 AM
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BSWEENYMAN
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The transmission was slightly slipping but the Lucas fixed that issue.
Sep 4, 2018 at 10:40 AM
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BSWEENYMAN
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I will try it today, the oil treatment right?
Sep 4, 2018 at 10:44 AM
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PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
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Add a pint of STP to the motor oil and listen if the noise gets any quieter. Or you can just try a pint of straight 50 weight motor oil.
Sep 4, 2018 at 10:45 AM
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BSWEENYMAN
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I will, thank you. The only problem is that the noise goes away quickly, on a very cold morning it lasts a little longer but on a hot day it is not noticeable at all, the car was in Ventura and has salt build up under the car, that is why I was thinking Ken was on to something, but I am willing to give anything a try. I love my dad and I want to take care of this car.
Sep 4, 2018 at 10:47 AM
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BSWEENYMAN
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This is a new video. I have my car in drive with my foot on the brake and gas at the same. You can see the rpm's in the shot. I am not moving internationally. I hope this helps you.
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Sep 4, 2018 at 5:31 PM
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DANNY L
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Hello, I am Danny.

Can you make a video of just revving the engine with car in neutral or park? Thanks for using 2CarPros.
Danny-
Sep 5, 2018 at 2:03 AM
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BSWEENYMAN
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There is no noise it is silent in park or neutral. The noise you hear is only when in gear even reverse, only with load like accelerating or holding the brake and gas at the same time. I have changed the fluids and added Lucas Transmission Fix.
Sep 5, 2018 at 2:37 AM
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STRAILER
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It is not the starter that for sure. I am wondering if the engine mounts are in good shape. Can you lift the hood when you are doing the same test to see if the engine moves excessively? If not I am thinking the flex plate is cracked and if not something inside the transmission or torque converter is doing it. Here is a video of the front wheel drive transmission coming out a very similar job to what you will need to do:

https://youtu.be/6N6b5F2ChyE

The videos really help BTW. :)

Sep 5, 2018 at 9:52 AM
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BSWEENYMAN
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You think the engine mounts would be the issue. I hear knocking around in the engine compartment when I am driving over bumps. My dad had the shocks and ball joints replaced not to long ago, plus when I was under the car doing the drain and fill I noticed one was so flat it was almost on the metal. Plus the engine moves when I shift into drive and reverse slightly. But would that cause that noise?
Sep 5, 2018 at 11:45 AM
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HMAC300
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I listened to the noise from what I could hear I would check the shields around engine hitting engine balancer or maybe a shield on transmission. I do not have pictures however. Also, check for loose torque converter bolts/nuts they can cause knocking as well as scraping noises if any are loose use Loctite or Permatex blue prior to reinstalling parts. It is the same company. Then to check broken engine mounts brake torque engine in drive engine will lift far if that is the problem make sure no one is around or in garage when you do this in case car takes off. Do the same in reverse the engine will jump right away not just go up if mount is broken. Finally as Ken says it may be a broken flex plate which transmission will have to come out if it is or if you can find someone with a flex camera that can show it.
Sep 5, 2018 at 12:04 PM
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BSWEENYMAN
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I have a lot to check out. I will get back to you with information.
Sep 5, 2018 at 12:09 PM
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BSWEENYMAN
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Nothing is broken, I put a half quart over the full line on the transmission and it is not slipping anymore but it still starts driving with the noise but it goes away.
Sep 13, 2018 at 2:08 AM
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STRAILER
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The only thing I can think of is the torque converter has fallen apart internally. Here is how you can install a new unit once the transmission is out. These videos will give you an idea of how to do the job it not the same can but the operation is similar.

https://youtu.be/ZC7xHVMKLRw

and

https://youtu.be/6N6b5F2ChyE

I know the last one is a clutch but it shows a front wheel drive transmission remove and replace.

Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

Sep 16, 2018 at 2:10 PM
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BSWEENYMAN
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Man I cannot tell you all how blessed I am to have your help. All of you guys have blessed me so much, thank you so much.
Sep 16, 2018 at 5:37 PM
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STRAILER
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That is what we are here for. :) Please let us know what happens.
Sep 17, 2018 at 11:22 AM
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BSWEENYMAN
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Hey guys, the other day I had the car on jack stands and I put the car in gear and no grinding noise, but on the ground with some torque the noise persists. I have noticed the noise is less noticeable in higher speeds, but when it is cold it is loud until it warms up. I checked the fluid level and it is fine. The noise does not get louder in reverse gear or driving in reverse. Interesting fact, when I let off the gas and the car is rolling on its own it sounds like a gerbling noise, of sorts, like an intermittent quiet growl but then I accelerate and the metal on metal noise is back. Any suggestions?
Oct 10, 2018 at 12:24 AM
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STRAILER
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Hmm, I do not like that. It sounds like the thrusts bearings in the engine could be bad which would allow the torque converter to force the crankshaft forward which contacts the block. To confirm the issue with the engine off use a breaker bar (flat blade) and try to move the crankshaft forward and then backward inside the engine. (not turning - just forward and backward).
Oct 10, 2018 at 3:29 PM
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BSWEENYMAN
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Can you be more specific about how to check this Ken and what I am looking for?
Oct 10, 2018 at 5:48 PM
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HMAC300
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this may be the gear set in trans especially with garbling noise. but take a large screwdriver behind balancer and seeif crank moves a lot one way. it should move from .005-.012" so it will move alittle any more than that and then it may be a crank thrust bearings
Oct 10, 2018 at 5:58 PM
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BSWEENYMAN
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Ok Ken I have some new information, the shaft isn't moving, so I preformed a transmission stall test and my results were as follows...
Drive =2700 rpms
Reverse =2000 rpms

The car was hot at the time of the test.
Oct 11, 2018 at 5:59 AM
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BSWEENYMAN
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Normal stall speed should be between 2,100~2,900rpm
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Oct 11, 2018 at 6:02 AM
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STRAILER
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That's close enough to be okay, but it still sounds like the converter pressure has something to do with it. It could be a front pump issue with the transmission which means its got to come out. Might need to do some exploratory surgery.
Oct 11, 2018 at 9:45 AM
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BSWEENYMAN
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That's great, I really think it's the filter, that it has some sludge in it from when it was flushed 3 years ago about the same time this noise started as my dad said, it makes sense to me when it's cold the fluid and sludge it's thicker hence making the pump whine but when it heats up the fluid and sludge becomes thinner and the pump has no restrictions, if this is so Ken is it a big deal to continue driving it in this condition or do I need to pay the 1000 dollars to get the filter replaced?
Oct 11, 2018 at 12:17 PM
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BSWEENYMAN
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Or is there an additive I can add to thin out that sludge?
Oct 11, 2018 at 12:18 PM
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STRAILER
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Not really, I would plan on a rebuilt transaxle, if the filter is plugged it means the unit is coming apart anyway.
Oct 11, 2018 at 1:16 PM
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BSWEENYMAN
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So I can drive it till March no problem? I'm planning on going out of town
Oct 11, 2018 at 2:28 PM
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STRAILER
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Hard to say it can give out at anytime or it can for forever, no way to tell until you get it apart.
Oct 12, 2018 at 10:17 AM
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HMAC300
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1000 dollars for a filter/oil change sounds way out of line on this. call a reputable trans shop and ask they will tell you. Should be more like under $200 or less. don't have an oil change place do it because a trans shop if they see something wrong like large pieces of crap in pan they can advise you on it. but from what you are saying with this whole story it seems it may last until you want it to. the most that would happen is something would break/quit and you can either chance it with a junkyard trans or rebuild.
Oct 12, 2018 at 10:49 AM
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BSWEENYMAN
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Ok thank you
Oct 12, 2018 at 11:15 AM