Coolant Gauge Got Hot Momentarily...

[drmanny3]

There are a number of folks here who do not own the NC1, but never the less have lots of opinions as to what should be, could be, and everything in-between. Ignore them.

Anytime you take your car in for a repair and they have to perform a diagnostic review, the dealer's reputation is on the line. They have to find the issue and resolve it according to the manufacturer's requirements. Your car is still in warranty and the Dealership must not do harm as they analyze, and fix your car.

Certainly after the fact you can start pricing parts to see if they can be had cheaper. For sure you will find that parts can be had for around 25% to 30% less, but don't forget tax and shipping. In retrospect you could have asked the service manager if they could do something for you with respect to the overall price. They probably would have given you some percentage off the final price. You could still go back and ask in a nice way if there is anything that they can do for you.

I guess, what I want for you is for you not feel like you got screwed. There are not a lot of Acura Dealerships that have NSX Trained Techs. I am not sure where you live in LA. I know that in Tustin that the DCH Tustin Acura has a very knowledgeable NSX Tech and a great Service Manager Sarah Posell. She could review your work order and give you some insight. Another great NSX Tech is Norman at Ventura Gold Coast Acura. Probably none of these are close. I have driven my car from Santa Barbara to Tustin to have Sarah do her stuff. She was always most accommodating and fair in pricing. Again, great to have you as a member.

 

[leov]

tough crowd...lolololololol

I completely agree with you. They took advantage of the situation. The hose clamp, for example, carries a full MSRP of $20 and can be ordered from an Acura dealer (not after market) on line for $13. And they charged you $5 over MSRP. Then, they charged you about $80 over MSRP for the pipe, which is available from Acura dealers for under $500. And the coolant that they charged over $100 per gallon is available for $17. It's not a question of affordability. I have absolutely no problem paying for goods and services at the going rate. But this was robbery. And to the person that wanted to see me personally flush my coolant in under 6 hours? Well, no; I can't. But, if you like, when it's due on my NSX, I'll ask my Acura dealer if I can film their tech because I'm assured that it certainly won't be a 6 hour video clip.

 

[ArabianOak]

I completely agree with you. They took advantage of the situation. The hose clamp, for example, carries a full MSRP of $20 and can be ordered from an Acura dealer (not after market) on line for $13. And they charged you $5 over MSRP. Then, they charged you about $80 over MSRP for the pipe, which is available from Acura dealers for under $500. And the coolant that they charged over $100 per gallon is available for $17. It's not a question of affordability. I have absolutely no problem paying for goods and services at the going rate. But this was robbery. And to the person that wanted to see me personally flush my coolant in under 6 hours? Well, no; I can't. But, if you like, when it's due on my NSX, I'll ask my Acura dealer if I can film their tech because I'm assured that it certainly won't be a 6 hour video clip.

exactly...realistically this repair should have been around 600 with the flush. they will never see me or my car again and my local car group is well aware of what happened. do they care? nope, they are living in the now and could care less about how this treatment will impact their future.

 

[ArabianOak]

There are a number of folks here who do not own the NC1, but never the less have lots of opinions as to what should be, could be, and everything in-between. Ignore them.

Anytime you take your car in for a repair and they have to perform a diagnostic review, the dealer's reputation is on the line. They have to find the issue and resolve it according to the manufacturer's requirements. Your car is still in warranty and the Dealership must not do harm as they analyze, and fix your car.

Certainly after the fact you can start pricing parts to see if they can be had cheaper. For sure you will find that parts can be had for around 25% to 30% less, but don't forget tax and shipping. In retrospect you could have asked the service manager if they could do something for you with respect to the overall price. They probably would have given you some percentage off the final price. You could still go back and ask in a nice way if there is anything that they can do for you.

I guess, what I want for you is for you not feel like you got screwed. There are not a lot of Acura Dealerships that have NSX Trained Techs. I am not sure where you live in LA. I know that in Tustin that the DCH Tustin Acura has a very knowledgeable NSX Tech and a great Service Manager Sarah Posell. She could review your work order and give you some insight. Another great NSX Tech is Norman at Ventura Gold Coast Acura. Probably none of these are close. I have driven my car from Santa Barbara to Tustin to have Sarah do her stuff. She was always most accommodating and fair in pricing. Again, great to have you as a member.

Thank you...I live in Northern Illinois. Dealer that murdered me was Advantage Acura in Naperville.

