Honda Car Forum

My Honda civic(1993) mileage : 131000. I bought it at 111000 last
year.Thus, I've had it for a year now and done 20,000 miles.

My car overheated today.I took it to the dealership and paid $120 for
finding out the estimate and he said he'll apply it towards the
repair.Found out that the thermostat had to be replaced.Total cost
$200.

The dealer also told me that there was a hole in the water pump and it
needed to be replaced.And that, if i was replacing the water pump,
might as well replace the timing belt too.He said the total cost would
be $720.Can't the hole be patched up or covered instead of replacing
the water pump?.

SHOULD i show it to another honda mechanic and get it done from there
for a cheaper price?.There is an asian mechanic,and i have done many
jobs with him.I dont know why but i trust the dealer more than this
mechanic.I am in a dilemma. Also, if ther is a hole in the water pump,
how soon it should be replaced and what are the consequences if
replaced late?.I am a broke college student, but i use this car a lot.I
thought hondas were reliable.

<Dashingdon@gmail.com> wrote
> My Honda civic(1993) mileage : 131000. I bought it at
> 111000 last
> year.Thus, I've had it for a year now and done 20,000
> miles.
>
> My car overheated today.I took it to the dealership and
> paid $120 for
> finding out the estimate and he said he'll apply it
> towards the
> repair.Found out that the thermostat had to be
> replaced.Total cost
> $200.

$200 to change out the thermostat?

IMO they are taking you for a big ride.

Shouldn't have been more than $100 or so, even at the
dealership.

> The dealer also told me that there was a hole in the water
> pump and it
> needed to be replaced.And that, if i was replacing the
> water pump,
> might as well replace the timing belt too.He said the
> total cost would
> be $720.Can't the hole be patched up or covered instead of
> replacing
> the water pump?.
>
> SHOULD i show it to another honda mechanic and get it
> done from there
> for a cheaper price?.There is an asian mechanic,and i have
> done many
> jobs with him.I dont know why but i trust the dealer more
> than this
> mechanic.I am in a dilemma. Also, if ther is a hole in the
> water pump,
> how soon it should be replaced and what are the
> consequences if
> replaced late?.I am a broke college student, but i use
> this car a lot.I
> thought hondas were reliable.

I don't think I've ever seen anyone report a "hole in the
water pump" here I have heard of water pump's failing, but
not via a hole, and leaking coolant.

Monitor the engine's temperature. Never drive when it is in
the red zone or approaching it, according to the dashboard
temperature gage.

Start monitoring the coolant level by looking at the cooling
system reservoir's level. Check it when the engine is cool,
then hot. Check it again when the engine is cool, then hot.
The same levels should recur if the checks are done over a
day or so.

Please post when the timing belt was last changed. It might
be due anyway. It is standard operating procedure to
simultaneously change the water pump with the timing belt,
because the parts that need to be removed, and so the labor,
to get to each is nearly identical.

If your timing belt was never replaced, you are on borrowed time. A
failure could mean a new engine. If it was replaced at around 100K
miles, then there would be no reason to replace it now. Honda water
pumps have about the same life as the timing belt, so it is customary
to change them both at the same time. I know it's a lot of money, but
so is a new engine.

Dick

On 7 Jul 2006 11:17:49 -0700, Dashingdon@gmail.com wrote:

>My Honda civic(1993) mileage : 131000. I bought it at 111000 last
>year.Thus, I've had it for a year now and done 20,000 miles.
>
>My car overheated today.I took it to the dealership and paid $120 for
>finding out the estimate and he said he'll apply it towards the
>repair.Found out that the thermostat had to be replaced.Total cost
>$200.
>
>The dealer also told me that there was a hole in the water pump and it
>needed to be replaced.And that, if i was replacing the water pump,
>might as well replace the timing belt too.He said the total cost would
>be $720.Can't the hole be patched up or covered instead of replacing
>the water pump?.
>
>SHOULD i show it to another honda mechanic and get it done from there
>for a cheaper price?.There is an asian mechanic,and i have done many
>jobs with him.I dont know why but i trust the dealer more than this
>mechanic.I am in a dilemma. Also, if ther is a hole in the water pump,
>how soon it should be replaced and what are the consequences if
>replaced late?.I am a broke college student, but i use this car a lot.I
>thought hondas were reliable.

