Hi guys and gals, I guess its my turn although I think its a bit early for it. Anyways here goes, yesterday on my way home after work with my 06 TL. I merged into the parkway then heard a bang, then 2 seconds later the CHECK ENGINE light and VSA went on then all of a sudden I saw all the gauges go down and I couldn't even accelerate. Lucky for me I was still able to pull over. So I put her in park and shut the car off then tried to restart it but nothing at all. Called Acura Roadside and was told they couldn't help because I was in the parkway and the Highway Patrols are in charge, so they referred me to a local towing service. I called the towing company and requested a flat bed. They towed it to Rallye Acura in Roslyn, NY. A couple questions:

1) The car currently has 50,xxx miles and I know it's just over the basic warranty (4years/50K miles). How long is the power terrain warranty? Is it 7 years/70,000miles? Am I correct and will it be covered just in case its a transmission or engine problem?

2) The tow truck driver told me regarding Roadside assistance re-imbursement. How does this exactly work with Acura?

3) Any idea what happened to the car? Kinda little early for this to happen, I babied my car and don't drive it "like I stole it."

Thanks all!


P.S. I remember someone with a similar problem but I couldn't find the thread.

 

BANG!?

sounds like you ran over something.
but at this point, with your limited description all we can do is speculate.

let us know what the dealer says

 

That's what I thought happened but I'm pretty sure I didnt run over something. There was nothing leaking under the car. I checked all the fluids and they seem fine, also the car had 3/4 tank of premium gas. It seems weird but that's what happened. A thud and then VSA and Check Engine light then the car wouldn't start. grrr...hopefully its under warranty or the dealer will goodwill it.

 

did you look under the hood after you pulled over?

 

Drive Train warranty is for '06 - '08 only and is 6-years/70,000 miles. Time starts from first "in service" date (i.e. first sale or lease usually).

Call AcuraCare for information on towing reimbursement.

 

roadside assistance from acura is 4yrs/50K miles.

 

Sure did...did not find anything except a trace of something wet on the inside of the hood, just a little though. There was some a burnt smell when I opened it but all the fluids seemed fine though.

Thanks, I'm hoping it something in the Drive Train that way it will be covered under warranty. Car currently has 50,xxx miles and just under 6 years.

Yeah, I was worried about that since the car is just over it.

 

super duper premature timing belt failure?

 

This doesn't help you out now, but get a $25 code reader from amazon or ebay. Keep it in your glove box. This way, you can read the code and know what to expect. The first repair where you go in educated (with the code and knowing what is up) you will save that $25 in dealer/shop overcharge with the "dumbass" tax. You can also prepare for what is coming.

Good luck. I hope that it turns out well.

 

update...been calling Rallye Acura all day to get a word regarding my car. It's 4:30PM EST and the latest update I got was that they are going to charge the car and see what happens. I don't understand but the battery was working fine even when the car died on me. Also I don't understand as why am I the one calling them every 3 hours to hear an update, Shouldn't it be them calling me? Acuras top notch service anyone? I'm really starting to get ticked off...

 

^wait it out.

 

maybe because they do not know what is wrong with your car yet

 

I know that but the fact that the SA gave me the run around of "oh yeah..we'll check it out," and "we'll set up a loaner." And all other excuses. But I guess I'll wait and see what happens tomorrow.

 

Actually because of the class action lawsuit the powertrain warranty on the 06 is till 72,500 miles. not sure if the time was extended?

 

get the loaner car and then let them take their time to figure out exactly what the problem is.

 

ding ding ding ding

 

That's what I've been trying to do, such a hassle going to work taking a cab. Yesterday morning the SA said "if we have to hold the car for 24 hours then we'll set you up with the loaner." Well its more than 24 hours and the reason I got the car from Rallye Acura was because of their policy. "if you purchase the car from us, then you get a loaner." But it's just frustrating because I thought I wouldn't be given the run around especially from them. I mean Rallye Acura received positive feedbacks from everyone. I've dealt with this SA before but not with repairs, just maintenance. Is it possible to request for another SA or will that look bad on my part or even worst, they'll screw with the car? I guess we'll see what happens today, I called twice and all I got was the voicemail so I just left a message and still waiting for his return call.

