Acura/Honda Technician?

[thedude]

Hi all,

I've been having continual transmission problems in my 06 RSX Type-S and now the dealer is saying that at 33k miles, I've burned my clutch completely and need a new one to the tune of $1700.

Acura has already released a service bulletin on my tranny (grinds even with the clutch depressed in 3rd gear) but they insist that isn't the problem and that I've been racing my car (implied).

Does anyone know a good, honest, acura or honda tech that I could get some perspective from?

Thanks,

John

[ErikH]

The only place that I have heard anything about in Austin is that place on 620, not quite sure of the name but that is all they service is Honda/Acuras. That was years ago though so things may be much different. I have a friend here locally in San Antonio but he just relocated and I cant remember the new name of his shop, even though I was there a week ago. Someone here should know what the name is but the owner is Mike and he used to own Top Notch and his new location is off Bitters and 281 right behind Sonic, right next to Arrowood Acura (another really good place)... hopefully another import guy may know!

[aquasport24]

I am not a Honda/Acura technitian, but i it should covers under 36months/36k miles regardless how it breaks.

[thedude]

Thanks guys, I'd assume it was covered as well. The service rep told me that the clutch was something that is not covered as it is designed to wear out and told me it was probably my driving style that wore it out prematurely. The flywheel is somehow warped and I have really no idea how I could have done that myself.

I purchased the car from McDavid Acura in Dallas and have had every service done at the McDavid here in Austin. At 9k miles (before the first checkup) I brought it in and complained of the problem shifting. Every visit since then, I've complained to some extent that the car still isn't fixed and is hard to shift.

Unfortunately according to the rsx forums I've read, it seems that this is a fairly common problem.

I appreciate the help guys and will update you when I talk to them later this evening.

John

[brewercm]

If you've had it documented all that time that the problem exists they still have to fix it regardless of mileage since the problem was documented and not repaired long before the warranty ran out. Not sure how the clutch thing is going to work out in getting repaired since they are an expendable item but since your flywheel is warped that would also be a part of the problem and may mean they have to replace the clutch for free.

BTW, what are they making their clutches out of for that price, gold or platinum? Good luck and just be persistent and hopefully you have a friend that's a lawyer if you need one. I just hate car dealerships.

[BIGBIRD123]

John, with the persistent problems from 9k on, the flywheel being warped is probably why the clutch is going out or the clutch going out could have caused enough heat and friction to warp the flywheel. I would be as persistent as the problems you have been having by calling them everyday until you are happy. Give the GMgr several calls, then ask for their 1-800-walmart number for complaints and on and on...

No disrespect meant to Wal-Mart but using acronym for general idea. Wal-Mart has paid for a lot of what I do....

Steve

[ErikH]

If that all proves to be a hassle, upgrade to a racing clutch and flywheel. The cost is about the same, just a little more for the performance stuff, but with hondacuras upgrades are fairly inexpensive.

[JLiu]

Has the dealer already taken apart your car? How do they know things are bad/warped? The clutch is NOT covered under warranty, but the fly wheel should be. Proving that the clutch wasn't not the cause and the flywheel was would be hard for you to prove. A nice clutch would cost about 400 and fly wheel would be about the same then you would have labor on top of that. Like erik said for the same price you can have some nice upgrades in those departments versus factory stuff.

[thedude]

So to update:

I received a call from McDavid's drive manager (service is on vacation) and he gave me the same story about how you can burn a clutch up quickly. He and I went back and forth for awhile and his proposal to end the conversation was to take apart my car and if he saw a factory defect, the whole thing would be free. If not, I'm out at least 4 hours of labor.

I thought about this and called other Acura dealers and shops and concluded that there is little to no way to tell if the problem on the car was a factory defect or heavy wear. I do not think this is a reasonable solution as I've documented this problem from the beginning and am trying to get a hold of acura's regional manager.

Thanks for all ya'lls help.

John

[BIGBIRD123]

If all else fails and you just need someone to go and break his leg...give me a call...LOL!

S