Re: where in Bay Area to go change the timing belt on a 98 Civic?
 

jim beam wrote:

>>
> do they do frame straightening?

I doubt it. That is a body shop kind of a process.

Re: where in Bay Area to go change the timing belt on a 98 Civic?
 

Apple Dumpling wrote:

>>
> I did a lot of looking around and found even independent shops asking
> as much as $800 for a complete 90,000 mi service. I finally found a
> shop on San Antonio road in Mt. View, Valero Automotic Unlimiter who
> did a complete 90,000 service for about $575. They did the coolant,
> all belts inc timing, water pump, transmission, oil and filter. So far
> no problems. They were recomended to me by another customer. Call
> Fred Cheung at 650-941-2541. Bob

Did they use top quality parts or the cheapest unbranded Chinese parts
they could find?

John

Re: where in Bay Area to go change the timing belt on a 98 Civic?
 

Apple Dumpling wrote:

>>
> I did a lot of looking around and found even independent shops asking
> as much as $800 for a complete 90,000 mi service. I finally found a
> shop on San Antonio road in Mt. View, Valero Automotic Unlimiter who
> did a complete 90,000 service for about $575. They did the coolant,
> all belts inc timing, water pump, transmission, oil and filter. So far
> no problems. They were recomended to me by another customer. Call
> Fred Cheung at 650-941-2541. Bob

Did they use top quality parts or the cheapest unbranded Chinese parts
they could find?

John

Re: where in Bay Area to go change the timing belt on a 98 Civic?
 

Apple Dumpling wrote:

>>
> I did a lot of looking around and found even independent shops asking
> as much as $800 for a complete 90,000 mi service. I finally found a
> shop on San Antonio road in Mt. View, Valero Automotic Unlimiter who
> did a complete 90,000 service for about $575. They did the coolant,
> all belts inc timing, water pump, transmission, oil and filter. So far
> no problems. They were recomended to me by another customer. Call
> Fred Cheung at 650-941-2541. Bob

Did they use top quality parts or the cheapest unbranded Chinese parts
they could find?

John

Re: where in Bay Area to go change the timing belt on a 98 Civic?
 

gigelus2k3 wrote:
> Hello,
>
> My 98 Civic LX with 87000 miles started making the tell-tale
> high-pitched whistle, suggesting that a timing belt change is in order.
>
> Where should I go do it? Or is this a routine job and would not matter
> where I go? My local service center (SpeeDee in Westgate Mall, West San
> Jose), to which I always went to do the oil change, quoted something in
> the range of 700 bucks everything included.
>
> Also, is this really a whole-day job?
>
> Thank you,
>
> Serban

If you already know about cartalk, go to their web site. I'm not sure
exactly where, but somewhere on their web site, they have a list of
independent repair shops recommended by readers/listeners. Been a while
since I did that, so I'm sorry I can't be more specific.

Anyway, the one I used to get a timing belt done on my 99 civic is
located in Santa Clara. The nicest folks, don't advertise, and said
they only work through word-of-mouth advertising). The shop is called
Foreign Affair, and they specialize in Honda/Acura. They'll pick you up
at the Santa Clara Caltrain station when you need to pick up your car
(and drop you off there when you leave your car). They're cheaper than
the dealership, but not by much. But they do an excellent job. I wish I
still lived in the bay area.....

They did keep the car all day, but that was convenient for me as well,
since I dropped it off on a weekday. IIRC, they don't work on weekends,
which is a bit inconvenient. And yes, they use genuine Honda parts,
changed the water pump etc.

Good luck! You might find someone closer/more convenient to you from
the cartalk web site.

BT

Re: where in Bay Area to go change the timing belt on a 98 Civic?
 

gigelus2k3 wrote:
> Hello,
>
> My 98 Civic LX with 87000 miles started making the tell-tale
> high-pitched whistle, suggesting that a timing belt change is in order.
>
> Where should I go do it? Or is this a routine job and would not matter
> where I go? My local service center (SpeeDee in Westgate Mall, West San
> Jose), to which I always went to do the oil change, quoted something in
> the range of 700 bucks everything included.
>
> Also, is this really a whole-day job?
>
> Thank you,
>
> Serban

If you already know about cartalk, go to their web site. I'm not sure
exactly where, but somewhere on their web site, they have a list of
independent repair shops recommended by readers/listeners. Been a while
since I did that, so I'm sorry I can't be more specific.