Dick - I don't even know if the timing belt was replaced or not.I
bought the car one year ago at 110000.Second hand car from a private
party.How does one find out if the timing belt was changed?.

Elle - The diagnosis was $120, so they applied it towards changing the
thermostat and the total came to $200.

Dick wrote:
> If your timing belt was never replaced, you are on borrowed time. A
> failure could mean a new engine. If it was replaced at around 100K
> miles, then there would be no reason to replace it now. Honda water
> pumps have about the same life as the timing belt, so it is customary
> to change them both at the same time. I know it's a lot of money, but
> so is a new engine.
>
> Dick
>
> On 7 Jul 2006 11:17:49 -0700, Dashingdon@gmail.com wrote:
>
> >My Honda civic(1993) mileage : 131000. I bought it at 111000 last
> >year.Thus, I've had it for a year now and done 20,000 miles.
> >
> >My car overheated today.I took it to the dealership and paid $120 for
> >finding out the estimate and he said he'll apply it towards the
> >repair.Found out that the thermostat had to be replaced.Total cost
> >$200.
> >
> >The dealer also told me that there was a hole in the water pump and it
> >needed to be replaced.And that, if i was replacing the water pump,
> >might as well replace the timing belt too.He said the total cost would
> >be $720.Can't the hole be patched up or covered instead of replacing
> >the water pump?.
> >
> >SHOULD i show it to another honda mechanic and get it done from there
> >for a cheaper price?.There is an asian mechanic,and i have done many
> >jobs with him.I dont know why but i trust the dealer more than this
> >mechanic.I am in a dilemma. Also, if ther is a hole in the water pump,
> >how soon it should be replaced and what are the consequences if
> >replaced late?.I am a broke college student, but i use this car a lot.I
> >thought hondas were reliable.

<Dashingdon@gmail.com> wrote
> Dick - I don't even know if the timing belt was replaced
> or not.I
> bought the car one year ago at 110000.Second hand car from
> a private
> party.How does one find out if the timing belt was
> changed?.
>
> Elle - The diagnosis was $120, so they applied it towards
> changing the
> thermostat and the total came to $200.

Dashingdon, what I mean is that (1) it should cost a lot
less than $120 to diagnose a faulty thermostat; and (2) even
if they could justify $120 for the diagnosis, they sure as
heck didn't "apply it towards" the repair in my estimation.

If you went in there and asked them to change the
thermostat, they shouldn't charge more than maybe $100.

On the off chance that for the diagnosis they actually
removed the thermostat and tested it, then installing a new
thermostat overlaps completely with this.

In short, I think this dealership is taking you for a ride,
big time.

Without written records, there is no sure way to tell when
the timing belt was last changed.

If you drive in "severe conditions" that might help justify
changing the timing belt now. See the owner's manual's
maintenance schedule at site
https://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/logon.asp. On the left,
click on "Owner's Manuals." Follow the pointers. Once you
arrive at the pdf file, it may appear that only one page has
come up. In fact, page numbers that are highlighted within
the pdf file are links on which you can click to take you to
the page. Also, in the upper right hand corner of any white
page look for an arrow. Click the right arrow to get to the
next page. Lastly, pressing "Ctrl-A" will permit easier
reading of some of the pages at this site.

Ok, the service advisor told me that the car could be over-heating due
to many reasons.Blown casket, fan motor might be off, radiator mihgt be
off, thermostat might be off, yada yada.He said in order to look at
this and find out what the problem is, it'll cost $120 and if i give
them the go ahead for the repair, the $120 will be applied towards the
repair.He called me today morning and said that it will be $200 total.

