Recent Major Service done to my Accord at Honda Service Center

**89AccordDXHB** · 06-21-2002, 03:42 PM

I know some of you make whack me down for spending so much on service. Most of the things I'm about to mention can be done without paying someone to do it. But, I don't have my own space to work on my car since I'm an apartment dweller nor do I have much time to spare.

My '89 Honda Accord DX HB is close to 150k miles and I want to run this car into the 200ks like other 3G owners. I brought the car to Robertson Honda in North Hollywood for major service. They had great customer service.

In general this is most of what was done:

Replaced Timing Belt (bought this car used at 70k so I didn't know if it was ever done)

Replaced both CV boots (both were busted open already)

Replaced both fuel filters

Performed 30k miles service which included valve adjustements, brake fluid drain and replace, tire rotation, new plugs, and more.

They also took care of a couple minor things without extra cost like replacing a brake light and adjusting a door strike to stop the 'door open alarm' from sounding off. They tried to diagnose my cold start problem without success.

I paid $845 flat. Hope this buys me my future milage.

**hondamanlxi** · 06-21-2002, 03:52 PM

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

***A20A1*** · 06-21-2002, 03:55 PM

I say money used to keep the car running is well spent...

**ACCORD EX** · 06-21-2002, 04:24 PM

Originally posted by A20A1
I say money used to keep the car running is well spent...

i say money used that can buy another car is not well spent !

MIKE

**Einstein** · 06-21-2002, 06:05 PM

When they changed the timing belt, hopefully they changed the water pump. If not, oh well.

You should change the coolant, thermostat, and radiator cap.

Also change the transmission fluid.

These are my suggestions, I practice what I preach

**Maydnaella** · 06-21-2002, 07:57 PM

Originally posted by 89AccordDXHB
I paid $845 flat.

Oh my god!

i hope it does take you well into the 200s.

**gr3k0sLaV** · 06-22-2002, 01:31 AM

I wouldn't bother getting it done at Honda, reason been they want an arm and a leg.

Just to change the timing belt would cost $200-300, i can get it done cheaper.

I take my transmission to a specialist,

oil + plugs I change myself,

i got a mechanic to do my fuel filter, timing belt, valves

i just go buy the parts i need and drop it off at the mech, i save more.

Air/COn, i take it to a specialist.

**shepherd79** · 06-22-2002, 04:14 AM

i would say it is not bad. yeah they charge yo a lot but look where you took it, North Hollywood.
i think you did a good job on that one. i am sure it will last you way over 200K. mine is 266K right now.
good luck.

**Lester Lugnut** · 06-22-2002, 11:02 AM

Alot of Honda dealers in this day and age get about $650.00 for a new timing belt and water pump for an 86-89 Accord. That includes parts and labor. It was 1/2 of that 10 yrs. ago. The $800 something mentioned is really not that bad considering it was done at a dealership, especially one that's located in one of this countries pricier areas.

I do my own work, but don't like the idea of having this done here and that done there, etc. If something goes wrong, you won't be able to know for sure exactly who screwed what up. If you can't do you own work, it's best to find ONE place that can turn-key all your needs so you know for sure where the problem was created.

In my experience, many tranmission shops are clueless about Honda trannies, be they manual or automatic.

**jteuton** · 06-22-2002, 12:36 PM

i got mine done for 250.......is your ass bleeding ??????????

**89AccordDXHB** · 06-24-2002, 10:27 PM

Well, I knew some of you 'hardcore do it yourselfers' would speak out against paying a mechanic especially a dealer's service center. Some of you are also bragging about how much less you paid at a no-name mechanic. Paying less at a no-name mechanic is subject to debate. It's hard to find a mechanic you can trust.

Anyway, here are more details on what I had done at the Honda Service center. I hope to help others know what to expect when servicing their 3G Accords:

Replace Timing Belt $219.95 parts and labor
Replace Drive belts (e.g. fan belt) $36.00 parts only
Replace right/left CV Boots $280.00 parts and labor
Replace both fuel filters $118 parts and labor
30,000 Mile Service $259.95
-change oil
-replace oil/air filter
-replace brake fluid
-transmission service (replace fluid)
-adjust valves
-replace valve cover gasket
-adjust brakes
-replace spark plugs
-rotate tires
-adjust drive belts

The initial quote added up to $895 but the service dude was cool enough to mention a AAA discount. Since I was a member I received an extra $50 discount. The whole thing ended up to be $845.00 out the door.

To add to this they diagnosed any problem I had to mention for free (well nothings free). I warned them about the weak oil plug (it leaks occationally). They replaced it with a self tapping plug at no extra charge. The 'door open alarm' would go off due to the passenger side door. They fixed that as well by adjusting the door strike at no charge. They tried to diagnose the craking problem that I have every monday morning but they couldn't duplicate the problem.....but it hasn't happened again since.

By the way, they did all this in one day.

It's a lot of money but like I said before I don't have a lot of time to spare, I don't have a place to work on the car, and I want to drive this car a lot longer.

**TeKKnoTeKK** · 06-24-2002, 11:42 PM

damn that is a grip of cash....I could never see myself paying that much for someone to do that stuff when most of it can be easily done yourself. But sounds like you really didn't have the means to do that, the dealership tho? You need to find a autoshop you trust that is not a dealer, man that is a lot of money. I guess everything that was done doesn't sound that unreasonable, but 120$ for fuel filters? That seems outragous to me.

**offthahook** · 06-25-2002, 09:05 AM

CV joint boots and adjust belts (when they were just replaced) seemed out of whack, but the belt sdj. is probably just worked in the pricing scheme of the 30K service. Man, those boots were $$$ though.

**md21722** · 03-13-2005, 11:07 AM

I would be concerned about their $280 replacement of the boots. If the boots have cracked open, wouldn't dirt and water get inside and quickly damage the CV joint requiring its replacement? I would have opted for Honda reman driveshafts instead of boot replacement ?

Brian