Black Rock Auto

We spent a significant amount of time diagnosing a number of problems on this car. Our shop policy is that we charge for the diagnostic ($135) and that if the customer decides to fix it, this $135 is applied towards the labor of the repair. In this case, we identified an old car with a significant...

number of problems that would need to be addressed if the owner were to keep the car. That being said: Please READ the notes on the invoice and estimate.  Although our Estimate may have been over $1300 to fix this car properly, we DID NOT RECOMMEND necessarily that the owner SHOULD fix it.  This is from our notes: >if you decide to put any money into repairing this car, be aware that its 17 years old and has 217,300 miles on it!<Furthermore, the owner indicates that she took it to another shop that replaced the radiator for $319.  That shop did not address the numerous other issues present in this car.  The car needed not only a radiator/leak fixed, but also radiator hoses, clamps and coolant--there was also a leaking power steering pressure hose and return hoses. The transmission fluid was very dirty. The engine oil was due for an oil change. The ABS module had 2 codes pointing to a likely ABS Module failure.  We're sorry if the customer did not like to hear the bad news that her vehicle needs a lot of work that would cost a lot of money to do it right, but that is simply the condition this vehicle is in.  However, our honest recommendation would be that due the vehicle's age, mileage, and condition, would be that it is not worth putting a lot of money into.  She mentions that her Honda is worth about $1750.  When the cost of repairs exceed the value of the car, we would recommend against spending a lot of money on it. Here is the actual notes from the diagnostic of this vehicle. Please review them:Diagnostic. Check/Advise.Results: Found leaky radiator, should get a new thermostat and hoses. Also has leaky power steering pressure hose & weak return hoses. Found no Hydrocarbon in coolant: 0 ppm. Checked over car, found Transmission fluid is Very dirty. These V6 hondas have history of transmission torque converter failures, it shifts ok on test trive but may be future problem. Needs new + batt terminal. Engine has 1 code: P0401 egr flow low, need time to pinpoint, may be carbon or valve. brake pads ok. ABS ecu has 2 codes point to abs module fail. All readiness complete in PCM.Due for oil change. Timing Belt looks a bit worn, but not terrible condition. if you decide to put any money into repairing this car, be aware that its 17 years old and has 217,300 miles on it! Estimates for replace Radiator/thermostat/clamps/Radiator hoses and coolant is $800. Estimate to replace power steer pressure hose and return hoses $405. If you want to try to clean up the transmission oil by replacing it 02 DLV Diagnostic -Continued 0.00there is a chance that changing the fluid will affect the wet clutches or trans brakes due to change in fluid friction coefficient. this means transmission MIGHT stop working if we change the fluid! hard to say what the odds of that are..