oh yeah, they also want to throw in replacing all cooling system hoses for a mere

$497.56


If I ever get a shop to determine the cause for these burnt valves, I am going to take this shop to small claims court for sure. Good thing I'm a lawyer with nothing better to do =P

 

The problem is finding a good one.
It sounds to me like they screwed up your car during that valve adjustment and now they're trying to getcha for fixing that.

Kinda like the unscrupulous shop mechanic who pulls off a vacuum hose and tells you that you need a new throttle body. And the poor guy went in there for a new air filter.

 

Hey Ben,

What is the name and location of this shop so that all owners can stay as far away as possible.

 

Hontech in North Park, it's on 30th, between University and El Cajon.

 

So you had misfires BEFORE they adjusted the valves? And no more CELs for 15K miles?

 

Asura,

More or less yes. About 15K ago, my CEL registered missfire in 1,3,4 and random. They adjusted the valves and everything was fine until about 1-2 months ago. CEL starting coming back on, and this time around, exact same codes.

To make matters worse, the shop is now refusing to put the cylinder head back on and forcing me to get the car towed. I'm absolutely livid but hesitant to go after them right now as I don't want them to f with the car even more.

sigh...
Ben

 

Well since the head is off, any chance of getting down there for some pics?

Misfire code can also mean there could be other things going on. Take pics of the cylinder walls and piston tops and valve seat side of the head. It will be tough to diagnose, but there may be some telltale indicators.

 

dont temps go up if a valve doesn't seat correctly? Misfire codes are common with the honda.

 

Or if valve clearances are set too tight, in which case, you can get a sort of artificially premature valve float. Exhaust gases escape when they aren't supposed to and could take the combustion process into the exhaust and/or intake runner. This can produce abnornally high temps on the top side of the valve cup at times and durations when it's not supposed to.
A valve adjustment should not have been the first plan of attack to deal with misfire codes. They were most likely fine before those hacks got their hands on it. Then came 15,000 miles of inadequate valve clearance to slowly cook them.

 

Considering the "competence" of this shop, I would pay the tow, rather than risk them really messing it up if they put the head back on. I would make sure you get ALL the parts when you pick up the car. I would suggest perhaps taking pictures, with someone from the shop, in the picture to provide proof if something is missing later on.

Get your car fixed THEN take them on! Good luck.