Originally Posted by feral
OK - thanks for the info. I called Honda USA but they ran my VIN and had me call Honda Canada. The guy there was very helpful and gave me the info I needed.
ah, thought you were american....
should have figured otherwise... you know how to type correctly
so do they cover your car as well?
I'll listen for the knock which indicates the valve job, but so far no problems. I am wondering if this is something that I should always use a Honda mechanic for or if a competent private guy can do the job just as well. I know, I know - the answer is, how competent is the private guy?
well, it all depends.... There's two shops I completely trust. One is just your typical AC delco shop, but I work next door to them, and have had a good bit of work done with them. No problems yet
(oil changes, brake job, timing belt/water pump, axle/cv boot, some other stuff)
the other shop I take it to is a Honda/Acura certified mechanic (specializes in the NSX, Legend, and Vigor). I've had tons of work done there (axles, tune ups, lug studs, misc. crap) with several cars (2 accords and 2 civics have been serviced with them). Again, no complaints.
If I ever need something major, I take it to the dealership. But only as a last resort, and even then, we've had problems with them. One time they didn't tighten a oil drain plug correctly, and the oil all came out on the way home ('90 accord). The car managed to last 170k and was having head gasket problems, so it was back at the dealership. The engine blew while they were 'working' on it, and that was that....