Finally dropped my 01 CLs at Rick Case Acura this afternoon to address the heat soak issue. The service rep indicated that there was a $250 diagnosis fee but another tech said it was $130. Got a call from the rep 3 hours later and he alleges that it needs a new computer and fuel pressure regulator and he thinks it will fix the problem but it might need injectors. After some further questioning he changed his tune to the computer and regulator will fix the issue as there is a service bulletin on it. The cost is is $699 for the kit which is the pcm and the regulator and another $350 for labor.

Sounds outragueously expensive to me and I would sure appreciate some feedback on the matter. How frigging hard is it to install a pcm and a fuel pressure regulator that a tech needs at least 2 1/2 hours to install these parts??

It appears a stealership is plying their trade here....

 

It would be interesting to know the number/title/date of this 'service bulletin' so that it can be researched for validity.

 

They just messed up my seat belt buckle. The 1 that was replaced under warranty. It was the drivers. They installed it wrong it looks like, or maybe it's not the correct part. It rests up against the side bolster into the seat. There's like a 3 inch gap between the console & the buckle. The passenger one rests up against the console not the seat. It's pinching my side now. I know I should have lived with the srs light.
Sorry you having issues too. I'd scrap them & take it to 1 of the Honda places that have been mentioned before. Cartek & there was another.

 

Best bet is to go on your local area car forums and look up shops and reputations. That is how I found what shops are good or local car meets. Acura dealers are used to dealing with people that are not car savvy and they test waters to see how much work they can get away with. Not only that but the work is subpar and they seem to easily damage stuff on the car meaning they are careless.

 

hot soak fix on 6th gen accord

http://www.6thgenaccord.com/forums/s...ight=heat+soak

http://www.6thgenaccord.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=35104

 

That's some good info. there.

The bulletin 00-024 SYMPTOM paragraph sounds very similar to the OP's issue as stated by the service rep. Except for the fact that it is more prevalent in the northern climes.

http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/ac..._heat_soak.pdf

 

Zeta.....this is a thing of beauty. My neighborhood mechanic mentioned something about fuel way back when I first noticed this issue.

The service bulletin referenced appears to describe the issue to a tee. Replacing the regulator might take 15 minutes. The PCM might take an hour if you have to mess with the console.

Typical stealership overcharge.......it would appear to me that the issue will go away once the petrol distributors change the fuel compound back to spring/summer formula.

I see you are a South Florida guy, so am I. PM me if you ever need a favor.

Really appreciate the detailed response.

 

If you want to test the gas issues out. There is a station that sell gas with zero ethanol in it.
Carl's Sunoco
7801 W Sample Rd, Coral Springs, FL 33065
(954) 755-8799

 

That's why when you have a service rep state that there is a bulletin associated with an issue one might have with their car, it's a knee jerk reaction, with me anyways, to ask for the bulletin number/title/date. These bulletins almost always have a descriptive summary of the problem and its remedy. Eyeballing this document, inturn, helps the consumer make an informed decision. It does with me anyways.

In addition, they usually have a stated 'labor time' it should take to complete the repair. In this case it states 0.5 hour. IIRC, RC Acura charges between $90-100hr, so that seems a clear rip off to me.

It's a game, one (the consumer) has to be situationally aware because these lizards will skin you alive if you let them, as, unfortunately you may know.

And for the record: xi0utlawstarix deserves most of the credit because I found that bulletin on the linked threads he provided and posted it here for posterity.

 

Sample is 10 minutes from my house. I live on Commercial.

Thanks for the heads up.

 

I appreciate the research Zeta. Looking forward to discussing the matter with the Acura rep with the bulletin in hand. Will advise on their position on the fee....

 

Stopping by Rick Case this afternoon I met with the tech who produced the same service bulletin that I had but it applied to an 01 Acura rather than a Honda. He wanted the $250 plus another $41 for tax and shop fees. I pointed out that it took half an hour to do the repair but he would not budge on the 3.5 hours.

It is apparent that the inflation on the work hours is commonplace at the stealership. I finally worked out a deal that they apply the $291 to the labor for the pressure regulator even though it takes half an hour at most to install. I will pick up a used PCM and put it in myself.

The bottom line is that Rick Case Acura has thieves in the service department. I will never go there again which is little solace although I did get the issue diagnosed...I guess.

 

That may not be a good idea. From that service notice you have to reprogram the immobilizer unit to work with the new PCM. I think you can only do that with that special Honda computer only dealers have access to. If it's not done the car will not work.

 

Let us know if the problem is solveD!!!

 

I had not thought of that....I was going to get a used one from one of the recyclers in Tampa or Jville....

Nice catch.............

 

The OP on the first thread listed by xi0utlawstarix states:

'Also the reason I think you need the whole FPR Kit mentioned in the 00-024 SB (contains a new fuel pressure regulator and a new PCM) is that the new FPR has a bigger opening to contain more fuel at a higher pressure and the new PCM has updated software and stuff to work with that.'

The Fuel Pressure Regulator Kit: P/N 06161-P8C-A00 listed on the 'Honda' bulletin can be bought for $500.87. I used https://www.magauto.com/Honda.html

You stated that the tech had an 'Acura' bulletin regarding the same issue. That would most likely have the proper FPR Kit P/N for your car. You will be able to find it cheaper online then the $699 RC wants to peddle it for, you just need the correct P/N, and then someone to do the labor and the immobilizer download.

Good luck.

 

Very nice work Zeta and thanks....I dealt with the service manager at Rick Case today who offered to do the work for 1/2 an hour rather than the 3 & 1/2 the thieving rep (Brad) wanted to charge for the work.

Over the weekend I shared the matter with a friend who is a mechanic and he suggested affixing clothespins to the fuel line at the points they connect above the intake. The theory is that they would absorb the heat. I tried it today and so far it works. Kind of rainy here and I will have to wait until the real heat sets in to verify that I can avoid the expensive repair on this matter.

 

I had the replacement completed by Rick Case Acura sans PCM upgrade and my CL runs fine. I yanked the clothespins and will find out shortly if the issue returns.

Out of pocket was $191 and the satisfaction of looking at the rep who tried to rip me off eye to eye and him looking away like a puppy dog getting a good scolding. They gave my car a nice detailing to boot.

Whenever you have an issue with a dealership advise the service mgr that you will contact the county and state of their unethical practices in addition to the owner of the dealership and Honda. If that does not work you can always dispute the charge on your credit card..

 

I was not aware that the CL-S suffered from heat soak. I have an 02 CL-S and that car runs fine even when the temps get >100F outside and i am stuck in stop and go traffic and the car has always restarted without issues when i turn it off run insomewhere and come right back.....