SOLVED! Post 2853 Leaking Injectors, Dealer Techs Rock! Extended Cranking after Engine Swap 3.4L 5vz

Really? If you paid extra for a certification, yet there were items that were not up to par on the certification, you would let it go? I find that extremely hard to believe.

 

No offense Jen, but I would of checked the brake fluid and transmission fluid before buying the car. Or I would of bought new TBH and avoided the potential wear issues that I might of missed in my rush to buy a new to me used car.

 

But they weren't able to give us a copy of the certified inspection report, so we had no idea that these things were supposed to be up to a certain standard until we finally were able to get a copy of a blank inspection sheet. And now that we have the sheet, naturally we are looking at it and comparing it to the condition of the car. Who wouldn't, considering we paid for it to be in the condition that the sheet states?

I am really surprised that people think we are going overboard, I think asking for what you paid for is a reasonable thing to do. And I don't see how anything I'm saying is making them look bad. Sure, some things were not up to the standard they should have been when we brought it home, but so far they've been extremely accommodating when we've pointed them out. So to me, that makes them shine - a business that corrects any issues right away, and does so with a smile. I will rave about how awesome they are if they continue to treat us the way they did about the brakes, and I really think they will. Again, no business is perfect and we understand that - it's all about how they take care of you if there are issues. So far these guys have been outstanding in that regard, so I have no reason to doubt that they will take the same approach on whatever else we mention that was supposed to be done per the certification process.

 

I think you misconstrued my comment a bit:

• Inspection report or not I would of checked the fluids on a used car. Not saying that to be mean. You asked me what I would of done and on both of the used cars I've bought in the past I did that. I don't care about what a little piece of paper says. I want the piece of mind of doing something simple like opening the hod and a lid to tell me what I need to know.
• I always negotiated new brakes and tires into a deal on used cars bought from dealers. Period. Unless the dealer has proof that new tires or brakes were just put on I put it in the deal because usually sales people can cut very good deals on those items on cars to close a deal. Even if everything is at 80% having those two things thrown into a deal usually will pay you back easily. Not to mention then I know what tires they are putting on, which will likely be much better tires than the shitty OEM ones.
• I never said you are going overboard. Others did. All I said was that, if it were me, I'd consider the ramifications of demanding new fluids from the dealer after just getting new brakes as a good will jesture. I'm not sure it's worth it. It really depends on the attitude of the dealer and the service manager in particular.
• I never said you are making them look bad. What I did say is that what you are doing is maybe making yourself look a little over demanding to the service manager. If you need him to go to bat for you when the car miles out the warranty over a blown engine, which would be rare but possible, banging him around over the little things definitely could effect how far he will go to get you warranty on a major component if Honda denies warranty for any reason.

Anyways, Jen, do what you want. I was just stating my opinion and experience. Nothing else. Do what you want to do. It is YOUR car.

 

So if you checked the fluids before buying the car and saw that they were dirty, would you ask them to change them or would you consider that "banging them over the head"? I don't see how this is any different - we realized the fluids were dirty during a buyback period, and would ask for them to be changed.

 

I'd put new fluids into the deal. On my Olds Alero I had them change the transmission and engine oil because they were both due within a few K and I didn't like the colour of the transmission fluid. It wasn't burnt though.

There is a big difference between throwing something into the deal before you give them the cash, and giving them the cash and then going back multiple times over issues you could of picked up on before you bought the car. AND again I'm not saying that to say what you are doing is 100 percent wrong, it's just not what I would do.

What you are saying is because there is a buy back period you should be able to act like you haven't bought the car yet, which I don't totally agree with. Doesn't mean that I'm right.

 

the ugly truth of the matter is Jen that a certified car and a used car are exactly the same, all you did was pay extra for a name "{certified" so they certify that the car you are buying is used, and that's about it sad to say.

there are a very few select dealers out there that will care a little more and "try" to actually do all the stuff that buying "certified" is supposed to mean, but in most cases a certified used car and any regular used car on the lot get the exact same inspections and they only do the exact same types of things to them so you just pay extra for a fancy "fill in brand name certified used" name is all.

 

I wouldn't because they are only going to do a half assed job of it anyway so why bother, they will suck out the reservoir and refill and not flush the brake lines, they will drain and refill the tranny pan and not do a complete flush and so you still should redo all this yourself anyway.

Jen it is stupid to put your cars long term life in the hands of others, only you and eric will do it the right way with premium quality parts and fluids so you will do these things yourself if you are smart and don't waste a day at the dealer arguing about stuff that doesn't matter. replace your own fluids.

even if all the fluids looked perfect I would replace them myself so I know whats in it and it isn't cheap generic fluids from the dealership, after all, do you want this car to last you 20 more years or not?

 

Those are dealership issues. The dealers I've bought from have actually flushed the transmission when told to. I've never needed to have the brake fluid replaced on a car when I bought it. It's always been shiny red.