Anyway, the one I used to get a timing belt done on my 99 civic is
located in Santa Clara. The nicest folks, don't advertise, and said
they only work through word-of-mouth advertising). The shop is called
Foreign Affair, and they specialize in Honda/Acura. They'll pick you up
at the Santa Clara Caltrain station when you need to pick up your car
(and drop you off there when you leave your car). They're cheaper than
the dealership, but not by much. But they do an excellent job. I wish I
still lived in the bay area.....

They did keep the car all day, but that was convenient for me as well,
since I dropped it off on a weekday. IIRC, they don't work on weekends,
which is a bit inconvenient. And yes, they use genuine Honda parts,
changed the water pump etc.

Good luck! You might find someone closer/more convenient to you from
the cartalk web site.

BT

Re: where in Bay Area to go change the timing belt on a 98 Civic?
 

gigelus2k3 wrote:
> Hello,
>
> My 98 Civic LX with 87000 miles started making the tell-tale
> high-pitched whistle, suggesting that a timing belt change is in order.
>
> Where should I go do it? Or is this a routine job and would not matter
> where I go? My local service center (SpeeDee in Westgate Mall, West San
> Jose), to which I always went to do the oil change, quoted something in
> the range of 700 bucks everything included.
>
> Also, is this really a whole-day job?
>
> Thank you,
>
> Serban

If you already know about cartalk, go to their web site. I'm not sure
exactly where, but somewhere on their web site, they have a list of
independent repair shops recommended by readers/listeners. Been a while
since I did that, so I'm sorry I can't be more specific.

Anyway, the one I used to get a timing belt done on my 99 civic is
located in Santa Clara. The nicest folks, don't advertise, and said
they only work through word-of-mouth advertising). The shop is called
Foreign Affair, and they specialize in Honda/Acura. They'll pick you up
at the Santa Clara Caltrain station when you need to pick up your car
(and drop you off there when you leave your car). They're cheaper than
the dealership, but not by much. But they do an excellent job. I wish I
still lived in the bay area.....

They did keep the car all day, but that was convenient for me as well,
since I dropped it off on a weekday. IIRC, they don't work on weekends,
which is a bit inconvenient. And yes, they use genuine Honda parts,
changed the water pump etc.

Good luck! You might find someone closer/more convenient to you from
the cartalk web site.

BT

Re: where in Bay Area to go change the timing belt on a 98 Civic?
 

In article <OihOg.3860$xh3.484@trnddc01>, John Horner
<jthorner@yahoo.com> wrote:

> Apple Dumpling wrote:
>
> >>
> > I did a lot of looking around and found even independent shops asking
> > as much as $800 for a complete 90,000 mi service. I finally found a
> > shop on San Antonio road in Mt. View, Valero Automotic Unlimiter who
> > did a complete 90,000 service for about $575. They did the coolant,
> > all belts inc timing, water pump, transmission, oil and filter. So far
> > no problems. They were recomended to me by another customer. Call
> > Fred Cheung at 650-941-2541. Bob
>
> Did they use top quality parts or the cheapest unbranded Chinese parts
> they could find?
>
> John
I saw all of the parts sitting on the work bench. It was all good
stuff. Most was OEM.

Re: where in Bay Area to go change the timing belt on a 98 Civic?
 

In article <OihOg.3860$xh3.484@trnddc01>, John Horner
<jthorner@yahoo.com> wrote:

> Apple Dumpling wrote:
>
> >>
> > I did a lot of looking around and found even independent shops asking
> > as much as $800 for a complete 90,000 mi service. I finally found a
> > shop on San Antonio road in Mt. View, Valero Automotic Unlimiter who
> > did a complete 90,000 service for about $575. They did the coolant,
> > all belts inc timing, water pump, transmission, oil and filter. So far
> > no problems. They were recomended to me by another customer. Call
> > Fred Cheung at 650-941-2541. Bob
>
> Did they use top quality parts or the cheapest unbranded Chinese parts
> they could find?
>
> John
I saw all of the parts sitting on the work bench. It was all good
stuff. Most was OEM.

