Help! NSMB Car Mechanics

I am totally inept when it comes to car stuff, so after I picked up my 1997 Honda CR-V from maintenance today I wasn't quite sure what to do when presented with this list of recommendations:

• Diff is noisy when turning, recommend diff flush ($129.88)
• HEPA filter ($79.88)
• Brake fluid ($79.88)
• Power steering fluid ($89.88)
• Fuel filter ($80.00)
• Fuel injection service ($149.95)
• No history of timing belt (over 7 years) ($350.00)
• Both rear trailing arm bushings are splitting badly ($425.00)
• Oil pan gasket leaks ($255.00)
• Left inner tie-rod end has play ($267.00)

This is from an official Honda dealership in the Lower Mainland, and since I haven't asked for second professional opinion, I cannot know whether these recommendations are indeed valid for my car or not, and what I could do with or without.

But in any case, how are the prices? In total, the current estimation would cost more than half of the car's current value, but if they need to be fixed they need to be fixed. Are they overpriced? Or does the current estimation look reasonable?

Boobs in advance.

What was the question?

Brake fluid and the gasket are the only things I'd look at and I'd have it done elsewhere for close to half the price - and have them give you an opinion on the rest. If you're loaded get it all done right there. Be like driving a new car.

80 bucks for a fuel filter and 90 bucks for powersteering fluid?

This service had better come with a box full of blowjobs,otherwise you're getting hosed.

…and what in gods name do they intend to do with 10 or so litres of brake fluid?

• Diff is noisy when turning, recommend diff flush ($129.88)
• HEPA filter ($79.88)
• Brake fluid ($79.88)
• Power steering fluid ($89.88)
• Fuel filter ($80.00)
• Fuel injection service ($149.95)
• No history of timing belt (over 7 years) ($350.00)
• Both rear trailing arm bushings are splitting badly ($425.00)
• Oil pan gasket leaks ($255.00)
• Left inner tie-rod end has play ($267.00)

1. How much is the fluid cost? Labour shouldn't be much.
2. Can be had much cheaper, but how much is install?
3. What does the owner's manual say regarding PS fluid life?
4. Is there a problem with it?
5. I'd politely decline.
6. This one is probably good to do, especially if it's an interference engine.
7. Probably can be done cheaper elsewhere.
8. How bad does it leak?
9. How much play?

Get another independent recommendation, don't tell them you already went to Honda.

Find a good non-dealer mechanic, unless you like bending over and taking it.

hot damn!

• Diff is noisy when turning, recommend diff flush ($129.88)
• HEPA filter ($79.88)
• Brake fluid ($79.88)
• Power steering fluid ($89.88)
• Fuel filter ($80.00)
• Fuel injection service ($149.95)
• No history of timing belt (over 7 years) ($350.00)
• Both rear trailing arm bushings are splitting badly ($425.00)
• Oil pan gasket leaks ($255.00)
• Left inner tie-rod end has play ($267.00)

1 - questionable, change fluid yes, flush no
2 - optional, probably easy to do, $10 at LORDCO I bet
3 - should be changed every 2 years, worth doing
4 - questionable… most cars go until they die on the original fluid
5 - I don't think there is anything servicable here, likely no benefit
6 - do it! price doesn't seem out of line
7 - probably should be done, affects ride and handling, not sure why so expensive but could be a pain in the butt to change
8 - next time you change your oil, get the gasket changed - not sure why so pricey, should be quick and easy but maybe not on the CRV
10 - tie rod should be done

You don't need a dealer to do any of this stuff, none of it is rocket science or even particularly honda-specific.

go here , and buy this
http://www.haynes.com/products/productID/201
even if you dont do any of the work buy one of these and learn a bit about your vehicle .
there is a great troubleshoot section for common problems too.
it will help you for the life of owning this car.

dealerships should be able to tell you how many labour hours are alloted for each of these items on your list.

on average most car dealerships charge about 100 bucks an hour, many good mechanics are available at the 60- 75 bucks an hour mark.

Buy the manual and change the filters and fluids yourself at a third the cost. have a pro do your tie rods, and timming belt.

usually with the timing belt you need or at least SHOULD do the water pump , for the labour cost they are right on top of each other or side by each ….

Never take it to a dealer unless it's warranty. Those prices are stupid high. Oil pan
may be high because of some kind of interference that needs to be removed, but
still way too high. The fuel injection service is a flush that is dubious at best.

Find a mechanic that is recommended by someone (preferably more than one) you
know and trust. Learn to do the fluids yourself, and the hepa filter may be hard to
get to but should be easy and way cheaper.

Honda goes by some book rate for the work they do, if the book says bill 45 minutes for something that takes 5 minutes, they bill 45 minutes.

Honda wanted something like $180 to replace my cabin (hepa) and engine filter. I did it myself, in 15 minutes (1st time cabin filter change requires a bit more work) for the cost of the filters I bought from Lordco.

Take the quote and your vehicle to this place, and ask for Mike. He can do all that work, and he won't do what isn't required. The guy is an awesome mechanic, and a Honda specialist.
Comptech Performance
144 5th Ave West, Vancouver
604-872-5625

Take the quote and your vehicle to this place, and ask for Mike. He can do all that work, and he won't do what isn't required. The guy is an awesome mechanic, and a Honda specialist.
Comptech Performance
144 5th Ave West, Vancouver
604-872-5625

Do they build race cars? I've seen some nice cars in here.

But seriously OP. The brake fluid and the oil leak are the only issues I'd consider right away and even these aren't critical… you drove the car in there right??? Most of the things listed are just money makers for the dealership - not things that will impact your life… other than your wallet.

The tie rod - depending on play might want fixing as well. Is the rubber boot torn? They'll ding you for an alignment on top of that fee. I've driven for years with "a little play" in my drivers tie-rod. It's not ideal but you're probably safe.

holy tit those are some nice boobs

Am I the only one asking why she has a giant lube dispenser at her desk??

Anyways, yup you're getting hosed - take it to a reliable independant mechanic and they'll probably only recommend that you do half that stuff.

Am I the only one asking why she has a giant lube dispenser at her desk??

I, for one, do not see anything particularly strange about that.