I know people on this board are not big fans of getting things covered under warrenty when it is the driver's fault not Honda's nor the dealer's, but there's no other way I can afford to have this fixed for a long time if I dont get it done under warrenty so I really need your help on what would be the best way to get this done.

See, I was coming back from the Atlanta Auto Show and I decided to pass this guy who was going slow. So I decided to shift into 3rd and take it to 8.4K then shifted into what I thought was 4th. Well it turned out to be 2nd. There's no excuse for what happened other than damn it I'm an idiot. I mean how could I not tell the difference between 2nd and 4th??? Not like I just started driving the car yesterday either.

The car ran but when I would idle, the check engine light would come on. When I came home, and listened to the car, it sounded like bent exhaust valves because there was a lot of noise from the valves clashing and the exhaust seemed to pulsate as if I had lumpy cams on a OHV V8. I restarted the car again yesterday and the car sounded marginally better but still everything doesnt seem to be right. However there's no oil burning nor any other kind of smoke coming out my tail pipe and the car still runs.

Here's the deal. My parents arent going to help me on fixing this if it isnt covered under warrenty and well, I wont have the funds to have it fixed myself for at least four months and even in that situation, it would mean that I would mean that I would have to basically do nothing over the summer and starve at college to save money.

So I'm begging you guys, what is the best way to go about getting my car fixed under warrenty?

 

Who cares what others think whether if you are going to get it under warranty. Its your warranty, take advantage of it.

Back on note, take it to your dealer and see what they say. I would deny any accussations if they made any. Im probably going to guess they wont cover it. So good luck anyway.

 

I merely mentioned the whole people on the board thing to make sure to specify that I know where the board stands on the whole warrenty issue. That being said the whole point of this thread is to ask for suggestions on how to get my engine fixed under warrenty and you're right, if they do cover it, there's nothing people can really say to prevent me from getting it fixed. Not like I have a choice cause there's no other way for me to get it fixed.

I would think that they wouldnt cover it either but I know a local guy who blew his RSX type S with 600 miles on the odometer doing the same thing I did and he got it covered under warrenty. Also, I know this one isnt applicable but my friend got a new SVT contour motor after he did the same 3rd to 2nd misshift.

 

It really depends on the dealership you take it to. They can tell that you overrevved and bent your valves, but sometimes for customer service they will make a plea with Acura/Warranty to see if they will pay for the parts and labor. Some get it covered under warranty and some dont.

Denying you overreved, when they know you did may not help you with their plea to Acura because to the service guy you are lying dumbass that is trying to get one over on him.


[Modified by t, 1:57 AM 4/29/2002]

 

I'd go for it, I mean, you have a rev limiter to prevent that from happening. Although, it doesn't stop you from shifting to second from high third. You're lucky you have an R, several RSX-S's have fallen victim to that.

 

for even the dealers gives a warning on the RSX

 

You really have nothing to lose by going to the dealership. You are already expecting them not to cover it. But what if they do? I've heard a fair amount of stories where people get their service covered and some didn't. I guess it depends on how bad it is and if it looks like it is blatantly your fault.

 

See this is exactly what I am wondering...is it better to say that I dont know what happened or is it better to be up front and tell them that I overrevved and throw myself at the mercy of the American Honda and my dealership?

If I tell the truth, well it's the right thing to do but then legally and rightfully I am not to get it covered under warrenty. So basically, I'm just hoping for some pity.

If I tell them a story, well I dont know what to tell them...I mean what could I say? I took it up to redline and the rev limiter did not kick in? Also, if they know I'm lieing, that isnt going to be good either.

If only I wasnt a hamfisted driver this wouldnt be a problem...sorry just got some anger toward myself right now.


[Modified by ITR#203, 11:13 AM 4/29/2002]

 

scamming in general is a big no no for me.

if you can live with it, so be it.

warranty's were put forth on cars to really cover manufacturing and defects in workmanship.

 

Check with some local owners over which dealerships are more forgiving, do some research.

 

sounds like the car did the same thing as mine....not bent valves, but the timing belt skipped a couple teeth. pull the valve cover, and check the cam gears and make sure their inline.

 

If this is the case, how much money would it cost me to fix? Also, did your timing belt skip a couple of teeth as a result of overreving?

 

Go for it...find the most forgiving dealer in your area, take it in and claim incompetence. If they call your bluff, then its up to you whether to bitch or just take the heat. Honestly, I think 95% of the people who were in your situation and had this option would most likely go this route.

 

Let's face it. A certain percentage of the purchase price of our cars goes to pay for the factory warranty. They may not like to admit it, but people that scam their warranties are no better than people that defraud their insurance company. Do you remember how hard this board came down on that guy that admitted that his friend was defrauding his insurance company?

Fraud drives up the price of our cars. It affects us all, yet some people have the nerve to seek this board's approval and advice on how to get away with it. I actually had a legitimate warranty issue with my car, and Acura turned me away because my dealership is so hyper-sensitive about the legitimacy of a warranty claim.

 

sorry to offend you man....that wasnt the purpose of my post. It was a genuine question to see if I could get it fixed under warrenty and what would be the best way to go about this.

 

Well, I am sorry for your loss. Heck, if you lived nearby, I'd be the first guy to bring over my tools and a case of beer and lend you a hand to try and diagnose and if possible fix your car's problem.

But, as far as warranty claims go, most guys know the difference between right and wrong. I think you know what's the right thing to do. Good luck.

 

Richard - send RatedR an IM. Tell him exactly what happened and ask to see if he can help out. Tell him I can vouch for you... it might help, it might not.

-Sean

 

Thanks, Sean. I sent him an IM. I appreciate the help man.

 

Man, that sucks. Sorry for your situation.


[Modified by MikeD, 7:00 AM 4/30/2002]

 

Here is my 2 cents: take the car to your local Acura dealership and be up front with them. Have them inspect the car and find out for sure what the extent of the engine damage is. Then see what they are willing to cover under warranty. If they don't offer an acceptable resolution to your problem, call Acura customer relations and cry to them. Often times CR will be able to get something covered under warranty when the dealership initially declines to warranty it. I also know that service managers are more inclined to help people when they are honest than when they are obviously lying. Acura may offer to pay for parts and make you pay for the labor, they have done this on more than one occaision. Good luck.

 

It also helps to have some older (like your father) take it in so you don't get the young punk prejudice against you. When my rear hatch glass broke due to ice (and a silly design) Acura CR said there was no way they would cover it because it was "weather related."

I made sure the car was nice and clean and had my father take it in and the dealership said they would cover it on a "one-time, good will basis." I was pretty psyched.