sames1

I wanted to float this for feedback.

Our 2003 CRV starting running rough and had an engine light. The dealer said we need:

vtech solenoid- $340
spark plugs - $186
catalytic converter - $1,750

We about fainted. Since we don't have that kind of money right now, we debated what to do.

I can buy the spark plugs for less than $30 and it's drop dead simple to put them in, so we had them do the vtech selenoid only, since it looks like a pain to put in.

When they were finished, the car wouldn't start at all. It would crank and crank but never catch. It ran rough before, but at least it started.

They told me: "What was the most important thing we told you needed to be done? That's right, the spark plugs. The techs had to push the car into the garage because it wouldn't start and push it out again"

They left that little fact out when I paid for the vtech solenoid and picked up the keys. I frankly doubt that was true, at least the part about having to push it in the garage. I drove the thing there. It started, but ran rough for a few minutes then smoothed out. If it were true that it refused to start for them I'm sure they would have mentioned it when I paid for it.

Since it was at the dealer, wouldn't start, and they were strong on their stance, I had to pay them to replace the spark plugs. It was cheaper than towing. To me it would be the most amazing coincidence that all the spark plugs, bad as they were, would refuse to fire just after they worked on it.

It just seems to me I'm being played.

Thoughts?

burnoutboy

iTrader: (22)

Buy new plugs. Put them in in the parking lot. See what happens.

sames1

My wife said that as well. I just didn't have the time nor the guts to do it. It would have been glorious though.

burnoutboy

iTrader: (22)

It's seriously a 5 minute job.... okay maybe 10.

sames1

That's for sure. I'm watching 3 kids however and it would be a disaster to try and manage them while I do it. I guess we don't NEED to do it today, but I also have to obey my wife

sames1

So I just paid them almost $200 to replace 4 plugs. They have the cost of each plug down as $25, then $78 worth of "labor", and tax.

I'm not very happy. The thing does start now but the check engine light is still on. They said there was oil on the plugs. Yeah, well I thought that's why we replaced the vtech solenoid , no?

I don't know what's wrong with me today. I'm eaten up by this. I can't get over them charging so much for such an obvious easy fix. When did they go to medical school and gain the right to overcharge?

No matter, I'm going to re-evaluate and decide if I ever do business with them again. Right now I doubt it. I've been a loyal customer for 10 years. We've always had the oil changed there. When they said "you have dirty oil" I almost choked because they are the ones that change it regularly and we just had it done.

I suppose it could be that the engine is end of life. Rings or something are shot, don't know. I can't afford to have them look further. Maybe that's their plan, force one to get a new car.

sames1

Just for sanity I called another Honda dealer. Same thing $147.58 which is still high but that's what they charge.

I'm in the wrong business.

theYBLEGAL

Ouch. Everything sounds 50% higher than norm. The catalytic converter sounds like the biggest inflation.

For that price, maybe a whole new oem exhaust, header all the way to the muffler!

kingkau

Here's the thing...You can pick up a OBD2 scanner for cheap. Hell you can get an ebay one that works on ios and android. That would have saved you 50$-80$ rite there for diagnostic. Changing the plugs is super easy, pick the correct plugs for you engine, just have to GAP it to specs. You paying for dealership prices gets you dealership quality. If you don't have the confidence in doing something like the solenoid then let the dealership take care of it. I don't see a problem in what you're doing?

BigBerz

Vtec solenoid wouldn't cause oil on your plugs. Did you ask them what the codes were if they scanned it? I would ask them for the codes so you know what's actually wrong yourself.

Berz out.

BigBerz

I have a bluetooth obd2 scanner but I can only find an android app. What iOS app do you use or know of that works?

Berz out.

SirFerret

iTrader: (1)

For iOS you need to get a Wifi code scanner, the bluetooth ones only work with Android.

As to the original question, see if you can go to your nearest auto parts store, as they usually pull the codes for free. Then post the results on here and we can see what help we can give you. The more information you can provide, the better.

Also, 200 bucks for spark plug installation on your CR-V is a complete rip. Even the top of the line NGK iridium plugs I run cost about 8 bucks a piece. It only seems like a plausible amount if they also changed out the wires, which run about 60+ dollars. Other than that its an easy quick job, even for a beginner.

Honda4Life.

Spark plug tube seal are bad and that why there is oil in with the plugs.

Get a valve cover gasket set as it will come with the other seals. When the seals are replaced its a perfect time to have a valve adjustment done as well.

Just my 2 cents on the other maintance but the seals is why there is oil where it shouldnt be.

NMJimCRV

You have to figure that dealerships charge somewhere in the ball park of $110 an hour for labor. As for parts, not all dealers are the same. Some are 200% over market rate, some are more reasonable. Generally speaking you are way overpaying a dealer for the parts. You can tend to get OEM parts on-line far cheaper than the dealer will sell them to you for; even if you opt to have the dealer do the work you can buy OEM parts and bring it to the dealer and save serious bucks on parts. You'll still get bent over for labor.

The question is, do you you have the time, space, and energy to do much of the work yourself? If no to all those, then you have to find a competent shop you trust to do the work you need, and the dealer will tend to be the most expensive - other mechanic shops may be more reasonable. As mentioned an OBD scan tool is something that will allow you to get some basic info yourself, then you can use the service manual to walk you through many repairs. Some are as cheap as a few dozen bucks.

As for oil on the plugs - that is more than likely the valve cover gasket. Another job that is not too tough to tackle yourself if you opt to go that route. You will almost always pay a massive amount for OEM catalytic converters. That is another job that is pretty easy to do yourself (replace the cat) - if it is all in one pipe that you simply bolt on. If welded on, a good muffler shop can get it done pretty afford-ably. LOTS of debate and opinion about OEM parts versus after market, so you'll have to decide if want to go only Honda parts or spend a hell of a lot less (and perhaps risk less quality, but that is not a guarantee) on after market parts. That's one of the values of forums like this: you get to ask around and see what other's have done and how it worked out.

Between the three vehicles I manage, I figure I have saved WELL over $15,000 in fixing issues myself in the past 2 years or so. Really worth considering.