Re: where in Bay Area to go change the timing belt on a 98 Civic?
 

In article <OihOg.3860$xh3.484@trnddc01>, John Horner
<jthorner@yahoo.com> wrote:

> Apple Dumpling wrote:
>
> >>
> > I did a lot of looking around and found even independent shops asking
> > as much as $800 for a complete 90,000 mi service. I finally found a
> > shop on San Antonio road in Mt. View, Valero Automotic Unlimiter who
> > did a complete 90,000 service for about $575. They did the coolant,
> > all belts inc timing, water pump, transmission, oil and filter. So far
> > no problems. They were recomended to me by another customer. Call
> > Fred Cheung at 650-941-2541. Bob
>
> Did they use top quality parts or the cheapest unbranded Chinese parts
> they could find?
>
> John
I saw all of the parts sitting on the work bench. It was all good
stuff. Most was OEM.

Re: where in Bay Area to go change the timing belt on a 98 Civic?
 

BT wrote:
> If you already know about cartalk, go to their web site. I'm not sure
> exactly where, but somewhere on their web site, they have a list of
> independent repair shops recommended by readers/listeners. Been a while
> since I did that, so I'm sorry I can't be more specific.
>
> Anyway, the one I used to get a timing belt done on my 99 civic is
> located in Santa Clara. The nicest folks, don't advertise, and said
> they only work through word-of-mouth advertising). The shop is called
> Foreign Affair, and they specialize in Honda/Acura. They'll pick you up
> at the Santa Clara Caltrain station when you need to pick up your car
> (and drop you off there when you leave your car). They're cheaper than
> the dealership, but not by much. But they do an excellent job. I wish I
> still lived in the bay area.....
>
> They did keep the car all day, but that was convenient for me as well,
> since I dropped it off on a weekday. IIRC, they don't work on weekends,
> which is a bit inconvenient. And yes, they use genuine Honda parts,
> changed the water pump etc.
>
> Good luck! You might find someone closer/more convenient to you from
> the cartalk web site.
>
> BT

I went to cartalk.com and there were a few service shops with more than
3-4 reports, among them Mr. Mazda and Foreign Affair. Since the latter
is specialized in Honda/Acura and they're conveniently located close to
my job place, I ended up going with them. The car is now in their shop
(I asked them to do some other things beside replacing the TB); at
least the TB change job was reasonably priced (around 600 bucks all
included) and they seem a very serious shop.

One thing they talked about was that the oil drain plug was abused in
the past (probably crappy jobs at oil-change stations in Chicago) and
that the oil pan thread was almost ruined. They suggested and I aggreed
to put in a valve instead (see fumotousa.com). It seems so simple that
it makes me a little suspicious, surely there's a catch! Have you ever
heard of this?

Will keep you posted.

Serban

Re: where in Bay Area to go change the timing belt on a 98 Civic?
 

BT wrote:
> If you already know about cartalk, go to their web site. I'm not sure
> exactly where, but somewhere on their web site, they have a list of
> independent repair shops recommended by readers/listeners. Been a while
> since I did that, so I'm sorry I can't be more specific.
>
> Anyway, the one I used to get a timing belt done on my 99 civic is
> located in Santa Clara. The nicest folks, don't advertise, and said
> they only work through word-of-mouth advertising). The shop is called
> Foreign Affair, and they specialize in Honda/Acura. They'll pick you up
> at the Santa Clara Caltrain station when you need to pick up your car
> (and drop you off there when you leave your car). They're cheaper than
> the dealership, but not by much. But they do an excellent job. I wish I
> still lived in the bay area.....
>
> They did keep the car all day, but that was convenient for me as well,
> since I dropped it off on a weekday. IIRC, they don't work on weekends,
> which is a bit inconvenient. And yes, they use genuine Honda parts,
> changed the water pump etc.
>
> Good luck! You might find someone closer/more convenient to you from
> the cartalk web site.
>
> BT

I went to cartalk.com and there were a few service shops with more than
3-4 reports, among them Mr. Mazda and Foreign Affair. Since the latter
is specialized in Honda/Acura and they're conveniently located close to
my job place, I ended up going with them. The car is now in their shop
(I asked them to do some other things beside replacing the TB); at
least the TB change job was reasonably priced (around 600 bucks all
included) and they seem a very serious shop.

