1997 Honda CRV service related qn (Austin, Atlanta: how much, maintenance, price)

[didadi]

Hey folks,

I've a 90K scheduled maintenance coming up. This includes air filter,cabin air filter,spark plugs,oil and filter change,brake fluid flush,transmission service,and differential service.

One mechanic in Austin,TX is quoting : parts,tax,labor $399.28$. I feel its kind of on higher side. Ofcourse dealers want to get double this. Can you experts give me some pointers/opinion? Also, its at 86K miles and timing belt is recommended to change @ 105K miles from manual. So,wondering if its a good idea to change TB and water pump as well?

Lastly, if anybody can help me out in Austin,TX area, it will be really great!

This is a perennial qn,but the parts alone cost < 120$,but labor charges seems to be sky-high!. I just want to get an honest pricing on it!

[hoffdano]

Most garages charge at least $90/hr now for labor. So the service you are looking at might cost about what was quoted you considering the cost of filters, plugs, etc. How much is the brake flush? What is the brake flush? I do not believe Honda recommends any such service. Finally, what is the transmission and differential servce? Is that a fluid replacement?

I would never pay anyone for an air filter replacement. That is a $15-$20 part and 15 minutes of screwdriver time.

The timing belt is a very important service for Honda engines. It is relatively expensive. I would probably delay it and not do it ahead of time unless the garage gives you a financial incentive to do so. Otherwise wait until the mileage gets to the recommended interval.

[hoffdano]

I just realized this vehicle is a 1997. Even though the mileage is not at 105K - that timing belt is 13 years old. Honda normally gives an age and mileage target for the timing belt.

I bet you are well past the age limit - which might be 7-9 years. The timing belt is rubber and deteriorates with age. I would replace it (and the water pump) now.

[didadi]

transmission and differential servce? Is that a fluid replacement? << yes. fluid flush and refill.

[hoffdano]

Originally Posted by didadi

transmission and differential servce? Is that a fluid replacement? << yes. fluid flush and refill.

That's good.

What about the "brake flush?" Is that a fluid top off and bleeding the lines? Or a "power flush" of some sort? If it is a power flush I wouldn't do it unless your mechanic can show you a Honda document that recommends it.

[10scoachrick]

Either this guy has a lot of friends and relatives or his shop must be pretty good. If it's convenient, I'd give him a call.
Juke Auto - East Austin - Austin, TX

Our last high-mileage car was a Miata and Atlanta had more than one highly rated Miata specialist. We're happy to have the dealer handle our vehicles now that we usually trade them before the warranty runs out. Of course, IF we had a 13 year-old vehicle, it would have over a quarter-million miles on it!

[CptnRn]

Given the age of the vehicle you should be looking at the service recommendations based on age not mileage. Go look at what your manual recommends, if you lost it the dealer can provide you with a copy of the recommended service intervals. The vehicle is around 13 years old. If the dealer recommendations for your 1997 CRV are similar to those for my 1999 Accord, the timing belt and water pump should have been replaced at 84 months (7 years). If they have not been, its time to do it. If they were not replaced, its almost time to do it again. Servicing the differential can mean a lot of different things, if the rubber boots that cover some of the joints have developed tears or holes, they need to be replaced and its fairly expensive $150 or so.

If you take care of your Honda it can easily last for 140,000 miles or far more. I have heard of some lasting for 200,000 to 300,000 miles. They require so little maintenance its silly to skimp on it. I have always taken ours to the Honda dealer for service and have never regretted it.

[didadi]

Moderator cut: unnecessary comments The post is about the price not on what needs to be done. Moderator cut: You also asked the following: Can you experts give me some pointers/opinion? Also, its at 86K miles and timing belt is recommended to change @ 105K miles from manual. So,wondering if its a good idea to change TB and water pump as well?


Moderator cut: Moderator note: The poster was trying to be helpful to you and share related anecdotal info.

[hoffdano]

There are four Honda vehicles in my household. I like Howdy Honda (where I bought two of them) - but I do not trust their service department any more than any other dealer.

They recommend unneeded service just as much as other dealers do. All dealers today routinely recommend transmission flushes when no manufacturer recommends them.

We recently had our tb/wp replaced on a 2006 Pilot. Howdy Honda wanted $1025 for it. First Texas Honda wanted about $875 (they had a 10% off deal). I had it done at Bee Cave Automotive for $725.

[CptnRn]

I have routinely had better experiences at First Texas Honda. We have bought 3 honda's from them, owned 4. I tried Howdy Honda for service a few times since they are closer to my home, but always came away feeling like they were trying to sell me things I did not need.