Hi there. I have a 2009 Accord. Took it to the dealer for an oil change. They said that the passenger side axle seal is leaking and also the tensioner cover is leaking.

Quoted costs to repair:
Axle seal leak: $206
Tensioner cover leak: $165.

Are these prices fair or should I look for an independent repair shop? I'm located in coastal Southern California.

Thank you!

 

These are fair prices. Actually on the very fair side. Labor on an axle seal is probably around 2-3 hours, @ say $75/hr thats about $225 on the high side. I'm not sure what part your referring to when you say "tensioner cover". Are you talking about the serpentine belt/accessory belt tensioner? (this is my best guess though there usually isn't any fluid associated to be leaking) Depending on what part your referring to there going to be the labor costs associated with that but $165 doesn't seem bad, thats about 2 hours. Mechanics charge by whats called "flat rate" or by a book developed by the manufacturer that gives labor times for each job, they charge for that many hours regardless of how many hours it actually takes, it's how good and quick mechanics make extra $. Your looking @ $370 to take care of your two problems, $500 would be too much but I'd say $370 is fair.

 

Thanks for your response. It is the timing belt tensioner cover that is leaking. The dealer is saying the axel seal is more urgent because if you don't take care of the leak, you could have to replace the entire axel. Is this just them being dramatic so I pay to fix the leak?

 

The axle seal is one of the seals that seals in transmission fluid inside the transmission. The seals wrap around the axle shafts @ the transmission's outputs. Typically leaking axle seals are NOT going to be cause for the replacement of an axle assembly, all they do is seal in transmission fluid so the worst that will happen is you have fluid everywhere, they are being dramatic. If you were to run out of transmission fluid THEN you would have a big problem, it could damage the transmission and at the very least would keep the car from moving.

Your car being a 2009 is going to have a timing chain not a belt (If its a 4 cylinder). The timing chain cover is a aluminum cover that is on the front end of the engine and is bolted on, it covers the timing chain, timing chain tensioner, water pump, cam gears, oil pump and a few other components. This cover does not seal IN a fluid or oil, it simply prevents moisture and other contaminants from reaching under the cover. They may be pulling your leg on this one. I would ask to see the leak with the car on the lift. There IS a crankshaft seal/oil pump seal UNDER the cover that might be leaking but it doesn't sound thats like what they are referring to.