One thing they talked about was that the oil drain plug was abused in
the past (probably crappy jobs at oil-change stations in Chicago) and
that the oil pan thread was almost ruined. They suggested and I aggreed
to put in a valve instead (see fumotousa.com). It seems so simple that
it makes me a little suspicious, surely there's a catch! Have you ever
heard of this?

Will keep you posted.

Serban

Re: where in Bay Area to go change the timing belt on a 98 Civic?
 

BT wrote:
> If you already know about cartalk, go to their web site. I'm not sure
> exactly where, but somewhere on their web site, they have a list of
> independent repair shops recommended by readers/listeners. Been a while
> since I did that, so I'm sorry I can't be more specific.
>
> Anyway, the one I used to get a timing belt done on my 99 civic is
> located in Santa Clara. The nicest folks, don't advertise, and said
> they only work through word-of-mouth advertising). The shop is called
> Foreign Affair, and they specialize in Honda/Acura. They'll pick you up
> at the Santa Clara Caltrain station when you need to pick up your car
> (and drop you off there when you leave your car). They're cheaper than
> the dealership, but not by much. But they do an excellent job. I wish I
> still lived in the bay area.....
>
> They did keep the car all day, but that was convenient for me as well,
> since I dropped it off on a weekday. IIRC, they don't work on weekends,
> which is a bit inconvenient. And yes, they use genuine Honda parts,
> changed the water pump etc.
>
> Good luck! You might find someone closer/more convenient to you from
> the cartalk web site.
>
> BT

I went to cartalk.com and there were a few service shops with more than
3-4 reports, among them Mr. Mazda and Foreign Affair. Since the latter
is specialized in Honda/Acura and they're conveniently located close to
my job place, I ended up going with them. The car is now in their shop
(I asked them to do some other things beside replacing the TB); at
least the TB change job was reasonably priced (around 600 bucks all
included) and they seem a very serious shop.

One thing they talked about was that the oil drain plug was abused in
the past (probably crappy jobs at oil-change stations in Chicago) and
that the oil pan thread was almost ruined. They suggested and I aggreed
to put in a valve instead (see fumotousa.com). It seems so simple that
it makes me a little suspicious, surely there's a catch! Have you ever
heard of this?

Will keep you posted.

Serban

Re: where in Bay Area to go change the timing belt on a 98 Civic?
 

"gigelus2k3" <popescu.serban@gmail.com> wrote
> One thing they talked about was that the oil drain plug
> was abused in
> the past (probably crappy jobs at oil-change stations in
> Chicago) and
> that the oil pan thread was almost ruined. They suggested
> and I aggreed
> to put in a valve instead (see fumotousa.com). It seems so
> simple that
> it makes me a little suspicious, surely there's a catch!
> Have you ever
> heard of this?

I replaced my 91 Civic's oil drain plug with a Fumoto valve
a few years ago. Didn't like it--seemed to leak. I just went
to one of the local auto parts stores and bought a new plug.
No drips. I also now use a torque wrench to tighten the new
plug to the specified torque. Plus I always use a new
washer.

Others have reported that they love their Fumoto valves.

Glad to hear the Car Talk site turned up what might be a
good shop for you.

Re: where in Bay Area to go change the timing belt on a 98 Civic?
 

"gigelus2k3" <popescu.serban@gmail.com> wrote
> One thing they talked about was that the oil drain plug
> was abused in
> the past (probably crappy jobs at oil-change stations in
> Chicago) and
> that the oil pan thread was almost ruined. They suggested
> and I aggreed
> to put in a valve instead (see fumotousa.com). It seems so
> simple that
> it makes me a little suspicious, surely there's a catch!
> Have you ever
> heard of this?

I replaced my 91 Civic's oil drain plug with a Fumoto valve
a few years ago. Didn't like it--seemed to leak. I just went
to one of the local auto parts stores and bought a new plug.
No drips. I also now use a torque wrench to tighten the new
plug to the specified torque. Plus I always use a new
washer.

Others have reported that they love their Fumoto valves.

Glad to hear the Car Talk site turned up what might be a
good shop for you.