 

^you chose to bring it to a dealer.
warranty or not, I dont ever bring my cars to a dealer.

you have to play by their rules; which means, you wait.

 

Yeah, unfortunately I guess I have no choice

 

no-ask for the one you already dealt with. I deal with the same SA since getting my car new 4 1/2 years ago. He is now the SM and I still deal with him.

 

update...

So I was able to get a loaner today. My SA says if its part of the drivetrain then its under warranty (6yrs/70Kmiles), if its outside it then i'm not covered due to me over the 4yrs/50k warranty mark. Great isnt it? im just at 50,200 miles and a little over 4 years. The SA says it might be the timing belt, can you say super duper early? I guess EZ12a is right? i hope so, that way it will still be covered under warranty. For some odd weird reason my SA asked my twice if it was towed into another Acura dealer, now even if they did, whats the problem? He sounded unsure of his answer. I remember getting a call from the tow truck driver a little over after 30Mins of being dropped off saying he dropped it off at Rallye. Anyways I hope whatever the problem is its part of the drivetrain. Thanks guys.

 

interested in the results.
maybe time would be more important factor with the TB if the car gets barely driven.
I only have 42k on my '06....

i googled ralley and its in New York?
interesting as im in Texas and I would suspect the heat to play a bigger part with the rubber belts drying.
Please, update when you find out more.

 

updates?

 

Did not hear anything yet from the dealer. Going to call them later on today to see what's up. He was saying it could be the timing belt but they have to take apart some stuff to really see what it is. I asked him what the codes were throwing but all he said was it could be anything since the codes aren't really accurate....hhmmmm fishy SA? Odd why he tell me that since I saw my car outside in the lot when I picked up the loaner, least he could say was be honest and say they did not get to it yet.

 

Coy, let us know what caused this. I have an '04 6MT (109k miles) and had the TB and water pump changed last year. A few days ago, I started the car in our garage and put it in reverse. Heard a bang after it started moving. Got out and looked underneath. Thought for sure I ran over something. Nothing. Got in and the VSA light was on (no CEL though). Pushed the VSA button, light goes out and everything is fine. Thought maybe my VSA was failing. Wouldn't care about that (just leave it disabled), but if it's related to the TB, yikes...

 

This is crazy, Keep us updated, i have a 06 with 71k and a SC so if yours failed already i really need to do mine since i am not that easy on the car!

 

So I spoke to the service advisor after making several phone calls (I really wish I can change him). He said the Timing belt is sheared and his mechanic has to do some serious work to see what cause it, whether the car has been abused or not (Drop the oil pan,open the front end,etc,etc.). Keep in mind I baby the car like hell as can be observe due to its low low mileage and pretty much stock since I want to keep this car for a long time. I only have HIDs on the fogs, tints, and Rotora slotted rotors when my stock ones started to warp. Reason I want to keep her stock as much was to avoid crap excuses from the dealer when problems arise.

Anyways next thing he says was he needed an "authorization" from me to keep going forward working on the car but it might cost me between $800-$1200 just for diagnosing it. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't a TB part of the drivetrain warranty??? Of course my next question was just that? And he said if their findings conclude that it wasn't user abuse then it will be part of warranty. What would cause the TB to be sheared? I really don't drive my car like a nut. Any clues/theories anyone?

The car was serviced from them regularly, last recorded service was an oil change and transmission fluid change last October/November from them. And fyi about a month ago I changed the engine oil myself with the recommended oil as always with mobil one 5w-20 synthetic oil with m1-110. And car was always filled with 93 octane gas if that matters. Any input why this would happen?

Thanks in advance all.

 

auto or 6mt?
did you check the fluid to make sure it was full?