Elle wrote:
> <Dashingdon@gmail.com> wrote
> > Dick - I don't even know if the timing belt was replaced
> > or not.I
> > bought the car one year ago at 110000.Second hand car from
> > a private
> > party.How does one find out if the timing belt was
> > changed?.
> >
> > Elle - The diagnosis was $120, so they applied it towards
> > changing the
> > thermostat and the total came to $200.
>
> Dashingdon, what I mean is that (1) it should cost a lot
> less than $120 to diagnose a faulty thermostat; and (2) even
> if they could justify $120 for the diagnosis, they sure as
> heck didn't "apply it towards" the repair in my estimation.
>
> If you went in there and asked them to change the
> thermostat, they shouldn't charge more than maybe $100.
>
> On the off chance that for the diagnosis they actually
> removed the thermostat and tested it, then installing a new
> thermostat overlaps completely with this.
>
> In short, I think this dealership is taking you for a ride,
> big time.
>
> Without written records, there is no sure way to tell when
> the timing belt was last changed.
>
> If you drive in "severe conditions" that might help justify
> changing the timing belt now. See the owner's manual's
> maintenance schedule at site
> https://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/logon.asp. On the left,
> click on "Owner's Manuals." Follow the pointers. Once you
> arrive at the pdf file, it may appear that only one page has
> come up. In fact, page numbers that are highlighted within
> the pdf file are links on which you can click to take you to
> the page. Also, in the upper right hand corner of any white
> page look for an arrow. Click the right arrow to get to the
> next page. Lastly, pressing "Ctrl-A" will permit easier
> reading of some of the pages at this site.

Ok, the service advisor told me that the car could be over-heating due
to many reasons.Blown casket, fan motor might be off, radiator mihgt be
off, thermostat might be off, yada yada.He said in order to look at
this and find out what the problem is, it'll cost $120 and if i give
them the go ahead for the repair, the $120 will be applied towards the
repair.He called me today morning and said that it will be $200
total.And this is a honda dealership here in the Bay Area.

Elle wrote:
> <Dashingdon@gmail.com> wrote
> > Dick - I don't even know if the timing belt was replaced
> > or not.I
> > bought the car one year ago at 110000.Second hand car from
> > a private
> > party.How does one find out if the timing belt was
> > changed?.
> >
> > Elle - The diagnosis was $120, so they applied it towards
> > changing the
> > thermostat and the total came to $200.
>
> Dashingdon, what I mean is that (1) it should cost a lot
> less than $120 to diagnose a faulty thermostat; and (2) even
> if they could justify $120 for the diagnosis, they sure as
> heck didn't "apply it towards" the repair in my estimation.
>
> If you went in there and asked them to change the
> thermostat, they shouldn't charge more than maybe $100.
>
> On the off chance that for the diagnosis they actually
> removed the thermostat and tested it, then installing a new
> thermostat overlaps completely with this.
>
> In short, I think this dealership is taking you for a ride,
> big time.
>
> Without written records, there is no sure way to tell when
> the timing belt was last changed.
>
> If you drive in "severe conditions" that might help justify
> changing the timing belt now. See the owner's manual's
> maintenance schedule at site
> https://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/logon.asp. On the left,
> click on "Owner's Manuals." Follow the pointers. Once you
> arrive at the pdf file, it may appear that only one page has
> come up. In fact, page numbers that are highlighted within
> the pdf file are links on which you can click to take you to
> the page. Also, in the upper right hand corner of any white
> page look for an arrow. Click the right arrow to get to the
> next page. Lastly, pressing "Ctrl-A" will permit easier
> reading of some of the pages at this site.

Is the dealer still saying there's a "hole in the water
pump"?

Look for others' responses.

I hear you about the Bay Area. So I'll amend my opinion to
say that this dealership is really pushing it, even for the
Bay area.

I'd go elsewhere.

