Am I being ripped off by my dealer?

I just got timing belt, balance belt, water pump, camshaft seals, and
valve cover gasket (he won't put an old one back) for $490, mid south,
experienced (only works jap cars and Mercedes) independent mechanic.
Only uses OEM parts. Two weeks ago.

 

I agree~! that chit you can do yurself.
I live near Hamilton , Ontario Canada,I just had the timing belt , idler,
all bearing seals ,transmission fluid,gasoline filter, and water pump
replaced, for about $490.oo Canadian dollars.This was done by a good
independant mechanic.I`ve had NO problems since the work was done ~!!none ,
nada.......in March 2004.You ll have to find a good independant mechanic,
who does work on Hondas.Ask around..And he even picked me up at home when
done, and drove me home while he was working on the car ? 1992
Accord.245.000k

ed/ontario

 

That 7 year maintenance is a rip-off because most of those things aren't
labor intensive. They get people to buy these things by listing a lot of
stuff by adding stuff like adjusting your headlights. It makes it sound
reasonable but half that stuff like inspecting your wipers you can do
yourself, the rest won't take them more than an hour.

As far as the timing belt, I wouldn't trust it to just anyone but $600 is
ridiculous. I wouldn't even get it done. You only have 45,000mi. on it.
Don't they recommend replacing it at 90,000mi? I think that you should be
able to get the job done for under $400. I would not have this done by just
some gas station shop. My friend did on his '95 Accord though and only paid
$250. The dealer wanted closer to $400. This is in Fairfield County, CT,
one of the richest places in the world. If you're getting ripped off more
than they are you better move while you still can. I would check out other
dealers, even ones that are out of the way. Honda dealers are generally
very good. It isn't likely you'll have to bring it back again for the same
problem. So if going an hour away saves you $200 it is worth it. I
personally wouldn't get it done because I have gotten over 100,000mi. out of
the two timing belts I've replaced on my '88 Accord. It's a different car I
guess but I firmly believe the belt should last much more than 45,000 mi.
That's my opinion.

Aron

 

I guess you can put the valve cover gasket down to expectations of the same
quality as some other cars. IME the Honda OE gasket can easily last 10year

spark plug hole seals and hold-down grommets should all be done at the same
time.

Rgds, George Macdonald

"Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??

 

if youre doing your own work, sure. seems the mechanic wanted to be on
the safe side, using all-OEM, and a new gasket.

beats the possibility of having a comeback to do the job again for free,
or have a pissed off customer.

 

If one goes to an independent mechanic, how important is it that they use
Honda parts?

 

if they dont use honda, they will use a trusted supply jobber, like
napa. the only people i see that go to kragen or autozone are shadetree
mechanics. napa stands behind their parts, generally use better quality
suppliers, they deliver, and they set up accounts.

mechanics dont want to use parts of dubious quality, because it means
the customer will be back for them to fix it again for free.

 

OK, I should also make sure they offer a warranty on their work. Thanks.

 

most reputable mechanics will warranty their work for at least a month.
that way, if the part *is* flaky, it should have broken by then. hopefully!

 

From my experience the Honda parts last twice as long

 

As far as the timing belt, I wouldn't trust it to just anyone but $600 is

Time, in this case, matters. That rubber and polyester belt has
gotten weaker, and it will eventually break. You might squeeze a few
more miles out of it, but the situation is now just unpredictable.
Don't chance it.

JM