Whats going on guys!

Been a member for a while but this is my 1st post!

I have a 2002 TL with 163k miles. Hasn't been driven in a year and needs maintenance done so I did my research here for a good mechanic to go to in the Boston area and HondaaKing kept poppin up.

The car wouldn't move in any gears so I had it towed there. Come to find out my axel was broken, which they quoted me $360 for. They also quoted me for these things:

1. replace 3 engine and 2 tranny mounts- $1040
2. replace exhaust system- $1071
3. Sway bar links- $165
4. Change tranny fluid- $64

I also need to have the timing belt and water pump replaced as it hasn't been done since I got the car at 76k miles. I'm guessing thats another $6-800.

I'm looking to cuts some of the costs and save myself some money. Do these quotes sound right? Any suggestions as to how I should proceed?

 

Wow, with everything they claim requires replacement, you're looking at $2500. At their labor prices, you'll end up with another $1000 for the T-belt servicing. That seems to be on the rather high end for the work involved.

So, why was the car parked for the past year anyways ? Was the axle broke at the time and the tranny the main reason ?

Before ya spend $3500 on the car, make sure that the tranny isn't going to crap out on ya. It's your call on investing that much money into an older car. Ya may want to consider putting the money into a newer car ?

For now, have them replace the axle and sway bar links to get it out of the shop. The mounts and exhaust system can be done by any competent mechanic for much less if ya can bring in your own parts to use. Get some more quotes to compare. Same with the T-belt work, as it's labor intensive. Have this shop give ya an estimate on it while you're there.

 

You're telling me! I knew that I was going to have to put out some dough but DAMN! lol

The car was parked because my license was suspended. Drove the car for the 1st time last weekend. Took it to get an oil change and was told about my mounts being broken. Later on that night, the axel broke. The mechanic said since the engine was flopping around so much, it shattered the axel, which was already a new one.

The tranny is and has been slipping between 2nd and 3rd gear. There's some shuddering when I'm accelerating at low rpms but when I'm accelerating faster it doesn't shudder. The mechanic did say that my tranny fluid was black! I'm sure changing the fluid would be a big step into fixing the shuddering but I don't know if it will cure it. How can I tell if the tranny is on it's way out? Is that a sign?

I would love a newer car but don't want to have payments over my head. I love this Ac. It's been my car through out college. Just wish I took better care of it. I'm trying to figure out if getting it fixed up would be a smart move.

I had them fix the axle. Didn't want to put more money into their pockets as I knew they were high priced. Had it towed to another mechanic. I'm waiting for a diagnostic and quote from them.

 

Here are some DIY prices on some of your problems.


1. 3 Engine and 2 tranny mounts 100.00
2. 1x3 tranny fluid change 24.00
3. sway bar links 40.00
4. exhaust system 150.00
5. 06/07 tranny 700.00 (maybe) does not include install.


The mounts and the tranny fluid change I would do yourself.


Depending on your mechanical skills some of these things are relatively easy to do yourself. The timing belt also can get done for around 200.00 DIY.


If you are not able to do some of these things shop around. Honda and Acura dealerships will charge you more than a indy shop.

 

Thanks Nick2001TL! I was thinking of doing the tranny change by myself as from reading the different threads on it, it doesn't seem hard at all. I'm a novice when it come to cars so my mechanical skills are lacking.

As far as engine mounts and sway links, I'll check around the DIY thread and read up on it.

Any suggestions on a brand for engine/tranny mounts? I've been reading that rock auto has good quality parts as well as Excelerate.

 

Tranny Fluid change*

 

There is a 5 piece mount set on Ebay for about a hundred bucks. Rock Auto also has great deal on parts. Excelerate would be a higher end resource but the quality is there.


Ebay mounts 100 bucks
OEM mounts 460.00
XLR8 mounts 400.00 not including tranny mounts.
Rock Auto mounts 200.00 (beck arnley)


The transmission fluid is as easy as an oil change. Be sure to replace your transmission spin off filter.


How are the rest of your fluids looking?
Brake, Radiator, Power steering.

 

First things to do :

Have the AT fluid drained and refilled with Honda DW1. Change the tranny's external in-line filter. Fluid and filter will cost about $50 DIY.

Obviously the mounts need replaced. Complete 5 pc mounts can be aftermarket purchased for less than $200 and approx labor installing $300.

These things may help the tranny shifting, unless the damage is already done. Next, have the tranny's condition evaluated before dumping too much money into replacing stuff. The T-belt can be an expensive job. The Aisin kit can be bought for about $200 and labor installing $300.

Is the entire exhaust system bad ? Have it checked again for actual leaks or damage. The OEM system is very durable, maybe just the flange connections are bad ? Aftermarket cat-backs may be available for less than $500 and are easy to install.

The suspension, steering, brakes and engine tune up may also require attention soon. If ya have a mechanically inclined friend with tools, there's great savings with DIY. Otherwise, be prepared to lay out some serious cash.

 

Wow! I'm definitely going to go with the ebay mounts! Thats a steal! My power steering fluid needs to be changed. Not sure about the radiator or brake fluid. I'm gonna gave rye mechanic check that out too.

 

my car just got back into action after almost a year of sitting. i didnt have to do much to back into working order.

the gas will be bad so you may have to full on 97 or get an octane booster or seafoam, if your tank was almost full you may have to drain it. as long as the car isnt knocking or misfiring you wont have to drain it.

i would say go for xlr8 mounts. and the trans mounts are $20 for both if you have an account at a wholesale parts. if not then probably $20 each

if have to change the exhaust system it wouldnt be from sitting it would be from rust. and for 1000 i would rather buy a cat back or go custom and save about half the money.

trans flush at $65 is not using honda fluid, $65 doesnt even cover the price of the quarts you need...unless you have a discount at the dealer.

i would not take the car to that mechanic, it looks like they are charging dealer rates, and more than likely not oem parts.

 

If your tranny fluid is black, you may have real troubles. Have you checked it yourself? My wife had a mechanic tell her that her tranny fluid was black during an oil change. She wisely brought it home and had me check it. It was pretty and pink. The mechanic was trying to take advantage of her. If your fluid isn't black, don't trust that mechanic anymore, period!

Agree that $65 can't be for a full flush fluid change with filter.
Over $1,000 for motor mounts is ridiculous. Buy a Haynes manual and read about how to do it. If the exhaust isn't loud, and you're not getting o2 sensor codes, leave it alone. If the car handles ok, forget the sway bar bushings or do them yourself.

Try a tranny cleaning additive like Seafoam Transtune. Add the recommended amount and drive for 100-200 miles. Then do a full flush tranny fluid change with filter, and see how it shifts then.