2008 honda accord V6 EX-L (100k miles) engine noise
Honda dealership charged hourly diagnosis rate of $115.00 to tell me after
one hour that the engine noise was coming from water pump and from the #4
rocker area of the engine. I was told that timing belt (and water pump) had to
be replaced (at 105k miles) anyway and that I had to allow another three
hours of diagnostic time ($345.00) to determine the cause of rocker area
noise. I was also told not to replace timing belt because the engine repair
might be very expensive and that I might even need a new engine. They
refused to give me any estimate of potential repair. I did not allow the
additional diagnostic time because I did not trust them. They told me that the
timing belt was loose and that it could break at any moment and that
something could break in the engine at any time. I drove the car home and I
have not driven it since (four weeks ago). The car has been regularly
maintained (oil changes every 3 - 5k miles, etc.) and we do not abuse it. I
feel very vulnerable as I am not familiar with cars and I think that I will be
trapped if I allow them to "open the engine (their words)" and they tell me that
I need a new engine or that the repair cost is in the thousands. How will I be
able to tell them to put the engine back together and get another opinion? I
appreciate any and all advice and suggestions. Thank you, Andrea
