rusted bolt? can't change VTM fluid = $$$$$ !

[brooklynpilot]

Hi All,

Brought my Pilot in to get it's 60K service and one of the items on the list is:

"Replace rear differential fluid. (Necessary for proper break-in of the VTM-4 rear differential.)"

Service tells me that unfortunately the bolt to access/replace this fluid is rusted and it will cost me $450 for parts and labor, because apparently they need to break something off in order to provide me with the fluid exchange and then repair.

Now, I know things rust, but doesn't this sound like a manufacturer's defect? The bolt is exposed to the elements? Living in the NY-NJ area, how can you prevent this? I do not do any off roading so this is just from regular rain and snow that I have driven over.

Is there really no way of avoiding this charge? Has anyone ever experienced something like this?

Feel like I'm getting scammed here.

Sounds like garbage to me, but I could be wrong.

Thanks.

[rocky]

It is Garbage.

Heres a nicely illustrated "how to change the VTM4 fluid from the MDX, a mechanically identical product to the Pilot.

http://www.heeschen.us/mdx/vtm.html

[brooklynpilot]

thank you for the reply...

ok, after further phone convo with the senior service guy there (apparently the first guy was from another planet)...

it is the 'ENGINE AIR FILTER BOX' that they can not remove.... basically the plastic cover that sits on the engine with that vacuum looking hose coming out of it?

i have to check it out for myself when i get home this evening...

was told the bolts are rusted onto the plastic and they were unable to replace this engine air filter because of this reason...

still $450 sounds pricey, and when i asked about a manuf defect, the guy told me that at 61,000 miles it's something that can just happen over time...

so...same question, is this something common?

this is really really annoying...

thanks.

ps i 'think' the item on the maintenance schedule this refers to is actually called the 'Replace air cleaner element"

[brooklynpilot]

just saw on same forum....

Air Filter change?

*damn*

[brooklynpilot]

what if this breaks while trying to remove it.... so i can replace the engine air filter...

do you need to have this plastic cover on the engine?

is it necessary?

[macphanatic]

PM Tim at www.hondacuraworld.com to see what the cost for the bottom case would be.

I would try to spray penetrating oil on the screws to see if it helps break them free.

The more I learn about Honda's, the less impressed I am with their engineering. Why would you need screws to hold an air filter cover on? Every other vehicle I've seen has a clamping system that works quite well. Not tools needed to change an air filter.

[rocky]

I swear that Honda must have guerillas tightening those screws.

Now how a metal screw can rust into plastic is beyond me.

[dustino8]

$450 sounds like a total ripoff. I paid less than 40$ for the bottom of the box, you wont need the top. All they have to do is drill off the bolt heads, pull off the top, and if they can't get the bolts out, then replace the bottom half. If they do get the bolts out, then they just have to replace the bolts. Do it yourself and save $400.

[dustino8]

Originally posted by rocky
I swear that Honda must have guerillas tightening those screws.

Now how a metal screw can rust into plastic is beyond me.

There is a metal insert (like a nutsert) in the plastic for the threads. What happened with my air box is that I couldn't get the bolts out once the heads snapped off, so I tried pounding the insert out from the bottom and the corners broke off. I mentioned this in the other thread, but these bolts need to be lubed before being reinstalled. I have no idea why they rust so bad in this area. Its not like they are exposed to a lot of water.

[brooklynpilot]

thanks for the info.... will take a look now....

agree... it's a total horse$hit idea to screw this stuff on....

[youbetcha]

Of course it would kill them to use clips, like nearly every other car I've owned.

[iglesias]

My wife's old 92 Acura Legend had clips on the air box. By the time we got rid of it 2-3 of them had broken. Plus they were a b*tch to redo when you were done checking or changing the filter because there wasn't much room around the air box to get your hands/fingers in there. I'll take screws over clips, thank you. I've rarely, if ever, had an issue with the screws.

[humanoid]

I think if the screws are rusted you've got other problems to worry about, like how so much moisture has gotten under the hood to make those screws rust.... you should be looking at other things too just to be safe.

[bigdadi]

Can't Honda just use PLASTIC clips / screws? Just a logical thought.

[beer4799]

Rachet and socket with extension to loosen those air filter screws. I was wrecking the screwdriver contact point with the screwdriver and they weren't coming off. Use the socket approach and you should be OK.