Hi There,

I have gone to Acura Serramonte, Colma, CA (San Francisco Bay Area) to have my 98 3.0 CL Auto checked. They have given me the following list which is costly. You guys are experts so that I thought I can get some help from you. Which one I should fix first. Thank you.

My car history...
I bought her at 164265 (transmission is not good) for about $4,000 on Aug 2007; nonetheless, I am still driving her (173350), mostly city driving. I have Acura dealer performed lube, oil and filter for 5 times already. Have them performed 150000 mile service and replaced brake rotors.

Here is the list...
1. Replace timing belt, water pump, coolant and drive belts $1365.79
2. Front and rear engine mounts $1416.04
3. Automatic transmission and torque converter $3364.91
Total = 6164.74

I am so excited to drive her. She have given so much excitement, I mean every time. Thank you very much for your time.

 

"2. Front and rear engine mounts $1416.04"

$1400?!?!?!! wtf? If you own socket wrenches and a floor jack and don't mind busting up your knuckles, I am positive you can do this for about $100. As for the rest... I see no reason why it cannot be done for less elsewhere unless you really want it done at the stealership. The shop I go to usually charges about 700 for tbelt, water pump, all other belts, hoses etc. Transmission + swap they wanted $1300 with a warranty.

 

dealership is ripping ya,
for the amount of the trans you could do a 3.2 swap, id go somewhere else. find a shop thats not the dealership but specilizes in honda/acura. the prices Tehvine are more on par then prices quoted from a dealer.
i only go the the dealership for fluids and parts i can't get from others auto parts stores.

6164.74 worth of work?? is the car even worht $6g's?

 

In "good" condition via kbb it is listed for 4200 private party with that many miles.

 

lol to those prices.

It's like the Acura dealers have been taking lessons from BMW and Mercedes Service Departments. What BS.

Since you live in California, there are many, many independent shops that can do all of that for half the price. I would avoid that dealer like the plague.

Why do they feel the timing belt needs replaced? Was it replaced at 100K? Is it soaked in oil or cracking?

If the engine mounts need replaced, that's cool but no way for that amount of money. I would either live with it or have an independent shop quote you.

As for the transmission, I would buy a used one with under 100K and have an independent shop install it for about $600 labor. No need to drop $3400 on that either.

 

If you have any experience turning a socket wrench, I bet you could do your own trans too... I had never done anything like that and it took me about 12 hours of work to do it in my accord. I just read the service manual procedures about 10 times, got all the parts i needed, and had at it. I picked up a torque converter seal, remanufactured torque converter, o-ring for the torque converter, some new housing mounting bolts, and about 7 quarts of trans fluid. Picked up the trans for $50 too, was a nice win. Then again, I am a bit more crazy than most.

 

Hi There,
Thank you very much for all of your advices. I will try my best to have all the problems fixed. Thank you again.