[xGS]

The dealer probably took one look at the green Prestone coolant and figured that the vehicle's maintenance had been totally neglected.

 

[xGS]

This vehicle came with green coolant as OEM back in 04. Besides, the Aisin timing belt water pump milage sticker with date is quite visible. Dated last year. smirk

But was the green OEM coolant made by Prestone?

 

[xGS]

The Aisin sticker, the Aisin sticker.

They can tell by the shade of green that you didn't use genuine Honda coolant.

 

[xGS]

Just like they checked the brand new spark plugs and my flushed clean brake fluid reservoir?

The Aisin sticker was the dead giveaway.

 

[xGS]

More than that, you take a vehicle in for a very specific service, a 4 wheel alignment. No one asked you to touch anything else.

Most dealers will perform a "free multi-point inspection" anytime you bring a vehicle in for any type of service.

The engine runs silky smooth.

There's preventative maintenance and then there's wait until it breaks maintenance.

 

[xGS]

Right.
They said it needed spark plugs. They were brand new.

How could you tell unless you removed the plugs and examined them?

 

[xGS]

They need to rename that to "Free Let's Pad This Sucker's Bill Trough Fraudulent Scare Tactics Inspection."

They just want to help you keep your vehicle in peak operating condition.

 

[xGS]

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Do try to contain yourself.

 

[xGS]

Why the hate towards mechanics?

You're trying to reason with a guy who buys a cheap CV axle from the local auto parts store and doesn't seem to mind having to do the work all over again when that cheap CV axle fails almost immediately.
No, what really frosts him is having to pay the exorbitant dealer price for an OEM Honda part that won't fall apart.

 

[xGS]

Is that right near the hyperdrive?

In a 2004 Civic? Be serious.

 

[xGS]

It was an inexpensive rebuilt OEM CV axle with a lifetime warranty from O'Reilly's Auto Parts.

Did that "lifetime warranty" cover your labor cost? Or, was that just a fun afternoon out in the garage?

True, I like to save $. What's funny is you finally decide to buy OEM and you get sent one with the boot installed incorrectly. Or you have OEM fuel injectors that need replacing at 34k miles, or Gates/Unitta timing belts that are necessary to recall. I'm sure I can add more if I think long enough.

If you won't buy a Mitsuboshi timing belt, then I can't help you.