Hey everyone, my 2016 Civic Touring (69k miles) overheated yesterday, and I saw the coolant tank was empty. I towed it to the Honda dealership (yeah, I know, bad move) since they were already closed. This morning, the service advisor called and said I need a water pump and belt replacement—$1,905. I was half-asleep and hungover, so I just agreed, thinking it sucked but needed to be done. Later, I realized this was almost double what others seem to pay here in LA. I tried to call back and cancel, but they said they’d already started taking the engine apart.
They also said they want to do a leak-down test for $200. I’m wondering if that’s even necessary or if it’s just an extra charge they’re tacking on. Any thoughts on whether I should skip it? And is this price as insane as it sounds, or am I missing something? Let me know your thoughts!
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They should’ve done a leak-down test before pulling the engine apart, not after! If they were trying to check for a head gasket issue, that should’ve been step one. This whole thing feels off. I’m pretty sure your car has a serpentine belt-driven water pump, which makes me question what they’re saying even more. I’ll look into it tomorrow when I’m at work and can check the specifics.
Yeah, the water pump on this car is belt-driven. My guess is they’re saying the leak-down test is to check for a blown head gasket or engine damage, but that’s typically done before replacing anything. Maybe they’re just covering their bases, but it still seems strange to me. They could also do a simple CO test on the cooling system, which is way less invasive and cheaper. Something doesn’t add up.
Exactly. A leak-down test has nothing to do with the water pump. You test the cylinders, not the pump. They should’ve done that right after diagnosing the overheating issue. Honestly, this sounds like a bad case of upselling. Also, they could’ve done a chemical test for hydrocarbons in the cooling system in under two minutes if they were worried about a head gasket issue. It all feels like they’re overcharging for unnecessary steps.
Both engines for that model year are timing chain-driven, so yeah, the water pump runs off the accessory belt. It’s unclear if they’re talking about a cooling system pressure test (to check for leaks) or a cylinder leak-down test (to check the engine). Without a better explanation from them, it’s hard to say, but either way, $1,900 for this job is way too much.
Hey, just wanted to add more info. The estimate they gave me was:
Water pump and belt: $1,902.50
Leak-down test: $199.95
Coolant fluid exchange: $198.78
The advisor said they’re giving me the coolant for free and adding discounts, so the total is $2,102.45.
About the overheating: When it happened, I was on the highway and immediately pulled over to the right lane. I slowed down to 25 mph for half a mile and then parked at a gas station. The temp dropped when I let off the gas. Does any of this change how bad this deal sounds?
Honestly, this sounds like a total rip-off. A water pump and belt shouldn’t cost anywhere near $2,000, even with labor. Plus, charging $200 for a coolant flush when they already have to drain and refill the system for the pump? That’s ridiculous. I’ll check tomorrow at work to confirm what this should really cost, but it seems like they’re just trying to milk you for as much as possible.
Thanks for your help. I feel like it’s too late to back out since they’ve already started, but if you think I’m being overcharged so badly that it’s worth paying them for the labor so far and going somewhere else, I’ll call them first thing in the morning.
If they’re not doing a pressure test or something to confirm the repair fixed the issue, that’s a red flag. How else would they know if the repair was done right? Sounds like they’re setting you up to take the fall if anything goes wrong afterward.