 

[Heavymetals]

I would have charged you $600.00 for the diagnosis.

If it had been GM, they would have made sure your warranty got poofed.

IMO you got off cheap.

 

[ArabianOak]

@

I would have charged you $600.00 for the diagnosis.

If it had been GM, they would have made sure your warranty got poofed.

IMO you got off cheap.

 

[ArabianOak]

I would have charged you $600.00 for the diagnosis.

If it had been GM, they would have made sure your warranty got poofed.

IMO you got off cheap.

Humbly disagree...having owned a zr1 before the nsx I NEVER had an issue with GM. Before that I blew the trans on my shelby that had pulley/tune...took it in and no questions asked. Replaced in 3 days AND they provided a loaner...this was ford. I didn't even get a loaner from this dealer. Sad if you ask me.

 

[docjohn]

This is good...this thread is spicy...we used to have tons of jalapeno threads when the old nsx was still "happening"....Prime was so entertaining. This is normal for a car forum as long as we keep it respectful/witty/ect.....carry on....

 

[sbkim]

Thank you...I live in Northern Illinois. Dealer that murdered me was Advantage Acura in Naperville.

Thanks for sharing and glad car is back to normal. I am also in Northern Illinois and will for sure avoid this dealership. My dealer is located in Madison so I'll need to find a decent dealership closer to me. I've heard decent reviews for Arlington Acura in Palatine.

 

[ArabianOak]

Thanks for sharing and glad car is back to normal. I am also in Northern Illinois and will for sure avoid this dealership. My dealer is located in Madison so I'll need to find a decent dealership closer to me. I've heard decent reviews for Arlington Acura in Palatine.

I have heard good things about them as well...but avoid naperville like the plague!

 

[Stkpikr]

i understand you pay to play but I really think the dealer could have done this job in less than half the labor time and at about half the price of parts. A quick search online revealed I paid hundreds more than I could have bought the parts for. Again, I am happy it's done and fixed and I just wanted to share.

I appreciate everyones input.

Could you share what dealer did you dirty?
Thanks

 

[RyanRA]

Advantage Acura in Naperville.

 

[Bricks and Bio]

Advantage Acura was sold last year

Previously owned by the nice folks at Continental

I have no knowledge of the guy who purchased the Acura store

Continental sold 2 other dealerships in that area around the same time to Napleton

Good thing the Acura store didn't go to Napleton, even though the pricing for the work feels too high

I use McGrath downtown Chicago for service

They have 3 techs who can work on these cars, although one of them was moved into service management

They take excellent care of my car and are a pleasure to work with

 

[Bricks and Bio]

Arlington Acura is a Rohrman shop.

When I was looking for an allocation they were one of the places I called.

I was told, yes we have an allocation, come on over.

When I got there the salesman said Chase Rohrman, Bob's son wanted to meet me to go over things so I hung around for him to get there.

When he does he tells me he wants $50K over sticker.

 

[ArabianOak]

Arlington Acura is a Rohrman shop.

When I was looking for an allocation they were one of the places I called.

I was told, yes we have an allocation, come on over.

When I got there the salesman said Chase Rohrman, Bob's son wanted to meet me to go over things so I hung around for him to get there.

When he does he tells me he wants $50K over sticker.

These people are worse than criminals. Sickening.

 

[sbkim]

These people are worse than criminals. Sickening.

Not good. OK, over to McGrath Libertyville or Morton Grove Met a nice service manager at the Libertyville location about a year ago.

 

[Stkpikr]

Not good. OK, over to McGrath Libertyville or Morton Grove Met a nice service manager at the Libertyville location about a year ago.

I've seen that Muller Acura in Schaumburg/Hoffman Estates has had quite a few Nsx's in the past. Anyone have experience with their service department? When I bought my 2018 NC1 I had the PPI done at the original selling dealer McGrath Acura of Morton Grove and I guess they did a good job with the PPI but I have had bad experiences with McGrath Acura of Westmont with my NA1. Maybe bad service doesn't equate across dealerships but... I did have great service on the NCI at Continental Acura Naperville and was sorry to hear they changed hands for the worse.

