$1.3K to fix the car

[Taverner]

Jesus fuck, they got you by the balls don't they!

[TK421]

1. what make and model, what year, what did the car do/not do?

what happened? I missed it

[Taverner]

2. 99 Honda CRV - one of the valves is burnt

Check engine light started flashing

I know nothing about cars - some man I am...

[TK421]

4. Don't feel bad...I've never had to change a flat tire!

;-) I was taught how to....YEARS ago, but I haven't had a car since 2005

Hondas are decent cars ( I don't know much about CRV ) but my brother had an 89 Accord he eventually had to "take out to pasture" as he put it! :-) Like older model Toyotas, those Hondas just keep going and going....

[Taverner]

6. I can change a tire, change the oil and filter, and add oil to an engine burning oil...

And jump start a car

that is the extent of my car knowlege

[Hotler]

17. A flashing engine light could be just a minor problem.

It could be a sensor or sending unit. Take it to a well known dealer like I mention below.

[mokawanis]

3. Mine was even higher

$3,400 for a transmission. Had to cancel a trip in order to pay the damn bill. :(

[TK421]

5. yeah that is just ridiculous!!!

did they offer you lube before they screwed you? x( these repair bills really take me for a loop sometimes....

[JanMichael]

8. OK, I have to ask

what kind of car you have? I have never heard of a 3K + transmission problem? If it goes on the subie, it will still be less than 2?

[mokawanis]

21. I'm embarrassed to say

that my wife chose the most expensive garage to do the repair and I was so busy with the protests here in Madison WI that I just wrote the check and accepted the hit. The car is a Dodge Caravan, 2005.

[trof]

23. Caravans seem to be hit or miss.

Our '98 was a lemon.
Our first one, '86...'87...? was a jewel.

The current '03 has 90,000 miles and runs great.
Our mechanic (NOT the way overpriced dealer) says the engine (Mitsubishi?) should be good for 150,000 to 200,000 miles.

Love my Caravan.
Most versatile vehicle I've ever driven.
:-)

[pink-o]

7. Yeah, this is how it works: they charge you less than it would cost to buy a different vehicle

....so you can tell yourself it's not as bad as it could be. I replaced the engine in my Toyota a few years ago, cost me 900. I bought the car for 3000, so I bit the bullet and got it done. Six months later, same car skidded out during a typical winter downpour, hydroplaned across Hwy 280 and I got nailed by a Chevy Tahoe. All I could think about as they towed it away was that I wasted 900 on a rebuilt engine I barely got to break in.

Cars suck. I'm ready to ditch mine permanently for my 2-wheeled, self-propelled Trek commute bike that is my true love!

[underpants]

9. There is a cut hose in my defrost (Volvo) that would cost $1,000 to fix

I just deal with it

[Taverner]

10. Apparently - if Midas is right - if we don't fix this the engine cracks

And I don't really doubt him - it feels as if a cylinder is "off"

[Hotler]

16. Are talking about Midas Muffler the national chain???

If so, don't let Midas diagnose your engine troubles.. Find a Honda dealer and let a factory mechanic look at.

[dixiegrrrrl]

18. Midas??????? Get thee to a real mechanic.

Midas has been sued year after year for ripping people off.

[Taverner]

19. Yeah, I know - wife chose them, I didn't

[dixiegrrrrl]

20. If it is any consolation, the most recommended mechanic in So. SF

tried to rip me off.
Go figure.
Luckily, we have one where we live now who is a marvel, honest, loves what he does. I tip him well.

[RedCloud]

11. Look what those bastards extracted from this once proud male cricket...

I guess they had him in the vice grip for lack of payment

[bif]

12. You reach a point where it's cheaper to buy a new car

Albiet, used. I just spent $450 on my 2003 Saturn. Great car. But what could I buY for $450? NADA.

[jcboon]

13. get a second opinion

or even a third.
Make friends with an auto mechanic.

[Mopar151]

14. $1300 for a valve job ain't bad....

The part that failed (likely exhaust valve) is $20 or so. Gaskets are ~$100, and there is the machine shop charge to grind the rest of the valves and touch up the valve seats. Swapping in a rebuilt head will save a few days, net cost will be similar. ('Cuz most of it is labor)

Yes, it sucks - but throwing a car away (trading it in cheap) 'cuz it needs a fraction of it's total value in repairs is a losing proposition. And it should run like new when it's fixed.



http://www.shop.headsonly.com/HONDA-CRV-DUAL-CAM-REBUILT-CYLINDER-HEAD-1997-2001-P75-HONDA-CRV-DOHC-P75.htm

[Hotler]

15. I agree with Mopar 151. Go to that link and have a look.

I'd get second opinion.

[KamaAina]

22. Out your way? Hell yeah.

Even our VTA is usable by comparison.

Just another of the 85,000 or so reasons to have better transit available everywhere.

[bluedigger]

24. That's not unreasonable for a major repair.

Up to you if a 12 year old vehicle is worth it.:shrug:

[Gold Metal Flake]

25. You got a burned valve, you got trouble.

A burned valve allows combustion gasses to escape the cylinder. It allows unburned fuel to escape into the exhaust. It wastes gas and damages the catalytic converter.

To fix it the cylinder head must be removed and to do that you have to strip much of the front of the engine, remove the intake and exhaust systems, drain the coolant and remove most of the cooling system hoses. Then the head must be dissasembled, cleaned and rebuilt, if the seat has not been damaged too much. Got to clean the mating surface of the block as well. Then it all goes back together. The can belt and water pump should be replaced at the same time. Cheaper to do it then because the parts are already off. Sane with belts and hoses. New gaskets, new coolant and the skill to get the cam perfectly timed.

Here is what a burned valve looks like:

[blueknight]

26. NEVER! NEVER!

Let midas work on your car!. let them do a muffler or plug a tire, but thats it! take that car to a honda dealership, and find out whats wrong with it.

[Gold Metal Flake]

27. I assume you meant to reply to the OP, in which case I agree with your post.

Midas is not a place to have comprehensive engine repair done.

[TheCanadianLiberal]

28. 1.3K for a Valve Job?

Is not that bad because most of the cost is labor. I wouldn't complain to much about the because I've paid more.