Hi all,
I bought my 2004 TSX within a few months of its release and love it! HOWEVER, I took it in for a 12000 oil change and my mechanic (who loves all things honda, recommended the car to me and is a trained experienced foreign sports car mechanic) informed me that the car had a small oil leak. I called my dealer who informed me that "the tsx doesn't leak oil but he'd take a look anyway". In it went, the leak was confirmed and I was told that I had a faulty valve gasket which was replaced.
Not being the trusting type, I took the car back into my mechanic early (after about 3K miles) and was informed that the leak was worse and that as far as he was concerned, he saw no evidence that they had done a thing.
Another call to the dealer gave me the EXACT same comments - i.e. tsx doesn't leak oil, it's probably my mechanics fault, it's probably a problem with the valve cover which was replaced la de da!
Any thoughts of how to proceed? It's going back in to the dealer this week; however, should I take it elsewhere? How do you get the service department to stop the 'stupid woman' approach? Has anyone else had this problem?? What has been people's experience with acura and service?
This is my first acura and I sprung for the car mainly because I was informed that acura's are incredibly dependable.

Thanks and sorry for being so long winded.
d

 

If they confirmed the problem, they should solve it and give you an invoice stating which pieces they replaced and such. Take a closer look at that.

Also, ask your mechanic to put in writing the problem you have and ask the dealer the address the issue with sincerity. After all, it falls under the warranty repairs, and if worse comes to worst, contact the Acura customer service.

 

#1 Acuras are very dependable. A slight leak from a valve cover gasket is inconvenient, but will not likely leave you stranded by the side of the road. Back in the Integra days, the engines used to always leak slightly from the cam plug. Never enough to leave drips on the floor, but anoying none the less.

#2 Unless it's really inconvenient, I suggest you use your dealer for maintenance while your car is under warranty. This will eliminate any question of who's responsible for your car. Everyone will chime in here and say "its under warranty, they have to fix it" and that's true, my suggestion is only to make life easier. As you build a new relationship with your service dep. I'm sure they'll realize you're an enthusiast and not a "stupid woman"

 

you see any oil spots on the ground at home ?

 

Not to take away from the integrity of your mechanic's work, but when he performed you oil change, did he use the OEM filter and (here's the important part) the crush washer for the drain bolt? Aftermarket oil filters have had a tendency to leak because they do not perform the same standards for accuracy in fit as OEM ones do. The crush washer is vital additionally to keep one from cracking the oil pan.

If these 2 items are neglected (though it seems trivial), it can have an adverse effect on your car.

I am also with Colin when he said that

"#2 Unless it's really inconvenient, I suggest you use your dealer for maintenance while your car is under warranty. This will eliminate any question of who's responsible for your car. Everyone will chime in here and say "its under warranty, they have to fix it" and that's true, my suggestion is only to make life easier. As you build a new relationship with your service dep. I'm sure they'll realize you're an enthusiast and not a "stupid woman""

Even with my technical ability and knowledge, I still take my car to the dealer (that I used to work for) for its regularly scheduled maintainance.

 

Thanks for everyones thoughts.

No I don't see any oil leak in the garage and driveway. . . according to the mechanic he finds it sprayed on the manifold. and he even says that this should not effect the drivability of the car or the need to monitor oil levels.

You all do add a legitimate perspective to this . . . I am getting the sense that this is much less significant than I've been led to believe. I also have been considering taking the car to the dealer for maintenance . . . an inconvenience but for the next few changes - probably a good idea.

Despite this - I LOVE this car. Anyone have thoughts on the new Acura tl - s. That also looks sweet!

 

I had my oil changed on Saturday and when I left for work this morning I noticed a small puddle of oil on the garage floor.

I'm gonna guess this isn't normal. Has anyone experience dripping oil after a recent oil change (OP excluded)?

 

dealer did the job ? call them !

 

Yeah I know, CTDYFT. I did and they sent out a tech with a loaner car just in case they had to take it back to the shop.

The tech came out jacked up the car, crawled under to diagnose. Said a screw wasn't tightened all the way. Tightened it and said I should be good to go.

So I'll have to check after work today to see if it stopped the leaking.

 

That should have not happened - Oil changes are the sinmplest of tasks at the dealer. Find another dealer to service your car.

 

Sometimes oil drops onto some of the pieces under the car when the oil change is done. Then over the course of the next couple of days it can drip down. If the person doing the change had wiped up properly, you shouldn't see dripping. Err on the side of caution and bring it back in. Check your oil level though first to make sure it hasn't gone down too much.

 

That.... and have your mechanic friend spray/clean the areas that has oil with brake cleaner than check again a few days later.

 

This is kinda funny. I guess I'm not as "drastic" as some. My friend at our Acura store works on my car (S2000) and althought he's a master mechanic, on one occasion he didn't tighten down my drain plug. A little oil leaked out and I topped it off myself. The next time I had my oil changed, I told my service advisor to type on the work order, " customer requests that the drain plug be fully tightened." He was cool with my joke, and needless to say, always remembers when working on my car....