You are being much more generous than I would be. I think that people (and dealerships) should be accountable for their actions. There is absolutely no way that stripping an oil pan is EVER considered "normal" wear and tear, especially with only 25k miles on the car. The oil drain bolt was over-torqued or cross-threaded, plain and simple. Case in point - the threads on the alloy oil pan on my 128k mile Miata and 123k mile Civic are perfect. You have complete records, so this should be a 'slam dunk' win in your favor.

It is very disappointing to read that your dealership isn't bending over backwards to make this right with you. And by right, I mean a free oil pan plus installation. Plus, making the next oil change free for your inconvenience would be a nice gesture. But no, it sounds like they are just trying to weasel out of fixing their mistake.

If you're not willing to press them for a free replacement, an alternative solution is to have them GIVE you a new part, and then install it yourself. It takes about an hour or two to remove and reinstall the pan - I've done about 5 of them myself (as part of the oil jet bolt upgrade). That way you're "splitting" the cost of a $400 service. If you lived closer, I'd even be willing to do the job for you, much like I have helped many local enthusiast owners.

 

Long Beach to Davie: Total Est. Time: 43 hours, 15 minutes Total Est. Distance: 2729.68 miles.

 

Piece of cake. He could do it in a weekend .

 

I would not agree to split the cost of the labor!! That's insane. I agree with CoralDoc, Slipstream & others: Stripping threads is not normal wear & tear. A complaint to Honda of America is definitely in order. You have nothing to lose by filing complaints with Honda & BBB.

If I were you, I'd call the dealer back and tell them that you have more info from friends suggesting that you shouldn't pay for the damage. Tell them of the complaints you plan on filing, and see what they say. If they don't budge, go through with the complaints. But whatever you do, MAKE THEIR LIVES MISERABLE FOR DAMAGING YOUR CAR AND NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT!

Oh, and if you can keep the old oilpan, grab it. You can always have it rethreaded, or take it to a machine shop where they can weld a bead on the stripped threads and retap the original thread size.

 

Ask them, "So how's your CSI?"

 

ahbongkadah, if they don't give you a free pan, PM me and we can set something up. I've had my F20C sitting in my garage for a few months now, and it doesn't look like I'm going to do anything with it - I've already started parting it out.

If you need an oil pan, let me know. Pay for shipping and it's yours.

 

Ok so I spoke with the service manager yesterday, at first the way he was talking I didn't think I was going to get anything. After about a 15 minute conversation, they are replacing the oil pan for free.


-Thanks for all the advice guys, I really appreciate all the help. (I could have ended up spending $400)