YACT Standard maintenance? 96 accord v6

[DaiShan]

Well I took my car in today for the 90,000 mile service, I've never missed an oil change or a scheduled service, I've never had any trouble with my car and I don't abuse it, so today when I took it in they said it would be $486 + tax for the service, which I think is ok for a major service like this, bit pricey, but I'm ok with it, but then they were like see if your timing belt has ever been changed because this is part of this service and if it has we won't need to do it, but if it hasn't then it could cause some real problems. So I call the dealership in tallahassee where I normally get it serviced (where I used to live) and they said they hadn't done that on my car, so I call back and they said it was an additional $699, which brings the total with tax to $1200. That seems a little steep for preventative maintenance ya know? I mean I could buy an old beater for $1200. Do you guys think it is necessary that I change this belt now? Are there warning signs that would let me know in advance if I did need it, or is it just one of those things better safe than sorry? Also do you think I'm getting reamed on the price?

Oh the other thing that happened just before the summer is my ABS light started coming on, my brakes had been sqealing for a few weeks so when I took it in for service that time I told them to check the brakes, they said they were fine and didn't do anything, then the light would come on intermittently, now it comes on all the time and makes this buzzing sound when I first turn the car on (for 30 seconds or so) the service rep said it was the ABS modulator (without looking at it I might add) and that it probably wasn't worth replacing it as they were $1200 and it didn't inhibit fuctioning except ABS wouldn't work (I haven't had any wheel lockups however even with a few hard stops) What do you guys think? Thanks for any input you have, I appreciate it.

 

[puffff]

sounds pricey. what kind of car do you have? timing belts shouldnt cost $600 to change on most cars. they are probably right that it should be done if you havent done so already.

the $486 for maintenance.. what exactly are they doing? that also seems high. i'd take the car somewhere else and get a second opinion and quote.

 

[dman]

Golden Rule: YACT must have year / make / model of car in the post somewhere.

If you think the price is high call a few other places nearby. It seems steep to add $700 to the tuneup... but... depends what they are doing. You may also want some other things changed while they are doing all the labor to do the timing belt, like say, waterpump if it's int he same area.

 

[DaiShan]

Originally posted by: dman
Golden Rule: YACT must have year / make / model of car in the post somewhere.

If you think the price is high call a few other places nearby. It seems steep to add $700 to the tuneup... but... depends what they are doing. You may also want some other things changed while they are doing all the labor to do the timing belt, like say, waterpump if it's int he same area.

Ah yes, my bad, updated

 

[kami333]

Yes, timing belt is important and is usually recommended around 60-105k on most cars. How much it will cost will depend on you make/model but on mine they have to pull the radiator so it gets expensive.

 

[isekii]

Check different honda dealerships.
I usually just take it to an independant mechanic, and give him a list of what needs to be done.
It's considerably cheaper. Plus 1/2 the things on that list of maintainance you can do yourself.

 

[virtueixi]

Originally posted by: kami333
Yes, timing belt is important and is usually recommended around 60-105k on most cars. How much it will cost will depend on you make/model but on mine they have to pull the radiator so it gets expensive.

To get to my chain they have to take apart the top of the engine. What does the $500 maintence include?

 

[DaiShan]

Originally posted by: virtueixi

Originally posted by: kami333
Yes, timing belt is important and is usually recommended around 60-105k on most cars. How much it will cost will depend on you make/model but on mine they have to pull the radiator so it gets expensive.

To get to my chain they have to take apart the top of the engine. What does the $500 maintence include?

They said full engine/transmission check, rotating and balancing tires, checking water pumps, maybe a few other things.

 

[HamSupLo]

You're getting bent over. There's a ton of maintenance things you can do yourself.

 

[NutBucket]

The belts are definitely going to be $$$ on a V6 just because there's a ton of stuff to take apart to get it out. The ABS thing is probably right. I wouldn't bother with it but that's just me. On dry surfaces a good set of tires will make you stop quicker (unless you lock 'em up).