Hey guys

Here is the story.
Last summer I took the car to the Honda dealership to have the timing belt and water pump done.

They also did the camshaft because they saw leaking oil.

As soon as the job was done the car was not running the same and they said it is the valves that need adjustment but it's not a problem, just an annoying sound.

Even though this sound never occurred until after their work.

Over the months the car has started run worse and worse, eventually we took it into Honda because it idled very rough and loud.

They told us they would do a full diagnostic, yet the mechanic yelled at us and said nothing is wrong even though they just drove it for 30 seconds, they didn't check the computer codes, they didn't look under the hood or under the car.

I complained to the manager and he said take the car back anytime you have a chance it runs poorly.

Today after a lot of convincing they agreed to actually put the car into the garage to have a complete look.

Here is what they found:

1 of the hoses I think from the heater core burst
1 of the o rings and distributor caps is gushing oil
The front engine mount is completely busted

They claimed they couldn't have spotted any of this during the timing belt job and that they couldn't have found it even after we brought the car back after complaining about how poorly it was running.

What do you guys think happened and did they screw up?
I can't believe they wouldn't have any of these things the second time but they admitted they didn't take a proper look and made excuses.

I'm not a mechanic but I can tell they weren't being honest, I think they screwed up.

Now the car overheated at least twice, or more and I think it caused serious engine damage.

Honda should have noticed this after my complaints when they promised to do a full diagnostic but instead drove it for a few seconds, yelled at us and told us to get lost.

Your thoughts are welcome..............

I'm seriously stressed out because I know they're lying to me.

 

Bottom line up front, it appears to me that your Honda dealership screwed up, and yes, they are screwing you. Additionally, and I mean no offense, you should have addressed the problem a lot sooner than you did. First, some questions regarding your experience. Is this the first time you have ever used this dealership? Also, why didn't you bring the car back immediately after you felt that it was not running the same, and told the service adviser/manager what had happened to your car? You also stated that “Over the months the car has started run worse and worse”. If it was getting worse, why didn't you bring the car in at that time? These are obviously armchair QB observations on my part, but hopefully a lesson learned for you.

That all said, you have several options here. The first is to report this dealership to your local Better Business Bureau (BBB). You can also check with the BBB to see if this dealership has had a track record of similar incidents like yours. Unfortunately, the BBB doesn't have a whole lot of legal clout to bring against the dealership. IMHO, all the BBB does is provide a historical data base for you to check <U>before </U>you have work done on your car, to see if similar complaints have been recorded. Second, if a mechanic from an authorized Honda dealership is “yelling” at you, screw the service manager – go directly to the general manager of the dealership and report this unprofessional behavior. Then report the entire incident in a letter to American Honda Motor Company, with an info copy to the dealership. Suggest you still do this; their address is below. Even though you delayed in reporting this, you still may have an opportunity to get this repaired, at their cost. Don’t hold your breath though. Third, talk to some of your friends/co-workers that own Hondas, and see where they get work done on their cars. If your car is that hosed up, take it to a reputable mechanic shop (maybe one that your friends recommended), tell them the entire story, and have them diagnose the problem. Unfortunately, you will have to pay for their diagnosis. Provide that paperwork in the letter you send to the below address. I hate to say this, but you can always get an attorney involved as a last resort…

American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Honda Automobile Customer Service
1919 Torrance Boulevard
Mail Stop: 500 - 2N - 7D
Torrance, CA 90501-2746

Hope this helps - Good luck!

 

skip the bbb and call hoa first. tell them the dealer serviced the car and ever since then even though you brought it back becuase it was not running right, they refused to address the issue. now because of that, you car has more serious issues.

and yes it is normal for valves to clatter after a timing belt job and they need adjustment

 

looking at the problems you mentioned, they won't be liable for anything.
the hose I'm sure burst well after last summer when you serviced it, the distributor is on the other side of the motor. The motor mount, thats?? they have to drop the side mount to change the timing belt, so they should have noticed the front mount, but they still probally won't be liable.

now onto when you brought the car back, if they never actually serviced it, there probally isn't anything you can do. IDK..

Should they have noticed these things? Of course, but they were lazy, but it doesn't sound like they directly caused the damage. That's just my take on the situation, good luck with it though.

P.S. You should have them check your valves also. And write that letter!