Next time you think parts 4 the LBC cost too much

[Guest]

I holed the washer bottle in the VW - ran over a fallen tree in the dark and a branch pierced the plastic undertray and the washer bottle. Mea culpa, it was raining and I didn't see it.

There are 3 broken plastic parts - part of the undertray, the washer bottle and a plastic wheel arch cover.

It's been in the shop two days and isn't ready yet. The final tally is going to be $650. For 3 pieces of plastic...

Makes my front airdam for the TR at $100 seem like a bargain.

The 3 days+ to fix is the most irritating part though. It just came back from an engine rebuild, and it was only in the shop for a week for that.

 

[AweMan]

Re: Next time you think parts 4 the LBC cost too m

I BELIEVE IT! Everything on my Honda accord LX is $300.00 The Starter, {which is NOT for the timid to try and D.I.Y.} The Alternator {If you can find one} I had to send to Japan to get one. {Not easily accessed either.} Much grumbling and gnashing of teeth changing it. For a garage to change the timing belt ..... Over $300.00, I did D.I.Y. it. BUT ..... Never again!! Much grumbling, gnashing of teeth and plenty of less than attractive language and wondering JUST HOW MANY parts had to be removed to fully access it. {Plenty} Believe me.
Now the AIR conditioning compressor has siezed up, I can hardly wait to find out how much $ that bugger is going to cost. AND just looking, I can tell it will be another contest of willpower to accomplish the feat of changing it.
Me thinks this car is going on a very long ride it may even get lost in the process! {Someone I know wants it and I think I will GIVE it to him {Free}.

 

[14dna]

Re: Next time you think parts 4 the LBC cost too m

Aweman
Don't give up on your Honda yet.
I've worked on these cars for Honda Canada for over 25 years. If there is a short cut to take, or a way around the problem, I can find it for you.
PM me if you have a situation and I'll be more than glad to help talk you through it , or give a quick lesson on how to fix it easily.
Dave

 

[AweMan]

Re: Next time you think parts 4 the LBC cost too m

Don`t get me wrong Dave, That accord has been one He&& of a ride @ real close to 300,000 miles. One weak point has always been the front rotors and disk brakes, abnormal pad wear and rotor warpage I`v replaced them many many times during ownership. {Not a job for the timid or faint of heart either!} The starter went out @ around 195,000 so all in all good service out of it. {just kind of a P.I.T.A. to change out} as you well know im sure. The alternator wasn`t quite as reliable, it went at about 75,000 Mi. {what a bugger to get to though.} Now as I said the air cond. comp. is siezed up, looks to be a bugger to get at also. Oh and don`t forget the timing belt, although it did give reasonable service, never the less not easy changing it either.
It bieng my wifes car, and she commutes around 100 miles a day to work and back, the car is approaching unreliability in my opinion. Her Brother is in bad need of transportation and is seeing some financial hardships at the present so, I figure to GIVE the car to him. And yes I will continue to try to keep it running for him until such time he can afford something newer. I apreciate the offer of tehcnical assistance and will keep you in mind next time I have to aproach the honda for repairs.
Kerry

 

[Bret]

Re: Next time you think parts 4 the LBC cost too m

I just spent $325 on a NEW alternator for my Porsche 928 after the old POS rebuilt unit died on me a few weeks ago. Now normally I might consider a rebuilt unit but considering that I’d just purchased a rebuilt unit for $250 a little over a year ago I decided that this time I’d spend the extra for a new unit. Hopefully this one will last longer.

Comparing that to the cost of the 90amp Bosch (rebuilt) Alternator upgrade I performed a few years ago for just about $100 – I’ll never say parts for my MGB are expensive.

Likewise comparing the all Aluminum C&R Radiator on the Porsche cost me $850 a direct OEM would’ve cost me about ~$1200 bucks (about half of what my MGB cost me 8 years ago). Whereas my MG’s radiator cost me about $200 bucks when it was trashed & needed replacing a few years ago.