Don't Take an Out of Warranty Vehicle to a Dealership

[fairbanksb]

I have a 1991 Honda Civic DX Sedan. It has 140,600 miles on it. Due to my medical problems and major operations I had not driven the car in 2 years. We also have an 06 Civic and DW has been my chauffeur for the past 2 years. All systems on the 91 were working when I quit driving it. I didn't pull the car out and let it run periodically like I should have. The few and far between times that I did, I had to put the battery on a charger because it was dead. Anyway last week I decided to get back in the saddle and start driving again. I charged the battery but it only held a charge for a day so I bought a new one, $81 . I went to take it to get the oil changed and found that I had no turn signals. Not a necessity but very handy when you have a standard transmission. I checked the fuses and they were good. Started checking for burnt out bulbs and OMG! turn signal, hazard and back up light bulbs were all blown. Replaced all the bulbs, still no turn signals. Hazard lights to light but not flash. To top it off the AC wouldn't blow cold air. Very much needed here in the south. I hoped all it needed was refrigerant and I'ld be back in business. Decided to take it to the Honda dealer to get the maintenance done. It took them all of 20 minutes to diagnose the problem. They replaced a flasher relay and charged me $145 Then they told me that they couldn't even service the AC. First they said the compressor was leaking and it was an R12 system and had to be converted to R134 which is the new refrigerant type system and it would cost $1445. HOLY CARP! Not today says I. I called a local repair shop when I got home. He said he could do the conversion for $237. He said wait on the compressor until he charges the system to see what's what. He said if he converts it and even if the refrigerant only lasted a year it would be a lot cheaper to recharge the system than to replace the compressor. I don't think I will be bringing my 91 Honda to the dealership again. Even if I have to replace the compressor it's not going to cost any where near $1450.

 

[Green Co.]

You have to understand, the dealer (locally called the stealer) must, by contract, use Honda parts to repair Honda vehicles. OEM parts are always more expensive than after-market or rebuilt.

Find yourself a competent local independent shop. (sounds like you have) Much easier to deal with.

And, I wonder if the 'quake damage in Japan is having an effect on parts prices?

 

[tech]

OEM parts are always more expensive than after-market or rebuilt.

This used to be true, but most times (at least around here) the prices are very competitive and often less for the OEM than aftermarket.

Be careful of a $237 conversion. I can pretty much guarantee he isn't going to drain and flush the oil out of the system, replace the hoses with barrier hose, install the proper fittings. It may cool, but it'll screw over the next shop that encounters it...not to mention that some of the so-called drop-in blends are flammable, containing propane or butane even.

 

[kyrsyan]

We have often found OEM parts for a fraction of the price that the dealership wants. And the dealer charges premium prices for labor. What's even more impractical though, at least around here, is that dealers are now charging more for labor. Which is, of course, driving people to go to good independent shops rather than to the dealer.