<Dashingdon@gmail.com> wrote
> Ok, the service advisor told me that the car could be
> over-heating due
> to many reasons.Blown casket, fan motor might be off,
> radiator mihgt be
> off, thermostat might be off, yada yada.He said in order
> to look at
> this and find out what the problem is, it'll cost $120 and
> if i give
> them the go ahead for the repair, the $120 will be applied
> towards the
> repair.He called me today morning and said that it will be
> $200
> total.And this is a honda dealership here in the Bay Area.
>
> Elle wrote:
>> <Dashingdon@gmail.com> wrote
>> > Dick - I don't even know if the timing belt was
>> > replaced
>> > or not.I
>> > bought the car one year ago at 110000.Second hand car
>> > from
>> > a private
>> > party.How does one find out if the timing belt was
>> > changed?.
>> >
>> > Elle - The diagnosis was $120, so they applied it
>> > towards
>> > changing the
>> > thermostat and the total came to $200.
>>
>> Dashingdon, what I mean is that (1) it should cost a lot
>> less than $120 to diagnose a faulty thermostat; and (2)
>> even
>> if they could justify $120 for the diagnosis, they sure
>> as
>> heck didn't "apply it towards" the repair in my
>> estimation.
>>
>> If you went in there and asked them to change the
>> thermostat, they shouldn't charge more than maybe $100.
>>
>> On the off chance that for the diagnosis they actually
>> removed the thermostat and tested it, then installing a
>> new
>> thermostat overlaps completely with this.
>>
>> In short, I think this dealership is taking you for a
>> ride,
>> big time.
>>
>> Without written records, there is no sure way to tell
>> when
>> the timing belt was last changed.
>>
>> If you drive in "severe conditions" that might help
>> justify
>> changing the timing belt now. See the owner's manual's
>> maintenance schedule at site
>> https://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/logon.asp. On the
>> left,
>> click on "Owner's Manuals." Follow the pointers. Once you
>> arrive at the pdf file, it may appear that only one page
>> has
>> come up. In fact, page numbers that are highlighted
>> within
>> the pdf file are links on which you can click to take you
>> to
>> the page. Also, in the upper right hand corner of any
>> white
>> page look for an arrow. Click the right arrow to get to
>> the
>> next page. Lastly, pressing "Ctrl-A" will permit easier
>> reading of some of the pages at this site.
>

Well, i'll try to reduce the price from $200 to whatever i can.Let's
see if he agrees.He's already changed the thermostat.




Elle wrote:
> Is the dealer still saying there's a "hole in the water
> pump"?
>
> Look for others' responses.
>
> I hear you about the Bay Area. So I'll amend my opinion to
> say that this dealership is really pushing it, even for the
> Bay area.
>
> I'd go elsewhere.
>
> <Dashingdon@gmail.com> wrote
> > Ok, the service advisor told me that the car could be
> > over-heating due
> > to many reasons.Blown casket, fan motor might be off,
> > radiator mihgt be
> > off, thermostat might be off, yada yada.He said in order
> > to look at
> > this and find out what the problem is, it'll cost $120 and
> > if i give
> > them the go ahead for the repair, the $120 will be applied
> > towards the
> > repair.He called me today morning and said that it will be
> > $200
> > total.And this is a honda dealership here in the Bay Area.
> >
> > Elle wrote:
> >> <Dashingdon@gmail.com> wrote
> >> > Dick - I don't even know if the timing belt was
> >> > replaced
> >> > or not.I
> >> > bought the car one year ago at 110000.Second hand car
> >> > from
> >> > a private
> >> > party.How does one find out if the timing belt was
> >> > changed?.
> >> >
> >> > Elle - The diagnosis was $120, so they applied it
> >> > towards
> >> > changing the
> >> > thermostat and the total came to $200.
> >>
> >> Dashingdon, what I mean is that (1) it should cost a lot
> >> less than $120 to diagnose a faulty thermostat; and (2)
> >> even
> >> if they could justify $120 for the diagnosis, they sure
> >> as
> >> heck didn't "apply it towards" the repair in my
> >> estimation.
> >>
> >> If you went in there and asked them to change the
> >> thermostat, they shouldn't charge more than maybe $100.
> >>
> >> On the off chance that for the diagnosis they actually
> >> removed the thermostat and tested it, then installing a
> >> new
> >> thermostat overlaps completely with this.
> >>
> >> In short, I think this dealership is taking you for a
> >> ride,
> >> big time.
> >>
> >> Without written records, there is no sure way to tell
> >> when
> >> the timing belt was last changed.
> >>
> >> If you drive in "severe conditions" that might help
> >> justify
> >> changing the timing belt now. See the owner's manual's
> >> maintenance schedule at site
> >> https://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/logon.asp. On the
> >> left,
> >> click on "Owner's Manuals." Follow the pointers. Once you
> >> arrive at the pdf file, it may appear that only one page
> >> has
> >> come up. In fact, page numbers that are highlighted
> >> within
> >> the pdf file are links on which you can click to take you
> >> to
> >> the page. Also, in the upper right hand corner of any
> >> white
> >> page look for an arrow. Click the right arrow to get to
> >> the
> >> next page. Lastly, pressing "Ctrl-A" will permit easier
> >> reading of some of the pages at this site.
> >

