I have taken my vehicle to an independent mechanic for two years because I have felt that I couldn’t trust the dealership mechanics. (I think they take advantage of women.) I have done 100,000 mile services and kept up with all necessary repairs. Just had the oil changed and car serviced before driving out of town. I currently have 111,000 miles. I had a recall on the car so I took into a Honda dealer where I am visiting. Because my service doesn’t show in the computer, the service people try to tell me I haven’t had the work done. Today, I was told that my valves needed “cleaning” or “adjusting” and the bolts needed turned. Additionally, I now have a “significant oil leak” around the crankshaft and a plate needs replacing. All of this to the tune of close to $800.00. The last time I took it to this dealer, I walked out having done something that cost $600.00. I refused to have the work done today because I want my mechanic to check it out, but I also want to be able to sell this car within the next year and I don’t want any major problems within that time. Any advice? I just don’t want to be taken. Thanks.
You need to post the EXACT wording of the written recommendations.
Valves don’t get cleaned. They probably want to adjust the valves.
What is “bolts needed turned”?
“Significant oil leak” around the crankshaft could be a crankshaft seal.
“Plate needs replacing” means nothing to me.
Of course the dealer wanted to sell you a bunch of work. According to THEIR records, youre way behind on your maintenance. “Significant oil leaks” gets your attention, not "minor seepage"
Give your regular mechanic the dealer’s written recommendation. Have him check out the car and get his opinion.
The Honda’s usually need valve’s adjusted. Do you have your owner’s manual? Check the schedules there and match it up against the receipts from your mechanic to figure what was done and what is left to be done. The oil leak should be checked, has your oil level been going down significantly?
I had the same truck and it had 231,000 when i sold it. Ran great and I was beating people away when I posted it on CL. My point is it has lots of life left in it !
There’s a number of threads about regular valve lash inspections and yes, it’s a necessary evil unless you visit casinos, play the lottery, and other assorted games of chance.
A Honda TSB (cut and pasted in part below) states what a competent mechanic should already know.
TSB#03-038 reads in part:
This TSB replaces and supercedes TSB #03-038 issued December 19, 2003, 11 months earlier.
Note that the TSB states that with respect to In warranty vehicles “The normal warranty applies.” And with respect to Out of warranty vehicles “Any repair perfomed after warranty expiration may be eligible for goodwill consideration by the District Parts and Service Manager or your Zone Office. You must request consideration, and get a decision, before starting work.”
The corrective action prescribed in this technical service bulletin is to inspect valve clearance and, if necessary replace the cylinder head. It is further noted in the TSB that the exhaust valves and seats may be damaged (burnt or cracked) to further indicate that the cylinder head has a problem
The valve lash should have been checked 80k miles back and as to the leak I can’t comment on that without knowing exactly what is leaking.
In spite of the perception, most dealers are not out to get you “because you’re a woman”. I don’t mean this in a a sexist pig kind of way, but on average it’s much more difficult to make a woman understand mechanical things than a man. Failure to understand often leads to fingerpointing and even much frustration; on both sides of the service desk.
I would not worry about what the dealer said, just take your car back and have your regular mechanic check the valves on your next scheduled maintenance.
What you should do in addition, if you don’t already, is make it a habit to check your oil level periodically. If you don’t know how to do that see if you have a friend who can show you how to do it or get your regular mechanic to show you.
I doubt your oil leak is all that “significant”, but it never hurts to keep tabs on the oil level. If it turns out to be more “significant” than I believe it is, then you can at least add oil as needed so the engine is protected.
Appreciate your comments. I intend to have my mechanic check the maintenance required. I do know how to check the oil and I do it on a regular basis; I have not noticed leakage. I also reported what was written on the paper I received from the dealer.