Hi guys, I'm new here, and I really need some help. I drive a '99 TL with 98k miles. Any help is appreciated.


So about two weeks ago, the CEL light came on, and I took it in for service. It was an emissions issue, no biggie. When they had it in though, they said that a two motor mounts were starting to go bad. I knew it wasn't urgent, but I had them do it anyway. Also, I had them do the timing belt/water pump and everything with that. It's about a $1500 job in total for everything.


So my mom picked the car up (I'm 18), and she noticed a really bad noise. Over the next two days, I notice the really annoying sound, plus something else. I pop the hood, and the PS fluid resivoir has about 3" less fluid in it below the lower level line. So then I shut it off. I drive it to the down the street and back, and when I pop the hood, fluid is literally over flowing out of it. When I take it to the dealer, its back to about an inch below the lower level. So yesterday I take it in for service. They said the power steering pump is shot, and needs to be replaced.

So when I brought the car in, there was absolutely no issue. When my mom gets the car back, the PS pump is fubared. So I make the obvious connection that they messed something up. They say that's impossible, and are willing to offer me a small discount. I'm not interested in paying them a cent to fix it.

So I need proof now. If they overtightened the belt, could it cause the bearing to go bad? If they were to pinch a line while doing the mounts, could it cause a blockage? Starvation of fluid would basically destroy the pump, correct?

I'm resisting all temptation to go in there screaming, as I know that won't get me anywhere. If they're unwilling to fix it, I'll take it to the shop that works on my dad's bimmer, and I'm willing to go to court over this, however I'd like to avoid that if possible. Any advice? When do PS pumps usually go bad? I refuse to pay to get it done there. If need be, I'll take it somewhere else to have it done, because I won't let them make a cent off their incompetence.

I know I kind of sound like an ass, this is just extremely frustrating. Thanks in advance guys.

 

i feel your pain of dealerships taking advantage of you. im 18 myself.. i had them tell me my intake resonator being deleted was the cause of my cars random stallings at idle... they basically tried to make an ass out of me. but thats getting off topic... im not exactly sure when ps is supposed to start giving you trouble... but compare to my friends 1995 accord v6 with 160k miles... his power steering is JUST beggining to go... and the car is completely beaten to hell. i think its obvious they messed it up getting proof will be the problem though. if you have regular maintenance with this particular dealership that should be proof enough to them, and loyalty enough for them to make right of the situation... skip the middle men and go right to whoever is in charge of that dealership and plead your case. remember be firm but respectful because you dont want them to treat you or your car badly. good luck man. keep us updated.

 

Well about the only thing that would cause that is if the belt were overtightened the belt OR it was already going south and by adjusting it to the correct tension it failed. You may want to contact acura

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1919 Torrance Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90501-2746

 

If you needed motor mounts and water pump/timing belt in a 99, 100k is normal time to replace things
And the mounts are common failure item- no biggee

I wonder why they did not replace the belts since they were right there, but if they looked ok and the tech just adjusted them- all would be well
If grossly overtightened they USUALLY make noise
But back to subject - especially the dealer- would replace the belts.
To feel better- most owners do not think of replacing the brake fluid annually or drain and refill the power steering pump to keep fresh fluid in it.
It just oil people- keep all fluid fresh and free of absorbed moisture- the likely culprit

If they wanted to screw with you they would have just called from the dealer when car in their hands already

In the future use an independant shop for anything but warranty- and that a moot point for you with a 99

 

Oh and parts break without a moments notice
Ask any Gen 2 owner whose transmission downshifted into 2nd while cruising along the freeway, that gets you a new trans! (offer limited to 2000-2002.5 models)

 

All 5 of mine gave me plenty of notice, but then again i pay attention to my car better than most

 

I just have a hard time believing that it managed to happen exactly during the 5 minutes that the mechanic road tested it.

 

Like most things- it would have gone unnoticed by the average driver and things
do fail right after they leave the shop.
If you have turned down new belts and they broke the very next day- I would have cause to ask the tech about how tight there were put on

Like fsttymes said, not everyone is attuned to the subtlties of the car.
Whether its trans failure (I read up on and looked for symptoms till I got my new trans) or
like the recent thread -Mystery Braking -which we all instantly diagnosed as bad trans- owner totally unaware of said problem, and was very happy to have warranty info provided here.

 

I'll talk to the service manager tomorrow and see what he says. Thanks for your help guys.

 

Update: We convinced them to pay for it. Thanks again guys.