Rep Power: 0

In the past few months I notice that there is a sound coming from the gearbox only when I decelerate (foot off the accelerator at highway speeds) in 5th, 4th, and 3rd. I don't hear anything in 2nd and 1st. The noise is audible above 2,000 RPM and below that road noise takes seems to take over. So from say 5,000 going down to 2,000 RPM it goes from loud to quiet and follows the RPM I think (you can only make out the noise with the radio off). The moment you accelerate or push the clutch in the noise goes away. The sound is similar to the Throw out Bearing noise when it goes bad because I hear a rapid buzzing or chatter type of noise which follows the RPM decreasing.

Parked and doing the ISB and TOB test I get no noise at all for any RPM going up or coming down (this test worked the last time the TOB went bad). All the bearings in the gearbox were supposed to be replaced when TOB went bad a couple years ago, clutch assembly was also replaced.

Could this still be the ISB or TOB again? Or I've got another problem caused by the gearbox refurb shop or a cheap bearing or ...?

2003 1.7L Si Coupe (Canadian model) with 250,000 km. A couple of months ago I replaced the timing belt and checked the idler pulley which looked and felt solid like a new one (previously changed at 168,000 km) so it's not that. The noise was still there before and after the belt change.

 
Rep Power: 518

Pay attention to the whine.
Pitch changes with what?
Pitch is consistent in relation to what?
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Does the pitch change with gear or road speed?
IOW, is the pitch the same at 80KMH (or pick any road speed) regardless of 3, 4, or 5th gears?
Or does the pitch change with gear changes?

 
Rep Power: 0

The noise like ***** in a bearing hitting each other rapidly grows quieter with RPM since downshifting causes it to become loud again. I don't think it follows the road speed but I will double check that.

 
Rep Power: 0

I've confirmed as best I can that it doesn't seem to follow the road speed but the RPM of the gear.

 
Rep Power: 518

You mean the noise stays consistent with engine RPM? That should rule out differential and countershaft, leaving the mainshaft (input shaft) (bearings?). Sounds like it will need to be opened up and inspected.
Suggest you revisit whomever did this work.
(I can't see why anyone would be splitting a gearbox open during a clutch job though.)

Trans fluid full?

 
Rep Power: 0

Yes that's correct it follows the engine RPM on the way down only. The moment that I apply even the slightest acceleration the noise disappears. I had the oil changed a few days ago just to make sure the oil level was good and the amount of oil that came out according to the local Mr Transmission mechanic was correct and nothing like metal filings on the drain plug. He put new Honda oil in and the noise seems to be about the same maybe slightly better not worse. He also mentioned that the gears may be marked due the previous driving on the noisy ISB or TOB if the shafts and gears where knocking each other slightly from being loose. So this could be an artifact remaining from that. Also I don't know if the correct oil was used originally after the refurb as I only found out about the oil requirements reading posts here.

The work was done originally more than a year ago and it sat for a year after the ECU died because the car is from Canada and now in Wisconsin had to be towed to Detroit using U-Haul to have the ECU reprogrammed by the Canada side dealer, a small nightmare to do. My brother-in-law had to drive it across the border in limp mode.

The TOB was bad for a while. Since the gearbox was out it got sent for a refurbish by replacement of all the bearings in the box, the bearings came as a kit. The work was done by a gearbox refurb shop sent to by a trusted mechanic (didn't have the tools and time to take out the engine at that time).

 
Rep Power: 518

I know what you went through with having to go across the border to get it accomplished, and it does suck.

I think you need to decide just how bad the trans issue is.
I mean, it sounds like the trans would need to come out and be opened up again to find the problem, that's gonna take time and money.
Just how loud is the noise? Some of Hondas transmissions do whine a bit.
If it is loud, I'll guess this might be a thrust issue on the input shaft, maybe a bearing is allowing the shaft to walk back and forth as its load changes. IDK, just a guess.

 
Rep Power: 518

Hmmm....

'talmadgecook' spamming for Cook's Transmissions. With a misplaced apostrophe.
IP addy in India?

 
Rep Power: 0

It isn't that loud but I'll just drive it and see if it gets worse. Yes, it will take some time and money to pull it out again so I'll wait for it to get really bad again before taking it out.