Honda DEALER TECH'S please.

Interested in hearing from tech's currently employed @ Honda dealer.
Due to lack of qualified independent mechanics in their area, this
repair will need to be done by a dealer.

Family member has 2000 Accord 4 cyl. and it's approching time to have
the timing belt replaced. So the questions are:

1. Specifically, what parts do you replace, and what other services
are performed?
2. What is general cost?
3. How long would dealer need to complete the work?
4. Are very small Honda dealers just as good as larger ones? i.e.
one dealer (closest) also
sells Pontiac, vs: dealer selling only Honda.
5. Would you be confident getting this repair done at ANY Honda
dealer? i.e. does Honda
tech certification take out the duh factor?
6. Immediately after repair, owner will be taking a very long road
trip, so can't take chances
with repair, etc.
7. Is there anything else you would recommend doing, not covered in
#1?

T.I.A.

 

trifecta wrote:

yes. using google. every single one of your other questions are
regularly answered here on this group.

 

trifecta wrote:

yes. using google. every single one of your other questions are
regularly answered here on this group.

 

How can I say this without coming across in a negative fashion. #1, use
the search feature at the top of the page. #2 don't specify which "expert"
you want to answer your questions. Many of the people at the stealership
only want one thing.....the wonderful people on this site only want you to
say something like "thanks in advance for any assistance" These guys and
ladies spend a lot of their time helping each other for free. #3
(optional) use a little humor like: I'm a brain surgeon,who just wants to
get his car repaired correctly....help please. Good luck.

 

There is really no need to post twice and I'm sorry I did not see the
T.I.A. the first time. Better to spell it out I think. We all read both
Honda topics. I wish they were better broken down like Civic/Accord, and
maybe, all other Honda vehicles.

 

I'm not picking on your post, just answering both replies.

I DID a prior search, and got general answers to SOME questions. The
problem as stated in the OP is that this repair must be done by a
dealer. Ex: the Pontiac / Honda dealer is 120 miles from their
location, with the larger Honda only dealer 125 miles in the opposite
direction, so not a lot of choices. That given, (and lack of qualified
indy shops as stated in OP) make all replies from non dealer tech's are
n/a.

Since my OP seems to have caused some angst among the natives here, I
am going to remove my OP, and seek answers elsewhere.

 

I'm not picking on your post, just answering both replies.

I did a prior search, and got general answers to SOME questions. The
problem as stated in the OP is that this repair must be done by a
dealer. Ex: the Pontiac / Honda dealer is 120 miles from their
location, with the larger Honda only dealer 125 miles in the opposite
direction, so not a lot of choices. That given, (and lack of qualified
indy shops as stated in OP) make all replies from non dealer tech's are
n/a.

Since my OP seems to have caused some angst among the natives here, I
am going to remove my OP, and seek answers elsewhere.

 

Non-dealer technicians can give meaningful answers to your
questions.

So can non-technicians, using their own recent experience
with TB changes at dealers.

Honda dealerships do not all give the same service, so even
if there were a Honda dealer technician hanging out here,
his/her response does not mean the two dealerships where you
are would do the same.

People here can also comment on a dealer service department
dedicated strictly to Hondas vs. one split between Hondas
and another make.

Most of your questions come up a lot. Even if it were all
Honda techs posting here, I doubt there would be a consensus
on the answers to your questions.

Both of the dealerships which you mention should be willing
to respond to questions 1 through 3.

I know of one certified technician who posts here. I do not
think he's Honda certified.

I think some reasons Honda certified technicians do not post
here is because (1) they don't want to give away their
expertise for free; and (2) they simply do not have the
time.

From my reading here for several years, this is a consumer
newsgroup. Perhaps you didn't understand this when you
posted here. People here could also give very meaningful
responses to the other questions, simply because so many of
us have used so many Honda dealers and even compared one to
the other. Variation is wide.

 

I'm no tech, but I had my 1999 Civic EX in for the timing belt package
also at the Honda dealer..

My dealer made a mistake... and forgive me for knowing the specifics,
I'm no Tech... but there was some sensor or fitting they didn't secure
when they wrapped up the job... After a week or two after the service,
my check engine light came on with code 1336 (a misfire code, if I
recall correctly).

Learning that all my servicings had replaced plugs, but not wires, I
went to a different Honda dealer and bought what I expected to be OEM
spark plug wires.

Took it back to the dealer since the new wiers didn't fix the problem,
and they recommended all sorts of stuff, then blamed my OEM spark plug
wires (which they said were aftermarket). I insisted it's not the
wires, and that they go back and "look at it again." They got a more
senior tech involved, and his first question to them was whether or
not the timing belt had been done recently. They checked their
records, sure enough.... It was that sensor dealie... I just wish I
remember what exactly it was...

Anyhow, they fixed that free of charge...