This all goes back to trusting a dealer. Some are better than others. Given that the dealer is an unknown though, I'd have to agree with you that changing your own fluids is better than letting the dealer do it. I do all my own fluid changes.

Just a funny story aside, a local dealer not to long ago got caught not changing the oil filter during their oil changes every time. Talk about sketchy. It was a Dodge dealer though, so what should you expect

 

Hurray!!

Just spoke to the Honda dealer regarding the dirty fluids and the recommendations made 6K miles ago to clean the TB and perform an alignment. They were very understanding and accommodating! The manager emailed us promising to do the fluids. He also promised that they would inspect the TB & alignment and perform those services if needed. He did mention that they are very busy right now, and asked for our patience in scheduling, meaning possibly several weeks out. We are more than happy to be patient about the scheduling - now we can turn back to the wheel bearing fun and the gate building fun in the meantime!!!

We are super happy and grateful that they are stepping up to make things right for us. Those guys rock! Go Honda!!

 

Did you get everything in writing? Just thinking worse case scenario in several weeks you are out of your buyback period...

 

We did. Within 10 minutes of hanging up with the GM, he emailed everything he'd just promised verbally in very clear, specific writing, and assured us that that email would get us the service we requested. He was extremely professional about the whole thing, we are very impressed with their attention to their customer's concerns!

 

Congrats and take care of it. Long live the Jennium Falcon!

 

Gave him/them a wake up call and let him know you had the skills,,nice work.

Personally, I would have done the fluids myself as others would have with a used vehicle, and another valid point was to double check all that stuff as they stand there with you with the hood open. Start pulling caps and sticks and taking a peek, smelling for foul play, looking for the signs of neglect.

Having the resources to do it yourself is a toughie,,which is understandable. But after that intial(lets say) expenditure of getting all of that in place,,it does pay for itself as you get older. Double the size of your shop,,or at least add another 30% to the size you wish to build.

 

Yep, go as big as you can. If you can't go bigger in square feet, go up. Add a loft area. I love my den.

Most likely, living in town, you can't go over 800 sqft. That is still a lot of play room.

 

Morning TW!!

Feels great to be all settled and squared away on the Civ, while Eric still has a good chunk of time off left. I'm so happy they are doing the right thing and Eric doesn't have to waste his limited free time messing around with basics like fluids so soon after buying the car. Today feels like the first day we really own it and can just relax and enjoy it. What a nice, nice feeling. It's really done now.

Started dragging all the stuff out to resume working on the gate yesterday. Still have a lot of work to do to that area, with moving more manner stones, building the smaller "man" gate, demo-ing and rebuilding at least 1 or 2 fence panels along the side, and finally getting those gates installed. Oh yeah, and smoothing dirt into a gradual driveway slope - thinking about driving the Taco over it a bunch!! Would be fun as hell and might even work! This is my favorite kind of project - outside in beautiful weather, working hard, and you get to stare at the lovely end result with pride for years and years to come!And this later

This morning, we're heading to Depot in the Taco for more gate lumber, then after we get back, Eric will take the wheel bearing off and run it down to the machine shop (in the new Civ, woo hoo!). So the tenative plan for the afternoon is to work on the gate/fence more until bearing is ready.

He's looking at garage kits online - looks like it could be more affordable than we thought!! Heck yeah!!

Anyone build a big garage for a rock bottom price? Any tips on keeping the costs down? I agree about the size - Eric was planning to just do a 1.5 car, but I'm saying at least a 2 car. Would be nice to have at least enough space to park both vehicles inside, if we're gonna bother building something! Plus the extra elbow room to work on a vehicle. It will definitely decrease our yard space, but there'd still be enough yard left to keep me (& Dolly!) happy.

Happy Tuesday TW!! Stop by to check in on the Taco's wheel bearing project today when you can!!

 

Ooooh, I like that idea!! Building up!! That would be cool to have space upstairs. What would really be cool would be having a studio apartment above it, then friends/family could have a private space to stay when visiting! I suppose that would drive costs way up, cuz then you'd have plumbing and a bunch of other crap to do. But planning the space to allow for that someday might be worthwhile...........

 

Old bed spring with 5-6 cinder blocks tossed on makes a great el cheapo road grader/smoother.

Yup, a little love loft up on the top level,,to get away from the hamster trails down below. lol.

A buddys mom and dad assembled a nut and bolt shop years ago and fabbed in a loft with bathroom as they went. Plenty of room up top for all the extra storage needed on extra care stuff and her hobby of woodcarvings.

 

I do the same with an old piece of chain link fence and throw any old heavy thing on top for weight, usually pull it around with lawn mower.

in a pinch I have even dragged a 6x6 post around and it works pretty good to level "soft and loose" ground

 

Hey Jen, just remember with a garage the most critical part is getting the foundation right. If you get it wrong then your garage is doomed to fail prematurely. I've seen many guys around here buy cheap garage packages that went up really nicely, but ended up having to be torn down in 2-3 years because the pad wasn't deep enough, didn't have the right pilings, etc.