This will probably only apply to one of our members (summas2k) but I feel that it's important incase others from that area happen to read but don't post.

In addition to my S2000 I also own a 98 Accord. Since I've moved out here to "The Island" I've started doing all of the maintenance on my vehicles. I changed the oil and filter today on the Accord. The last oil change was done at Honda of Tri-Cities (Lithia). When I got under to pull the old oil filter off I was surprised to see that it was white. It took some heavy cranking to get it off and I was shocked even more to find that it was a NAPA Silver 21334. While I was inspecting the filter, I noticed that it was larger in diameter and length when compared to the Honda filter. I am still using the old style of filters which used to be for the Accord, S2000 and the MDX. I also have some of the new style Accord/MDX filters which are even smaller than the old style and obviously much smaller than the NAPA one I found.

Both the NAPA filter and the older Honda filter have six holes, but the NAPA filter holes are spaced wider apart and are smaller in diameter from the Honda. The sealing ring on the Honda filter is also 1/4" smaller than the NAPA filter (this really bothered me).

I sent Honda of Tri-Cities an email regarding this issue but have yet to hear back from them. I can already guess the reason for them using the NAPA filter, since it retails at $2.75 and the Honda filter is well over $5.00 (even cheaper for a dealer I'm sure). Nevertheless, I feel that the use of a NAPA filter from a Honda service department is uncalled for. My main reason for taking it to a Honda service department was to ensure that Honda parts were used. If I didn't care I would have taken it to Jiffy Lube.

Of course, after reviewing the service invoice, I was charged for a Honda filter price.

So, to Ken, if you take your S2000 to HOTC, you may want to ensure they are using the right parts.

 

Thanks for the warning. Until you posted, I never really worried about it figuring that if something happened, I could always point the figure at HoTC since they do all of the maintenance. With the change in Honda filters, I am going to make sure they put in the right filter when I go for the next oil change.

I am a bit surprised since they have always given me really good service, including fixing errors from other Honda dealerships on previous cars. I hope that it's not a sign of things to come...

 

I don't want to assume anything of course, but I think that they assumed it would never be checked since Tonya is the one that always took it in. How many women would crawl under the car and look at the filter? For those that don't know, the 98 Accord EX uses the F23A1, it has a similar oil filter location as the F20C1 but the F23A1 is sideways which puts the filter under the car and just in front of the firewall, very hard to see unless you jack it up and get about halfway under the car.

I'll let you know if Dan Gonzales replies to me or not.

Not sure if you've read it or not yet, but Ben had some trouble with Honda of Bellevue using the wrong oil.

Maybe it's getting down to having to specify everything from now on.

 

Every time I have the oil changed, I check to make sure that they use the right oil, filter and seal everything up properly. Call me paranoid but I had an incident a long time ago in Abq that got me into the habit.

When I had my '88 Accord, I took it to Parnelli Jones for an oil change (I had a freebie coupon). After tooling around in the car for about two weeks, I took it to Jiffy Lube for an emissions check. They found that the oil cap hadn't been tightened down so oil was everywhere. After tightening the cap down, the dipstick was still showing a full oil tank. I checked the receipt and it said they put in 6 qts (it took 4 qts, IIRC). Suffice it to say, I was pissed and the boners at Parnelli Jones never fessed up. Since then, I always check to make sure everything is as it is supposed to be.

 

That happened to my brother with his old Miata several years back, he figured it out when smoke started billowing out of his engine bay. He ended up getting a new motor out of the deal.

Anyway, just a heads up for your next service visit to HoTC.

 

He was lucky to get a new motor. I was fortunate in that no harm was done since they over-filled the oil. But, the boners did not fess up to their mistake when I confronted them about it. They had the "You're a stupid kid attitude" towards me, including the GM. Oh well, live, learn, and tell all your friends not to go there!

 

From: Dan Gonzales [mailtoGonzales@lithia.com]
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2003 7:36 AM
To: 'Marcus G Croman'
Subject: RE: Previous Service Question


I pulled your invoice for the last visit you were in April 7th, 2003, Repair order #67504 for maintenance. We used a Honda oil filter. We have over a 100 filters in stock for you model of vehicle. We have not run out of filters for ever. And if we use aftermarket parts, it has not been Napa, unless we can not get it at Ashley's in Pasco. I really feel your missing a Oil change some where. We always use Honda parts on Honda's. If we do not have a Honda part, I would rather reschedule the Appointment, that's how strongly I feel of using only factory parts on Honda's!! Feel free to give me a call any time. 866-393-7725. Thank you, Dan.

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Marcus G Croman [mailto:marcus@gotspork.com]
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2003 10:33 AM
To: 'Dan Gonzales'
Subject: RE: Previous Service Question


Yes, April was the last oil change. It had been sometime since I had it done because of a few residence moves. At this point I'm not sure what to say. Your service department was the only place I had ever taken it to.

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Dan Gonzales [mailtoGonzales@lithia.com]
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2003 3:11 PM
To: 'Marcus G Croman'
Subject: RE: Previous Service Question


That puzzles me too. We only would buy from Napa if it was a domestic vehicle and Ashley's did not have one. And the part number on your invoice is Honda for the oil filter. And it's been a while since we sold a Napa filter, I think it was Feb. of 2003. And that was for a domestic vehicle. ???? I'm puzzled also! Don't know what to say!?

 

I guess we're at an impasse. There's no way I can prove it and even if I did, I have no recourse unless there was damage done to the vehicle.

I know Dan is a good guy, but you may still want to just keep an eye open.