You did have a right to be concerned...however, you are asking people on this board for advice who do their own work on their cars (for the most part?)- And if they don't they take them to a reputable mechanic with whom they have built a relationship. I understand that you have a Honda so the logical choice is a Honda dealer, but there are MANY shops that are more than willing to deliver great customer service and do great work. I think as a whole, and I hate to speak for everyone, but we are biased right from the start.

I understand you are mad, however if it is a bad belt then just let it go and wait for the new belt to come in and go from there. If the customer service is what is making you mad AS WELL as the quality of work performed then my advice would be to find a shop that meets your standards. Not only will you be happy when your car is returned, but you will most likely be saving yourself money too.

On that note, I would agree with one of the previous posters...

I just changed my timing belt and I think you would really have to work to OVERtighten the belt. Even with the tensioner screwed in to the max, the belt tension was still acceptable.

As far as the drivebelts go, there is the possibility that the technician got oil or fluid on the belt, didn't tighten the belt properly, or it was a combination of both.

On a side note - The reason I learn all I can about my car and do my own work is so I don't have to deal with the issues that you are dealing with right now. If someone is going to jack my car up - it's going to be me. I know you may not have the time or ambition to do that - and that's fine. Just remember that technicians are human, they do have bad days, and they do make mistakes. Like I said, let them get the new belt in the car and then see what you think. Then find a good local shop.

Good luck

 

KyprosE,

a lot has been said; you had the opportunity to vent. Naex said some helpful things. I agree with a lot of what he said. You also said some good things in your last 2 posts. So I would suggest that you wait and give this dealership time to correct a wrong. If your car sounds different and the service manager agrees, then give them a chance to correct the mistake at no cost to you. If the service manager gives you a hard time, then go to the dealership manager and complain. Regardless, you have a lot of options here.

In the end, you might never go back to that dealership. Well, that is what a lot of folks do after run-ins like yours.

I for one have not been to a dealership except for purchasing parts in a long time.

I have read a lot of trustdestruction's posts here and his posts are normally very helpful. So let's all calm down and let it run its course.

I'm personally mystified that a honda dealership does not have a drive belt in stock however. They should have at least 10 in stock.

 

I'm not trying to **** you off more, I just think you need to calm down about the situation and let it go. They're obviously trying to fix whatever is wrong, so give them a chance to fix it. Honestly, if it's a drive belt then it's likely that it was bad long before you got there but it wasn't fully tensioned (a little bit loose) due to wear; then when they tensioned the belt properly after replacing the timing belt, one of the drive belts made noise because the proper tension was being applied, thus putting more stress on the belt. If this is true, consider yourself lucky, because they're replacing a part for free that you should have had to pay for, because it was not their fault that it's bad.

They ordered the part, said they would fix it, and even gave you a brand new car to drive in the meantime so that you don't face any more inconvenience than you already have. You are overreacting.

 

kyprose.
chilllllllllll.
wanna know if the parts where replaces next time?
paint marker the parts to be replaced before you bring it in, and then ask for the old parts back. if you get your old parts that you marked chances are they did the work.
and then.
don't do on a forum to complain about your personal issues with your local mechanic. when you wanna fix something yourself and get your hands dirty come back.
THEN you"ll probably get a much nicer response.

 

Main concern is not the parts...it's the quality of work.

I don't feel like experimenting with garages and getting ripped off for thousands before I find my preferred mechanic. I've gotten "leads" before and received horrible service as well. It's never fun finding the right one.

On a brighter note, I got my car back and it sounds identical to what it sounded like before I brought it in for service - which was perfectly fine. This was all preventative maintenance (some consider a cash grab but I consider the service that will get my car to 400,000km or 250,000 plus miles). Car has been golden from day 1.

 

i beat the hell outta my 91 hatch and he had 472,000 miles on it.. did use a quart of oil a day but still never let me down..

 

472,000 miles...holy crap dude.

1 quart of oil a day...that's special!

 

I really don't think the quality of work was a problem either. It really, really sounds like the belt was already due for a change and when it was tensioned properly during the reassembly process of changing the timing belt, the drive belt's wear because evident through noise.

 

wow....that almost made made me cry a little. that's awesome! my crx was close

 

Talk about high mileage...check this out!
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/01/c...5-honda-civic/


I would have to agree with trust..however Im stickin to my guns. Stop going to the dealer. Save some money and learn how to do it yourself or find a mechanic that you trust. It may take some trial and error but its well worth it in the end.

Hell, I do almost all of my own work. But Im usually so tired from working night shift that sometimes Ill take the car to my mechanic just to do a freakin oil change. I basically have a running tab with them. I guess I just like to develop relationships...kind of a you scratch my back i scratch yours kinda deal.


But to the OP...to each their own I suppose