Miscommunication. I meant after having this repair and
paying the //previously agreed// upon $200, you should use a
different dealer or perhaps try an independent import shop.

I do not think it is cool to renege on a deal and regret the
implication otherwise.

<Dashingdon@gmail.com> wrote
> Well, i'll try to reduce the price from $200 to whatever i
> can.Let's
> see if he agrees.He's already changed the thermostat.
>
>
>
>
> Elle wrote:
>> Is the dealer still saying there's a "hole in the water
>> pump"?
>>
>> Look for others' responses.
>>
>> I hear you about the Bay Area. So I'll amend my opinion
>> to
>> say that this dealership is really pushing it, even for
>> the
>> Bay area.
>>
>> I'd go elsewhere.
>>
>> <Dashingdon@gmail.com> wrote
>> > Ok, the service advisor told me that the car could be
>> > over-heating due
>> > to many reasons.Blown casket, fan motor might be off,
>> > radiator mihgt be
>> > off, thermostat might be off, yada yada.He said in
>> > order
>> > to look at
>> > this and find out what the problem is, it'll cost $120
>> > and
>> > if i give
>> > them the go ahead for the repair, the $120 will be
>> > applied
>> > towards the
>> > repair.He called me today morning and said that it will
>> > be
>> > $200
>> > total.And this is a honda dealership here in the Bay
>> > Area.
>> >
>> > Elle wrote:
>> >> <Dashingdon@gmail.com> wrote
>> >> > Dick - I don't even know if the timing belt was
>> >> > replaced
>> >> > or not.I
>> >> > bought the car one year ago at 110000.Second hand
>> >> > car
>> >> > from
>> >> > a private
>> >> > party.How does one find out if the timing belt was
>> >> > changed?.
>> >> >
>> >> > Elle - The diagnosis was $120, so they applied it
>> >> > towards
>> >> > changing the
>> >> > thermostat and the total came to $200.
>> >>
>> >> Dashingdon, what I mean is that (1) it should cost a
>> >> lot
>> >> less than $120 to diagnose a faulty thermostat; and
>> >> (2)
>> >> even
>> >> if they could justify $120 for the diagnosis, they
>> >> sure
>> >> as
>> >> heck didn't "apply it towards" the repair in my
>> >> estimation.
>> >>
>> >> If you went in there and asked them to change the
>> >> thermostat, they shouldn't charge more than maybe
>> >> $100.
>> >>
>> >> On the off chance that for the diagnosis they actually
>> >> removed the thermostat and tested it, then installing
>> >> a
>> >> new
>> >> thermostat overlaps completely with this.
>> >>
>> >> In short, I think this dealership is taking you for a
>> >> ride,
>> >> big time.
>> >>
>> >> Without written records, there is no sure way to tell
>> >> when
>> >> the timing belt was last changed.
>> >>
>> >> If you drive in "severe conditions" that might help
>> >> justify
>> >> changing the timing belt now. See the owner's manual's
>> >> maintenance schedule at site
>> >> https://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/logon.asp. On the
>> >> left,
>> >> click on "Owner's Manuals." Follow the pointers. Once
>> >> you
>> >> arrive at the pdf file, it may appear that only one
>> >> page
>> >> has
>> >> come up. In fact, page numbers that are highlighted
>> >> within
>> >> the pdf file are links on which you can click to take
>> >> you
>> >> to
>> >> the page. Also, in the upper right hand corner of any
>> >> white
>> >> page look for an arrow. Click the right arrow to get
>> >> to
>> >> the
>> >> next page. Lastly, pressing "Ctrl-A" will permit
>> >> easier
>> >> reading of some of the pages at this site.
>> >
>