Surface Cracks in 5-spd Tranny Bell Housing (Aluminum Casting).Serious?
 

Hi there,
I just had my 2001 Honda Accord (166,500 km) in for a fall
maintenance service (oil & filter change, tire rotationand basic
inspection) at Midas and the technician showed me a series of surface
cracks (maybe 30 of them in polygon shapes about 2.5 cm in dimension)
on the aluminum casting on the 5-spd tranny bell housing (left side
casting when looking from the driver's seat). He said that it was not
something he had seen before. I don't know quite what to make of it.
Is this serious? If it is, how should I approach the repair? Could it
be a manufacturing defect that Honda should look after?
Your helpful and insightful comments would be appreciated. TIA

Balls