I took our 1994 Honda Accord with 50,000 miles to the same Honda dealer which sold us the car when it was new, for safety inspection. They recommended an "Use Car Inspection" for $89. They found:

"The upper radiator hose mount to cylinder head gasket is leaking. The outer CV Boot have wear cracks and are leaking grease out the small band side of the boots. The water pump is leaking coolant. The exhaust B-pipe is rusted and has holes. Recommend major service and timeing b elt as needed"

The total cost is almost $2,000. The dealer said at the very minimum, replace the timing belt, the water pump and the upper radiator hose mount, for about $1100 because the coolant leak can damage the timing belt. If the timing belt breaks, the car will be useless.

I took it to a national chain service station for a second opinion, costing only $20. They did confirm the coolant leak and recommended to pressure test the cooling system and replace the thermostat housing and thermo gasket, total for about $120. They did not find any problems with the water pump or the CV boots. They also said that we do not have to worry about the timing belt for another 10,000 - 20,000 miles.

I wonder who is right? The friends we talked to said that the Honda dealer was take us for a ride. Why did the dealer say that there's a coolant leak at the water pump when the service station could not find a leak with the pressure test? I spent only a total of $140 with the service station and got my car fixed, but wasted $89 with the Honda dealer for nothing but a bunch of lies!

Also, according to the Honda manual, only Honda coolant should be used, other coolants could damage its alumium parts. I called around different auto stores, and every one said that Honda does not make its own coolant. Their stores do carry coolants which are suitable for Hondas. Who is correct? Does any one know if there a problem using non-Honda coolants?

I used to trust Honda and Honda dealers. This experience really changed my opinion.

 

With your experience I hope you know why they call dealerships STEALership Not all but quite a few dealerships are known for their high prices and extra replacements at the service department. They dont make much money off of the sale of the car, they make their money off of the service.

Also correct me if Im wrong but I think mechanics get paid per job done, and a set number of hours are allocated per job. So the service guy could have wanted more easy work for himself that didnt actually need to be done. Just a theory anyway.

Also at 50k miles you have another 65k to go for timing belt change if the 04 service interval is the same for the 6th gen (98-02). You could justify all the replacements with just being cautious due to libility reasons but sometimes you just have to wonder if they dont have a quota or incentive to stuff you with a bill like a turkey.

I can just imagine the conversation at the company meeting:

Manager: Bob is our example of a model mechanic, he finds at least $4,000 dollars worth of repairs on every car that comes in.

Bob: Thank you, thank you... I do it all for the customer's sake

Manager: Here is your bonus Bob, you deserve it for being such a great worker.

 

dealership is a waste of time...you rather go to the service station and get it done at a reasonable amount of money.

 

yea, dealerships r bitches...im not saying never take it to a dealer, but most of da time..they just wunna make money, i dunno bout my honda dealer yet tho, only buy filters from em, i servcie my own car...but my ford dealer r asses, told me i had a gang of shyt leaking..didnt fix it, and several years later its still fine...but yea, honda prob found more things wrong witht he car because they r much more experianced with the accord then an independant shop, and know where to look and what to look for...or they cud just be lying *shrugs* just sumthing for u to think about

 

I've had bad service at the Honda dealership, being treated like crap because I wasnt 18...even though I was throwing money at them....until I met a tech there that's a young guy and he understands and even gives me his discount on parts....

But the number 1 thing a dealer has over anything is the factory warranty. I'm rockin a new transmission and misc other stuff absolutely free...take it while you can...