87 accord - makes 'buzz' sound when slowing down

My son's 87 accord just started to make an 'rrrrrr' or 'zzzzz' sound when you take the foot off the gas and the card starts to slow down.
I mean it starts fine, goes into gear ok etc. and is fine as long as you are accelerating but as soon as you go to slow down it sounds like some gear is coming in contact with another gear that is spinning.
It wouldn't be the starter would it somehow?
Hard to diagnose I imagine based on my description but any guesses?

ok. Doesn't seem to be the starter as I swapped it out and same problem.
Now I'm starting to think something to due with the transmission?
When I step on the brake and the car starts to slow down it gets very loud.
As you can see my automotive troubleshooting skills are limited so I think I'll have to take it to a mechanic and at see what they say.

ok. So I misdiagnosed my problem and it is a transmission problem.
So no need to respond to this thread.

sorry no one replied back i would of guessed exhaust but atleast you figured it out hope it was an inexspensive fix.

No fix yet! I'm just deliberating over what can or should be done now.
The mechanic gave me an estimate of $500 to $700 to swap out the transmission (he hadn't actually sourced one yet) but sounds about right as I found one at a wrecker for $250 plus $400 to do the swap.
That's probably more than the car is worth so I'm just wondering if it is something I could tackle.
Hard to answer that I know not knowing my 'DIY skills'.
I've replaced starters, alternators, done brakes and had a friend help me rebuild my old Mazda 626's engine after it blew the head gasket a few years ago but never a big job like this. My thoughts were I'd try and find out how much work is involved (if I need special tools etc.) and then decide from there.

im assusing its an auto dont believe you said.the hardest part is the weight unless you can get a trans jack!! its really not to hard on your back with/without the jack figure a full day with a floor jack.if it is a manual trans then its even easier & no jack needed.Good Luck with what ever you decide!!

Thanks inafogg. Last question, and it is an auto (2.0L carb engine).
Do you have any 'info' on what I need look for?
I found this on a DIY site but I'd like to find some Honda info if possible.
"The 1986 Honda Accord used a model F4 automatic transmission. The only other Honda that used the model F4 automatic transmission is the 1985, 1986 and 1987 Honda Prelude with Fuel Injection. The carburetored Honda Preludes for those years used a model AS automatic transmission."

hello, im not sure of your question??''what i need to look for'' are you talking about what tools or what other cars that have the same trans,or a DIY guide
most junk yards can tell you what other cars used same trans,manuals are available online.i have a 90 - 93 accord manual.sorry not sure what your asking.Mike
btw how sure are we that its the trans?? what did they say was wrong with the old one??

Sorry 'bout that. Mostly just wondering about what other cars have same trans but if a junk yard can tell me then that answers that.
As far as what exactly is wrong with the tranny the mechanic didn't really say as I think it was just a case of cheaper to swap in a working one that try and diagnose an fix the one I have.
I did phone a transmission place and he just told me to take it to Honda...
I guess I could try and replace the fluid and 'filter?' or something?
Again, I've posted on a few sites and nobody has really provided any feedback on what to do or try (maybe based on the age/value of this car).
Maybe I'll just do some searching for transmission fluid changing etc.

is it possible to video it.not so much to see but rather to hear what its doing??changing fluid/filter is pretty simple but without hearing cant say it would/would'nt help & with oil prices going up about $40 DIY repair. Mike
btw its odd the trans shop would'nt want the work!!

I could video it to capture the sound. Then what would I do with it?
I agree it is a little odd. They were the ones that were able to fix up my old Chrysler minivan by replacing solenoid etc.I think. Maybe their thing is just domestic's or they figured I wouldn't spend big bucks on a repair so why waste their time. I dunnoh.

well as far as video you'd have to be able to down load to your computer after that just post it on this site
is there any thing wrong with the car(trans wise)other than the noise??
my thinking is, if thats the only thing & car drives ok maybe just leave it alone & wait n see.if it does get worse & its the trans O well your going to replace it anyways & if it doesnt get worse you just save time & $$ just M.O. Mike
btw if its not the trans it may give you more symtums of what it maybe

I guess I really didn't describe the situation very well in this port did I?
To recap:
The car starts fine and normally goes into gear with no problems although the last time I took it out (it didn't go into R initially and then after going into D3 and back to R it kinded of slammed into gear).
While driving I can accelerate no problem but when I take my foot off the gas and start to slow down is when I start to hear the 'buzzing or ZZZZzzzzz sound' (hard to describe) and then I can't accelerate anymore and I have to apply the brakes to slow down before I can step on the gas again. On my way home from the garage it seemed like if I drove slow enough say 20mph it worked ok.
So it really isn't working ok now.
I do appreciate the feedback and I didn't realize you could post a video clip on this site. I know how to get it on my computer etc. so I'll look into doing that if you are still interested.

Mark

yes mark hearing the noise may be a help.when you cant accell.when driving does the engine rev up or bogg down or what??Mike

OK. So I have a video just not sure how I upload now unless I just post it somewhere else and provide you with the url?
Engine seems to act normally. I step on the gas it revs up just the tranny doesn't respond except for the "slippage?".

ok, try this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeAmu-aUFu0

hello mark,sounds like its slipping & could be from alot of differant reasons.have you checked the fluid level i assume you have but ck
it when its hot & running.you can (just to see)put it in drive #2 & see
if it still slips.this wont let it go into over drive or allow torque converter
lock up.Good Luck,Mike

I hate to admit I haven't even checked the fluid.
I guess I was just assuming the worst but I should have at least checked it.
I'll do that tomorrow for what's it worth.
Thanks for all your help, Mike

Hey Mark it happens, sometimes the easiest things are over looked.knowing that your probaly low on oil(i hope)if it is hopefully you didnt drive it too long!!!if it is low its atleast 2 quarts down if so look for some additive for the trans that may help ie some thing that may help lubercate the seals clutches ''ask someone'' GOOD LUCK!!!

I just checked the oil level (man talk about difficult to find - behind some hoses etc. even with a guide) and it appears to be at the correct level.
I.E. I warmed up the engine and just dropped the dipstick back in without screwing it in (and it was on the cross-hatched area so appears to be correct).
I then took for a spin and in D3 it worked flawlessly, maybe because it was warm also? I did try bumping it up to D4 and then I got the 'torque converter locking up again' if that's the right term.
I'll try my luck with some tranny additive then as my last shot although I guess to add some I would have to go to the step of draining the oil in there now otherwise I probably would overfill it then that would be bad also.
The manual says DEXTRON II. Still correct?
Mark

Hey Mark,if You Ck. It While It Was Running & Hot Good Chance This One Is Done.draining The Oil Ect. Will Only Make It Worse.if You Can Drive With Out O/d Might Buy Some Time.mike