thanks guys, that's really helpful... the mechanic told me that the balancer shaft problem was a recall, however it was expired last year...so he can't do it for me and claim through Honda anymore...but he told me that the engine would basically be gone if the seal is broken...is that true?

and the brakes will make noise when it is gone right? if so, I will just drive it until then to have them changed... my wife doesn't drive very hard, she almost never go pass 3500rpm but she doesn't warm up the car. it is still very hard for me to accept such early death of components...

THX everybody for theose useful comments!!