 

its an auto, i checked all the fluids when the car died including the trans fluid and all of them were in proper levels.

 

Subscribed.

 

you should contest the charge. Acura's own website says no engine work (minus oil and fluid changes) needed until 105k. Abuse or not the TB doesnt just shear itself from use that early.

 

the auto tranny cannot over rev, and if all the fluids were at proper levels, it would be hard to blame it on you.

 

you should be able to get some sort of acura assistence given the low milegae you car has. You have to ask the service manager for help regarding this issue.

 

I will,I was thinking about getting a lawyer if he they do charge me. Funny because if he says "$800-$1200 for diagnostic" and if it cost around $1000 for a timing belt change, which some dealer are charging. Then it seems like they are passing the charge to the customer instead of warrantying the labor. And where do you see that in Acura's website? can you send me link? I can't seem to find it. Thanks.

Thats what got me pondering.

I was planning to call Acura corporate and talk to them about it. Its been 2 weeks and my car is still with them and its kinda hard getting assistance from my service manager because he's a douche! Excuse my frustration.

 

Looking at it again I guess they could technically blame the lack of "periodic inspections" as the cause..

 

Stealership SA is pulling the "Do you have a copies of the maintenance receipts for the past 4.5 years?" Who the hell keeps receipts from that far? I already called Acura Corporate and opened a case number. Even if I find copies of the receipt from Autobarn/Autozone purchase, will that be enough? And im pretty sure they are going to mention about some time gap if I cant find all of them. Like what happened to this guy in this thread.

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/%244k-engine-repair-quoted-dealer-628374/

I'm already searching around for lawyers incase Acura corporate can't handle it, which im assuming the can't but im keeping my fingers crossed. I've never really thought this dealer would be like this being that its a so called luxury brand and not some regular brand. I guess I was wrong...

In addition, they are testing the current oil I have in the car which I've changed last month with Mobil 1 5W-20 synthetic and with the M1-110 filter. All Acuras recommended or required filter and oil. Its really stupid being that SA even said "yeah, the oil looks new."

 

Its not so much your dealer ship as Acura itself will require all of this, just remember that when your talking to them.
Side note: This is bull shit and making me think i better change my timing belt ASAP as i have 71k and a S/C!

 

I have all service records for my 06 tsx. I keep them in a folder.

 

In an earlier post, you said the stealership had done all the regular service. If that's the case, they'll have the records on their own computer. You shouldn't need any receipt. (If you used a debit or credit card, you should be able to log on to your account and look them up). Tell the SA to look it up and also have him give you a copy so you can file it away.

As far as the TB being shredded, there is a TSB 08-031 for your car. It involves placing a shim under the TB idler pulley and checking the clearance under the side engine mount bracket (and grinding the bracket if required).

Without the shim, the TB will rub against the side of the drive pulley. I'll bet this is what happened which eventually led to TB failure.

Print out the TSB and take it into the SA. They should fix this for free. It's a design defect caused by Acura, not you.

P.S. You SA sounds like an ass. He should know about the TSB. Sounds like he's also clueless or trying to rip you off, not sure which one. I've seen either/or in a lot of Acura SAs.

 

The Stealership did some of the maintenance but not all, so they have records of those. I'm just concern about what BS he's going to say since I do most of my oil change. After I opened a case with Acura Corporate my phone magically rang within 5 minutes and it was the SA. And when the conversation was about maintenance I told him I did some of the oil change, after that he said then "we have a problem because you have to pay." He also said "the oil filter currently in the car is not HONDA or ACURA," I put Mobil 1 M1-110. Isn't that the recommended or required filter by HONDA?

Now if I do get a hold of maintenance receipts, what would happen then? Is he going to start blaming other things in the car that points to the user? Only modifications I have in the car are; tints, HID Fogs, and slotted rotors. I wouldn't be surprise if he'll start to blame those...

And regarding TSB's, from my understanding its ACURA that officially releases these directly and are copyrighted. Will he start BSing me about copyright crap and where I got it?