I couldn't tell the exact fluid color because it all looks the same on pavement.
I prefer OEM parts but I'll check it out (yes I do have an advance near me).

 

Put some cardboard under the car when you park it, then you'll see what color it actually is.

 

True. It is ALWAYS a good idea to park your car over cardboard, if not for any other reason than just to keep an eye on her. Also, if I remember correctly, the A/C and P/S are driven by the same belt; the alternator a separate one. What they probably recommended was the replacement of those belts, as well as the timing belt, tensioner, and water pump. Considering what most shops charge(my shops labor rate is $93.95/hour), it's really no surprise the charge is that high. Most shops use a labor guide catalog that specifies the AVERAGE time it would take an AVERAGE technician with AVERAGE resources to accomplish any given job. That job probably calls for every bit of 4 hours to replace water pump, tensioner, belts, etc. That's roughly $375 in labor alone, excluding parts and shop supplies. To any "automotive enthusiast", these prices will automatically seem high as most of us live by the credo "why pay for it when you can do it yourself." However, the majority of society understands that you are not just "paying" a shop, but rather supporting that facility because of the service they provide(on multiple fronts). You're not NECESSARILY getting ripped, but unfortunately in my field way too many shops are famous for it. If you really want a quote, call my shop sometime and I'll be happy to give you a quote for comparitive purposes.

Good luck.

Chandler

540-710-1322

 

each accessory has its own belts on these integras. but yes please do open your radiator and see if its low. look at your dipstick with the engine cold. put cardboard under your car for a night. and then you will know exactly what you need to do. also look at the oil pan drain plug is there a washer on it. and did you know that it has to be replaced every single time you change the oil. and 90 percent of shops dont buy honda filters so they dont get the ring that you you have to change.

 

Thanks a lot for all of the help, guys.
Chandler- I did a little bit of math, and I beg your patience with me if my ignorance annoys you. I'll take your shop's example and use the 375 labor plus shop supplies, which I'm going to assume are around $25. That makes everything (without parts) $400. Add parts, which are about $180 (on acuraoemparts.com) altogether and that makes $580 total. That's still not as bad as the $700 they charged me. Call me cheap, but $120= ~4 tanks of gas nowadays so eh. Oh and a side question (from a shop's perspective), is it a good idea to buy your own parts and just go to a shop for the labor? In any case, thanks a lot for your help and I may as well end up calling you anyway. :P
Can anyone else verify kronikSLOW's information? The little washer on the oil pan drain plug?

 

It doesn't have to be changed every single time.

 

That's a crush gasket. They usually don't come with the oil filter, but many places package them together with the filter for a small amount extra. They don't have to be replaced each time, but it's a good idea because they seal properly by deforming (hence the "crush" part). You don't have to get them at a Honda dealer; like the oil drain plug there are standard drain plug threads and diameters, and crush gaskets can be bought at parts stores in different sizes. They cost money though, and don't have to be replaced every time which is why shops don't often replace them.

I don't think it's remotely possible that a shop would confuse a leaking water pump with a leaking oil drain plug though.

 

x2

"more than likely" after that nbc investigative report, if a reputable shop tells you something is wrong with your car take their advice, fix that problem. granted $700 is quite expensive, imagine the labor if you ran that motor dry and had to get another one put in.

I'm sure I or someone else on here who has quite a bit of experience could do it for you at a reasonable rate as long as you provide the pump and belt. I'll just say i'm not gonna be charging you 400 bones to get the job done

 

I went to a honda dealership about 6 months ago and they wanted $680 to replace my timing belt, and water pump on my 93 Cx hatch. Now that was with a 10% discount, but still 700 might sound kinda steep but it is the average price you are going to pay.

Most shops won't allow you to bring in your own parts, due to them not being able to vouch for the quality of the parts.

Oh and about your leaking fluid, let us know what color it is when you find out, that will allow us to narrow down the problem or at least the source.

If it appears to be oil I would check to make shure that they tightened down the oil pan bolt, after doing 10-15 oil replacements a day, it is likely they forget something at least once.

 

Just keep an eye on the level in your coolant overflow resovoir, top it off accordingly and it's not a big deal. You're not in any danger of overheating it if the leak doesn't get so big you can't keep up with topping it off. Merchant's was just trying to upsell and let you know what was going on with your car, they're probably getting pretty slow.

Get the water pump/timing belt service done when you can afford it, it's good to get done anyway. I'm pretty sure it's reccomended as a 60k service from the dealer. And if your parents own the car try and get them to pay for it and take it to the best place to get it done in most cases, the dealer.