 

[Bricks and Bio]

I called Mr. Muller multiple times about getting a build slot and the guy never returned my call

Before the Gen 2 came out I did see a perfect silver Gen 1 (2002 or later) with the license plate Muller

 

[Stkpikr]

I've seen that Muller Acura in Schaumburg/Hoffman Estates has had quite a few Nsx's in the past. Anyone have experience with their service department? When I bought my 2018 NC1 I had the PPI done at the original selling dealer McGrath Acura of Morton Grove and I guess they did a good job with the PPI but I have had bad experiences with McGrath Acura of Westmont with my NA1. Maybe bad service doesn't equate across dealerships but... I did have great service on the NCI at Continental Acura Naperville and was sorry to hear they changed hands for the worse.

I meant to type I had great service on my Na1 at Continental Acura. I was looking forward to being able to go there for my work on the NC1.

 

[ArabianOak]

wanted to update everyone on this...so after heavy thought for a few days I did decide to reach out to Acura HQ and ask for full details on what exactly happened to my car (and if it was even my fault). It took them dam near a month to get back to me. My specialist was sergio and he was not able to provide much information. He did say they had a tech call the dealer, get pics of parts and determined the lower coolant hose was defective.

end of the day (without getting into more details) I would HIGHLY REC'D never taking your NSX to this dealer. very shady business practices are occurring here, plus they are a very new dealer to the area.

my car is fixed and i am happy but we do have some decent alternatives to the area without paying dealer prices. I will be taking my car to https://www.cannonballgarage.com/ for ALL future services/needs outside of definite warranty work. I showed cannonball my receipt and as suspected the dealer overcharged me at least double what they would have charged for the same service. They also quoted me 200 for the coolant flush!!!

you live and you learn.

 

[sbkim]

Man, that sucks. But glad car is running well. I was seriously considering installing JB4 myself but a little apprehensive after reading this post. I guess all is OK as long as I don't touch expansion tank? I would be good paying $400 to have it installed but finding a reputable shop isn't easy.

wanted to update everyone on this...so after heavy thought for a few days I did decide to reach out to Acura HQ and ask for full details on what exactly happened to my car (and if it was even my fault). It took them dam near a month to get back to me. My specialist was sergio and he was not able to provide much information. He did say they had a tech call the dealer, get pics of parts and determined the lower coolant hose was defective.

end of the day (without getting into more details) I would HIGHLY REC'D never taking your NSX to this dealer. very shady business practices are occurring here, plus they are a very new dealer to the area.

my car is fixed and i am happy but we do have some decent alternatives to the area without paying dealer prices. I will be taking my car to https://www.cannonballgarage.com/ for ALL future services/needs outside of definite warranty work. I showed cannonball my receipt and as suspected the dealer overcharged me at least double what they would have charged for the same service. They also quoted me 200 for the coolant flush!!!

you live and you learn.

 

[ArabianOak]

Man, that sucks. But glad car is running well. I was seriously considering installing JB4 myself but a little apprehensive after reading this post. I guess all is OK as long as I don't touch expansion tank? I would be good paying $400 to have it installed but finding a reputable shop isn't easy.

please dont let me dumb mistake steer you away from it...i think if you take your time you'll be fine. Def worth the install IMO.

 

[docjohn]

Thanks for you honesty...

 

[latzke]

[MENTION=38042]ArabianOak[/MENTION] did you remove the hose using tools, like screwdriver to pry off (razor blade to cut off, pliers to squeeze and twist, etc)? That can be a no-no as with (incorrect) tools you can scrape or deform the pipe the hose attaches to, inhibiting good seal.

As for cost/labor for the coolant job on NC1: Can it not be done with a vacuum filler? I know for the NA1/NA2 there is some complex procedure in the service manual for bleeding after filling...but most techs skip all that hassle and just use a vacuum filler tool (I would never do it by the book, too much effort, too much room for error). I would be surprised if there was something about the NC1 design that removed this as an option.

 

[ArabianOak]

@ArabianOak did you remove the hose using tools, like screwdriver to pry off (razor blade to cut off, pliers to squeeze and twist, etc)? That can be a no-no as with (incorrect) tools you can scrape or deform the pipe the hose attaches to, inhibiting good seal.

As for cost/labor for the coolant job on NC1: Can it not be done with a vacuum filler? I know for the NA1/NA2 there is some complex procedure in the service manual for bleeding after filling...but most techs skip all that hassle and just use a vacuum filler tool (I would never do it by the book, too much effort, too much room for error). I would be surprised if there was something about the NC1 design that removed this as an option.

No, the expansion tank is a totally separate area from what failed. I never touched the hose that failed. I simply removed the lower hose and pinch to gain more room for the JB4 install.